Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Picked Third In Big Ten Preseason Football Poll
7/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 25, 2002
CHICAGO - Michigan State has been picked to finish third in the 2002 Big Ten football race, behind Michigan and Ohio State, according to the conference's preseason poll released Thursday, July 25. Spartan third-year head coach Bobby Williams welcomes back 16 returning starters from last year's 7-5 team, including eight on offense, seven on defense and one specialist.
"It's nice for the media to recognize the improvement of our football program," Williams said. "We have a number of important questions that need to be answered. We're excited about opening preseason camp and hopefully, we can find the answers to some of the questions early.
"This football program is moving forward and it's headed in the right direction. Our team is excited about the upcoming season."
Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers has been named preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by league media. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior rewrote the Spartan record book in 2001, setting school single-season records for receptions (67), receiving yards (1,470), touchdown receptions (14) and 100-yard receiving games (6). He became the first Spartan receiver to average at least 20.0 yards per catch (21.9 avg.) since Andre Rison in 1988. His 14 TD catches led the Big Ten and his 1,470 receiving yards marked the second-best single-season total in league history. A second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media last year, Rogers ranked among the conference leaders in receiving yards (second at 122.5 yards per game), receptions (fourth at 5.6 per game), scoring (tied for second at 8.0 points per game) and all-purpose yards (third at 138.7 ypg.).
Rogers, the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic Offensive MVP, caught 10 passes for a school-record 270 yards and two TDs in MSU's 44-35 victory over No. 20 Fresno State. He scored on pass plays of 72 and 69 yards from Jeff Smoker vs. Fresno State.
The Saginaw, Mich., native will attempt to become only the third player in Spartan history to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors, joining running backs Lorenzo White (1985 and '87) and Tico Duckett (1990).
"Charles Rogers had a fantastic sophomore year - a real coming out season," Williams said. "We have to continue to find ways to get the football in his hands and put him in a position to make plays. Charles is one of the few players around that can break open any given game because he can score from anywhere on the field.
"Charles is excited about the upcoming season and he has great expectations for himself and this football team. He knows the bottom line is winning football games and he wants to help us take this program to the next level."
Ohio State senior strong safety Mike Doss has been selected preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Michigan State opens the 2002 season Aug. 31 against Eastern Michigan in Spartan Stadium.
