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NCAA grants Harker sixth year of eligibility
Offensive guard Paul Harker has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, coach John L. Smith announced on Saturday.
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Season-ticket costs higher in some sections
Spartan fans might have a difficult time finding cheap seats in Spartan Stadium this season. On Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the Scholarship Seating Plan, which benefits the Ralph Young Fund.
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Former Spartan wideout projected No. 2
While some professional prospects might be motivated by fame and fortune, MSU wide receiver Charles Rogers plays the game of football for those who looked after him, and for those he now looks after. "My family and my kids come first," he said.
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Scrimmage displays team's new strategies
MSU football head coach John L. Smith unveiled his new spread offense to 12,000 fans at Spartan Stadium on Saturday at the annual Green and White game, revealing the team's firm grasp on the new offense as well as its vulnerable defense. Showcasing "a quarter" of the new offense, Smith said he was encouraged by the progress the Spartans have displayed in adapting to a new system and coaches.
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Defensive backs ready to anchor season's success
While much of the secondary is unproven, two defensive backs are set to anchor the group and provide the necessary leadership to get this unit through the season.Junior free safety Jason Harmon and junior cornerback Roderick Maples are the "elder statesmen" in the defensive backfield - each is stepping up and accepting the leadership role they have been assigned."Roderick and Jason stay on us all the time because we're young," sophomore strong safety Derron Ware said.
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NFL: Rogers' drug test diluted
Former MSU star Charles Rogers found himself under the microscope of NFL executives Monday after it was revealed he used a substance to dilute his drug test at the NFL combine in February. The news left Rogers' agent, Kevin Poston, on the defensive, claiming the consensus top-three pick in the April 26-27 NFL draft drank an excessive amount of water because he had difficulty urinating on the day of the test. During the pre-draft combine, potential draft picks often participate in drills for NFL scouts and submit to drug testing.
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Linebackers to be more aggressive
The MSU football team hopes a new defensive setup will result in more aggressive and productive linebackers this fall.The new schemes allow them to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.And they're just chomping at the bit to get started."The way the defense is set up now, it allows us to be more free," junior linebacker Ronald Stanley said.
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Catching on
He's No. 1 on MSU's wide receiver depth chart, his coaches love his speed and his teammates are lauding his leadership - but he is yet to catch one pass in a game of college football. After former Spartan standout Charles Rogers broke the MSU record books and entered the NFL Draft, MSU's depleted receiving corps is forced to look for a fresh start.
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'U' unseasoned at wideout
Seasons past have produced the likes of Kirk Gibson, Andre Rison, Muhsin Muhammad and Charles Rogers.
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Smith keeps players on alert with coaching style
MSU football head coach John L. Smith has his players on their toes this spring.From his casual stride around the Duffy Daugherty Football Building and his approachable, personable demeanor, it wouldn't be expected that Smith is forcing his players to keep one eye open for him at all times."Some of the time, you think he's around," sophomore wide receiver Kyle Brown said, shifting his eyes for emphasis.
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Stanton strictly striving for success on gridiron
Letting go of a first love is extremely difficult.MSU quarterback Drew Stanton had to decide on his first love - baseball - or a great opportunity - to be the starting quarterback for MSU in the fall."I'd love to be able to play baseball," he said.
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Sports briefs
Tennis tea drops 4th straight match, 5-2 The MSU women's tennis team fell to Indiana 5-2 Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.
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Smith says one QB 'needs to step up'
With no single player emerging as a favorite for MSU's vacant starting quarterback position, a dead heat is on.With two spring scrimmages under the Spartans' belt, incumbent junior quarterback Damon Dowdell is battling redshirt freshman Drew Stanton for MSU's starting spot in the Aug.
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Quarterbacks impressive in scrimmage
With seven spring practices in the can, the MSU football team is finding itself knee-deep in sorting through head coach John L.
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Dortch to battle for top running back spot
Tyrell Dortch has endured much pain and suffering, but the struggles have also simultaneously rekindled his love for football. "I appreciate everything about football now," the junior running back said.
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Spartan depth chart
2003 spring practice football roster.Starters are bolded.Offense:Defense:Specialists:QBSTUDPKDamon Dowdell (6-1, 225, Jr.) orGreg Taplin (6-5, 257, Sr.)Dave Rayner (6-2, 208, Jr.)Drew Stanton (6-3, 225, R-Fr.)Clifton Ryan (6-2, 281, R-Fr.)Bobby Belmonte (5-9, 167, So.)Jeff Smoker (6-3, 215, Sr.)Alphonso Townsend (6-5, 295, Jr.) Aaron Alexander (6-5, 196, So.)Brian Davies (6-5, 257, Jr.) RBDTPJaren Hayes (5-9, 178, So.) orBrandon McKinney (6-3, 312, Jr.)Jason Daily (6-2, 179, Sr.)Tyrell Dortch (5-10, 209, Jr.)Greg Yeaster (6-1, 265, Jr.)Brandon Fields (6-5, 216, R-Fr.)Jerramy Scott (5-10, 185, R-Fr.)DT Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 287, Jr.)Anthony Belasco (5-9, 196, R-Fr.)Jason Teague (5-9, 185, So.)Matthias Askew (6-6, 292, Jr.) WRRUSHSN(SLOT) Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, So.)Clifford Dukes (6-3, 266, Jr.)Brian Bury (6-0, 255, R-Fr.)Paul Cummings (6-1, 188, Jr.)Luc Mullinder (6-4, 291, Sr.)Andrew Petterson (6-0, 200, Jr.)Charles Barber (6-0, 165, Jr.)David Herron Jr.
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Stanton, Dowdell No. 1 at QB for spring practice
As the MSU football team starts spring practice Saturday, head coach John L. Smith has two priorities: Sort out the quarterback position and repair a tarnished program. The Spartans, coming off a 4-8 season, will have four signal-callers competing for a starting job - one of which includes embattled senior Jeff Smoker.
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Rogers, Lovett, other Spartan players to workout for NFL coaches, scouts
While it's almost etched in stone that wide receiver Charles Rogers will be a top-five pick in next month's NFL Draft, other Spartans' fates remain uncertain. For some players with dreams of playing on Sundays, today's MSU Pro Day at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building will give them a chance to showcase their skills to many pro teams for the April 26 draft. Scouts will be in attendance to watch Rogers and other Spartans while they run the 40-yard dash and perform other drills. "I just want a little exposure," wide receiver BJ Lovett said.
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Fan section seeks identity
Student Alumni Foundation officials are looking at about a half dozen new names for the student spirit section at home football games. Members of the section, which was known as Bobby's World for the past three seasons, received an e-mail earlier this week asking for moniker suggestions.
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Former players under pro scope
Every year, hundreds of former college players push their bodies to the point of exhaustion, in hopes of obtaining their dreams. Such is the life of more than 300 prospects at the NFL's combine in Indianapolis this week.