A former MSU quarterback has been selected to replace the fifth-winningest coach in Michigan high-school football history.
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.
John L. Smith and his coaching staff made another big catch this weekend, receiving an additional top recruit for next season. Hugh D'Imperio, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebacker from Sewell, N.J., orally committed to don the Green and White.
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.
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.
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.
A familiar name will be part of the MSU football team next season. College of the Canyons defensive end Domata Peko said he plans to make a verbal commitment to head coach John L.
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.
While many leagues are starting or preparing to begin the playoffs, The State News prognosticating battle was clinched last week.Styf beat Stevie E.
Toward the end of last season, MSU head coach John L. Smith was leading Louisville to its fifth straight bowl game.
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.
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.
Turkey Day means the fantasy season is drawing to a close.The highlighted week usually is an indicator of the waning clock on the season.
Ending the season with eight wins, head coach John L. Smith finished with the most wins a first-season MSU football coach.
As the game clock wound down at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, MSU players added the final chapter to what has become a storybook season.
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.
They patiently waited for him to finish the celebration.One last time cheering in the corner with the students, singing the fight song with the band.
Welcome to the home stretch. It's week 12 - time to make the final push to reach the playoffs.
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?
As MSU's season moves downhill with three consecutive losses, injuries continue to plague the team.One of the downfalls of the past week occurred on Thursday, when sophomore safety Eric Smith came down wrong, twisting his knee when defending a pass thrown to senior wide receiver Ziehl Kavanaght.On Saturday, head coach John L.