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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Officials deny athletes given extra breaks

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

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

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

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

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.

FOOTBALL

Lusterless losses end season

The MSU football team's season was low-lighted by lackluster efforts, humiliating losses, several suspensions and the dismissal of the head coach before the end of the year. There were five losses by 21 points or more, five players who voluntarily left the team and six players suspended for one game or more. "It was a disaster," ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook said.

FOOTBALL

Johnson rushes past 'U'

State College, Pa. - Not only did Penn State's Larry Johnson single-handedly embarrass the Spartans on Saturday, he solidified his place among the NCAA's best all-time tailbacks.With 279 rushing yards on 19 carries (14.7 per carry), Johnson became just the ninth running back - and the first in Big Ten history - to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in a single season.

FOOTBALL

Spartans to travel to Hawaii

Say aloha to the Spartans. MSU and University of Hawaii athletics officials signed a contract Monday to play three football games against each other starting in 2004. The Spartans will play at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Dec.

FOOTBALL

Spartans look to end season strong against Penn State

Although the MSU football team had a familiar result when it lost to Purdue 45-42 at Spartan Stadium, interim head coach Morris Watts said there was a difference in the way the team played. "One of the things I felt very good about was how hard our young men competed through the four quarters," he said.

FOOTBALL

Takeaways lead to scores

MSU has been on the wrong end of many big plays this season, but Saturday the defense retaliated with game-breaking plays of its own. Although Purdue scored 45 points and gained 555 yards of total offense, the Spartans forced a season-high five turnovers - four interceptions and a fumble - which led to 23 of the team's 42 points. On a day that recognized the last game at Spartan Stadium for the senior class, it was a day of firsts for many of the Spartan defenders in MSU's 45-42 loss to the Boilermakers.

FOOTBALL

Panelists' input will set guide for coaching search

Lansing Mayor David Hollister is an MSU alumnus and a football season-ticket holder. And now he's living a fan's dream come true. Hollister has the "honor" of sitting in with MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason, 19 other football fans and one professional hiring consultant to brainstorm a list of qualities and characteristics the perfect Spartan head football coach would have. The panelists don't get to hire the coach to replace Bobby Williams.