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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.
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Moss sentenced to slammer
Former Spartan tailback Dawan Moss was sentenced to 20 days in jail Thursday on charges of drunken driving, fleeing and alluding police and resisting arrest. But his sentence may be reduced, and he has sought counseling for his alcohol problem, his lawyer Stephan Holland said. Moss, a co-captain last season, expects only to serve nine days in jail according to Holland. Moss will get credit for one day already served and won't have to serve the other 10 days if he completes his one-year probation. Moss will serve his jail time on weekends. Holland said Moss "was calm and understood the ramifications of the sentence and handled it professionally." Moss, who pleaded no contest to the charges, will also pay about $1,100 in fines and legal fees, Holland said. Holland said the sentence was fair, although he said it was higher than the pre-trial recommendation.
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Smith touches down in East Lansing
Paying off former head football coach Bobby Williams' contract: $550,000. Adding luxury boxes and club seats to Spartan Stadium: up to $50 million. Hiring a head football coach who skydives and runs from bulls: priceless. John L.
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Football team lands Florida lineman
Ray Hixson, head football coach at Port Charlotte High (Fla.), said offensive lineman Joe Toth verbally committed to MSU on Saturday.
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Officials deny athletes given extra breaks
Despite witholding information about run-ins with police officers, university officials denied reports Monday that embattled athletes receive special treatment. The State News reported Monday All-American wide receiver Charles Rogers allegedly pushed an MSU parking enforcer and had a verbal argument with the same officer last fall.
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'U' won't release athletes' discipline records
University officials refuse to release information regarding student athletes' encounters with the law, citing privacy concerns as local prosecutors say the lack of witness participation among victims in the cases is frustrating. That frustration includes an incident with All-American wide receiver Charles Rogers who allegedly pushed an MSU parking enforcer in October, Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joyce Draganchuk told The State News. The incident also included a verbal argument between Rogers and the parking employee.
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Smith named to coach Spartans, trustees set to approve contract Monday
Louisville's John L. Smith was named MSU's 23rd football head coach during a Thursday night press conference at the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center.He replaces Bobby Williams, who was fired midseason on Nov.
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Louisville coach to head Spartan football team
MSU is expected to announce Louisville football head coach John L. Smith to lead the Spartans at a 6:30 p.m.
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Officials optimistic about improvements to Spartan stadium
University engineer Bob Nestle said the MSU Board of Trustees plans to name an architect for the construction of luxury suites, club seats and a club to Spartan Stadium at its Friday meeting.HNTB would not start the renovations until further studies assessing the feasibility and costs of making the additions are completed.
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Rogers selected to All-American team by Football Writers Association
Charles Rogers won what is probably just his first postseason national honor Monday, as the Football Writers Association of America named the junior wide receiver to its All-American team.
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Williams, 'U' part ways with payment
While MSU continues searching for its next football coach this week, former head coach Bobby Williams will be waiting for a big check to arrive.
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ONLINE UPDATE: MSU will pay Williams $550,000
MSU will pay Bobby Williams $550,000 to end his contract with the university, officials announced Wednesday.The buyout deal is more than twice what the university had to pay under the terms of its 5-year rolling contract with Williams, which was in its third year.