A struggling and inconsistent Spartan defensive unit may have gotten the turnaround it was looking for in Saturday's 46-15 win over Indiana. Using a more aggressive strategy, the defense intercepted three passes for the first time since 2003, recovered a fumble, recorded two sacks, and made six tackles for losses, all while holding the Hoosier offense to 369 total yards.
For the first time all season, MSU's special teams units were just that — special. After being called out Friday night by special teams coach Jim McElwain, the Spartans special teams responded with their best performance of the season.
After throwing his second touchdown pass Saturday against Indiana, Drew Stanton exited the game to the ovation that he was accustomed to hearing when the Spartans started the season so sharply. "It's really nice to get back in the win column," Stanton said.
It's been a while since MSU has tasted victory. The sweetness, though, returned on Saturday. After three straight losses, MSU picked up its first win since Sept.
Sophomore offensive lineman Mike Gyetvai wasn't familiar with the term "pigskin" five years ago. "I wasn't even a football fan coming into high school," said Gyetvai, who grew up in Ontario, Canada.
Many questions will be answered about the poise and talent of both Michigan and Northwestern when the two teams meet on Saturday in the Big Ten's most intriguing matchup of the week. Wildcat quarterback Brett Basanez, who has started in 35 consecutive games, is one of the hottest players in college football coming off a huge road win at MSU.
After two taxing games against Michigan and Ohio State, MSU found itself burned out for its 49-14 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. MSU head coach John L.
Following Saturday's 49-14 Homecoming loss, the only thing that John L. Smith could do was shrug.
Saturday's Homecoming contest was supposed to be a game of dominant offenses and similar two-dimensional quarterbacks.
Minnesota, Michigan, MSU and Indiana, welcome back to the Big Ten race. With U-M downing the only undefeated team in the conference, Penn State, every Big Ten team now has at least one conference loss. Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern and Ohio State are atop the standings with one loss. That's one crowded driver's seat.
The Spartans football season has been marked by a stellar offense and an inconsistent defense through six games this year. Although the defense shined in wins against Kent State, Hawaii and Illinois, the tables turned in a loss to Michigan and Saturday's loss to Ohio State, in which the defense surrendered passing touchdowns of 51, 57 and 46 yards. MSU head coach John L.
Columbus, Ohio — After last season's loss to Ohio State, MSU head coach John L. Smith was livid.
Columbus, Ohio — The expression on Kyle Brown's face said it all. He held his helmet in one hand, the other hand on his hip, sweat dripping down his face. The crowd at Ohio Stadium, which was in hibernation throughout the game, was absolutely electrified — so much so that I turned to a reporter next to me, and I couldn't hear what she was saying.
Columbus, Ohio — Despite allowing 28 points, MSU head coach John L. Smith said a good defensive performance was wasted in the Spartans' 35-24 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. The Spartans forced six fumbles, recovering four of them.
After a week off, MSU's kicking game remains where it was before - on the foot of junior John Goss. But the competition is far from over, according to head coach John L.
In 1991, Greg Bria was sitting in Munn Ice Arena watching the MSU hockey team practice when then-head coach Ron Mason skated to him. At that time, Bria was just a fan but had spent a lot of time around the team and had developed a reputation around the program as a handyman. "Hey, we need some new lockers for the locker room," Mason said.
No. 6 Ohio State at No. 16 Penn State Fish: This game has potential to be quite a low-scoring affair. The Buckeyes have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and after last week's throttling of Minnesota, Penn State comes into the game with a little more swagger. People have been writing Penn State off the last few years, but these Nittany Lions could spoil Ohio State's chances of winning the Big Ten. I see this game coming down to who has the better offense, and although both teams have made steps in the right direction in this area, Ohio State's offensive tandem is more proven. Look for a late Teddy Ginn Jr.
Despite a 4-1 record, the second guessing of the MSU football team's coaching staff has begun after some failed plays in its 34-31 overtime loss to Michigan last week. Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has taken a bulk of the heat, but said if given the chance to recall any plays of the game, he would decline. The general feeling among Spartans fans is that the play calling has been a bit conservative, especially during the second half of MSU's win over Notre Dame and the second half of the U-M game. "To say we were conservative is ludicrous," Baldwin said.
After joining the Big Ten in 1993, Penn State finished in the top three of the conference for five straight years. Yet, the Nittany Lions have not come closer than fourth place since then. But this year might be a different story as Joe Paterno has his team out to its first 5-0 start since 1999, when the team won its first nine games. This weekend presents the toughest test to date for the No.
After experiencing a game in which junior kicker John Goss missed two field goals, MSU head coach John L.