Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Won't Hesitate To Play Freshmen In Opener
8/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 28, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - New Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio won't waste any time testing some of the members of his first recruiting class.
The Spartans plan to start freshmen wide receiver Mark Dell against UAB in the season opener Saturday. Punter Aaron Bates also will start as a true freshmen, and several other newcomers are expected to get some playing time at Spartan Stadium.
That would burn a potential redshirt year for the first-year players, but Dantonio -- trying to revitalize a Michigan State program coming off three straight losing seasons -- isn't worried about it.
"If they're ready to play, we'll play them," Dantonio said Monday at his weekly press conference.
Dell -- a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder from Farmington Hills -- also is listed as the Spartans' first-team punt returner. But Dantonio said a few other players could be in the mix as well.
Most of the true freshmen who could play early this season are on defense, all listed on the Spartans' depth chart as backups as of Monday. They include cornerback Chris L. Rucker, linebacker Greg Jones, and defensive linemen Oren Wilson and Antonio Jeremiah. Junior college transfer Michael Jordan, a sophomore, also is expected to contribute along the defensive front.
They would provide depth to a defense already expected to start two redshirt freshmen, Jon Misch and Eric Gordon, at linebacker.
True freshman quarterback Nick Foles, along with redshirt freshman Connor Dixon, is listed as a backup to junior starter Brian Hoyer and could play depending on how Saturday's game progresses.
Dell is the offensive weapon who most clearly turned heads during preseason camp.
"He stepped right out there and got involved," Dantonio said.
Hoyer said Dell has shown a good understanding of the offense, which is often difficult for a freshman.
"He runs great routes and he's got great hands, and he's not afraid to go across the middle," Hoyer said. "He'll be a playmaker for us."
Alabama-Birmingham, a member of Conference USA, may rely even more heavily on young players in its first ever game against a Big Ten opponent. The Blazers listed six freshmen -- including three true freshmen -- as potential starters on a recent depth chart. First-year coach Neil Callaway said Monday that three freshmen probably will start on offense and another might start on defense.
"There's a bunch of guys who weren't on our campus last year that will start," Callaway said.
By TIM MARTIN, The Associated Press
