From The Press Box
8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 30, 2003
Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Photo Gallery
Michigan State vs. Western Michigan
Spartan Stadium - East Lansing, Mich.
August 30, 2003
MSU Game Notes
Attendance: 72,923. Today's game marked the 27th-consecutive sellout in Spartan Stadium and the 35th sellout in the last 40 games.
With 321 total yards of offense, senior quarterback Jeff Smoker became the MSU career total offense leader at 5,756 yards, surpassing Ed Smith (1976-78) at 5,556. With 324 yards passing, he also became the career passing yardage leader for the Spartans with 5,861 yards. With three touchdown passes, he now stands with 43 in his career, tying Dave Yarema (1982-86) and Ed Smith (1976-78) for second place on the MSU career list. His 324 yards passing mark the fifth 300-plus yard effort of his career, and the fourth-highest total of his career.
Junior running back Tyrell Dortch returned to the field for the first time since breaking his right lower leg in the sixth game of the 2001 season vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 27). He finished with 96 all-purpose yards (58 rushing, 38 receiving).
Sophomore wide receiver Agim Shabaj recorded his first career touchdown on a 50-yard pass from Smoker in the first quarter. He added another score in the second quarter on a 21-yard pass from Smoker. He finished the game with a team-best six receptions for a team-high 89 yards.
Sophomore cornerback Darren Barnett recorded his first career interception in the second quarter.
Michigan State's defense sacked Western Michigan quarterback Chad Munson five times, including three by junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew. By comparison, MSU's defense sacked the quarterback just 19 times in 2002. Entering today's contest, Askew had recorded just one sack in 22 games.
Red-shirt freshman Brandon Fields averaged 41.1 yards on seven punts in his Spartan debut, including two kicks downed inside the Bronco 20-yard line. Fields hit a 50-yard punt in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Michigan State improved to 70-34-3 in season-openers, having won seven of their last eight season openers. Michigan State is now 86-21 in home openers.
New Spartan football coach John L. Smith improved to 10-5 in season openers and became the 12th of 23 coaches in Michigan State history to open their Spartan career with a victory. This was the first time in four attempts that Coach Smith won his opening game at a new school.
Quick Hitters
?MSU improved to 3-1 in games played in August.
?Michigan State has won 14 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents dating back to 1999.
WMU Game Notes
The Spartan Stadium crowd of 72,923 was the seventh largest to ever watch a Western Michigan football game.
Bronco quarterback Chad Munson established career highs for completions (30), attempts (50) and yards (333).
WMU wide receiver Kendrick Mosley extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 31.
Bronco punter Adam Anderson set career highs for punts (11) and punting average (42.4 ypp).
WMU safety Jason Feldpausch established a career high with 13 tackles.
