Saturday, April 20, 2024

Sports | Football

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.

FOOTBALL

Defense dominating with key players

Matt Bishop
September 12, 2005

After an offseason of relentless questions about its ability, the MSU defense has put some critics to rest. With two games against teams with damaging passing attacks under its belt, the Spartans' defense has yielded just 28 points. Aided by the return of senior cornerback Jaren Hayes and the explosion of sophomore bandit Sir Darean Adams, the Spartans were largely able to shut down Hawaii. MSU head coach John L.

FOOTBALL

Senior poised for return

Matt Bishop
August 30, 2005

The swagger is finally back for Ashton Watson. After a trying first three years, the senior cornerback has finally regained his confidence and the results have shown on the field. He is expected to be starting at left cornerback when MSU opens its season Saturday against Kent State. "I'm stronger mentally," Watson said.

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New system for football tickets has fans worried

Tom Keller
August 29, 2005

Football season tickets have sold out, but not all students are sold on the new policy for redeeming them. The MSU Athletics Department announced Saturday that sales of both public and student season ticket packages have been suspended after exceeding 60,000 for just the fourth time in school history. More than 12,000 student packages have been sold, up almost 1,500 from last season. But many students are still looking for answers to the new ticket policy that was announced late last month. Under the new system, tickets will be attached to student IDs, replacing printed vouchers.

FOOTBALL

Summer daze

Matt Bishop  and  Eric Fish
August 29, 2005

MSU head coach John L. Smith has experienced his most turbulent off-season going into his third year on the Spartan sidelines.

FOOTBALL

Stanton only QB left with game experience

Megan Homanick
August 4, 2005

MSU head coach John L. Smith said the MSU team is going to be in the same situation it was last year. "At least for another year until our depth gets better, we're going to have to stay healthy," Smith said Monday in Chicago at the Big Ten Media Day. The problem for the Spartans last season was staying healthy, especially at the quarterback position, as both former Spartan Damon Dowdell and junior starter this season, Drew Stanton, missed time with injuries. This season, Stanton is the only quarterback left with game experience, as redshirt freshman Brian Hoyer and freshman Domenic Natale have yet to take a snap in a college football game.

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Michigan, Ohio State ranked top at Big Ten conference

Alex Abate
August 2, 2005

Chicago - Every season has its changes, but the Big Ten's best are expected to continue performing at an elite level. Michigan and Ohio State are again picked to finish as the top two teams in the conference, with Iowa placing third. The Wolverines return 16 starters including sophomore quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart.