Preseason Camp Update No. 4

Aug. 16, 2008

Second Scrimmage Recap | BBQ with the Band

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Coach Dantonio
Mark Dell
Brett Swenson
Greg Jones
Josh Rouse

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Under partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 80, second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a 120-play "controlled" scrimmage in Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 16, as the team completed its 17th preseason practice. Utilizing a modified scoring system, the defense reclaimed the Green (home) jersey by winning the 2 1/2-hour scrimmage, 67-61.

The scrimmage format provided the defense with 18 different scoring opportunities, while the offense had 11 ways to put points on the scoreboard, including the traditional touchdown and field goal.

The Spartan defense dominated the early action and built a 24-1 lead, as the first-team offense - minus as many as four starters including 1,000-yard rusher Javon Ringer (5-9, 202, Sr.), who sat out the scrimmage - managed only one first down on its first five possessions.

Brian Hoyer (6-3, 215, Sr.-5) completed 10-of-23 throws for 181 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring tosses of 30 and 5 yards to tight end Charlie Gantt (6-4, 252, So.) and 18 yards to Mark Dell (6-2, 188, So.).

With Ringer watching from the sidelines, Ashton Leggett (5-11, 228, R-Fr.), A.J. Jimmerson (5-10, 208, Jr.) and Andre Anderson (5-9, 186, R-Fr.) combined to rush 28 times for 68 yards and two scores.

Gantt and Fred Smith (6-2, 218, Fr.) each had four receptions for 68 and 48 yards, respectively, as 11 different receivers caught at least one pass. Dell caught three passes for 97 yards, while fullback Josh Rouse (6-3, 235, Jr.) also had three catches for 68 yards.

Linebacker Greg Jones (6-1, 222, So.) paced the first-team defense with six tackles - all solos - including three for losses (16 yards) and two sacks (15).