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Penn State hammers Spartans 42-14 in final regular season game
It was the most unfitting of ends for the Spartans regular season.
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Hawken endures coaching, position changes to end career strong
With the prevalence of the spread offense in college football, the fullback slowly is fading away from the football landscape. But while other Big Ten schools have decided not to utilize one, the fullback is a very important part of MSU’s offense. And senior Andrew Hawken is a big reason why.
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A senior with a kick
It is winter 2006, and then-freshman kicker Brett Swenson is alone, playing in the snow. While his teammates are sweating in the indoor practice facility at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building, Swenson is clearing the snow outside and kicking field goals.
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Prognosticators 11/20/09
This is prognosticators comin’ at you like a mob of sorority girls at a Victoria’s Secret sale. Except maybe less scary.
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MSU amped to avenge last year's Happy Valley beatdown
A lot is on the line when MSU and No. 13 Penn State meet for the Land Grant Trophy on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. In what has become an increasingly important game each year as the Spartans return to respectability under head coach Mark Dantonio, MSU is looking to pick up the all-important seventh victory — a win that would secure a winning season, regardless of what happens in a bowl game.
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Battle for Land Grant Trophy comes to E.L.
The Spartans welcome Penn State to Spartan Stadium on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC) in a game that has major bowl implications. The outcome of the game will affect almost every bowl-eligible Big Ten team.
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Martin provides spark in shootout victory
Of all the players who have made big plays for the Spartans in 2009, sophomore receiver Keshawn Martin is at the top of the list.
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Swenson honored for Purdue performance
Senior kicker Brett Swenson was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday after his career-best performance in MSU’s 40-37 victory against Purdue on Saturday.
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Spartans in biggest state football rivalry
When game times for this weekend’s Big Ten games were announced, a friend of mine, who happens to be a Michigan fan, texted me, “Michigan-Ohio State at noon on ABC. Great, now the whole nation can laugh at us again.”
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Pulling out all the stops
In a season full of unusual games and strange twists and turns, Saturday’s 40-37 win against Purdue added to the oddity that is the 2009 MSU football season.
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Neely, Spartans sack Purdue
West Lafayette, Ind. — The Spartans had seen this movie before. After the MSU football team took a 40-37 lead with less than two minutes remaining Saturday, Purdue began to drive toward a late victory.
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MSU possibly heading to San Antonio
The Spartans’ 40-37 win against Purdue on Saturday, made them bowl-eligible for the third straight season. It marks the first time the Spartans have done so since 1995-97, and just the third time in program history.
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Spartans become bowl eligible with 40-37 win against Purdue
West Lafayette, Ind. — For the first time this season, the MSU football team won a game it probably shouldn’t have — and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
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Spartans hope to improve performance in road games
The MSU football team’s defense hasn’t been the same this season when waking up on game days in a place other than the Kellogg Center.
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Hope recognizes Spartans are formidable opponent
With its season on the brink following a crushing 37-0 loss at Wisconsin, Purdue again breathed life into its season last week, overcoming a two touchdown deficit to beat Michigan 38-36 in Ann Arbor.
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White recognized for achievement
Senior receiver Blair White was named one of 12 finalists for the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the college football player who best exemplifies community service and outstanding athletic and academic achievement.
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MSU, Purdue in need of win to make bowl game
The MSU football team heads to West Lafayette, Ind., for its final road game of the season Saturday (noon, ESPN). Purdue (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten) is coming off its first win at Michigan since 1966 and will hope to ride the emotions of its senior day.
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Big targets becoming popular for Spartans
The MSU football team’s tight end position was considered to be strong when this season began. But early in the year, the talent didn’t seem to be used to its full potential.
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MSU kicker named award semifinalist
Senior kicker Brett Swenson was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award on Monday, which goes to the nation’s top placekicker.