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Sports

SPORTS

Spartan Speculation

Megan Homanick
August 30, 2004

MSU head coach John L. Smith has wanted to make a decision about who would be the starting quarterback for a while now. The problem is, he can't. "If the knucklehead hadn't gotten hurt, this decision probably would have been made in spring," Smith said, in reference to sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton's injury in last year's Alamo Bowl. Stanton's injury has opened the door for senior Damon Dowdell or redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves to possibly be the starter in the Spartans' season opener at Rutgers on Saturday. The three quarterbacks have been battling all August for the starting job.

SPORTS

Bet 2: No guessing on wins or losses

You don't know anything about MSU football. And neither do I. Last year in this column, I compared the MSU football team to the characters from the movie "Seabiscuit," proclaiming not to count the Spartans out like so many did before a game had been played. But it was easy to know the Green and white would enjoy a turnaround season, after disaster struck East Lansing two seasons ago and ran a certain coach - who will not be named - out of town. Still, I was shocked to be right.

SPORTS

Dopirak making a name for himself

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

As many record-breaking home runs that Lansing Lugnuts first baseman Brian Dopirak has hit this season, it's his first home run that will always stand out in his memory. That first home run at 12 years old was what made Dopirak decide that a Major League Baseball career would be in his plans. "When we had to do little career things in school, I always put down baseball player," Dopirak said.

SPORTS

Kicking and returning a huge factor

Megan Homanick
August 25, 2004

Among the MSU football team's returning starters are both kickers, the second leading punt returner from last season, along with the leading kickoff return man. With those four returning players, the Spartans special teams should be a team strength. "Special teams can be a weapon," senior safety and captain Jason Harmon said.

SPORTS

Slater leads senior-laden Spartans

Esther Gim
August 25, 2004

It was always Jim Slater's intention to stay at MSU for four years in hopes of winning a college hockey championship with the team. Many wondered whether the forward would forego his final year of eligibility after the kind of season he wrapped up in the spring, much like goaltender Ryan Miller did after Slater's freshman year. With the opportunity to suit up as a professional player with the Atlanta Thrashers within his grasp, Slater is more optimistic about the upcoming season - as a Spartan. "With the team we have back and the freshmen coming in, this is the year to really do something in league play and be back in the national polls," Slater said.

SPORTS

Smoker inks deal with Rams

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

Former MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker signed a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on July 27, the day before the Rams' training camp was set to begin. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Smoker said he was happy with the deal and was glad to be finished with negotiations. "It's kind of a relief to have the contract aspect finally complete," Smoker said.

SPORTS

Men and women hit the links

Andrew Kolly
August 25, 2004

The MSU women's golf team looks to build upon last season's success for the upcoming fall. After finishing third at the NCAA Regionals 21st at Nationals last year the team has to deal with losses of key players such as Allison Fouch, Sarah Martin and Ann Marie Kersten.

SPORTS

Smith finds success off the field; climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

For weeks leading up to his Africa trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, John L. Smith was asked many times about his sanity for climbing a mountain in his off-season to which he responded, "Oh, it's a Gucci climb." When he returned from his six-day climb to the top of the largest freestanding mountain in the world, the words out of Smith's mouth are not quite so calm. "I joked about the ease of the climb ahead of time, but the truth is - it's not all that Gucci," said Smith with a chuckle. "When this group got done with the climb, they said it's the hardest thing they've ever had to do." For a man who has sky-dived out of a plane, barrell-rolled in a fighter jet, ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain and starred in his own rap video, that is no small statement. Smith and 10 other climbers made the journey to climb to the top of the 19,340-feet Uruhu Peak in Tanzania and reaching the summit on July 21.

SPORTS

Icers must win now

If this isn't the year to follow MSU hockey, then I don't know when is. Much like the men's basketball team, this is a team I expect to "go places" in quest of claiming a conference crown and receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

SPORTS

Spartans look to duplicate '03

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

With a regular season Big Ten title, a Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance the MSU field hockey team has work to do to equal last year's success. But the Spartans said they think they can top it. "We lost a couple of workhorses, but the team agreed that everyone has to step it up a notch to cover what we lost," head coach Madison said.

SPORTS

Coach feels conference wide-open for 'U' championship

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

The MSU volleyball team has been mentioned as one of the top contenders in the Big Ten in the past few years but 2004 might be a little different. After losing four seniors including three-year starting setter Nikki Colson and middle Jenny Rood, the Spartans are falling into a role they are unfamiliar with - the underdog. "I think we're capable of a lot more than people expect of us," said senior outside hitter Kim Schram. "It's going to be hard to lose four strong athletes, but this spring, we developed a new chemistry - the kind of chemistry an underdog team needs to have to play well." With a new look and dynamic to the team, the Spartans are looking to rebound from failed expectations last season after finishing sixth in the conference.

SPORTS

'D' must carry team in early season

Kelly Thesier
August 25, 2004

If there is one thing the MSU football team has confidence in this season, it's the defense. With questions surrounding the quarterback and running back positions and the offensive line, the Spartans are counting on the more experienced defense to lead the team early this season. "Having the most returners on our side of the ball, we know we're going to be counted on early," defensive coordinator Chris Smeland said.