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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Smoker guides 'U' past Iowa, breaks 3 records

Jon Styf
September 29, 2003

Two incompletions didn't spoil Jeff Smoker's day. All his receiver wanted was a little attention, so it didn't matter when he dropped the second pass. With a boyish grin on his face, something that seemed so far away during the past year, Smoker tossed a Frisbee with little accuracy to "Zeke the Wonder Dog," the black Labrador that usually is a halftime show but somehow became an invaluable portion of the postgame festivities after MSU's upset win over then-No.

FOOTBALL

Spartans' defense stuffs Hawkeyes

Fred Russell's final collegiate rush in his home state came to an abrupt stop Saturday. The Inkster, Mich., native needed only one-and-a-half more yards to reach his season average of 123.5 yards per game, and he was about to pick up a much-needed first down for the Hawkeyes on a fourth-and-one in the fourth quarter. But Kevin Vickerson would have none of that.

FOOTBALL

Game date against Minnesota pending

Patrick Walters
September 25, 2003

When the MSU football team ventures to Minnesota this October, it may need to alter its travel plans. Big Ten officials announced Wednesday the conditional change of MSU's scheduled game against the Golden Gophers at the Metrodome in Minneapolis from Saturday, Oct.

FOOTBALL

Safety happy he chose 'U' over Yale, Harvard

Had it not been for Michigan State swooping in and offering Eric Smith a scholarship to play in a BCS conference, the Groveport, Ohio, native might be playing football in the Ivy League right now."I thought about (playing for an Ivy League school)," Smith said.

FOOTBALL

Plummer, Bulger unlikely QB starts

Perennial superpro Marshall Faulk, the Rams running back, has a spot on the bench for several weeks as he nurses his knee and broken bones in his hand. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is nearing bust status if he doesn't return from his bye week to post big numbers in Week Four. Rams quarterback Kurt Warner is on the bench. Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon is playing like he should be on the bench. Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey has made 300-yard passing weeks a norm. And the ageless Jets passer Vinny Testaverde is posting big stats. The NFL has been anything but predictable so far this season. Stevie E.

FOOTBALL

Megaphone trophy returns

Monquiz Wedlow has never been happier to hold a cheerleader's megaphone. The only problem - no one had a camera to take a picture of him and MSU head football coach John L.

FOOTBALL

Taplin puts hurt on N.D. offense

Jon Styf
September 22, 2003

South Bend, Ind. - Greg Taplin has traveled a long way. But the 40-yard jaunt after his interception in Saturday's win over Notre Dame were the final baby steps he needed to get himself out of John L.

FOOTBALL

Smoker, Knott top injury list

The door at the trainers' office inside the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center has seen more action than many Spartans players have lately. Injuries were a factor in Saturday's 20-19 last-second loss to Louisiana Tech and also will play a major role this weekend as MSU heads to South Bend, Ind. Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker said his team needs to get healthy during the week and be ready for the long haul. "I sure hope (we're) not (tired) because it's a long season," Smoker said.

FOOTBALL

Smoker listed 50-50; Stanton named No. 2 QB

Jon Styf
September 16, 2003

The MSU offense came to a halt without its star quarterback on the sidelines in its 20-19 loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday.So, the Spartans are hoping that he'll be able to return for this Saturday's game at Notre Dame.X-rays were negative on senior quarterback Jeff Smoker's right big toe, meaning it is not broken, and he is listed as questionable for Saturday's game."Jeff is (the starter) right now," head coach John L.

FOOTBALL

Bulldogs upset Spartans in last 2 seconds, 20-19

Like two war-torn generals meeting after a battle, Jeff Smoker hobbled over to Luke McCown to congratulate him after MSU was beat by Louisiana Tech on Saturday in the final minutes. Though he watched his team lose a 12-point lead in the final minutes from the sidelines, Smoker, on crutches, was still smiling as he and McCown met for the first time. The two senior quarterbacks shook hands and Smoker told McCown he led his team to a "heck of a comeback." The Spartans never trailed in the game until the final two seconds, after McCown completed an 11-yard pass to wide receiver D.J.

FOOTBALL

Spartans let game slip away

Jon Styf
September 13, 2003

The MSU football team held a lead late into the fourth quarter, but for the second straight season the third time lost its charm. The Spartans were stunned by Louisiana Tech 20-19 after a series of MSU errors gave the Bulldogs an opportunity to win. Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker injured his right big toe in the second quarter and never returned, leaving backup quarterback Damon Dowdell as the Spartans only hope. "I'm in disbelief," Smoker said.

FOOTBALL

Spartans conference leaders in penalties

With two games behind them and two weeks before conference play begins, MSU the defending national champion Ohio State are on top of the Big Ten. But the statistical category they share is not one to be proud of.

FOOTBALL

Fantasy gurus say Owens, Moulds in for a good week

With the first test of the fantasy football season now in the books, it's time to regroup, reflect and rethink what went well - and what didn't - in Week One. Sure, there were disappointments. Top-flight running backs Marshall Faulk of the Rams, LaDainian Tomlinson of the Chargers and Corey Dillon of the Bengals ran like mere impostors of their typical selves, combining for 96 yards on the ground and no touchdowns. And there were sweet surprises. Rookie Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin reset the record books for a debut receiver, with 10 catches for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns.