Spartan Bowl Practice Report No. 3
12/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 28, 2001
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Despite a steady rain, Michigan State head football coach Bobby Williams sent his team through a two-hour workout at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif., Friday morning as the Spartans (6-5) continue preparation for the Dec. 31 Silicon Valley Football Classic against No. 20 Fresno State (11-2). With temperatures in the low 50s, the Spartans practiced in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets.
"We had another excellent practice in tough weather conditions," Coach Williams said. "Despite the steady rain and wind, the players moved around well and got a lot of work accomplished.
"We followed a Wednesday practice format so we worked primarily on the passing and kicking game. We also concentrated on our third-down and 'red-area' packages.
"I was pleased with our effort, especially considering the sloppy conditions," he said. "The players have come out and worked hard every day. They have a great attitude and they're really focused. Our preparation has been outstanding and I think we've put together a solid game plan."
The Spartans have another practice scheduled for Saturday at the San Francisco 49ers Training Complex in Santa Clara, Calif., before conducting a final walk-through Sunday in San Jose State's Spartan Stadium.
The Michigan State team and official travel party took an hour bus ride to San Francisco Friday afternoon where the group spent an hour on Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf. The team was originally scheduled to take a 90-minute cruise on San Francisco Bay but the trip was canceled due to inclement weather.
"The players enjoyed the trip to San Francisco," Williams said. "A lot of guys on this team have never been to California before so it was a treat to see the different sites in San Francisco. The players were excited to be on the Pier despite the rainy weather."
The Spartans later joined the Fresno State travel party at a joint dinner at Dave & Buster's in the Great Mall of the Bay Area.