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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Spartans crumble in third quarter

Justin A. Rice
November 26, 2001

The MSU football team scored on every possession in the first half, except its last when sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker took a knee.Then it put up a doughnut in the third quarter.Even though Penn State allowed the most points in a half Saturday since MSU scored 35 in the second half in 1997, MSU turned complacent in the third quarter, sophomore linebacker Mike Labinjo said.“We came out in the third quarter and a different team showed up,” Labinjo said.

FOOTBALL

Dowdell humbled in debut

Eric Lacy
November 19, 2001

Some players try to control their nerves by puking or taking naps before games. But all Damon Dowdell needed to shake his jitters in his first collegiate start was a love tap from Purdue defensive end Akin Ayodele.

FOOTBALL

Fumbling Spartans in bowl bind

Justin A. Rice
November 19, 2001

West Lafayette, Ind. - One inexperienced quarterback and loads of mistakes left MSU one more week out of the bowl hunt. The Spartans (5-4 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) racked up six turnovers Saturday as they failed to clinch the sixth win needed to become bowl eligible for the second straight week.

FOOTBALL

Spartans fumble five times in 24-14 loss to Boilers

Justin A. Rice
November 17, 2001

West Lafayette, Ind. - The MSU football team failed to become bowl eligible for the second straight week Saturday as it fumbled the ball five times in a 24-14 loss to Purdue at Ross Ade Stadium.Redshirt freshman quarterback Damon Dowdell started the game because sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker sprained his left shoulder last week against Indiana.

FOOTBALL

Quarterbacks option play dizzies team

Justin A. Rice
November 12, 2001

Indiana head football coach Cam Cameron was exhausted just watching his team rush for 489 yards - a season worst for MSU’s defense.“You know what, I’d rather sit down,” Cameron said at his postgame press conference, “I’m worn out, I’m worn out.”Cameron’s weariness came watching quarterback Antwaan Randle El as he tirelessly scrambled up and down the field for 149 yards and one touchdown rushing and set up two other major ground performances.Running back Levron Williams flew 251 yards for three touchdowns and fullback Jeremi Johnson tallied 96 yards and a score of his own.

FOOTBALL

Spartans overpowered 37-28

Eric Lacy
November 12, 2001

Indiana had more to play for Saturday than just its third conference win of the season. After embarrassing MSU 37-28 at home, the Hoosiers (3-6, 3-3 Big Ten) waited on the field until they received a dingy, yet coveted award that has been in the Spartans’ grasp since 1994.

FOOTBALL

No 6 fullback idolizes Duckett, commits to U for 2002

Paul Day
November 12, 2001

Hazelwood East High (St. Louis) fullback David Richard planned on continuing his football career at Tennessee.But the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder axed those plans Friday when he decided to commit to MSU football head coach Bobby Williams and make East Lansing his new football home next season.“The reason for the change was because I didn’t know a lot about (Tennessee),” Richard said.

FOOTBALL

Brothers set to compete

Justin A. Rice
November 9, 2001

Regardless of the outcome in MSU’s football game against Indiana on Saturday, one player with the last name Rasmussen won’t be happy.That’s because sophomore defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen’s older brother Kemp is the Hoosiers’ starting defensive end.This game will be the only time the brothers will get a chance to stand on opposite sidelines.“This is the last time we’re going to get to play each other so it’s kind of for bragging rights - forever,” Kyle said.That’s why they’ve been looking forward to it for so long, Kemp told The Associated Press.“I’ve had this game circled on my calendar since last year,” Kemp said.

FOOTBALL

U should be happy on Saturday

Eric Lacy  and  Justin A. Rice
November 8, 2001

Nothing can really compare to last weekend’s sporting events, especially MSU’s 26-24 upset over Michigan and ex-Detroit Tiger Luis Gonzalez’s game-winning hit in game seven of the World Series. But with plenty of college football left on the schedule and the Spartans rolling, there should still be plenty of excitement.

FOOTBALL

Duel-sport athlete Trannon commits to U, continues Flint tradition

Paul Day
November 6, 2001

MSU football head coach Bobby Williams recorded two victories over Michigan this weekend. Even before the Spartans registered their 26-24 win Saturday, Williams received a verbal commitment from 6-foot-7 Flint Northern High School senior wide receiver Matt Trannon Friday afternoon, defeating the Wolverines on the recruiting front.“It just felt right,” Trannon said of choosing MSU.