Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Open 1999 Season Sept. 2
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
February 16, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - ESPN will televise Michigan State's 1999 season opener against Oregon on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. EDT in Spartan Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, but has been moved up two days to kick off ESPN's 11-game Thursday night college football package.
"We're excited about playing Oregon on ESPN's Thursday Night Game of the Week," Michigan State head coach Nick Saban said. "Night games in Spartan Stadium have become something special."
"This is the perfect way for our fans to kick off the Labor Day weekend," MSU Athletics Director Merritt J. Norvell Jr. said. "We're looking forward to hosting Oregon in a prime-time, nationally-televised game. It's an opportunity to showcase the entire University, not just its football program. To carry out a special event like this requires the complete cooperation of various campus units, and we deeply appreciate the total support that has been provided by the University community."
Coach Saban welcomes back 17 starters from last year's 6-6 team that upset top-ranked Ohio State, 28-24, and No. 10 Notre Dame, 45-23.
In 1998, Oregon finished 8-4 overall, including a 48-14 victory over Michigan State. The Ducks lost to Colorado, 51-43, in the Aloha Bowl.
