Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Entertains CMU In 2004 Home Opener
9/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2004
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DATE: Sept. 11, 2004
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027/natural grass), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sold out)
LAST WEEK: Michigan State lost at Rutgers, 19-14; Central Michigan lost at Indiana, 41-10.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Bill Burke, sideline reporter Will Tieman and broadcast host Mike Kamin, will broadcast the game to 35 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5). Television - ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Central Michigan game live on a regional basis, with Craig Coshun handling the play-by-play and John Cooper providing color commentary.
2004 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 4 at Rutgers (ABC) L, 14-19 Sept. 11 CENTRAL MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) 12:00 p.m. EDT Sept. 18 NOTRE DAME (ESPN) 7:00 p.m. EDT Sept. 25 at Indiana (ESPN Plus) 12:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 2 at Iowa TBA Oct. 9 ILLINOIS TBA Oct. 16 MINNESOTA (Homecoming) TBA Oct. 30 at Michigan TBA Nov. 6 OHIO STATE TBA Nov. 13 WISCONSIN TBA Nov. 20 at Penn State TBA Dec. 4 at Hawaii TBA
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (0-1, 0-0 Mid-American)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 4 at Indiana L, 10-41 Sept. 11 at Michigan State 12:00 p.m. EDT Sept. 18 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 1:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 2 KENT STATE 1:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 9 BOWLING GREEN 1:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 16 at Northern Illinois 3:00 p.m. CDT Oct. 23 at Toledo 7:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 30 WESTERN MICHIGAN 1:00 p.m. EDT Nov. 6 vs. Eastern Michigan (1) 4:30 p.m. EST Nov. 13 at Buffalo 1:30 p.m. EST Nov. 20 BALL STATE 1:00 p.m. EST (1) Ford Field
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 8-6 (.571) in his second year with the Spartans and 118-66 (.641) in 16 seasons as a college head coach. Smith ranks No. 14 among active NCAA I-A football coaches in career victories and No. 19 in career winning percentage. Twelve of his teams have participated in postseason play, including seven-straight bowl appearances. He came to Michigan State following five seasons at Louisville (1998-2002) where he put together a 41-21 worksheet (.661), including five-straight bowl appearances and back-to-back C-USA titles in 2000-01. Smith posted a 16-18 ledger (.471) in three seasons at Utah State (1995-97) while leading the Aggies to consecutive Big West Conference crowns in 1996-97. His six-year mark of 53-21 (.716) at Idaho (1989-94) included five NCAA I-AA playoff appearances and five Top 20 finishes.
Central Michigan's Brian Kelly (Assumption College 1983) is 0-1 (.000) in his first year with the Chippewas and 118-36-2 (.763) in 14 seasons as a college head coach. Kelly came to Central Michigan following 13 years at Grand Valley State University where he compiled a 118-35-2 (.768) record, including five GLIAC titles and six NCAA Division II playoff appearances. He led the Lakers to back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (14-1).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State Central MichiganBasic Offense Spread Spread Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 Multiple Offensive Starters Returning 7 8 Defensive Starters Returning 6 9 Specialists Returning 2 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Central MichiganOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 300 6-5, 289 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 204 6-0, 190 Defensive Line 6-3, 290 6-3, 268 Linebackers 6-0, 231 6-0, 220 Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 5-10, 186
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 3 seniors, 6 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores
Central Michigan Offense: 4 seniors, 1 junior, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
Central Michigan Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen
STAT LEADERS - Michigan State (after one game):
Rushing - Jason Teague (13 carries for 79 yards, 6.1 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Damon Dowdell (22 of 39 for 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving - Matt Trannon (5 catches for 77 yards, 15.4 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Ronald Stanley (19 tackles, 11 solos, 8 assists, 2 for losses)
Central Michigan (after one game):
Rushing - Jerry Seymour (21 carries for 111 yards, 5.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Kent Smith (10 of 17 for 148 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
Receiving - Jerry Seymour (6 catches for 62 yards, 10.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles - Isaac Brown (9 tackles, 7 solos, 2 assists) and Mike Thomas (9 tackles, 7 solos, 2 assists)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State Central MichiganScoring 14.0 10.0 First Downs 16.0 23.0 Total Offense 360.0 389.0 Rushing Yards 90.0 114.0 Passing Yards 270.0 275.0 Time of Possession 19:46 30:25 Third Down Conversions .167 .400 Points Allowed 19.0 41.0 Total Offense Allowed 415.0 334.0 Rushing Yards Allowed 174.0 203.0 Passing Yards Allowed 241.0 131.0
MSU/CENTRAL MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the sixth meeting between Michigan State and Central Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series 3-2. All games in this series have been played in Spartan Stadium with the Chippewas winning the first two meetings, 20-3 in 1991 and 24-20 in '92, and MSU taking the last three: 48-34 in '93, 38-7 in '98 and 35-21 in 2001. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 172 in the 2004 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Sept. 8, 2001, in East Lansing, Mich.: Jeff Smoker threw for 196 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score while his back-up Ryan Van Dyke tossed two TD passes as Michigan State defeated Central Michigan, 35-21. The Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Smoker's 9-yard TD toss to Chris Baker with 5:40 left in the first quarter. A blocked punt set up Central Michigan's only offensive touchdown, an 18-yard TD strike from Derrick Vickers to Tory Humphrey with 38 seconds left in the first quarter to tie the game at 7. The Spartans scored 28 straight points to take control of the game. Smoker capped off an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 3-yard keeper around right end with 4:23 left in the first half. A Central Michigan fumble led to another Spartan touchdown as Van Dyke found Little John Flowers alone over the middle for a 28-yard scoring play. Michigan State moved out to a 28-7 halftime lead on Van Dyke's 53-yard bomb to Roderick Maples. The Spartans opened the second half with a seven-play, 67-yard drive and built a 35-7 lead on T.J. Duckett's 31-yard TD run around right end. The Chippewas scored twice on blocked punts in the fourth quarter - a 17-yard return by Joe Ballard and a 36-yard return by Omari Colen. Central Michigan's James King tied the NCAA single-game record with four blocked punts. Michigan State outgained Central Michigan in total yards, 486-287. Duckett paced the Spartan ground attack with 120 yards on 22 carries. Charles Rogers had three catches for 72 yards in his Spartan debut.
MSU/CENTRAL MICHIGAN COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State assistant head coach/running backs coach Reggie Mitchell was a four-year starter as a running back at Central Michigan (1978-81). Mitchell rushed for 2,394 career yards and helped the Chippewas win back-to-back Mid-American Conference titles in 1979-80. He earned team MVP honors in 1981 after gaining 1,068 yards rushing. Mitchell received a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation from Central Michigan in 1984. He broke into the coaching ranks as a student coach at his alma mater under Herb Deromedi in 1983.
• Michigan State cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes and Central Michigan running backs coach Butch Jones worked together at Ferris State in 1995-96. Haynes coached the secondary for the Bulldogs while Jones served as offensive coordinator.
• Central Michigan director of football operations Plas Presnell graduated from Michigan State in 1973.
• Central Michigan graduate assistant coach Robert Saleh worked in the same capacity at Michigan State from 2002-03.
MSU/CENTRAL MICHIGAN CONNECTION, PART II -
• Michigan State wide receiver Kyle Brown's cousin Lance Gailliard is a cornerback on Central Michigan's roster.
MICHIGAN STATE vs. MAC TEAMS -
Michigan State has compiled a 26-5 record (.839) against current members of the Mid-American Conference (2-0 vs. Akron, 1-0 vs. Bowling Green, 3-2 vs. Central Michigan, 6-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 1-0 vs. Marshall, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 8-2 vs. Western Michigan). The Spartans have won 10 straight and 17 out of the last 19 meetings vs. MAC teams, with the only losses coming to Central Michigan in the 1991 (20-3) and 1992 (24-20) season openers. Here's a look at Michigan State's last 10 games vs. MAC teams:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteAug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24 Spartan StadiumSept. 11, 1999 Eastern Michigan W, 51-7 Spartan StadiumOct. 3, 1998 Central Michigan W, 38-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan W, 42-10 Spartan StadiumSept. 28, 1996 Eastern Michigan W, 47-0 Spartan StadiumSept. 24, 1994 Miami-Ohio W, 45-10* Spartan StadiumSept. 25, 1993 Central Michigan W, 48-34 Spartan Stadium*Win forfeited by MSU in 1996 as part of its self-imposed sanctions.
The Spartans have outscored their last 10 MAC opponents, 422-141, for an average score of 42-14.
BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS -
Michigan State's 2004 football roster features 48 players from the state of Michigan, including 13 of the Spartans' 24 (projected) starters: wide receivers Matt Trannon (Flint/Northern), Kyle Brown (West Bloomfield) and Agim Shabaj (Farmington Hills/Harrison), left guard Kyle Cook (Macomb/Dakota), center Chris Morris (Lambertville/Temperance-Bedford), right tackle Sean Poole (Flint/Flint Central), tight end Eric Knott (Detroit/Henry Ford), quarterback Damon Dowdell (Detroit/Henry Ford), defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (Detroit/Martin Luther King), defensive end Clifton Ryan (Saginaw/Arthur Hill), linebacker Ronald Stanley (Saginaw), cornerback Roderick Maples (Detroit/Cass Tech) and placekicker Dave Rayner (Oxford).
HOME OPENERS -
In its 107-year football history, Michigan State is 86-21-0 (.804) in home openers, including a 7-3 record (.700) in its last 10 games. The Spartans have won five in a row and seven of their last eight home openers, with the only setback coming to Colorado State, 23-16, in the 1998 Black Coaches Association Classic. Here's a brief look at Michigan State's home openers since 1994:
Date Opponent MSU ResultAug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21Aug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7Sept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21Sept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24Sept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20Aug. 29, 1998 Colorado State L, 16-23Sept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan W, 42-10Aug. 31, 1996 Purdue W, 52-14Sept. 9, 1995 Nebraska L, 10-50Sept. 17, 1994 Notre Dame L, 20-21
SPARTANS TOUGH IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES -
Since 1999, Michigan State has compiled a 16-5 record (.762) in games played against non-conference opponents. However, the Spartans are just 5-5 (.500) in their last 10 non-conference games.
Here's a look at Michigan State's non-conference results since 1999:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteSept. 4, 2004 Rutgers L, 14-19 Piscataway, N.J.Dec. 29, 2003 Nebraska L, 3-17 San Antonio, TexasSept. 20, 2003 Notre Dame W, 22-16 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 13, 2003 Louisiana Tech L, 19-20 Spartan StadiumSept. 6, 2003 Rutgers W, 44-28 Spartan StadiumAug. 30, 2003 Western Mich. W, 26-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 21, 2002 Notre Dame L, 17-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 14, 2002 California L, 22-46 Spartan StadiumSept. 7, 2002 Rice W, 27-10 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 2002 Eastern Mich. W, 56-7 Spartan StadiumDec. 31, 2001 Fresno State W, 44-35 San Jose, Calif.Dec. 1, 2001 Missouri W, 55-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 22, 2001 Notre Dame W, 17-10 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 8, 2001 Central Mich. W, 35-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 23, 2000 Notre Dame W, 27-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 16, 2000 Missouri W, 13-10 Columbia, Mo.Sept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24 Spartan StadiumJan. 1, 2000 Florida W, 37-34 Orlando, Fla.Sept. 18, 1999 Notre Dame W, 23-13 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 11, 1999 Eastern Mich. W, 51-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20 Spartan Stadium
MSU FOOTBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION REUNION -
More than 200 former players, coaches and managers have registered to attend the first-ever MSU Football Players Association Reunion Weekend (Sept. 10-11). The guest list features nine former Spartan All-Americans: Don Coleman (tackle, 1951), Ron Curl (defensive tackle, 1971), Dan Currie (center, 1957), Al Dorrow (quarterback, 1951), Dorne Dibble (end, 1950), Sonny Grandelius (halfback, 1950), Dean Look (quarterback, 1959), Earl Morrall (quarterback, 1955) and Jerry West (offensive tackle, 1966). Four former head coaches are expected to participate in this weekend's activities: Denny Stolz (1973-75), Darryl Rogers (1976-79), Frank "Muddy" Waters (1980-82) and George Perles (1983-94).
The reunion participants will be honored at halftime of Saturday's MSU-Central Michigan game.
(Media Note: For additional information regarding this weekend's reunion, please contact: MSU Football Players Association President Hank Bullough, 517-332-5593.)
THE LAST TIME OUT -
Rutgers 19, MSU 14: Jeremy Ito kicked four field goals and Ryan Neill returned an interception 31 yards to lead Rutgers to a 19-14 victory over Michigan State before a record crowd of 42,612 in Rutgers Stadium. After misfiring on field-goal attempts from 29 and 56 yards in the first quarter, Ito finished off a 15-play, 86-yard drive by converting from 24 yards as the Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. Michigan State's next series ended with a lost fumble but Sir Darean Adams blocked Ito's 24-yard field-goal try. Jason Teague's 46-yard run to the RU 6 set up MSU's first score. Two plays later, Matt Trannon scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 9-yard toss from Damon Dowdell as the Spartans took a 7-3 lead with 9:55 left in the second quarter. The Scarlet Knights answered on the next series with an 11-play, 41-yard drive and pulled to within 7-6 on Ito's 47-yarder with 5:08 to play in the first half. Rutgers scored on its first possession of the second half as a 10-play, 51-yard drive resulted in Ito's 23-yard field goal as the Scarlet Knights took the lead for good at 9-7. Late in the third quarter, Neill intercepted Dowdell's screen pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown as Rutgers built a 16-7 advantage. Rutgers extended its lead to 19-7 on Ito's fourth field goal, a 42-yarder, with 41 seconds left in the third quarter. Michigan State's offense came to life early in the fourth quarter as Dowdell hooked up with Eric Knott for a 54-yard scoring play to cut the deficit to 19-14 with 12:41 remaining. The Spartans put together a nine-play, 51-yard drive in the closing minutes but MSU failed to convert on fourth-and-6 from the RU 25 with 1:07 on the clock. Rutgers outgained Michigan State in total yards, 415-360, while running 23 more plays from scrimmage. The Scarlet Knights also held a better than 2-to-1 margin in time of possession, 40:14-19:46. Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard accounted for 190 all-purpose yards (150 rushing and 40 receiving).
TIME RUNS OUT ON THE SPARTANS -
Rutgers outgained Michigan State in total yards, 415-360, in the 2004 season opener, thanks largely to its 84-61 advantage in plays from scrimmage. The Scarlet Knights also held a 40:14-19:46 edge in time of possession. It marked the first time in recorded history that the Spartans had possessed the football for less than 20 minutes in a game. The NCAA began tracking time of possession in its game summaries in 1981.
TURNOVERS PLAGUE SPARTANS IN SEASON OPENER -
Michigan State turned the ball over three times in its 19-14 loss at Rutgers in the 2004 season opener, matching the highest total the Spartans had in any game last year (four times: vs. Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, at Wisconsin, at Notre Dame and vs. Rutgers). In 2003, Michigan State committed just 18 turnovers - the Big Ten's fourth-lowest total (No. 15 in the NCAA).
Rutgers defensive end Ryan Neill intercepted a screen pass from Damon Dowdell and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown as the Scarlet Knights built a 16-7 lead with 5:10 left in the third quarter. In addition, the Spartans lost two fumbles in the season opener. By contrast, Michigan State lost just three fumbles in 2003 - the NCAA's best mark.
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2004:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Offense 90.0 11th 69thPassing Offense 270.0 4th t-21stTotal Offense 360.0 9th 54thScoring Offense 14.0 11th t-73rdRushing Defense 174.0 11th 62ndPassing Defense 241.0 7th 67thPass Efficiency Defense 112.5 8th 51stTotal Defense 415.0 10th t-66thScoring Defense 19.0 9th t-42ndTurnover Margin -2.0 10th t-6thNet Punting 40.2 6th 29thPunt Returns 7.7 8th 50thKickoff Returns 17.5 6th 58th
NCAA STATE LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA stat leaders in 2004:
Team Statistics
Rushing Offense: 69th at 90.0 yards per game
Passing Offense: t-21st at 270.0 yards per game
Passing Efficiency: 46th at 126.4 rating
Total Offense: 54th at 360.0 yards per game
Scoring Offense: t-73rd at 14.0 points per game
Rushing Defense: 62nd at 174.0 yards per game
Passing Defense: 67th at 241.0 yards per game
Pass Efficiency Defense: 51st at 112.5 rating
Total Defense: t-66th at 415.0 yards per game
Scoring Defense: t-42nd at 19.0 points per game
Turnover Margin: t-75th at -2.0 turnovers per game
Net Punting: 29th at 40.2 yards per punt
Punt Returns: 50th at 7.7 yards per return
Kickoff Returns: 58th at 17.5 yards per return
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Damon Dowdell (42nd at 126.4 rating)
Passing: Damon Dowdell (12th at 22.0 completions per game)
Total Offense: Damon Dowdell (17th at 264.0 yards per game)
Receptions: Matt Trannon and Jason Teague (t-46th at 5.0 receptions per game)
Interceptions: Jason Harmon (t-12th at 1.0 interceptions per game)
Punting: Brandon Fields (t-9th at 46.0 yards per punt)
Punt Returns: Agim Shabaj (40th at 7.7 yards per return)
Points Responsible For: Damon Dowdell (t-35th at 12.0 points per game)
YOUTH IS SERVED -
No fewer than 13 true and red-shirt freshmen saw action in Michigan State's 2004 season opener at Rutgers. Here's a complete breakdown of true and red-shirt freshmen that made their Spartan debuts Sept. 4 at Rutgers:
True Freshmen (7): SP Sir Darean Adams, SP Eric Andino, SP Tom Dance, SP Hugh D'Imperio, DE Nick Smith, SP Rob Tabatchnick and SP Miles Williams.
Red-shirt Freshmen (6): RG Pete Clifford, SP Cole Corey, RT Mike Gyetvai, SP Kyle Sackrider, LB Kaleb Thornhill and NG Joe Toth.
Note: SP = special teams appearance.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS IMPACT SPARTAN DEPTH CHART -
No fewer than seven first-year players are currently listed on Michigan State's depth chart, including two on offense, four on defense and one specialist. Here's a complete breakdown of true freshmen and junior college transfers included on the depth chart:
True Freshmen (5): BANDIT Sir Darean Adams, WR Carl Grimes, LT Tom Kaczmarek, DE Nick Smith and RCB Miles Williams.
Junior College Transfers (2): PK/P John Goss and DE Domata Peko.
RETOOLING THE SPARTAN O-LINE IN 2004 -
In 2004, one of the toughest obstacles is rebuilding an offensive line that lost three starters. Left guard Joe Tate, right guard Paul Harker and right tackle Steve Stewart were responsible for 96 combined starting assignments.
By comparison, the six returning lettermen have accounted for 48 combined starts (heading into the 2004 season). Chris Morris, a preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, anchors Michigan State's offensive line from the center position for the second year in a row. Left tackle Stefon Wheeler started the first 10 games in 2003 before suffering a season-ending neck injury vs. Ohio State. Morris and Wheeler each have 13 career starts to their credit. Right guard William Whitticker, a backup to Harker in 2003, ranks as MSU's most experienced offensive lineman, with 19 career starts under his belt.
Here's a brief comparison between the starting experience of Michigan State's offensive line in 2003 and '04:
2003 Starters Lost 2004 Returning LettermenSteve Stewart - OT 37 William Whitticker - OG 19Paul Harker - OG 30 Chris Morris - C 13Joe Tate - OG 29 Stefon Wheeler - OT 13Combined Starts 96 Sean Poole - OT 2 Gordon Niebylski - OT/OG 1 Kyle Cook - OG 0 Combined Starts 48
SPARTAN COACHING STAFF APPOINTS 2004 CAPTAINS -
Michigan State second-year head coach John L. Smith and his coaching staff have appointed four captains for the 2004 season: junior wide receiver Kyle Brown, senior BANDIT Tyrell Dortch, senior free safety Jason Harmon and senior MIKE linebacker Ronald Stanley.
QUARTERBACK JOB UP FOR GRABS AS HOME OPENER APPROACHES -
Red-shirt freshman Stephen Reaves and sophomore Drew Stanton are battling fifth-year senior Damon Dowdell for the starting nod at quarterback for the 2004 home opener vs. Central Michigan.
Dowdell started last week's season opener at Rutgers, completing 22-of-39 throws for 270 yards and two scores. He delivered touchdown strikes of 9 yards to Matt Trannon and 54 yards to Eric Knott. Dowdell also had an interception returned for a TD, 31 yards by Ryan Neill.
The 6-foot-1, 222-pound senior from Detroit has appeared in 17 games during his career, including seven starting assignments.
Reaves, who completed 11-of-24 passes (.458) for 214 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason scrimmages, could make his collegiate debut in the starting lineup vs. Central Michigan.
Stanton, who served as Jeff Smoker's understudy in 2003 and made four brief appearances at the position, has been slowed by swelling in his surgically reconstructed knee. In two preseason scrimmages, he hit 12-of-16 passes (.750) for 136 yards and two TDs.
Here's how Michigan State's last 13 quarterbacks fared in their first college starts:
• Damon Dowdell - Nov. 17, 2001 vs. Purdue (L 14-24)
Dowdell completed 24-of-45 throws for 304 yards vs. Purdue, including a 7-yard TD toss to Charles Rogers.
• Jeff Smoker - Sept. 16, 2000 vs. Missouri (W 13-10)
Smoker connected on 10-of-24 throws for 157 yards with one interception as the Spartans rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit.
• Ryan Van Dyke - Sept. 9, 2000 vs. Marshall (W 34-24)
Van Dyke completed 5-of-7 passes for 74 yards, including a 37-yard TD strike to Chris Baker, before leaving the game with a bruised right thumb late in the first quarter.
• Bill Burke - Sept. 28, 1996 vs. Eastern Michigan (W 47-0)
Burke completed 8-of-22 passes for 166 yards, including TD tosses of 49 and 5 yards to Nigea Carter.
• Gus Ornstein - Sept. 21, 1996 vs. Louisville (L 20-30)
Ornstein hit 21-of-37 passes for 237 yards, including a 17-yard TD strike to Derrick Mason.
• Todd Schultz - Sept. 30, 1995 vs. Boston College (W 25-21)
Schultz completed 20-of-28 passes for 210 yards as the Spartans rallied from a 21-9 third-quarter deficit to win 25-21.
• Tony Banks - Sept. 10, 1994 at Kansas (L 10-17)
Banks connected on 8-of-22 throws for 71 yards with two interceptions.
• Mill Coleman - Nov. 14, 1992 vs. Purdue (W 35-13)
Coleman completed 4-of-10 passes for 54 yards with one interception. He also added a 2-yard TD run.
• John Gieselman - Oct. 31, 1992 at Northwestern (W 27-26)
Gieselman hit 4-of-7 pass attempts for 27 yards.
• Jim Miller - Oct. 5, 1991 at Indiana (L 0-31)
Miller completed 10-of-19 throws for 105 yards with one interception.
• Bret Johnson - Sept. 14, 1991 vs. Central Michigan (L 3-20)
Johnson connected on 6-of-11 passes for 29 yards.
• Dan Enos - Sept. 16, 1989 vs. Miami-Ohio (W 49-0)
Enos hit 5-of-7 throws for 78 yards and scored on an 8-yard run.
• Bobby McAllister - Sept. 7, 1987 vs. Southern Cal (W 27-13)
McAllister completed 10-of-15 passes for 103 yards and rushed 15 times for 63 yards, including a 9-yard TD run.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE -
Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 41 of its last 46 home games, including the last 33 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 48 years, including 20th in 2003, averaging 72,830 fans per game.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 81st season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 296-126-13 record (.695) since taking up residency in Spartan Stadium in 1923. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 16 times since the stadium opened, including a perfect 6-0 mark in 1999. It marked Michigan State's first undefeated home record since 1966 (5-0-1) and its first unbeaten and untied home slate since 1965 (5-0-0).
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 72-16-1 (.815) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-62-1 (.178) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 15-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 85-78-2 (.521).
SPARTANS IN THE NFL -
Michigan State has 19 former players listed on opening-day rosters for National Football League teams in 2004. Here's a complete list of Spartans currently playing in the NFL (opening-day rosters as of Sept. 8):
Arizona Cardinals - CB Renaldo Hill
Atlanta Falcons - RB T.J. Duckett
Carolina Panthers - WR Muhsin Muhammad
Chicago Bears - K Paul Edinger
Cincinnati Bengals - DT Matthias Askew
Dallas Cowboys - OT Flozell Adams
Detroit Lions - WR Charles Rogers
Houston Texans - QB Tony Banks, DE Robaire Smith
Indianapolis Colts - C Tupe Peko
Minnesota Vikings - K Morten Andersen
New York Jets - TE Chris Baker
Philadelphia Eagles - LB Ike Reese
Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Plaxico Burress
St. Louis Rams - OT Greg Randall, QB Jeff Smoker
San Francisco 49ers - LB Julian Peterson
Tennessee Titans - WR Derrick Mason
Washington Redskins - LB Lemar Marshall
Three former Michigan State players are listed on NFL practice squads (as of Sept. 8):
Atlanta Falcons - OT Steve Stewart
Philadelphia Eagles - LB Mike Labinjo
Washington Redskins - WR Gari Scott
SPARTAN SINGLE-GAME BESTS UNDER SMITH - Here's a look at the top single-game totals produced by Michigan State during head coach John L. Smith's tenure (2003-04; 14 games):
Rushing Yards: 181 vs. Notre Dame, 2003
Passing Yards: 382 vs. Indiana, 2003
Total Yards: 486 vs. Indiana, 2003
First Downs: 30 vs. Indiana, 2003
Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: minus 2 by Rutgers, 2003
Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 158 by Iowa, 2003
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 238 by Penn State, 2003
Fewest First Downs Allowed: 12 by Rutgers, 2003
Sacks By: 6 vs. Indiana and Western Michigan, 2003
Turnovers Forced: 5 vs. Louisiana Tech, 2003
Points (Game): 49 vs. Illinois, 2003
Points (Half): 34 (1st) vs. Minnesota, 2003
Points (Quarter): 24 (2nd) vs. Rutgers, 2003
Victory Margin: 35 vs. Illinois, 2003
