2008 Michigan State Spartans Additional Information

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

2008 Michigan State Spartans Additional Information​

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
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Official School Bio - Mark Dantonio

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Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Don Treadwell - Offensive Coordinator
Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator
Harlon Barnett - Secondary
Dan Enos - Running Backs
Ted Gill - Defensive Line
Dan Roushar - Offensive Line
Mark Staten - Tight Ends & Recruiting Coordinator
Mike Tressel - Special Teams/Linebackers
Dave Warner - Quarterbacks
Tim Allen - Director of Football Operations
Dino Folino - Director of Personnel/Player Development
Randy Gillon - Speed Coach
Tommy Hoke - Assoc. Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Brad Lunsford - Director of Executive Football Operations
Ken Mannie - Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
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Recruiting

Starters Returning: 16 (Offense 7, Defense 7, Special Teams 2)
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Letterman Returning: 37 (Offense 15, Defense 19, Special Teams 3)
Notable Returners:
WR Deon Curry*, WR Mark Dell*, C Joel Nitchman, RG Roland Martin, RT Jesse Miller, QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, DT Justin Kershaw, LB Greg Jones, LB Eric Gordon, CB Kendell Davis-Clark, FS Otis Wiley*, CB Ross Weaver*, CB Chris L. Rucker*, PK Brett Swenson, P Aaron Bates

Starters Lost: 11 (Offense 5, Defense 6, Special Teams 0)
Letterman Lost: 20 (Offense 11, Defense 9, Special Teams 0)
Notable Losses:
LT Pete Clifford, LG Kenny Shane, C John Masters, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, DE Jonal Saint-Dic, NT Ogemdi Nwagbuo, DE Ervin Baldwin, LB Kaleb Thornhill, SS Nehemiah Warrick, FS Travis Key*
*Split time as starter
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Incoming Recruits:

2009 Verbals

Denicos Allen LB 6-0 210 Hamilton, OH
Edwin Baker RB 5-10 204 Oak Park, MI
David Barrent OL 6-8 290 West Des Moines, IA
Larry Caper RB 5-10 215 Battle Creek, MI
Dana Dixon DB 6-2 171 Detroit, MI
Bennie Fowler WR 6-2 185 Detroit, MI
Dan France DE 6-6 275 North Royalton, OH
TyQuan Hammock LB 6-1 220 Fort Wayne, IN
Derek Hoebing TE 6-6 245 Vermillion, OH
Nate Klatt OL 6-4 286 Canal Fulton, OH
Andrew Maxwell QB 6-3 192 Midland, MI
Chris Norman LB 6-2 207 Detroit, MI
Micajah Reynolds OL 6-5 310 Lansing, MI
Donald Spencer WR 6-4 197 Ypsilanti, MI
Blake Treadwell OL 6-2 270 East Lansing, MI
Patrick White WR 5-11 172 Pickerington, OH

Class of 2008

Johnny Adams DB 5-11 157 Akron, OH
Charles Burrell DB 6-0 204 Detroit, MI
John Deyo OL 6-6 270 Richland, MI
Steve Gardiner LB 6-1 205 Dublin, OH
Tyler Hoover DE 6-7 265 Novi, MI
Zach Hueter OL 6-7 295 North Branch, MI
Cameron Jude DE 6-4 235 Midlothian, VA
Keshawn Martin WR 6-0 180 Westland, MI
Chris McDonald OL 6-5 260 Sterling Heights, MI
Caulton Ray RB 5-9 185 Birmingham, MI
Trenton Robinson DB 5-10 171 Bay City, MI
David Rolf LB 6-3 220 Piqua, OH
Ethan Ruhland OL 6-4 262 Lake Orion, MI
Fred Smith WR 6-2 207 Detroit, MI
Drew Stevens LB 6-4 203 Lewis Center, OH
Brynden Trawick DB 6-2 213 Marietta, GA
Myles White WR 6-0 151 Livonia, MI
Jamiihr Williams LB 6-2 224 Trotwood, OH
Glenn Winston ATH 6-1 213 Detroit, MI
Anthony Woods OL 6-4 305 Melvindale, MI
Jerel Worthy DT 6-2 288 Huber Heights, OH

Class of 2007

Andre Anderson RB 5-8 186 Barrington, IL
Aaron Bates K 6-0 190 New Concord, OH
Garrett Celek TE 6-6 228 Cincinnati, OH
Kirk Cousins QB 6-2 171 Holland, MI
B.J. Cunningham WR 6-0 193 Westerville, OH
Mark Dell WR 6-1 177 Farmington Hills, MI
[strike]Chase Dumphord OL 6-4 313 Paris, KY [/strike]
David Duran TE 6-5 240 Marietta, GA
[strike]Nick Foles QB 6-5 235 Austin, TX
[strike]Joel Foreman OL 6-3 293 Highland, MI [/strike]
Antonio Jeremiah DT 6-4 280 Hilliard, OH
Ishmyl Johnson DE 6-5 250 New Berlin, NY
Greg Jones LB 6-0 210 Cincinnati , OH
Michael Jordan DE 6-6 300 Thatcher, AZ
Ashton Leggett RB 5-11 225 Muskegon, MI
Jared McGaha OL 6-6 280 Powell, TN
Kevin Pickelman LB 6-3 212 Marshall, MI
Arthur Ray Jr. OL 6-2 297 Chicago, IL
Chris Rucker DB 6-1 185 Warren , OH
Chris Rucker ATH 5-8 163 Detroit, MI
Ryan Wheat DT 6-4 298 Flint, MI
Oren Wilson DT 6-2 273 Cincinnati, OH

Class of 2006

[strike]Ervin Baldwin DE 6-3 260 Reedley, CA [/strike]
J'Michael Deane DT 6-6 290 Toronto, Ont.
[strike]Jason Diehl OL 6-4 290 New Berlin, NY [/strike]
[strike]Conner Dixon QB 6-4 174 Pittsburgh, PA [/strike]
Charlie Gantt TE 6-4 233 Birmingham, MI
[strike]Sam Gardner TE 6-5 255 Lexington, KY [/strike]
Eric Gordon LB 6-0 217 Traverse City, MI
Ashton Henderson DB 6-0 180 Tallahassee, FL
Marcus Hyde ATH 6-0 187 Fostoria, OH
Roderick Jenrette ATH 6-2 178 Tampa, FL
[strike]Abre Leggins OL 6-3 278 Orlando, FL [/strike]
Vaughn Martin DT 6-4 300 London, Ont.
Jonathan Misch LB 6-3 195 Orchard Lake, MI
Colin Neely LB 6-2 250 Bethlehem, PA
[strike]Ogemdi Nwagbuo DT 6-4 280 Chula Vista, CA [/strike]
[strike]Patrick Rigan DE 6-6 235 Traverse City, MI [/strike]
Josh Rouse LB 6-3 210 Newton , CT
[strike]Enrique Shaw DB 6-2 180 Lexington, KY [/strike]
John Stipek DE 6-4 239 Macomb, MI
Brett Swenson K 5-9 165 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
[strike]Devin Thomas WR 6-2 215 Coffeyville, KS [/strike]
[strike]Ken Tinney DB 6-0 185 New Berlin, NY[/strike]
[strike]Nehemiah Warrick DB 6-2 206 Hutchinson, KS [/strike]
David Williams WR 5-9 175 Monroeville, PA
[strike]T.J. Williams WR 6-2 182 Fork Union, VA [/strike]

Class of 2005

Ryan Allison WR 6-3 199 Lake Orion, MI
Rocco Cironi OL 6-6 284 Warren, OH
Kendell Davis DB 5-11 181 Alliance, OH
Adam Decker LB 6-2 234 Birmingham, MI
Dan Fortener WR 6-1 182 Kettering, OH
[strike]Reggie Graham DE 6-4 210 Birmingham, AL [/strike]
Andrew Hawken LB 6-2 224 Grandville, MI
[strike]Haywood Howard DT 6-4 280 New Orleans, LA [/strike]
A.J. Jimmerson RB 5-10 195 Florissant, MO
[strike]Bobby Jones DE 6-4 287 Wahpeton, ND [/strike]
[strike]Emory Jones WR 6-3 204 Booneville, MS [/strike]
[strike]Steven Juarez LB 6-2 230 Los Angeles, CA [/strike]
Brandon Long LB 6-2 219 Canton, OH
Brendon Moss OL 6-6 256 Fork Union, VA
[strike]Domenic Natale QB 6-2 189 Princeton, NJ [/strike]
Joel Nitchman OL 6-4 272 Kalamazoo, MI
[strike]Diego Oquendo WR 5-9 177 Staten Island, NY [/strike]
[strike]Kerry Reed WR 6-2 195 Coffeyville, KS [/strike]
Javon Ringer RB 5-9 186 Dayton, OH
[strike]Jonal Saint-Dic DE 6-1 262 Elizabeth, NJ [/strike]
Mike Schmeding OL 6-8 299 Rutherford, NJ
[strike]Kenny Shane OL 6-5 283 Tucson, AZ [/strike]
[strike]David Stanton DT 6-3 273 Santa Clarita, CA [/strike]
Ross Weaver DB 6-1 189 Southfield, MI
Otis Wiley DB 6-2 180 Flint, MI
Demond Williams DB 5-9 174 Tucson, AZ
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Behind the Numbers

The Ohio State offense has presented opposing defenses with few problems this year. This is best illustrated by listing the offenses that have gained more yards against at least one of Ohio State's opponents than the total yardage the Buckeyes gained against that common opponent.

Northern Colorado (FCS)
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Oregon (twice)
Central Michigan (twice)
Notre Dame
Penn State (twice)
Fresno State
Illinois
Oklahoma State
Florida Atlantic
Oregon State
Arizona State
Northwestern
VMI (FCS)
Western Michigan
Kent State
South Dakota State (FCS)
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Conversely, the following is the complete list of BCS teams that have gained fewer yards against an OSU opponent than the Buckeyes gained against that team:

Virginia
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Michigan
Indiana
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While some will find solace in this week's opponents average statistics, it is cold comfort when one realizes that the Buckeyes can only aspire to average offensive statistics. On balance this appears to be an even game.

While Ohio State ranks one notch above the Spartans in Rushing Offense nationally (37-38), Michigan State is ranked 23 spots higher in Passing Offense (85-108). Both teams have formidable running games, especially when one considers that neither is much of a threat through the air. The difference between them, seems to be in the Spartans' ability to protect their quarterback.

The Spartans rank 100 spots higher than the Buckeyes in sacks allowed. That's not a typo. They don't rank ten spots higher, they rank one hundred spots higher. Michigan State ranks 6th in the nation in sacks allowed. Ohio State ranks 106th nationally in sacks allowed. Seriously.

In fact, if sacks were subtracted from passing totals rather from rushing totals (as it should be); MSU would move up in both rankings, while OSU would move down.

With sacks subtracted from passing totals and not from rushing, MSU moves from 85th to 80th in passing and from 38th to 35th in rushing. Ohio State, conversely, goes from 108th to 109th in passing (falling behind Syracuse) and from 37th to 42nd in rushing.

Fortunately for the Buckeyes, the Spartan offense actually shares Ohio State's other offensive weakness, the arguably not to the same degree. That weakness is, say it with me now, red-zone offense.

While both teams are ranked misleadingly highly by the NCAA in Red Zone Offense (OSU - 16th: MSU - 27th); both teams have had trouble putting the ball in the end-zone from the red-zone.

If FBS teams are ranked according to the percentage of their red-zone scores that are touchdowns, both MSU and OSU rank near the bottom. The Spartans are in 95th place in the country with 65.52% of their red-zone scores being touchdowns. That is bad, but it could be worse.

The Buckeyes are ranked 118th out of 119 FBS teams in touchdown % in the red-zone. Only 44.44% of OSU's red-zone scores are touchdowns, making the Buckeyes one of only 3 teams in the FBS that get less than half of their red-zone scores by way of touchdowns (Navy and Miami(OH) are the other two). Only the redhawks are worse than the Buckeyes in this metric.

So what does it all mean, Basil? Only that Ohio State needs to get better in the red-zone, which you already knew. While Ohio State's appallingly low ranking in this stat is noteworthy, this metric itself is of very limited utility.

This last fact is borne out by the fact that the team that is #1 in this metric is also last in the NCAA in traditional red-zone offense, 119 out of 119. In fact, the team in question is the ONLY team in the NCAA that can claim that ALL (100%) of their red-zone scores are touchdowns. Oklahoma is in 2nd place at 96.43% touchdowns.

So who is this team that gets all of their red-zone points by way of touchdown, and yet scores in the red-zone more rarely than any other team in the FBS? None other than Notre Dame. That settles it. Statistics mean nothing.
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The Lighter Side

By now, if you're like me, you're thinking "where have my Buckeyes gone?" Coming in to this season, we were all alive with big hopes, big dreams, and with one game circled on our calender - well, two if we're to count the season finale with Michigan. Then, the season started and things looked exactly like they should. The Buckeyes ran up, around, over and through out-manned YSU. Sure, there were a couple warning signs even then, like failing to punch it in for six on several occasions, but who could really worry about that when Beanie was out with a bum toe? Besides, we got our first look at Terrelle Pryor too, and that's a lot more interesting than settling for a few field goals.
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Then came Ohio(TM). The Buckeyes - as a collective - looked old, tired and completely uninterested. "Ah, that's OK," we thought, "they probably spent all week focused on USC. No need to show the Trojans what's really in our playbook while beating Ohio." Right? Besides, Beanie wasn't playing. If Beanie was playing, it would have been nothing but touchdowns, for sure. Right?

Off to the left coast we go! Ugh.... Well, at least the Bucks beat the Troy Trojans and several fans got their wish about a QB change. A week later we welcomed back Chris Wells against Minnesota. Beanie rolled over 100 yards on a bum foot, and things started to feel right in the world again. The offense seemed to have some new life, even if the Defense gave up a couple scores it shouldn't have. It was starting to click overall, finally. Up to cheese-land where Beanie busts off nearly 170 and Pryor - a freshman - put the team on his back when it mattered most. It was looking pretty good, though, really. Not pretty, mind you, just bearable considering the circumstances.

Until Purdue. Folks, Purdue is dreadful. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball. We're talking about a team which was dead last in the Big 10 in both rushing and passing defense. A team which allowed Notre Dame to run roughshod over them. Notre Dame... Now, here's a team which is currently averaging just 101.2 yards per game on the ground. Purdue gave them 201. If you take away the Purdue game, Notre Dame is averaging 81.2 yards on the ground. They ran for 201. The Bucks? 125. That means the passing game was unstoppable, right? 97 yards. I want you to appreciate that. Entering the game, Purdue was dead last in pass defense. After Ohio State they are 7th. Worse, still, Ohio State's offense failed to score a single touchdown.

So, what does it all mean? Well, I'll tell you what it means. It means as bad as it is for Ohio State right now - it's not really all that bad. Ohio State stands at 6-1 and is rated 11th in the nation. For as much as we might find many things to complain about, and with reason, we can all take solace in this. We're not Michigan fans.

Would you rather get pounded by USC or pounded by Illinois?
Would you rather lose to mid-major Utah or squeak past Ohio?
Would you rather have 6 turnovers in a loss to Notre Dame or limp to the finish line against Minnesota?
Would you rather barely beat 1-5 Miami of Ohio - who's only win came against some thing called Charleston Southern - or beat Purdue without scoring an offensive TD?
Would you rather come back from 19 down to beat Wisconsin at home or play a tough road contest against the Badgers winning on the final drive?
Would you rather lose to 1-4 Toledo (now 2-4) in your house or watch your freshman QB toss 4 TDs against Troy?
Would you rather have 3 more years of Nick Sheridan and/or Steven Threet (or whatever Freshman they get for next year) or at least 2 more from Terrelle Pryor?

Yes, folks, as bad as we think this year is going, we must remember it is all relative to our expectations. Ohio State was hoping for a 3rd straight shot at the national title. That could still happen. A lot of folks cautioned, correctly, "If Boeckman isn't the starting QB all season long, Ohio State will have bigger problems than the media perception of them." And yet, here we are in week 8 still fighting. Even if a National Title shot is remote, Ohio State is still in the drivers seat for a 3rd straight outright Big 10 crown. Michigan, on the other hand, is last in almost every single offensive category and is just hoping to get this season over with. Michigan has lost more fumbles (11) than it has rushing TDs (7). Michigan has more turnovers (19) than total TDs (14). The next time you complain about how awful Ohio State looks, think about that rival to the north. If that doesn't make you smile, I'm not sure anything can.

As for this week, I wanted to talk about how Sparty is still a year or two away. But, that's not true. Chances are, with Ringer and Hoyer moving on after this season, the Spartans are poised to have their best season in the next few this year. Is it enough to beat Ohio State? It'll depend on which Ohio State shows up. If it's the team that refused to lose in Madison, I like the Buckeyes' chances. If it's the team that couldn't score against Purdue? Probably not. Ironic, isn't it? Not long ago, the question was, which Sparty would Ohio State face.

But, like I said... it could be worse... a lot worse.
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Traditions & Opponent Perspective

• Starting as a club sport in 1884, football gained varsity status in 1896. In the 1950s, MSU led the nation in desegregation, allowing black athletes in all sports.
• The team competes in Spartan Stadium, a 75,005 person football stadium in the center of campus.
• Michigan State has won or shared a total of 6 national championships (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965 and 1966) and nine Big Ten championships. The team is known for placing some of the most talented players in the NFL, where currently 20 former Spartans are playing.
• MSU's traditional archrival is the University of Michigan, against whom they compete for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. MSU is traditionally the underdog, with a 28-66-5 record in the annual game. The last Michigan State victory was in 2001 in Spartan Stadium, a game that has since been called Clockgate. (The game ended on a controversial last-second play where Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker threw a touchdown pass to T. J. Duckett to win the game. The Wolverines had contended that the clock had run out of time before the last play of the game took place; video evidence of this is disputed. This led to a Big Ten rule change that control of the game clock would be held by a game official instead of a school representative.)
• MSU's other trophy games include:

• Land Grant Trophy - Penn State (Started in 1993, this game is played during last week of Big Ten Conference play. The trophy was designed by former Michigan State coach, George Perles. Penn State and Michigan State University are the nation's oldest land-grant universities, hence the name for the trophy.)
• Megaphone Trophy - Notre Dame (Michigan State is one of three Big Ten teams to have an annual non-conference football game against Notre Dame. MSU's record against the Fighting Irish is 25-43-1.)
• Old Brass Spittoon - Indiana Hoosiers (Started in 1950)

• Sparty is MSU's mascot, albeit a fairly recent addition to MSU sports history. (He was introduced for the first time in 1989.) In the fall of 1995, Sparty leaped into national celebrity in the same dramatic fashion that gymnast Kerri Strug vaulted into Olympian history at the Atlanta games. It happened when ESPN showed Sparty holding Strug "Beauty and the Beast" style in its national advertising campaign for "SportsCenter." That same year Sparty won the "leadership" award from his peers at the nation's largest mascot camp Milwaukee, WI.
• Standing at the entrance way to Michigan State's athletic establishment is "The Spartan," a huge statue which symbolizes the university's athletic teams. Popularly known as "Sparty," the statue was dedicated in June of 1945. It stands ten feet-six inches, and is mounted on a brick-and-concrete base five feet-four inches high. "The Spartan" weighs three tons and is one of the largest free standing ceramic figures in the world.
• Every home game against Michigan the band participates in "Sparty Watch" where the statue of Sparty is guarded 24 hours a day for the week before the game by band members.
• The MSU Marching Band holds a pregame warm-up concert on the Abbot Field about 1.5 to 2 hours before the game, then marches past the Spartan statue to the stadium.
• MSU's band is very similar to TBDBITL in instrumentation all brass, percussion, and saxophones. No squeaky-squawky flutes, etc.
• The Spartan Marching Band coming onto the field is a big tradition. They run onto the field doing a "kickstep" with the percussion playing, and the drum majors lean way back and touch their heads to the ground (much like TBDBITL).
• Entering the stadium, the MSU band is flanked on both sides by 11 members who bear flags, one representing each team in the Big 10. Some fans contend that on the day of the MSU/Michigan game, the band member who bears the Michigan flag flies it upside-down, as a jab to their in-state rivals. (Others contend that the flag is turned upside-down for the entire week of practice, up through the morning practice on Saturday, but that it is fixed prior to the march to the stadium.)
• Before the game, the football team always walks from the Kellogg Center to the stadium. They run out onto the field to "Thunderstruck."
• The visiting Director of Bands directs the home band in the "National Anthem."
• When the Spartans get a first down, the fans yell "1-2-3 FIRST DOWN BIOTCH!" (a relatively new tradition)
• One of the fraternities rings a bell after every point they score.
• "Zeke the Wonder Dog," a black lab, catches Frisbees at halftime, and sometimes during TV timeouts and at the end of quarters. He has been around MSU since the 1970s (obviously in different incarnations).
• When they win games, the team is encouraged to sing the fight song with the fans. This is a John L.Smith thing, though, so they don't know how long it will last.
• According to our own VprHis, "Lou the Deer" is a favorite topic/pseudomascot for the Red Cedar Message Board (SpartanTailgate.com) crowd. It's a plastic deer that someone mounted on a pole for the College Gameday show. He wears an MSU helmet and MSU flag as a cape. For a photo and more information, visit MySpace.com - Lou The Deer - 31 - Male - East Lansing, Michigan - www.myspace.com/louthedeer.

Historical Data

Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan) Founded in 1855

Football 1st Season: 1886

Stadium: Spartan Stadium
Constructed: 1923
Seating Capacity: 75,005
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1953 (1896-1906 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1907-1952 Independent)
Colors: Green & White
Mascot: Spartan (Sparty)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 6 Big Ten Titles: 1953*, 1965, 1966, 1978*, 1987, 1990* (*=Co-Champions), in addition to 2 MIAA titles in 1903 & 1905
Consensus All-Americans: 26 (23 different players as of 2007)
College Hall-of-Famers: 9
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 2 (Herb Adderley, Joe DeLamielleure)
Award Winners: 2 AFCA COY, 1 Robinson COY, 1 Bryant COY, 1 Outland, 1 Maxwell, 1 Butkus, 1 Lombardi, 1 Biletnikoff
National Championships: 8 Total Championships, 3 Recognized Championships (1952 both AP & UPI/Coaches, 1965 UPI/Coaches, 1966 NFF)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-20 years, Coaches-19 years

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Records

All Time: 607-415-44 (.590)
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Bowl Games: 7-11-0 (.388) Most recently a 21-24 lost to Boston College in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 243-237-15 (.506)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 12-26-0 (.316), last meeting a 17-24 loss in Columbus 2007
Coach's Reord: Mark Dantonio, 2007-current, 13-7-0 (.650), 2004-2006 at Cincinnati 18-17-0 (.514)

2007 Season: 7-6-0 (.538)
Sep 1 - W vs. U-A-B, 55-18
Sep 8 - W vs. Bowling Green, 28-17
Sep 15 - W vs. Pittsburgh, 17-13
Sep 22 - W at Notre Dame, 31-14
Sep 29 - L at Wisconsin, 34-37
Oct 6 - L vs. Northwestern, 41-48 OT
Oct 13 - W vs. Indiana, 52-27
Oct 20 - L at Ohio State, 17-24
Oct 27 - L at Iowa, 27-34
Nov 3 - L vs. Michigan, 24-28
Nov 10 - W at Purdue, 48-31
Nov 17 - W vs. Penn State, 35-31
Dec 28 - L vs. Boston College, 21-24

2008 Schedule
Aug 30 - L at California, 31-38
Sep 6 - W vs. Eastern Mich, 42-10
Sep 13 - W vs. Fla Atlantic, 17-0
Sep 20 - W vs. Notre Dame, 23-7
Sep 27 - W at Indiana, 42-29
Oct 4 - W vs. Iowa, 16-13
Oct 11 - W at Northwestern, 37-20
Oct 18 - vs. Ohio State, 3:30 PM
Oct 25 - at Michigan, 3:30 PM
Nov 1 - vs. Wisconsin, TBA
Nov 8 - vs. Purdue, TBA
Nov 15 - Open
Nov 22 - at Penn State, TBA

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Links

Official Sites:
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Official School Site - Michigan State University
Official Alumni Site - MSU Alumni Association
Student Newspaper - The State News
Official Athletic Site - MSU Spartans
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Go Spartans (Scout)
Message Boards - Spartan Mag (Rivals)
Message Boards - Spartan Tailgate (Independent)
Message Boards - The Enlightened Spartan (Independent)

Blog - Grinz on Green (MLive)
Blog - Bleeding Green (LSJ)
Blog - Spartan Blog
Blog - A Spartan for All Seasons
Blog - Michigan State Fanhouse (AOL)
Blog - Sparty MSU Blog
Blog - Smash Mouth Football (Spartan Bob)

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers

Local News Sources:
Detroit Free Press - Local News
Detroit News - Local News
MLive - Local News
Lansing State Journal (Green & White) - Local News
The State News - Local News
Macomb Daily - Local News

Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Game Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Game Notes (PDF) - MSU Spartans
2008 Media Guide (Link to PDFs) - MSU Spartans
2008 Roster - MSU Spartans
2008 Schedule - MSU Spartans
2008 News - MSU Spartans
2008 Spring Guide (PDF) - MSU Spartans
2008 Spring Game - MSU Spartans
2008 Stats - MSU Spartans
2007 Stats (PDF) - MSU Spartans
2007 Stats - Conf Only (PDF) - MSU Spartans
Team Breakdown (PDF) - MSU Spartans
2008 Preview - BigTen

2008 MSU Spartans Football Preview - CFN
2008 MSU Spartans Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2008 MSU Spartans Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2008 MSU Spartans Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2007 MSU Spartans Football Preview - CFN
2006 MSU Spartans Football Preview - CFN

2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - OZone
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - College Football Poll
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - BigTen-Fans
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - Athlon
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - B/R
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - The Sports Network
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - Red Zone Report
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - Mlive
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - Cleveland.com
2008 MSU SPARTANS PREVIEW - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Travel:
2008 Stadium/Gameday Information - MSU Spartans
2008 Gameday Information - MSU.edu

Big Ten:
2008 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2008 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2008 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CNN/Si
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2008 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC
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Preseason Rankings

17 - Jim Fiest
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23 - CBS Sportsline (Dennis Dodd)
23 - Dallas Star-Telegram
25 - CSTV (Adam Caparell)

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Preseason Watch Lists

Davey O'Brien (QB) - QB - Brian Hoyer, MSU
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Manning Award (QB) - QB - Brian Hoyer, MSU
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (QB) - QB - Brian Hoyer, MSU
Walter Camp (POY) - RB - Javon Ringer, MSU
Doak Walker Award (RB) - RB - Javon Ringer, MSU
Lou Groza Award (PK) - PK - Brett Swenson, MSU

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Big Ten Conference Players of the Week

Week #1 - Aug. 30, 2008
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Offense - QB Juice Williams, Illinois & QB Kellen Lewis, Indiana
Defense - LB Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Special Teams - P Stefan Demos, Northwestern

Week #2 - Sept. 6, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State & QB Adam Weber, Minnesota & RB Evan Royster, Penn State
Defense - DE Karl Klug, Iowa
Special Teams - FB Frank Halliburton, Purdue

Week #3 - Sept. 13, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - LB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
Special Teams - PR Andy Brodell, Iowa

Week #4 - Sept. 20, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - DE Vince Browne, Northwestern & LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Special Teams - PK Amado Villarreal, Northwestern

Week #5 - Sept. 27, 2008
Offense - QB - C.J. Bach?r, Northwestern
Defense - DE - Brandon Graham, Michigan
Special Teams - KR - Derrick Williams, Penn State

Week #6 - Oct. 4, 2008
Offense - QB - Juice Williams, Illinois
Defense - LB - Brit Miller, Illinois
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State & K - Joel Monroe, Minnesota

Week #7 - Oct. 11, 2008
Offense - QB - Daryll Clark, Penn State
Defense - DE - Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota & DE - Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State
​

Preseason Accolades

BigTen Preseason Media Poll
​

1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Illinois

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chris "Beanie" Wells - Ohio State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State

Link to 2008 Michigan State Spartans Game Preview​

​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data

 

[TheES]

Sparty is from the 1950s or earlier....

Ummmm... Sparty has been around for YEARS. Your post says since 1989 -- as someone who went to MSU from 1986-1990, I can tell you he was around my whole career.

Further - he's been around at least since the 1950s. YOu can read about it here:

The Enlightened Spartan

and, also see the MSU Museum "head" of Sparty from the 1950s here:

The Enlightened Spartan

 

[JXC]

Do any of you MSU fans know if it would be better to buy tickets online for $75 a piece after the fees, or just going to teh stadium without tickets and holding up two fingers?

 

[3yardsandacloud]

Ummmm... Sparty has been around for YEARS. Your post says since 1989 -- as someone who went to MSU from 1986-1990, I can tell you he was around my whole career.

Further - he's been around at least since the 1950s. YOu can read about it here:

The Enlightened Spartan

and, also see the MSU Museum "head" of Sparty from the 1950s here:

The Enlightened Spartan

While I didn't write the section you are referring to, I'll try and clear up the confusion. My guess is that the "Sparty" information is taken from a WIKI article about said mascot. My guess is that this information was to specifically refer to costume/cartoonish Sparty that we see walking the sidelines today.

I guess this is one of the frustrations we deal with in writing the previews at BuckeyePlanet. Most opposing fans assume that one person writes these previews. Five or more people work on each preview, each week, usually on a 2-3 day timeline. Every opinion isn't a unified one. Often the different writers disagree on points. Our goal is to get information out to our members. Something to help them understand the basics of our next opponent, and to give a starting point for discussion on our forums. We also hope it leads to positive exchanges between our fan bases on the forums.

As with "theES", their fans are welcome to post corrections and give us more insight into the game. Friendly exchange of info is ALWAYS welcome at BP. What is bothersome is the assumptions made by opposing fans. Most take offense if we make slight errors of their depth chart. They usually take great offense if they feel we slighted a particular unit (QB, DL, RB, etc.) with a grade. They think (for some reason) that we are paid to be dead accurate on our info or unbiased on our opinions. We are OSU fans, not paid writers. We do these previews as a service to OUR members. We hope to give them a better understanding of what is going on for the coming game. We try our best (outside of our score predictions) to remain unbiased, but of course that will creep in. We try to be dead accurate with the facts and historical info, but we aren't writing with a lifetime of fandom and historical background following our opponent.

So, we do our best and keep striving to be better. Obviously, we weren't overly clear on which "Sparty" we were describing in the "Traditions" section. To a Buckeye fan, it isn't too confusing. We just assume it's cartoonish, muscle-bound Sparty. To a Spartan, maybe it's an injustice we've done. We will try and fix it next time around.

Thanks for your insight "theES".



Sparty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

While MSU students and alumni often refer to the Spartan statue as Sparty, the incarnation of Sparty with national visibility is that of a costumed mascot who appears at athletic events and other university-related functions. The costume, with a cartoonishly oversized head, bulging muscles, and a facial expression that treads a fine line between cute and pugnacious, was introduced to MSU fans during the 1989 football season. Sparty was an immediate hit, in part because the foam-rubber body parts and vinyl breastplate have a freedom of movement that allow the anonymous student who portrays Sparty to be quite expressive despite the costume's fixed stare. The student that portrays Sparty is a volunteer, despite rumors of financial compensation or a full scholarship.[2] Early every calendar year, tryouts are held for the student to portray Sparty for the upcoming school year ...


Sparty came to national prominence in the mid-1990s with his appearance in a series of television ads promoting ESPN's Sports Center. One advertisement depicted Sparty carrying gymnast Kerri Strug in the manner of Beauty and the Beast?or, more to the point, B?la K?rolyi, who carried the injured Strug to the medal platform to accept her team gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also appeared in ESPN ads with background cameos, such as eating in a diner booth or browsing the shelves of a bookstore. In 2004, Sparty won the Best Mascot National Championship at the Universal Cheer Association/Universal Dance Association College Nationals, becoming the first Big Ten Conference mascot to do so ...

 

[BuckeyeRyn]

I don't have the energy to check the traditions info this year... my advice would just be to yank those parts, it seems as though it causes more grief than it is worth.

 

[shetuck]

I don't have the energy to check the traditions info this year... my advice would just be to yank those parts, it seems as though it causes more grief than it is worth.

Please no yanky...

 

[JCOSU86]

my advice would just be to yank those parts

H-A-W-T