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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Spartan depth chart

2003 spring practice football roster.Starters are bolded.Offense:Defense:Specialists:QBSTUDPKDamon Dowdell (6-1, 225, Jr.) orGreg Taplin (6-5, 257, Sr.)Dave Rayner (6-2, 208, Jr.)Drew Stanton (6-3, 225, R-Fr.)Clifton Ryan (6-2, 281, R-Fr.)Bobby Belmonte (5-9, 167, So.)Jeff Smoker (6-3, 215, Sr.)Alphonso Townsend (6-5, 295, Jr.) Aaron Alexander (6-5, 196, So.)Brian Davies (6-5, 257, Jr.) RBDTPJaren Hayes (5-9, 178, So.) orBrandon McKinney (6-3, 312, Jr.)Jason Daily (6-2, 179, Sr.)Tyrell Dortch (5-10, 209, Jr.)Greg Yeaster (6-1, 265, Jr.)Brandon Fields (6-5, 216, R-Fr.)Jerramy Scott (5-10, 185, R-Fr.)DT Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 287, Jr.)Anthony Belasco (5-9, 196, R-Fr.)Jason Teague (5-9, 185, So.)Matthias Askew (6-6, 292, Jr.) WRRUSHSN(SLOT) Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, So.)Clifford Dukes (6-3, 266, Jr.)Brian Bury (6-0, 255, R-Fr.)Paul Cummings (6-1, 188, Jr.)Luc Mullinder (6-4, 291, Sr.)Andrew Petterson (6-0, 200, Jr.)Charles Barber (6-0, 165, Jr.)David Herron Jr.

FOOTBALL

Stanton, Dowdell No. 1 at QB for spring practice

Kristofer Karol
March 21, 2003

As the MSU football team starts spring practice Saturday, head coach John L. Smith has two priorities: Sort out the quarterback position and repair a tarnished program. The Spartans, coming off a 4-8 season, will have four signal-callers competing for a starting job - one of which includes embattled senior Jeff Smoker.

FOOTBALL

Rogers, Lovett, other Spartan players to workout for NFL coaches, scouts

Benita Mehta
March 18, 2003

While it's almost etched in stone that wide receiver Charles Rogers will be a top-five pick in next month's NFL Draft, other Spartans' fates remain uncertain. For some players with dreams of playing on Sundays, today's MSU Pro Day at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building will give them a chance to showcase their skills to many pro teams for the April 26 draft. Scouts will be in attendance to watch Rogers and other Spartans while they run the 40-yard dash and perform other drills. "I just want a little exposure," wide receiver BJ Lovett said.

FOOTBALL

Fan section seeks identity

Kristofer Karol
March 14, 2003

Student Alumni Foundation officials are looking at about a half dozen new names for the student spirit section at home football games. Members of the section, which was known as Bobby's World for the past three seasons, received an e-mail earlier this week asking for moniker suggestions.

FOOTBALL

Former players under pro scope

Kristofer Karol
February 21, 2003

Every year, hundreds of former college players push their bodies to the point of exhaustion, in hopes of obtaining their dreams. Such is the life of more than 300 prospects at the NFL's combine in Indianapolis this week.

FOOTBALL

Moss sentenced to slammer

Eric Morath
January 31, 2003

Former Spartan tailback Dawan Moss was sentenced to 20 days in jail Thursday on charges of drunken driving, fleeing and alluding police and resisting arrest. But his sentence may be reduced, and he has sought counseling for his alcohol problem, his lawyer Stephan Holland said. Moss, a co-captain last season, expects only to serve nine days in jail according to Holland. Moss will get credit for one day already served and won't have to serve the other 10 days if he completes his one-year probation. Moss will serve his jail time on weekends. Holland said Moss "was calm and understood the ramifications of the sentence and handled it professionally." Moss, who pleaded no contest to the charges, will also pay about $1,100 in fines and legal fees, Holland said. Holland said the sentence was fair, although he said it was higher than the pre-trial recommendation.

FOOTBALL

Smith touches down in East Lansing

Kristofer Karol
January 31, 2003

Paying off former head football coach Bobby Williams' contract: $550,000. Adding luxury boxes and club seats to Spartan Stadium: up to $50 million. Hiring a head football coach who skydives and runs from bulls: priceless. John L.

FOOTBALL

Officials deny athletes given extra breaks

Kristofer Karol
January 7, 2003

Despite witholding information about run-ins with police officers, university officials denied reports Monday that embattled athletes receive special treatment. The State News reported Monday All-American wide receiver Charles Rogers allegedly pushed an MSU parking enforcer and had a verbal argument with the same officer last fall.

FOOTBALL

'U' won't release athletes' discipline records

Chad Previch
January 6, 2003

University officials refuse to release information regarding student athletes' encounters with the law, citing privacy concerns as local prosecutors say the lack of witness participation among victims in the cases is frustrating. That frustration includes an incident with All-American wide receiver Charles Rogers who allegedly pushed an MSU parking enforcer in October, Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joyce Draganchuk told The State News. The incident also included a verbal argument between Rogers and the parking employee.

FOOTBALL

Officials optimistic about improvements to Spartan stadium

Kristofer Karol
December 5, 2002

University engineer Bob Nestle said the MSU Board of Trustees plans to name an architect for the construction of luxury suites, club seats and a club to Spartan Stadium at its Friday meeting.HNTB would not start the renovations until further studies assessing the feasibility and costs of making the additions are completed.

FOOTBALL

ONLINE UPDATE: MSU will pay Williams $550,000

MSU will pay Bobby Williams $550,000 to end his contract with the university, officials announced Wednesday.The buyout deal is more than twice what the university had to pay under the terms of its 5-year rolling contract with Williams, which was in its third year.

FOOTBALL

ONLINE UPDATE: MSU to pay Williams $550,000

MSU will pay Bobby Williams $550,000 to end his contract with the university, officials announced Wednesday.The buyout deal is more than twice what the university had to pay under the terms of its 5-year rolling contract with Williams, which was in its third year.

FOOTBALL

Henry accepts invite to East-West game

Eric Mckinney
November 27, 2002

Despite the fact that MSU won't be playing in a bowl game, senior quarterback Cedric Henry will strap on his Spartan helmet one more time."Cedric Henry has accepted an invitation to play," East-West Shrine Game spokesman William Homer said.

FOOTBALL

Rogers to enter NFL Draft

Steve Eder
November 26, 2002

It was perhaps the worst-kept secret in college football. But on Monday, MSU star receiver Charles Rogers made it official. He is going pro. Rogers confirmed the speculation during the team's year-end banquet. "I felt like today was a better day because I have my family and my teammates here," the 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior said after receiving the team's most valuable player award. "If you're projected to be a top-10 pick, you can't say no." Although Rogers was quick to point out during the past several weeks he hadn't made up his mind about whether he would forfeit his last year of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft, there wasn't an analyst - or teammate - who expected him to stay. "We saw it coming.