And although the senior linebacker’s memory of Dohoney is a little foggy, the 1953 Rose Bowl champion is a big reason Gordon officially became a Spartan five years ago.

“I’ve really grown up a Michigan State fan,” Gordon said. “My grandfather died when I was almost six years old, and what I remember about him, he always was giving me Michigan State stuff.”

Gordon grew up in northwest Michigan and played football at Traverse City West High School. A three-year starter for the Titans, Gordon set school records in a variety of defensive categories while also rushing for a total of 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns.

After an accomplished prep career, Gordon was considered one of the top-20 inside linebackers in the country coming out of high school. With a résumé like that, Gordon had plenty of options for where to continue his playing days in college, and MSU was near the top.

But despite the influence of his late grandfather, Gordon said the decision to become a Spartan wasn’t automatic, as other members of his family wanted to point him a little further down the road than East Lansing.

“My dad’s parents went to Michigan so I was getting all this Michigan stuff, too,” Gordon said. “I really had a choice of what I wanted to pick.”

However, shortly after attending MSU’s summer camp in 2005, Gordon committed to MSU and then-head coach John L. Smith, marking the beginning of a quietly great career.

“I don’t know why I chose MSU, I guess it was just in my blood,” Gordon said. “I really don’t know, I just loved the Spartans.”

In the shadows

Five years since making the decision to become a Spartan, Gordon has put together a career that easily would make him the star player of many defenses throughout the country.

In 46 career games — 44 as a starter — Gordon has accounted for 291 tackles, good for 18th on the MSU all-time list. His 27 career tackles for loss and nine and a half sacks also put him in the top 25 in school history.

But no matter what Gordon has been able to accomplish in his four years as a starter at MSU, he always has played in the shadow of fellow senior linebacker and All-American Greg Jones.

While some players might get frustrated with Jones getting all of the attention, Gordon has relished the opportunity to play alongside the All-American.

“It’s definitely been an honor playing next to him,” Gordon said of Jones. “He deserves everything he gets, and I think that just makes me better.”

Gordon and Jones have combined for 719 tackles, which makes them the most productive pair of active linebackers in the country. And although Jones grabs all of the headlines and has a list of awards a mile long, he said the duo’s success together has just as much to do with Gordon.

“It’s awesome,” Jones said of playing next to Gordon. “I feel like it takes a lot of pressure off of me. He can make calls, we both can make calls, and if one of us misses something, we can help each other out and tell each other what’s going on.”

Jones said he and Gordon clicked as teammates and friends as soon as he stepped onto campus as a freshman out of Cincinnati in 2007.

Ever since, the two have built a relationship that goes beyond the playing field, which Jones said could be the key to what they’ve been able to do between the sidelines.

“Me and Gordo spend a lot of time together, talking about things, hanging out outside of football, building that friendship and camaraderie with each other,” Jones said. “I love him to death, and I think our careers have been just really good together.”

Saving the best for last

In his final season in the Green and White, the underrated linebacker has saved the best for last, head coach Mark Dantonio said.

“He maybe doesn’t get the hype that Greg is getting, but he’s playing very, very well with our linebackers,” Dantonio said. “He’s playing maybe the best football I think he’s played in four years.”

No. 5 MSU sits at an undefeated 8-0, thanks in large part to Gordon, who sealed the Spartans’ last win — a 35-27 victory against Northwestern on Saturday — with his second career interception.

“It’s definitely exciting,” Gordon said. “The last time I was 8-0 was my junior year in high school, so it’s a good feeling.”

Led by Gordon, Traverse City West made it to the district finals that year before falling, 35-7, to Rockford High School.

As Gordon and MSU move on with the 2010 season, starting with a trip to No. 18 Iowa tomorrow (3:30 p.m., ABC), he said he hopes his last year with the Spartans ends on a higher note.

“It’s a great feeling knowing this is my senior year and we can really do something special,” Gordon said.

“We just have to keep it rolling, and like I’ve said so many times, take it one game at a time.”