The MSU-Notre Dame rivalry has a way of putting wide receivers in the limelight. Charles Rogers, Herb Haygood and Arnaz Battle are among the receivers whose names recently have been carved into history. As the Spartans attempt to beat the Irish for the seventh time in eight years at 7 p.m.
MSU head coach John L. Smith named redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves as his starting quarterback for Saturday's game against Notre Dame. For now. "That's the way it is today," Smith said.
In the 2004 Central Michigan football media guide, running back Jerry Seymour lists former Detroit Lion and recently-inducted Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as his sports hero. The way Seymour danced around the Spartans' defense Saturday, he certainly showed a hint of Sanders' improvisational running style.
Spartans fans were introduced to two new faces Saturday in MSU's 17-point win over Central Michigan University. "It was good to see the young guys play and grow a little today," head coach John L.
During warmups, before kickoff against Central Michigan, sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton made his coach an offer he couldn't refuse. "Drew Stanton came up and told me, 'Coach, if you don't play me today, I'm going to kick your butt,'" head coach John L.
Senior Damon Dowdell is MSU's starting quarterback, but as ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." For the second straight week, head coach John L.
As far as special teams units go, MSU's cast is star-studded. Senior running back DeAndra Cobb is a constant threat to take a kickoff to the house.
The MSU defense allowed only four field goals in Saturday's 19-14 loss to Rutgers, but gave up 415 total yards.
Since the end of last season, John L. Smith has met difficult challenges as a football coach and a 55-year-old man. The apparent successor to Jeff Smoker endured major knee surgery.
By now, Jeff Smoker is a day away from departing to St. Louis to pursue a career in the NFL. With Smoker gone, a vacancy has been left in the MSU football team's lineup at quarterback, and three potential starters have submitted their résumés to head coach John L.
After the 2004 NFL Draft ended Sunday, two former Spartans were contacted by pro teams and will pursue careers in the NFL this weekend as free agents. Offensive guard Joe Tate has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and linebacker Mike Labinjo is working on a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Tate said he has signed a free agent contract with the Jaguars for the league minimum. "It's great to get an opportunity to continue playing," he said.
The MSU football team concluded spring practice Saturday with the Green-White Spring Scrimmage at Spartan Stadium in front of about 16,000 fans. The two-hour, 115-play scrimmage was a game of two stories for the offense and the defense.
Fans suffering from MSU football withdrawal can get their fix Saturday when the team plays their annual Green-White Spring Scrimmage at 1 p.m.
The 2004 NFL Draft is this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and a handful of former Spartans will be keeping a close eye on their status as future employees of the league.
Junior wideout Aaron Alexander has shown more of his talents than most MSU athletes. He's been an up-and-coming quarterback, a surprise bench player for Tom Izzo and, most recently, one of the Spartans' most dangerous wide receivers. But, he says, MSU fans still don't know the real Aaron Alexander. "I got a whole other side of me, another drive that a lot of people haven't seen yet and I'm just waiting because I haven't really been healthy yet," he said.
The Spartans offense is kind of like a football airport - most plays involve head coach John L.
There's an undeniable irony in nicknaming an offensive line - whose members all stand 6 feet 3 inches or taller and weigh at least 270 pounds - after a fungus that goes mostly unnoticed. But when one begins to understand the sacrifice and underappreciation an offensive lineman experiences, the "Mushroom Club" moniker MSU's offensive line goes by makes more sense. "We're the first ones to get blamed and the last ones to get a pat on the back," junior left tackle Stefon Wheeler said.
Thornhill, a name synonymous with MSU football. Throughout the program's history, three Thornhills - all related - have worn the Green and White at the linebacker position.
Experience, depth and competition are the main ingredients of the MSU football team's situation at the wide receiver position this spring.
Every gambler needs an insurance plan in case of disaster. Senior cornerback Roderick Maples, who is known for taking risks on the field, is no exception. Only, Maples' insurance plan comes in the form of junior strong safety Eric Smith. "We kind of got attached," Maples said.