MSU Football Wins Now And Later With Bowl Bid
12/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 27, 2007
- By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was just getting started with a phone interview when a name and number appeared on his cell phone.
"That's a recruit," Dantonio said Wednesday to a reporter. "Can I call you back?"
It was the latest sign that the Spartans are headed in the right direction as Dantonio wraps up his first season.
Recruits, including some highly touted ones, are calling Dantonio.
For the first time since 2003, prospects can watch Michigan State play in the postseason. The Spartans' appearance at the Champs Sports Bowl is further evidence of an inconsistent program on the upswing.
"It sends a message that we had a successful year," Dantonio said after resuming an interview from Orlando, Fla. "It was just the first step of where we want to be, but we know true success comes in stages and we're proud of the stage we've reached so far."
Michigan State (7-5) is expected to lose Friday to No. 14 Boston College (10-3).
But if the Spartans listened to what was expected of them, they would have reverted to same-old-Spartans form toward the end of the season and would be spending the holidays at home.
Michigan State closed the 2004, '05 and '06 seasons with two, three and four straight losses respectively under John L. Smith, who was fired a year ago. Dantonio's first season at Michigan State ended with bowl-clinching wins over Purdue and Penn State after losing three in a row.
"I don't want to speak about the past," Dantonio bristled when asked about his players proving they weren't the same-old Spartans. "But I'm proud of the way we got squared away to win two big games at the end of the year after we had some tough losses.
"I think it gives every indication that the program is headed in the right direction. We'll look back at this year feeling good about it because the seniors set the foundation for us to build upon."
Closing with a win over Boston College would likely help Michigan State's reputation with prospects and the public.
The Eagles, who were ranked as high as No. 2, are led by standout quarterback Matt Ryan and the nation's top-ranked run defense that will test the Spartans' tandem of Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick perhaps more than any other team this year.
"We're looking forward to it because it's going to be a great challenge because you can't win 10 games in the regular season if you don't have a great team," Dantonio said. "We have to limit the yards they get after the catch because Ryan is going to complete passes as he has in every game. To keep it out of his hands, we have to run the ball to help us in time of possession.
"Special teams will also be huge, as they always are in bowl games because of the long layoff."
Even if Michigan State doesn't win - earning an eighth victory for just the seventh time since it was a national power in the late 1960s - simply being in a bowl game helps the program now and in the future.
The extra practices and exposure, which it wouldn't have otherwise, aids in the development of returning players. It also gives people a reason to talk about Michigan State football - and recruits another reason to listen.
"It's great, no doubt about it," Dantonio said. "It also helps that we can tell recruits we have new facilities going up that they'll use every day."
Michigan State is working on a $12 million expansion and renovation of the Duffy Daugherty Building, which is scheduled to be completed in August.
By then, the recruit who called Dantonio on Wednesday afternoon and perhaps other prospects will be wearing green and white and getting ready for practices to start.
"We're in some great players' homes," Dantonio said. "Now, it's just a matter of how we close."
