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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

MSU sees 2012 Spartans in Northwestern

Dillon Davis
November 20, 2013

When the No. 13 MSU football team takes the field Saturday against Northwestern, they might be getting a glimpse of the past. A season ago, the Spartans lost six games by an average of five points, often failing to capitalize in critical moments before sneaking into a bowl game. That’s been the story for the Wildcats (4-6 overall, 0-6 Big Ten) this season, who now have lost six straight games by an average of 10 points, including overtime losses in two of the past three matchups.

FOOTBALL

Some type of win

Stephen Brooks
November 17, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. – With a historic opportunity in their grasp, they ran a “Charlie Brown,” but they didn’t pull a Charlie Brown — whiffing and falling flat. The then-No. 14-ranked Spartans strolled into one of college football’s most hallowed sanctuaries and used a crafty fake field goal to power their 41-28 win, the program’s first win against Nebraska in eight tries. MSU (9-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) was ahead by six and facing fourth-and-1 at the Cornhuskers’ 27-yard line early in the fourth quarter when head coach Mark Dantonio ordered the trickery named after the “Peanuts” main character. Once again, junior punter Mike Sadler was the secret weapon and designated ball-carrier on the deceptive play, this time as the holder on the field goal unit.

FOOTBALL

One step closer to Indy

Dillon Davis
November 16, 2013

LINCOLN, NEB. – All season long, defense has been a strength for the No. 14 MSU football team, able to overcome even the most egregious of offensive shortcomings.

FOOTBALL

MSU football looking for revenge, big conference win

Dillon Davis
November 14, 2013

Darqueze Dennard has been asked about it more times than he can count. And now, he’s out for blood. Last season, the then-junior cornerback returned a 96-yard interception on a pass by Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez for a touchdown, which would have put the Spartans in the position to beat the Huskers for the first time in history. Instead, the play was called back on a penalty, opening the door for the Huskers to score on their final drive of the game to defeat the Spartans, 28-24.

FOOTBALL

With Martinez out, Spartans' defense prepares for Armstrong

Stephen Brooks
November 14, 2013

If Nebraska senior quarterback Taylor Martinez made the following statement about MSU, few would raise an eyebrow. “They are one of the best defenses in the country … but at the same time, they can be beat. Our offense, when we’re clicking, we’re clicking. I don’t think anybody in this country can stop us when we’re doing our thing.”

FOOTBALL

Three keys for Nebraska by The Daily Nebraskan's Nedu Izu

Nedu Izu
November 14, 2013

Nebraska is just about the only roadblock on the Spartans’ way to the Big Ten Championship. With kickoff two days away, fans from Lincoln, Neb. and East Lansing are itching to see how the game will pan out. To paint a clearer picture for Saturday, The Daily Nebraskan’s football reporter Nedu Izu compiled three keys to the game for the Cornhuskers to take home the victory. Here are the steps the Red and White need to follow to deliver a blow to MSU’s title game hopes.

FOOTBALL

Singled Out

Dillon Davis
November 14, 2013

Tony Mandarich has been called the n-word by some of his teammates. He’s also been told he’s a redneck and asked where he’s flying his Confederate flag.

FOOTBALL

MSU moves up to No. 14 in AP Poll

Stephen Brooks
November 10, 2013

After its second bye week, the MSU football team moved up three spots to No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Top 25. The Spartans (8-1 overall, 5-0 Big Ten) have slowly ascended the polls by building a five-game winning streak since their Sept. 21 loss at Notre Dame.

FOOTBALL

Big Ten recap: Nebraska downs U-M, still in Legends race with MSU

Dillon Davis
November 10, 2013

As the MSU football team took a bye week to catch its breath, the rest of the Big Ten carried on this weekend, providing matchups that could be strong indicators of how the conference will wrap up. Multiple teams made moves to jockey for a spot in the Big Ten Football Championship Game while others looked to move into bowl eligibility or salvage their respective season with a win.

FOOTBALL

Jairus Jones out for season

Stephen Brooks
November 7, 2013

Jairus Jones’ knee injury will keep him sidelined for the remaining of the season, head coach Mark Dantonio said before practice Thursday, implying the senior linebacker’s playing career at MSU likely has ended. When Jones went down in the Spartans’ game at Notre Dame on Sept. 21 with what was described as a medial collateral ligament, or MCL injury, he was originally given a six-week timetable to recover.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio's greatest hits

Dillon Davis
November 5, 2013

Through seven years at MSU, Mark Dantonio has been the catalyst of some of the most memorable moments in program history. One of the most successful Spartan coaches since Duffy Daugherty, Dantonio already has made footprints in the sand, winning two bowl games, a Big Ten championship, an appearance in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game and five games against in-state rival Michigan.

FOOTBALL

Takeaways from MSU over weekend

Stephen Brooks
November 5, 2013

The man tasked with playing the role of Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner in practice was freshman Damion Terry during MSU’s preparation for the Wolverines. “Not too excited to wear number ‘98’ this week lol oh well” Terry tweeted at the start of the week.