Spartans Accept Invitation To MasterCard Alamo Bowl
12/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State got the gift it wanted on Sunday when the Spartans were selected to face No. 22 Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 in San Antonio.
Michigan State (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) recovered from three November losses to pound Penn State 41-10 and tie for fourth place in the Big Ten with Iowa and Minnesota.
That closing statement on Nov. 22, wins against Iowa and at Minnesota in October and a strong fan following for the NCAA Basketball Tournament last March at the Alamodome were important factors in the bowl's decision.
"I would hope it would be a combination of everything," said Michigan State's John L. Smith, named Big Ten Coach of the Year after turning around a 4-8 program. "Definitely, we had to finish strong against Penn State to even be in the hunt. But I think, bottom-line, if you have two teams tied, they're going to take the team that won head-to-head."
The Spartans, led by quarterback Jeff Smoker, have won their last two postseason games against Florida in the Citrus Bowl four years ago and against Fresno State in Silicon Valley Bowl in 2001.
That success pales in comparison to the Cornhuskers' tradition, however.
"What could you ask any better than to go down and play a team of Nebraska's caliber, Nebraska's tradition?" Smith asked. "What have they been to, the last 35 straight (bowl) games? So that's an honor for us as well."
"San Antonio is a beautiful city and it is within driving distance," Nebraska athletics director Steve Pederson said Sunday. "I'm confident we will have may fans come down to enjoy all that the city and bowl has to offer."
That NCAA-record streak and a 41st straight winning season (9-3) wasn't enough to save the job of Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich, who will be replaced by defensive coordinator Bo Pelini for the bowl game.
"To go to the Alamo Bowl and play a team like Nebraska, I couldn't have written a better story," Michigan State guard Paul Harker said. "They've got a lot of tradition. But I think we'll be all right because we've played a lot of teams with tradition. We've played Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan."
The Spartans were the fifth choice from the Big Ten, behind conference champ Michigan (Rose), BCS at-large pick Ohio State (Fiesta), Purdue (Capital One) and Iowa (Outback).
Michigan State will earn $1.15 million for the appearance.
"I wasn't really too sure going into this season," said Smoker, the Big Ten leader in passing yards. "We had high expectations and were shooting for a Big Ten championship. But I don't know if we thought that was realistic. I'm happy with the invitation we got."
