Spartan Football Season Review
12/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2001
2001 Season Recap:
"It was a tough season but I'm really proud of the way the team stayed together and competed.
"This team had its share of tough breaks along the way, especially the rash of season-ending injuries, but the players hung together and made no excuses. These guys showed a lot of competitive will. With all of the injuries, a lot of young guys gained valuable playing experience.
"Despite losing three of our last four games, I really felt like the team improved down the stretch. The team released a lot of frustration last Saturday against Missouri. We played a complete ballgame in the regular-season finale. We executed well in all three phases of the game -- offense, defense and special teams. The defense came close to posting a shutout. Last Saturday, the team put it all together.
"Our No. 1 goal heading into the Missouri game was to get a win. We wanted to finish the regular season with a winning record. We emphasized winning the game. The bowl bid was a bonus. It was important to send the seniors off on a positive note because they really took ownership in the team. With a win against Missouri, there was no guarantee that an at-large bowl berth would be available to us.
"There's no question that we experienced some growing pains this season. Our inexperience showed at times because we didn't play the full 60 minutes. In our three late-season losses, the team collapsed in the third quarter. For whatever reason, the team didn't play with the same emotion at the start of the second half but it battled back in the fourth quarter. We made some adjustments in the Missouri game and they paid off. We had the same attitude at the start of the third quarter. The defense got a stop on Missouri's first series in the third quarter and our offense scored right off the bat.
"I'm excited about this football program and the direction it's headed in. We're going to continue to build this program by recruiting top talent."
Evaluating the 2001 Season:
"I'd have to grade this season a C+ or B-. This team earns high marks in many different areas: effort, A+, commitment, A+, dealing with adversity, A+. The 6-5 record brings the average down because that's the bottom line. A program is ultimately judged on wins and losses.
"The losses were especially frustrating because we determined the outcome of every game. We were 16 seconds away from a victory at Northwestern in the Big Ten opener but we didn't finish. The players left too many plays on the field at Minnesota. We lacked attention to detail against Indiana and it cost us the game. Six turnovers lead to a 10-point loss at Purdue. And we blew a 17-point lead against Penn State. We only have ourselves to blame for our record because we didn't take care of business.
"Getting that sixth win in the regular-season finale against Missouri has helped erase some of the bad feelings. It certainly boosted the team's morale and the bowl game gives this team new life. I'm not going to look back and wonder what if, I'm going to look forward to the challenge ahead."
Accepting Silicon Valley Football Classic Invitation:
"We're excited about having the opportunity to play a 12th football game. The bowl game will certainly give the program a boost from a recruiting standpoint. It also will give the team momentum as it heads into the off-season program. Our younger players will benefit from the additional practices.
"The bowl practices play a large role in the recruiting process because you can invite the prospects to attend practices. It's a big plus for the prospects to come to practice and see the excitement and enthusiasm. It's a huge advantage for a program to be able to sell itself during bowl preparation."
Fresno State Scouting Report:
"Fresno State is a very talented football team. I saw Fresno State on a film exchange with Wisconsin early in the year and I was most impressed. Everybody talks about the quarterback David Carr but trust me, he's surrounded by playmakers. Wide receivers Rodney Wright and Bernard Berrian have combined for 167 receptions, 2,600 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. Fresno State's offense also features a 1,000-yard rusher in Paris Gaines. The line play has been outstanding.
"Fresno State has already shown that it can play with the best teams from the major conferences. Fresno State has an impressive non-conference resume with wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin. After opening the season with six straight wins, Fresno State hit a mid-season snag but finished strong, winning its last five games. We're looking forward to playing a Top 20 team in the bowl game."
Bowl Preparation:
"The next two weeks will be important from a recruiting and practice standpoint. This is a heavy contact period in recruiting so our coaches will be on the road during the week. We'll conduct weekend practices and focus on team development for the next two weeks. It will almost be like spring football, with a return to fundamentals. Once the team travels to San Jose, the entire emphasis will shift to game plan development."
Playing In the Bay Area:
"Everybody is excited about the trip to San Jose because Michigan State hasn't played a football game out there since the early '60s. We're looking forward to the trip and there will be plenty of activities of our players.
"It's also great having the Spartan basketball team out there at the same time (Dec. 29 vs. Stanford in the Pete Newell Challenge). That should really be attractive for our fans to catch the Spartans' Bay Area doubleheader, with a basketball game and a bowl game. I plan on taking the entire football team to Oakland for the Stanford basketball game."
T.J. Duckett's Future:
"T.J. Duckett is focused on finishing the season strong. All indications are that T.J. plans to return for his senior year. I'm fully expecting him back in a Spartan uniform next season. There's been a lot of speculation in the media about his future but he has remained focused.
"After the bowl game, I'll sit down with T.J. and we'll talk about the opportunities that are here for him next year. If T.J. wants to evaluate his NFL Draft status, I'll help him do that. I went through that process with (tight end) Chris Baker last winter. If T.J. wants to, he can file a letter of inquiry to the NFL and receive a written analysis of his draft status."
Ryan Van Dyke's Bowl Status:
"It's too early to say if Ryan Van Dyke (broken jaw vs. Minnesota) will be cleared for contact in time for the bowl game. If Ryan's cleared to play, I'd give him every opportunity to play in the game. I'd like to see Ryan finish his career by playing another game."
Biggest Surprises In 2001:
"I can't single out one guy because we had so many players step up their level of play this season.
"Charles Rogers has had an incredible first season. Charles became the big-play receiver we all expected him to be. Jeff Smoker has developed into one of the Big Ten's top quarterbacks. Herb Haygood has had the most productive season of his career, as both a receiver and kick returner.
"On defense, look at the job Mike Labinjo has done at defensive end and linebacker. Mike has had a good year but he still has so much to learn, so we'll have to raise the bar for him next season. Kyle Rasmussen has really come on late in the season and become a force up front. Kyle's season changed dramatically when Josh Shaw went down in the Michigan game with a season-ending knee injury. I think the two young ends, Greg Taplin and Clifford Dukes, have played well down the stretch. Ronald Stanley, a true freshman, has started the entire season at WILL linebacker. Broderick Nelson's rapid development at cornerback has been a surprise. Broderick had a good spring and headed into the 2001 season as a back-up corner but because of all the injuries in the secondary, he found himself in the starting lineup. I'm really proud of Broderick because he has had a solid season at cornerback."
Offensive Line Development:
"The offensive line play has improved each week since the Wisconsin game. The run blocking has been more consistent but pass protection is still a concern. The line has improved as a unit and I've seen individual development.
"Ulish Booker has really played solid football down the stretch. We've tinkered a lot with personnel at left guard but Joe Tate has really come on to play his best football the last two weeks. William Whitticker has stepped up his level of play.
"We'll continue to emphasize the development of our offensive linemen during the off-season. We need to improve the overall strength of that unit so it can raise its level of play next year.
"Depth is good along the offensive line. We've been able to red-shirt three guys -- Stefon Wheeler, Gordon Niebylski and Chris Morris -- and those guys have fine potential. In addition, we have two guys sitting out this season, Brandon McKinney and Alphonso Townsend, who'll be in the mix for playing time next year. Brandon can play on either side of the ball."
Eric Knott's Future Position:
"After the bowl game, we'll move Eric Knott back to tight end. Eric showed a lot of potential in preseason camp but he didn't develop as quickly as Ryan Woods. Jason Randall is another freshman who continued to develop throughout the season and as a result, he's seen some playing time during the second half of the year.
"Eric has a lot of upside as a tight end prospect. He'll be given every opportunity to compete with Ryan and Jason for the starting job."
Dave Rayner's Potential:
"Dave Rayner has a lot of potential as a placekicker. Dave has a strong leg but he needs to work on his accuracy. He'll have the opportunity to attend some kicking camps this summer but I just might send him to Chicago to work with (former Spartan) Paul Edinger."
His Development as A Head Coach:
"Last year (2000) was a learning experience. Any time there's a change in leadership, the football program has to go through an adjustment period. I've settled into the position. Now, everybody has started buying into what we're doing.
"With a bowl bid in 2001, we'll raise the bar even higher next year. We have a lot of work to do in the next eight months. The off-season program is important and so is spring practice. It's an important time for both player and staff development. After the bowl game, we'll conduct a quality-control analysis of the program.
"I think I've changed a lot in the last year. In 2000, I didn't deal with injuries very well. This year, I had a better feel for the job and managed the injury situation better. Heck, the entire secondary was almost wiped out by injuries. As a staff, we made several personnel changes to cope with the situation."
His Coaching Staff:
"The defensive coaching staff has done a tremendous job in player development. That staff has consistently put together a game plan that gives us a chance to be successful.
"With all of the injuries in the secondary, these guys did a great job of getting the right players on the field. They moved safeties to corner, wide receivers to corner and taught the safeties how to play both positions (free and strong). They also changed our defensive philosophy during the second half of the season. Before the injuries, we were an aggressive man-to-man defense. Now, we play a lot less press coverage in the secondary.
"The offensive coaches have done an outstanding job of utilizing personnel. We have a lot of talent and a lot of weapons on offense. The staff spreads the ball around and as a result, the offense has been very productive down the stretch. And as I said earlier, I have been pleased with the development of the offensive line.
"Special teams play also has shown improvement throughout the course of the season. Give Sal Sunseri a lot of credit because each week, he has created a special team's plan that gives us an advantage. Sal has been very demanding and the players have responded."
Recruiting Priorities:
"A top priority is defensive end. Our defense hasn't had a consistent edge pass-rusher since the 1999 season. We'll pursue high school players and potential mid-year transfers.
"We'll also try to upgrade our talent in the defensive secondary. Running back is another area of concern because outside of T.J. Duckett, there's only one other tailback on the roster and that's Mike McConnell.
"We also need to find a punter. Michael Servis has been working at punter and Matt Heppner has been punting for the scout team. We'll search the high school ranks and try to find someone good enough to step right in and punt."
