Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Scrap Spring Football Game, Plan
4/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 13, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - With three potential starters already sidelined with injuries, Michigan State first-year head football coach Bobby Williams has canceled the annual Green-White intrasquad game, scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium, and instead plans to conduct a "controlled" scrimmage open to the general public. Admission is free.
It marks the first time Michigan State hasn't concluded spring drills with an intrasquad game since 1994 when Spartan Stadium was closed for renovation.
"We simply don't have the numbers to conduct a full-scale game," Coach Williams said. "We have several injured players already watching practice from the sidelines and we can't risk losing any more guys. We don't have a lot of depth, especially along the offensive and defensive lines.
"This is the best thing for us to do. We have had a very productive spring and this final practice is really for the fans. I hope the fans turn out for the scrimmage because they'll still get a good look at the nucleus of next year's team."
The Spartans lost two players during Tuesday's indoor workout, with tight end Chris Baker (Jr./Saline, Mich.) suffering a sprained left ankle and center Josh Smith (Jr./O'Fallon, Ill.) spraining his right knee. Last Friday, offensive guard Shaun Mason (Sr./Toledo, Ohio) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove some torn cartilage.
Coach Williams originally planned to conduct a draft to evenly divide teams for the spring game but now with the "controlled" scrimmage format, he intends to put all of the first-teamers on one roster.
"I'm trying to stack one team by putting all of the first-teamers together on one unit. I hope the first team dominates play but I expect a competitive practice. We have had spirited workouts throughout the spring and I don't expect things to change on Saturday."
