Michigan State University Athletics
Burke, Morris and Banks Named Spartans of the Week
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
September 15, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State quarterback Bill Burke, strong safety Aric Morris and linebacker Sean Banks have been named Spartans of the Week by the coaching staff for their performances in a 45-23 victory over 10th-ranked Notre Dame last Saturday. It marked the first time Michigan State has recorded back-to-back wins in the series since 1962-63.
Burke, a 6-foot-5, 209-pound junior, completed 12-of-19 passes for a career-high 209 yards and three touchdowns against Notre Dame. He had TD tosses of 16 yards to Gari Scott, 86 to Plaxico Burress and 17 to Leroy McFadden. Burke directed four-straight drives in the first half that produced TDs. He hit seven-of-nine pass attempts for 181 yards in the first half as the Spartans jumped out to a 42-3 halftime lead.
Morris, a 5-11, 202-pound junior, had a game-high 30 production points on defense. He recorded a season-high 15 tackles (10 solos, 5 assists) against the Fighting Irish, including two for losses of 22 yards. In addition, Morris caused a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Banks, a 6-2, 215-pound junior, was honored for his play on special teams. He broke through the center of the Notre Dame line to block Hunter Smith's first punt that Richard Newsome scooped up and returned 25 yards for a score just 2:44 into the game.
Michigan State has a week off before traveling to Ann Arbor Sept. 26 for its Big Ten opener against Michigan.
