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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Colleges consider another BCS bowl game

Steve Eder
March 2, 2004

College football spectators can anticipate watching a fifth top-level bowl game starting in 2006 after an agreement Sunday would add one more bowl game in addition to the existing four. The announcement came from Miami by presidents of colleges representing teams that are part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and those from teams outside it. Oregon president David Frohnmayer called the change "positive" and "significant." "We have substantially increased the opportunities for Division I-A colleges to participate in BCS bowl games," he said.

FOOTBALL

Four football recruits head to all-star game

Evan Rondeau
February 17, 2004

Four recent Spartans football signees will get a chance to play in the most prestigious all-star game in high-school football before stepping into Spartan Stadium next fall. Quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receiver Miles Williams, running back/defensive back Tony Howard and defensive end Justin Kershaw will participate in the Big 33.

FOOTBALL

Newest junior college recruit to add speed, size to 'U' roster

Evan Rondeau
January 30, 2004

Spartans football landed yet another top junior college recruit for the 2004 season. Kenny Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver from Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, Calif., said he couldn't have pictured himself anywhere but East Lansing. "Going to MSU was something I had always been interested in," Jackson said.

FOOTBALL

Prep end added to 2004 roster

Evan Rondeau
January 20, 2004

The newest addition to the Spartan football 2004 lineup said the main thing he hopes to accomplish in his freshman year is to keep the team on track for another winning season. Justin Kershaw, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound, strongside defensive end from Reynoldsburg High School in Columbus, Ohio, committed on Saturday to play for the Spartans.

FOOTBALL

Lineman's 2004 NFL Draft decision leaves spectators anxious, optimistic

Evan Rondeau
January 15, 2004

Matthias Askew's decision to enter the 2004 NFL Draft has left both fans and analysts divided. The junior defensive lineman announced Monday he would forgo his senior season in order to pursue a professional career. Stewart Mandel, an online reporter for Sports Illustrated, said Askew will probably be a third or fourth-round pick, not faring as well as former Spartans who also left early.

FOOTBALL

Spartans gain transfer, prep standout for 2004

Evan Rondeau
January 14, 2004

Spartan football's fall lineup is going to add some much-needed bulk, now that defensive tackle Daniel Zynn has committed to play. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Zynn was one of the best defensive tackles coming out of high school, and was ranked second at the California Nike Camp.

FOOTBALL

Williams a finalist for Eastern coaching job

Patrick Walters
November 26, 2003

Reports from The Grand Rapids Press on Tuesday named former MSU head football coach Bobby Williams - along with MSU running backs coach Reggie Mitchell - as two of six finalists for the Eastern Michigan head coaching position. Neither Williams nor Mitchell were available for comment Tuesday, although Eastern Michigan athletics director David Diles maintained that the Eagles would not be confirming reports considering their vacant coaching position. "I will not confirm or deny anything regarding (the position)," Diles said.

FOOTBALL

Big-time coach

Toward the end of last season, MSU head coach John L. Smith was leading Louisville to its fifth straight bowl game.

FOOTBALL

Deadline set for Ottney case closure

After more than two months of mourning and mystery, officials still are attempting to figure out what caused the seizure-like episode that ended Brian Ottney's life. Ottney, a former MSU football captain, died at 12:59 a.m.

FOOTBALL

Eight is enough

MSU's seniors went out with a bang in their final home game. Led by quarterback Jeff Smoker and defensive end Greg Taplin, the Spartans (8-4 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) beat Penn State (3-9, 1-7) Saturday, 41-10, finishing the season with their best record since 1999 and snapping a three-game losing streak.

FOOTBALL

Strong-legged kicker eyes 'U'

Patrick Walters
November 19, 2003

Junior place-kicker Dave Rayner is enjoying a career season. His point total for kicks is top in the Big Ten, and his foot has put the Spartans' special teams on the national stage.Too soon to think about a replacement?