Spartan Football Closes Out 2001 Season With A Bang

Jan. 3, 2002

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - It's a tricky task analyzing Michigan State's season.

The Spartans were impressive at times and disappointing at others.

They ended the season on a positive note with a 44-35 win over No. 21 Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Bowl to win a seventh game for just third time since 1990.

"It felt good because all year we knew what we could do, we just didn't put it together consistently. It felt great to put it all together against a great team like that to end our season," running back T.J. Duckett said Wednesday night.

A controversial win over Michigan, a 42-28 win at Wisconsin and a fifth-straight victory over Notre Dame are also included in the list of quality wins.

The Spartans started the season unranked and were largely ignored until the win over Michigan placed them 22nd in The Associated Press poll.

That ranking was short lived.

Michigan State finished tied for eighth in the Big Ten with a 3-5 conference record after losing the three games following the win over the Wolverines.

"Our players realized they could play winning football, but unfortunately, we didn't do it consistently enough," Michigan State coach Bobby Williams said Wednesday night. "I thought we got a lot accomplished and have plenty of things to build upon for the future."

Michigan State made sure Williams would be a part of the future by extending his contract by two years through the 2006 season.

"We're still in the process of building something here," Williams said. "We're out recruiting now to help our future. But we also need the guys here in place to put everything they have into winter conditioning, spring football and into their summers before we get going again next season."

The Spartans should be extremely talented next season, especially if Duckett decides to return for his senior season.

Duckett, who ran for 1,466 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, said he will consider turning pro early.

"Right now, my plan is to sit down and talk with coach Williams and my family this week to look at the decision," Duckett said. If he decides to turn pro, Duckett must declare himself eligible for the NFL draft by Jan. 11.

Two exciting players - receiver Charles Rogers and quarterback Jeff Smoker - will definitely be back.

Rogers had the best season ever by a Spartan receiver, passing players such as Plaxico Burress and Andre Rison. The sophomore from Saginaw caught 67 passes for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Smoker, the Big Ten's most-efficient passer, set a school record with 21 TDs.

Five returning starters on the offensive line should ensure that Smoker has time to throw to Rogers next season.

"When I think of the potential, it gets me excited," Smoker said.

Rogers feels the same way.

"I can guarantee you we'll be better than 7-5 next year," he said. "When we get back to East Lansing we'll talk about new goals. We have no limits."

A 12-game schedule, starting with five home games and including eight games in Spartan Stadium, which will have natural grass next season, should help.

Michigan State will lose just four starters on defense, but because of a slew of injuries, the Spartans will have plenty of players on defense with experience next season.

"I hope the guys that were forced to play this year are not willing to give up their positions easily," Williams said. "If those guys come in with a good attitude, we're going to have great competition.

"I like this team because of the potential we have."

Although Duckett isn't sure if he'll be back, he's excited about next year's team.

"It will be a great team," Duckett said. "We have so many weapons and so much potential, the sky is the limit."

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer