Michigan State University Athletics
Thundering Herd Face Stiff Challenge To Extend Winning Streak
9/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2000
Marshall had its tune-up. Now the Thundering Herd put their 18-game winning streak on the line by playing No. 24 Michigan State at East Lansing.
The Thundering Herd have the longest active winning streak in Division I-A football following their 63-7 demolition of I-AA opponent Southeast Missouri State. Chanston Rodgers rushed for only 25 yards but had three touchdowns while
Byron Leftwich proved himself to be a suitable successor to Chad Pennington, throwing for 205 yards and a pair of scores in just over two quarters of work.
Marshall's wide-open offense resulted in 573 yards as it broke open a 7-7 tie with three touchdowns late in the second quarter. Brandon Carey had a team-high 80 yards on 11 carries as the Herd also extended their home winning streak to 32 games, also the longest active streak in the country.
Spartans coach Bobby Williams knows this game will not be easy, especially after Marshall rolled to a 13-0 record and win in the Motor City Bowl last season in nearby Detroit. He also was on the Spartans staff when Michigan State suffered embarrassing losses to fellow Mid-American Conference school Central Michigan in 1991 and 1992.
"Marshall is an outstanding team," said Williams, who added, "this team here, I think they're a cut above the rest of the league they play in because of the talent they have. We haven't played, they have. There will be a little bit of an imbalance there, because they've had one game and we haven't."
Michigan State had a successful season of its own in 1999, going 10-2 and posting a 37-34 victory over Florida in the Citrus Bowl. Ryan Van Dyke will be the starting quarterback, succeeding two-year starter Bill Burke. The junior saw mop-up duty in four games last season, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Van Dyke has appeared in 11 games over the past two seasons but will be making his first colleigate start Saturday.
He played well in a controlled scrimmage Wednesday, completing 14-of-23 passes for 173 yards while leading the team on a pair of scoring drives. Flanker Herb Haygood and tight end Chris Baker combined for 129 receiving yards, with Baker catching a 23-yard scoring pass.
T.J. Duckett will lead the running backs after rushing for 606 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He will be counted on to fill the void of departed running back Lloyd Clemons, who had 965 yards in 1999.
