Fresno State, Michigan State Seeking Recognition
12/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec 30, 2001
By RICK EYMER
Associated Press Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Fresno State quarterback David Carr led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns. That doesn't scare Michigan State as it prepares to meet the Bulldogs in Monday's Silicon Valley Classic.
"They're a good offense, but it's not going to be a shootout," Spartans linebacker Josh Thornhill said. "We'll show up."
Carr became the sixth quarterback in NCAA history to throw for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the same season. He had a pass-efficiency rating of 166.77 and never completed fewer than 21 passes in a game this season, completing more than 62 percent of his attempts. He has at least one touchdown pass in every game.
The No. 21 Bulldogs (11-2) average 40.4 points and 497.1 yards a game, and are looking for their first win in a bowl game since beating USC in the 1992 Freedom Bowl. Fresno State has lost its last three bowl appearances.
"This team is a little more focused this year," said Carr. "We're here to win a football game. Every senior wants to win their last game."
The Spartans (6-5) are making their first appearance in San Jose, and their first Bay Area appearance since 1962. The team thinks its offense, led by sophomore Jeff Smoker and his Big 10-leading 162.8 rating, can be just as effective.
"No one talks about our offense, but we're going to try and show everyone what to expect from us next year," Michigan State receiver Herb Haygood said. "We have to control the ball and score points."
Tailback T.J. Duckett ran for 1,236 yards and scored 10 touchdowns for the Spartans, who finished eighth in the Big Ten.
Michigan State, which defeated Florida in last year's Citrus Bowl, averages 30 points and 436 yards a game.
The Bulldogs, second in the Western Athletic Conference, played seven road games this season, which included wins at Colorado and Wisconsin.
"If we want to sit at the table with the big boys, we have to win games against the six major conferences," coach Pat Hill said. "This is a must win for us, and a huge game for our program. Being a non-BCS team, it's important to have success against the BCS conferences. That's how you're judged these days."
Fresno State, which sold its allotment of tickets in four days, was ranked as high as eighth after opening the year with six victories. Michigan State reached No. 22 in early November.
"I wouldn't say we're being overlooked," said Spartans coach Bobby Williams. "Their team is more in the national exposure, but they're 11-2 and we're 6-5. Who's going to get the recognition? There's a game to be played, though, and we look forward to the challenge."