Bowl Hopes Alive As Spartans Regroup
10/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State is out of the Big Ten title chase and the Top 25 polls, but its bowl hopes still are very much alive.
The Spartans have been forced to reassess their season after following four straight wins with three consecutive losses. The bottom line: two more wins would make Michigan State eligible for a postseason bowl.
Coach John L. Smith is anxious to see how his team responds.
"This is what football is all about, and this is what life is all about," Smith said Monday at his weekly press conference. "This is what building character is all about."
The Spartans (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) took an unexpected tumble last week, losing 49-14 to Northwestern. They will try to regroup in time to host Indiana (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) on Saturday.
"I'm not going to be disappointed," Michigan State defensive end Clifton Ryan said. "I know we can turn it around."
Michigan State has one of the nation's best offenses, but it has little margin for error given the team's defensive and special teams struggles.
The Spartans rank third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 538 yards per game. Michigan State has scored an average of 37.86 points per game, 12th in the nation and second in the conference to Wisconsin.
Quarterback Drew Stanton struggled against Northwestern, throwing three interceptions. But he still ranks third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency.
Stanton has completed 68.4 percent of his passes for an average of 291 yards per game. He has 16 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
Stanton was spectacular in two games -- against Michigan and Ohio State -- that the Spartans lost late. Against Northwestern, Stanton and the Spartans had a spectacular opening drive but then fizzled in the red zone for the rest of the game.
"He'll be fine," Smith said of Stanton in the wake of the Northwestern performance. "He has to have a bad day to know what a good day is all about."
The Spartan defense ranks in the bottom half of the Big Ten for yardage allowed (421 yards per game) and points allowed (28.7 per game).
Special teams have been poor, especially place-kicking. Michigan State probably will change kickers this week, Smith said, benching John Goss in favor of walk-on Matt Haughey for field goals and extra points.
Indiana is in its first year under coach Terry Hoeppner. The Hoosiers have lost two straight Big Ten games after a better-than-expected start.
Indiana defeated Illinois but has lost conference games to Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio State. The Hooisers also would be bowl eligible with two more wins.
By TIM MARTIN, The Associated Press
