A self-proclaimed “gargantuan high schooler” on his Facebook profile, David Barrent will soon be a gargantuan college student when he comes to East Lansing in the summer of 2009.
As a high school football prospect known for running, Edwin Baker can be defined by his walk. With his broad shoulders square, strong legs beneath him and chiseled upper body, Baker, a star high school senior running back, has no wasted movement in his gait.
For Donald Spencer, actions speak louder than words. Spencer, a senior wide receiver at Ypsilanti High and verbal commitment for MSU’s 2009 recruiting class, is not the kind of kid who will get in your face to make a point or dress outlandishly to get attention.
Balance, blocking ability and hands. According to recruiting Web site Scout.com, those are three strengths of Battle Creek Central High running back Larry Caper, a verbal commitment for MSU’s 2009 recruiting class.
As he trotted on the field for senior night, the crowd exploded with applause, recognizing it could be awhile before they see another player of Blake Treadwell’s caliber.
When MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio first laid eyes on the 2008 schedule, he didn’t like what he saw. At first, not having a bye week until the 11th week of the season bothered Dantonio, but three months and one banged-up team later, he’s changed his mind.
For the first time this season, members of the MSU football team really complained about respect Saturday. Junior defensive end Trevor Anderson pleaded that MSU was “not the same old Spartans team.” Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer asked when the name would die.
When MSU beat Purdue 21-7 Saturday at Spartan Stadium, the home team made its way over to the southeastern corner of the stadium to do the traditional singing of “MSU Shadows” with the student section. After the final word had been sung, nearly all the Spartans headed to the locker room to celebrate their ninth win of the season.
With an ugly 21-7 win Saturday over Purdue, the Spartans are sitting pretty for a chance at a Big Ten championship. A stingy defense that held Purdue to 191 total yards and gave the Spartans offense superb field position on two touchdown drives propelled MSU to a win on Senior Day at Spartan Stadium.
On a warm November evening last week, senior offensive linemen Jesse Miller and Roland Martin were enjoying one of their last off days as MSU football players. The two most experienced and decorated MSU offensive linemen were at Ralph Young Field, experimenting with their most recent purchase — remote control cars.
Purdue head coach Joe Tiller probably didn’t imagine going out like this. In his last season at the helm, the Boilermakers are at risk of missing out on postseason play for just the second time in Tiller’s 12-year career.
Purdue head coach Joe Tiller is considered the father of the spread offense in the Big Ten, as he brought the pass-happy offense to West Lafayette, Ind., in 1997.
The dried blood on the inside of senior linebacker Ryan Allison’s helmet tells the story of his evolution the past six months.
When senior guard Mike Bacon arrived at MSU in 2004 as a preferred walk-on from Lansing, he looked more like a hockey defenseman than an offensive lineman.
In their four or five years at MSU, the Spartans football seniors have gone through more ups-and-downs than an elevator.
The MSU Football Players Association has published “The Tradition Continues — Spartan Football,” a 624-page book detailing the more than 124 years of MSU football.
One year after MSU’s late-season 48-31 win at Purdue, the Spartans and Boilermakers have reversed roles. The Spartans went into West Lafayette, Ind., last season with a 5-5 record and a three-game losing streak in tow, fighting for their bowl lives with two games remaining.
For about two minutes Saturday afternoon in Spartan Stadium, all eyes were on junior kicker Brett Swenson.
Junior kicker Brett Swenson hit a 44-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining, as No. 21 MSU posted a 25-24 come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin at Spartan Stadium.
The 5-foot-11, 165- pound Gilreath is coming off the first two-touchdown game for a Wisconsin wide receiver this season, when he caught three balls for 71 yards last week against Illinois.