While the minds of MSU fans will be on hockey this weekend, the rest of the nation’s attention will still be turned to football.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Jason Harmon broke his right ankle in practice Wednesday and will be out for eight to 10 weeks, MSU Assistant Athletics Director John Lewandowski said. Harmon was participating in seven-on-seven drills and landed on his foot awkwardly. “He planted his foot, and it just broke,” Lewandowski said.
It’s easy to blame MSU’s kicking game for Saturday’s 27-26 loss at Northwestern since it failed to convert on three field goals and two extra points.It’s also convenient to point a finger at the team’s discipline - the Spartans lead the Big Ten in snafus with 25.
Evanston, Ill. - It was a game that will be remembered as an instant classic. In MSU’s 27-26 loss to Northwestern on Saturday, the lead changed three times in the final 28 seconds, taking the Spartans on the most frantic ride many players said they’d ever ridden. “Emotions went both ways,” sophomore wide receiver Charles Rogers said.
Evanston, Ill. - Senior wide receiver Herb Haygood had a goal when he came to MSU. Someday he would return a kickoff for a touchdown. That moment came Saturday.
Evanston, Ill - Before the final second ticked away, the game seemed over at least three times. But Northwestern (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) scored a 47-yard field goal as time expired to beat MSU 27-26 in thrilling fashion. Moments earlier it had looked like a happy ending for MSU (2-1, 0-1). Senior wide receiver Herb Haygood returned a Northwestern kickoff 84-yards with 18 seconds left in the game, to put the Spartans up 26-24.
Mateen Cleaves may not be a Spartan or a Detroit Piston any more, but his local fan support doesn’t seem to care.About 30 fans watched as Cleaves played horse Thursday in front of the Okemos Sprint Store at 3544 Meridian Crossing Drive with four radio station winners.
Things weren’t going smoothly for the offensive line midway through Saturday’s game at Notre Dame.Redshirt freshman guard William Whitticker left the game with an ankle injury, and junior guard Paul Harker collapsed with a seizure on the sidelines.
Things have been pretty wild in the world of sports lately. The Detroit Lions are hitting rock bottom early into the season instead of during the middle of its schedule, and 38-year old Michael Jordan is returning to the NBA for the second time.
If MSU’s T.J. Duckett is considered the Midwest’s “freak of nature,” then Northwestern’s Damien Anderson comes in a close second. Both Heisman Trophy candidate running backs are known for their uncanny speed and strength, despite the fact they differ in size. Duckett, at 6-foot-1 and 249 pounds, bruised his way to 1,353 yards in 2000, while Anderson, at 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, scampered for 2,063 - the most in the Big Ten.
The Big Ten named freshman wide receiver Charles Rogers and senior punter Craig Jarrett Big Ten Players of the Week on Monday for their efforts in MSU’s 17-10 win over Notre Dame.Rogers was named co-offensive player of the week along with Northwestern’s Damien Anderson and Jarrett was named the special teams player of the week.
South Bend, Ind. - A range of emotions ran through the MSU football team as it beat Notre Dame 17-10 Saturday - its fifth straight victory over the Fighting Irish.
South Bend, Ind. - Notre Dame head coach Bob Davie said Saturday he and his staff ran a sneaky play against the Spartans after researching MSU for the past couple of years.
South Bend, Ind. - The MSU football team beat Notre Dame for the fifth straight time Saturday, marking only the third time the Irish have lost more than four in a row to one team. MSU was also the first to do it, beating Notre Dame eight straight times from 1955-63.
While flags across the nation remain at half-staff, college football will resume play this weekend. MSU will play No.
When MSU’s secondary runs through Notre Dame Stadium’s south tunnel Saturday, “Touchdown Jesus” will greet them from the north.
Roommates Jeff Smoker and Ryan Van Dyke couldn’t wait to give the video game, NCAA Football 2002, a shot this summer.The two quarterbacks, who shared playing time during the Spartans 35-21 victory over Central Michigan last week, flicked on the television screen, loaded up their Sony PlayStation 2 and were amused at what they saw.Smoker, a sophomore, was listed as MSU’s starting quarterback, while Van Dyke, a senior, was depicted as backup with one noticeably inaccurate quality.“I’m just the backup, and I don’t appreciate that they have me left-handed too,” joked Van Dyke, who’s right-handed.
The prognosticators were unaware of last weekend’s cancellations when we compiled our predictions, and we apologize for any inconveniences.
Anytime a team plays Notre Dame, it must block out the hype and tradition that surrounds the Fighting Irish’s football legacy.
The College Football Hall of Fame canceled its Thursday reception and banquet that scheduled to honor the 104-year rivalry between MSU and Notre Dame.