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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

2014 football ticket sales surpass 60,000, ranking amongst the highest numbers in MSU history

Katie Winkler
September 12, 2014

After the Spartans won the 2014 Rose Bowl title, more fans are spending their weekends at Spartan Stadium. Football ticket sales are at their highest point in MSU history, racking in over 60,000 this season. “We’ve had strong support under Coach Dantonio since he has been here, but this has been a good year,” Paul Schager, MSU associate athletics director, said. “There is always an up-kick after you have successful seasons. Last year was the most successful year in our history, so the interest is strong and the service numbers reflect that.”

FOOTBALL

Four takeaways from MSU football's loss to Oregon

Robert Bondy
September 9, 2014

No. 2 Oregon ripped off 28 consecutive points in the second half to break the hearts of many Spartans, topping No. 13 MSU, 46-27, from Autzen Stadium on Saturday. MSU held a lead all the way up until the final minutes of the third quarter, but simply couldn’t hold on to earn that program-changing win. But not all was bad for Sparty from Saturday’s disappointing loss. Here are four takeaways from MSU’s loss to the Ducks:

FOOTBALL

COLUMN — Big Ten has to improve if MSU wants to make College Football Playoff

Robert Bondy
September 7, 2014

Eugene, Ore. — For the first 40 minutes of the game, No. 13 MSU looked like it could hold its own with the best of the best. The Spartans held a two-possession lead on the road over No. 2 Oregon and were looking like they could pull the upset and catapult itself into elite status. However, that quickly changed with Oregon reeling off 28 unanswered points to knock off MSU, 46-27.

FOOTBALL

Ducked

Geoff Preston
September 7, 2014

It was billed as a heavyweight title fight between two programs that would be in the conversation for the inaugural College Football Playoff in January. On Saturday in Eugene, Ore., one team showed they are ready for the bright lights that shine on elite programs, and one team did not. No. 13 MSU (1-1 overall) lost to No. 2 Oregon 46-27, despite holding a 24-18 halftime lead.

FOOTBALL

All eyes on Oregon

Robert Bondy
September 5, 2014

This is the game everyone has been circling on their calendars for months.

FOOTBALL

MSU football will measure itself as a program against Oregon on Saturday

Robert Bondy
September 3, 2014

By Robert Bondy rbondy@statenews.com THE STATE NEWSnnThis is the one everyone has been circling on their calendars for months.

FOOTBALL

Fast-paced Oregon offense will provide challenge for stingy MSU defense

Robert Bondy
September 2, 2014

Autzen Stadium will see a true strength vs. strength situation on Saturday when No. 7 MSU puts its hard-nosed defense up against No. 3 Oregon’s explosive offense in one of the season’s best non-conference matchups. “You look at Oregon, certainly you see what they’ve done offensively, and they are different from other spread teams,” head coach Mark Dantonio said during Tuesday’s press conference. “I think they’ve had so much success, a lot of people are taking some of the things and imitating them or not copying, but using their concepts and trying to adapt it into their offenses.

FOOTBALL

Connor Cook leads the Spartans to a 45-7 victory over Jacksonville State

Robert Bondy
August 29, 2014

Junior quarterback Connor Cook led the way on Friday as No. 8 MSU made quick work of Jacksonville State and cruised to 45-7 victory at Spartan Stadium. MSU took the life out of the Gamecocks early and were able to impose its will through long scoring drives and stout defense.

FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio on opener against Jacksonville State — "This is a statement game"

Geoff Preston
August 28, 2014

Statements are made every day on the football field. They can be as small as getting off a block at the right time or as big as winning the Rose Bowl. 

FOOTBALL

Key football players to watch during 2014 season

Robert Bondy
August 28, 2014

The last image many students and fans have of the MSU football program was Kyler Elsworth making that diving stop to capture the Spartan’s first Rose Bowl victory since 1988.However, Elsworth is no longer a member of the Spartans, and it’s finally a brand new year for No. 8 MSU. And with the season starting today, it’s time to put Rose Bowl talk on the back burner and take a look ahead at this year’s bunch.