Saturday, July 27, 2024

Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Lack of kicking game looms large after loss to U-M

Eric Fish
October 3, 2005

The Spartans looked far from an undefeated, No. 11-ranked team Saturday when they fell to Michigan, 34-31 in overtime, amid a number of mistakes that were absent in their previous four contests. The offense, defense, and special teams all played a rollercoaster of a game that sophomore linebacker Kaleb Thornhill called a "team loss". "The defense made mistakes, the offense made mistakes, we all made mistakes," Thornhill said.

FOOTBALL

Monday musings

Tom Keller
October 3, 2005

• Texas Tech has given Pat Knight, son of current men's basketball coach Bob Knight, a five-year contract to replace his dad once he retires. No word yet if MSU has made a similar promise to Tom Izzo's 5-year-old son, Steven. • You could say the Tigers limped to the finish line of another disappointing season this weekend.

FOOTBALL

It's 'State'ment week for Spartans against old rivals

Eric Fish
September 28, 2005

A 2-2 record this early in the season and an absence from the national polls isn't a familiar place for the Michigan football program. The Wolverines' most recent 23-20 loss to Wisconsin puts them at an overall record of .500, and marks the first time since 1981 that U-M has dropped their Big Ten opener, leaving many U-M fans calling for head coach Lloyd Carr's firing. Things don't get any easier for U-M as they head into the hostile environment of Spartan Stadium this Saturday for an annual matchup with MSU. Michigan has been troubled by injuries to starters on the offensive line, and most notably to running back Michael Hart, who still remains in question for Saturday's contest. Hart has sat out since suffering an injury in the 17-10 loss against Notre Dame two weeks ago, an absence that Carr sees as a major factor regarding U-M's season thus far. "He's a complete football player," Carr said.

FOOTBALL

Athletes helping make a difference

For those sports fans who say athletes are not human and all they care about is the money, I have a few examples of why you are wrong. During the past few months I have heard quite a few stories of professional and college athletes and coaches who have made an impact in someone's life off the field. Does this mean that these people are great human beings that deserve a bunch of extra attention? No it doesn't.

FOOTBALL

Wide variety

Champaign, Ill - The first drive was not pretty. It featured a fumble and then a punt. The second drive, however, was quite different. Set on their own 25-yard line, the Spartans showed just how powerful and efficient their offense could be. Junior quarterback Drew Stanton dropped back, faked a hand-off, and then found senior wide receiver Kyle Brown 19 yards down the sidelines.

FOOTBALL

Nation jumping on MSU's bandwagon

After I found out I would be covering football this season, the first thing I did was check the schedule. I knew the majority of the games the Spartans would be playing, but I always like to take a quick gander at the schedule and determine which games MSU should win and lose.

FOOTBALL

Defense in command for entire game

Matt Bishop
September 26, 2005

Champaign, Ill. - It's been an up-and-down season for the MSU defense up to this point, but after allowing nearly 600 yards of total offense to Notre Dame last week, the Spartans put the clamp down on Illinois, allowing just 271 yards in MSU's 61-14 win over Illinois on Saturday. "We made some mistakes, I made mistakes, but we made a big stride as a defense in this game," MSU sophomore linebacker Kaleb Thornhill said.

FOOTBALL

Hoeppner: Game time needs to be addressed

Matt Bishop
September 21, 2005

Gone are the days of 3 yards and a cloud of dust from the Woody Hayes-Bo Schembechler era. In are the days of the spread offense, increased passing and increased scoring. This offensive transformation has led to an increase in the length of games during the past few years. Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner expressed concern about the length of games in recent years. The Hoosiers' season-opening win at Central Michigan lasted 3 hours, 52 minutes.

FOOTBALL

Smith displeased with mistakes in ND game

Eric Fish
September 20, 2005

Despite entering Big Ten play ranked No. 17 with a perfect 3-0 record, MSU head coach John L. Smith isn't pleased with the mistakes his team made Saturday in a 44-41 overtime win at Notre Dame Stadium. "As we look at what we did, we're definitely thankful we got a win without a doubt, but we played by no means our best game," Smith said.

FOOTBALL

Monday musings

Indiana Pacers guard Anthony Johnson pleaded no contest Friday to a count of misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from last season's brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills. He's still awaiting sentencing on his 33 percent shooting performance against the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Saturday's instant classic 44-41 win over Notre Dame put MSU in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season.

FOOTBALL

Second chance gives Teague spotlight

Esther Gim
September 19, 2005

South Bend, Ind. - Jason Teague made amends with his teammates, coaches and fans after rushing in the game-winning touchdown in overtime Saturday to lift the Spartans to a 44-41 victory. Head coach John L.

FOOTBALL

Adams just trying to improve each game

Matt Bishop
September 13, 2005

MSU head coach John L. Smith hasn't really had a true bandit since becoming head coach before the 2003 season. Now, in his third year, he may have finally found his man. Sophomore Sir Darean Adams has risen up and taken control of the spot. "I really like what he's done," Smith said. "The last two weeks, he's really focused and said 'I'm going to get better each day,' and that's the way he's taken the field.

FOOTBALL

Ringer shines in absence of Teague

Esther Gim
September 12, 2005

Sorry, Jason Teague, you weren't missed. At least not by head coach John L. Smith. The senior running back was suspended indefinitely and did not dress Saturday in the Spartans' 42-14 win at Spartan Stadium. "He'll have some work to do," Smith said after the game. "Teague and I are having a father-son spat right now and usually the father wins." Teague worked his way back on the team - and into the starting lineup - for the season opener following an off-field incident.