When the Spartans step onto the field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium Saturday afternoon, they will be doing so in front of the biggest crowd the stadium has seen. For the first time in Central Michigan’s school history, tickets for the game sold out prior to game day, where the No. 11 Spartans (1-0) will face off against the Chippewas (1-0) before an expected record capacity of 32,855 fans.
Bennie Fowler only was a freshman, but the moment still stands out in his mind. It was three years ago when a 42-yard Central Michigan field goal with three seconds remaining handed MSU a stunning 29-27 loss in Spartan Stadium that began a three-game losing streak.
In the fourth quarter, CMU kicker Andrew Aguila misses a 47-yard field goal, but an offside penalty against defensive end Colin Neely gave CMU another chance.
After MSU introduced the college football world to its new $10 million scoreboards and sound system nearly a week ago, more renovations might soon be on the way at Spartan Stadium.
MSU’s receiving corps have heard it all before. They’re young. They’re untested. They make mistakes. They can’t make the big plays. Junior running back Le’Veon Bell will have to carry this offense. After Friday’s game, it only got worse. The passing game took a backseat to Bell’s monstrous performance, as the Spartans struggled to move the ball through the air. Three interceptions and a fumble by sophomore wide receiver Tony Lippett later and MSU doesn’t appear to boast the same wideout pedigree it has in the past.
When the No. 11 MSU football team (1-0) takes the field and one of the country’s most heralded defenses lines up each Saturday, a glance across the field often shows Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard matched up on their own, with no one around to help them.
The players included junior linebackers Denicos Allen and freshman Jamal Lyles, redshirt freshman safety Kyle Artinian and sophomore running back Nick Hill, and Dantonio made it clear the behavior would not be tolerated.
After his 265 total-yard, two-touchdown performance against then-No. 24 Boise State Friday night, junior running back Le’Veon Bell has been thrust into the national spotlight, raking in Offensive Big Ten Co-Player of the week honors and eliciting talks of possible Heisman candidacy.
You can take your hands down now. It’s OK to look. The ugliness of last Friday’s game can’t hurt you anymore.
In a 17-13 victory over No. 24 Boise State, the No. 13 Spartans made a statement, topping a ranked opponent in the season opener for the first time since 1987.
Maxwell found junior tight end Dion Sims seven times for 65 yards over the course of the game, including a crucial third down conversion where Maxwell threw high and counted on the six-foot-five Sims to go up and get it. And he did. For 18 yards and a first down that put the Spartans at first and goal on the seven yard line.
Leading up to Friday’s game, head coach Mark Dantonio needed only to point towards Chris Petersen’s 73-6 coaching record to know the Spartans were in for a tough game.
The junior running back powered the No. 13 MSU football team to a 17-13 victory over No. 24 Boise State, finishing with 44 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns — both career highs — in a smashmouth game that wasn’t easy on the eyes.
On a night where the offense couldn’t get going, Le’Veon Bell wouldn’t stop. The junior running back had a career-high 44 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns, single-handedly lifting the No.
A quick start by junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell in his first career start quickly faded, with the No. 13 MSU football squandering an early lead and allowing No. 24 Boise State to take a 13-10 lead into the halftime locker room.
Rocket. Little Giants. The Catch. Three of the biggest plays in MSU football history. Three plays that defined MSU football. Three plays that transpired under the lights at Spartan Stadium.
MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio doesn’t need to watch hours of game film or pore over scouting reports to know what the No. 13 Spartans are up against in their season opener against No. 24 Boise State.
No. 13 MSU vs. No. 24 Boise State Spartan Stadium Weather at kickoff: Sunny, 82°
More than just fan morale is affected when the Spartan football team is having a good season — local businesses are greatly affected as well.