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.
South Bend, Ind. - It was an all-too-familiar scene at Notre Dame Stadium. Flashback to Oct.
South Bend, Ind. - Something strange happened during a third-quarter TV timeout at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday.
If there is one thing that I can't stand about sports, it is fair-weather fans. What can one person really gain from liking a team just because they are winning?
In my career as a Spartan, I have attended two dozen basketball games, another 15 or so football games, a handful of hockey games and a few softball, baseball, field hockey and soccer matches for good measure.
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.
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.
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.
The first week of the NFL season is upon us and that means the return of fantasy football. Here are a list of this week's studs, duds and sleepers. Studs: • QB Brett Favre, Green Bay at Detroit, 4:15 p.m.
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.
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.
MSU head coach John L. Smith has experienced his most turbulent off-season going into his third year on the Spartan sidelines.
The Spartans started practicing in full pads Saturday, only weeks away from their first game against Kent State. "This is the best first day we have had (in three years)," said head coach John L.
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.
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.
This weekend, MSU football head coach John L. Smith suspended senior cornerback Jaren Hayes for an indefinite period of time. The suspension was for an off-field incident, and it prevents Hayes from participating in any football-related activities. MSU Associate Athletics Director John Lewandowski said there is no timetable for Hayes' return to the team.
Wide receiver Agim Shabaj will not be returning to the MSU football team as he has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2005 season, said John Lewandowski, assistant athletics director and director of Sports Information. Shabaj, a high school teammate of junior quarterback Drew Stanton, played in 11 games and had 29 catches, with one touchdown last season.
The year-plus between December 2003 and spring 2005 for junior quarterback Drew Stanton has been well documented - serious knee injury, long rehabilitation process, and a shoulder injury during the 2004 season and then more rehab. After all those hurdles, Stanton seemed to hit a flat stretch with no obstacles. "They're both feeling real good," Stanton said of his injuries.
With less than three months until the season opening game against Kent State, the $64 million Spartan Stadium addition continues to take shape. "This isn't only to benefit the people who can afford the (suite and club level seating)," Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Greg Ianni said.
A 20-year-old MSU student and football player was arraigned Wednesday on charges of drunken driving and unlawfully displaying a license, court officials said. Stephen Reaves, a sophomore who was backup quarterback for the MSU football team in fall 2004, was arraigned on the two misdemeanor charges. The maximum penalty is 93 days in jail and/or $500 per misdemeanor charge, Assistant City Attorney Tom Yeadon said. MSU Associate Athletics Director John Lewandowski would not detail what action will be taken. "Coach Smith will take appropriate disciplinary action - we are not going to air our dirty laundry in public," Lewandowski said. Reaves was previously charged with a minor in possession and a prohibited alcohol charge. Reaves is the fifth football player of the semester to appear in court. Last season, the Tampa, Fla., native played in five games, going 23-for-58 with 331 yards with two touchdowns.