For seven weeks the only consistency for MSU football was that no matter the scheme, the personnel nor the play calls, nothing would avoid another week of losing.
The Spartans were able to sing their fight song with the student section for the first time since Sept. 2
Spartan Stadium played host to a match-up that pitted the only two teams in the Big Ten without a conference win yet against each other. One came out hungry for that victory as MSU football (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) cleaned their plate in an emphatic 49-0 beatdown of Rutgers (2-8, 0-7 Big Ten).
A chilly November afternoon welcomed MSU football (2-7, 0-6 Big Ten) into Spartan Stadium as they play host to Rutgers University (2-7, 0-6 Big Ten) as both teams fought for their first conference win of the year.
Welcome to the live blog for MSU football's matchup with Rutgers. Follow along with State News football writers Stephen Olschanski and Nathaniel Bott as they cover the game.
State News football beat writer Nathaniel Bott (Twitter: @Nathaniel_Bott) breaks down what to expect from MSU-Rutgers, gives an injury report and offers his prediction for the contest.
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio took the podium on Tuesday in what he described as a “broken record” as the team has yet to improve upon the things he has consistently talked about during the Spartans seven game losing streak. The offense against Illinois was only able to generate nine points in their first six possessions, all which found their way into Illinois territory.
According to the Detroit Free Press, MSU sophomore cornerback Vayante Copeland suffered a broken foot and will be out for the rest of the season, Mark Dantonio told reporters during his weekly teleconference.
Following back-to-back strong performances against the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan, MSU’s offensive line looked to be on the upswing from questionable performances in the weeks prior.
The MSU football team came into Memorial Stadium to face Illinois still without a Big Ten win in the first weekend of November, something unheard of in the Dantonio era of Spartan football. They left Champaign, Ill still winless in conference play –– shooting themselves in the foot once again.
The MSU football team (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) traveled to Champaign, Ill. to battle the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-6, 1-4). The Spartans are still in search of their first conference win, and despite coming into the game with some confidence, trail the Illini 7-6 at the break. Illinois was able to get on the scoreboard with just 14 seconds left in the half following an 11-play, 73 yard drive capped off by a 19-yard touchdown run from Kendrick Foster. MSU had two drives successful scoring drives in the first half, but couldn’t find their way to the end zone.
Welcome to The State News live blog for MSU football (2-6, 0-5) at Illinois (2-6, 1-4). Participate below by sending our football writers your comments, questions and thoughts about the game or Spartan football.
MSU fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price was slated as a semifinalist for the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy which is awarded to the “Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.”
State News football beat writer Nathaniel Bott breaks down MSU’s game plan and what to expect from Illinois this Saturday, as well as lists injury updates and gives his prediction for the contest.
The MSU football depth chart has been full of surprises all season long with changes being made at nearly every position. The one constant on head coach Mark Dantonio’s depth chart has been the running back position, where three co-starters have remained since week one –– sophomores L.J. Scott and Madre London as well as junior Gerald Holmes.
MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio is still searching for the answers to his team’s 2-6 record.
Facing fourth and goal from the two-yard line MSU called its fourth run play in a row. And just like the first three, the last LJ Scott run ended with him spilled to the turf well short of the end zone.
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Brian Lewerke, who started two games and has appeared in four total for MSU, will miss the remainder of the season with a broken tibia.
Playing into how the loss against the University of Michigan went Saturday, the lights above head coach Mark Dantonio shut off during his post-game press conference.
The MSU football team (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) dropped their sixth straight loss –– this one arguably the most devastating as No. 2 Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) came into Spartan Stadium and left with a 32-23 victory, taking the Paul Bunyan trophy back to Ann Arbor with them.