Spartans look to buck Homecoming trend
The series between MSU and Northwestern has taken an interesting turn since 2005.
The series between MSU and Northwestern has taken an interesting turn since 2005.
Trevor Anderson was tired of hearing it. After a 38-30 loss at Wisconsin, the MSU football team stood at 1-3 and didn’t sack Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, rarely laying a hand on him.
After a poor start, the MSU football team has fought back to a 3-3 record and a 2-1 record in the Big Ten.
The Big Ten announced its postseason bowl lineup Tuesday for the 2010-13 college football seasons, which includes six bowl games to be played on Dec. 31 and New Year’s Day.
After struggling with an uptempo offense against Central Michigan, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said his team is ready to handle Northwestern’s fast-paced offense following two successful defensive outings against similarly paced Michigan and Illinois.
When the season began, the MSU football team had a boatload of running backs at its disposal. Midway through the season, that depth is paying off after a handful of injuries. Most significantly, head coach Mark Dantonio announced Sunday that sophomore running back Glenn Winston will miss the rest of the season after tearing his right ACL in MSU’s 24-14 victory against Illinois on Saturday. “He’s very disappointed.
Many Spartans fans had been screaming for it since he transferred from Oklahoma almost two years ago. Give sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol a chance.
For much of the season, MSU’s offense has carried the defense. With the offense struggling in the second half Saturday, the defense rose to the task, scoring the team’s first defensive touchdown of the season while holding Illinois scoreless during the first 40 minutes of the game en route to a 24-14 win.
The Spartans’ victory against Illinois on Saturday moved them to a 3-3 record and gave MSU its second straight win, but it came with a cost. Numerous key players were injured in the 24-14 victory, with few returning to the game.
The Hawkeyes defeated the Wolverines 30-28 Saturday night to move to 6-0, their best start since 1985. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi went 20-for-38 passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns, rebounding after his first pass was intercepted and returned for a U-M touchdown. U-M (4-2, 1-2) relied on its running game as the offense ran for 195 yards but only passed for 124. Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson attempted to drive the Wolverines to another comeback victory in the fourth quarter, but was intercepted with less than one minute remaining, sealing the Hawkeyes’ victory.
MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio announced Sunday night that sophomore running back Glenn Winston will have surgery on his right ACL on Thursday and will miss the remainder of the season.
Champaign, Ill. — After a battle for the starting quarterback position finally appeared to have ended near the midpoint of the MSU football team’s season, one of those quarterbacks led the Spartans to their second straight victory Saturday and back to .500 with a 3-3 record.
After win last week, Spartans move to 2-2 and keep bowl hopes alive; SN reporters offer midseason grades
What’s in store for the Big Ten this weekend?
Through five games, MSU has started five different offensive lines. Because of injuries, the unit hasn’t been stable, with only senior left tackle Rocco Cironi starting all five games in the same position.
The Big Ten Network had its highest viewership in its history last Saturday, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
Struggling out of the gates to the tune of a 1-3 record, Illinois head coach Ron Zook has pulled the trigger and named Eddie McGee his starting quarterback in place of incumbent Juice Williams, who also has struggled this season.
MSU looks to get back to .500 this weekend when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to face the Fighting Illini on homecoming.
The quarterback battle is over. At least it is to sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol.
Head coach Mark Dantonio stressed the importance of moving past the Michigan victory Tuesday at his weekly press conference. Dantonio, dressed in a Detroit Tigers jacket, talked about how the Spartans will have to maintain the intensity that came out of the victory against U-M.