Bowl Practice Update No. 1
12/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 26, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. - With windchill readings in the upper-30s, fourth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a 2 1/2-hour workout in full pads on Sunday, Dec. 26 at Freedom High School, as the seventh-ranked Spartans (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) resumed preparation for the Jan. 1, 2011, Capital One Bowl against No. 15 Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC).
"With the windy conditions and the cold, we needed to be able to work through things today," Dantonio said. "The focus was great, and the retention was excellent. The guys ran 10 intervals very well after practice. I really feel good about what we accomplished today. Despite the weather, we got things done, and we really didn't have to alter our practice plan.
"From a conditioning standpoint, we had hoped for warmer weather today, but that's something we can't control. With expected game-day temperatures in the mid-70s, it's important for our guys to get acclimated. After the five-day layoff, we still need to work at becoming accustomed to carrying our pads. The temperatures will gradually rise throughout the week, so we need to get back into football shape."
"After a few days off for the Holidays, it's usually kind of tough to get back into the practice zone," fifth-year senior linebacker Eric Gordon said. "(Mark Dantonio) Coach D made focus a point of emphasis today, and I think the guys responded. We finished off a hard, tough practice with some additional running at the end.
"The thing that killed us today was the weather. When the team flew in last night, the temperatures were in the high-60s, so everybody was excited about practicing in some hot weather. It was quite a shocker to be practicing with windchill readings in the 30s. It kind of felt like a practice leading up to the regular-season finale at Penn State. Before the five-day Holiday break, we had all grown accustomed to practicing indoors with temperatures in the 80s."
Gordon is one of 17 seniors who will make their final appearance in a Spartan uniform against the Crimson Tide. This senior class has helped Michigan State to a combined record of 33-18 (.647), including four-straight postseason bowl appearances (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl and 2011 Capital One Bowl). The 33 wins are the most ever recorded by a senior class in MSU's 114-year football history (previous record: 31 by Class of 1990).
"I'm approaching this bowl game against Alabama like every other game this season," Gordon said. "I don't want to dwell on the fact that I'm preparing to play in my final game as a Spartan, but it's definitely weird. Greg Jones and I were talking last night in our hotel room as we began unpacking our luggage that this is our last go around together. We're definitely excited about playing Alabama in our final game, and it would be a perfect way to finish off our Spartan careers with a 12-1 record."
En route to a school-record 11 wins and a share of its first Big Ten Championship in 20 years, Michigan State went 5-0 in games decided by 10 points or less in 2010.
"We have won those close games as a direct result of our on-the-field leadership," Dantonio said. "First of all, Kirk Cousins is in his second year as our starting quarterback and that experience makes all the difference in the world. We saw that difference in Brian Hoyer during the 2008 season, and now, we see the same thing happening in Cousins (as a second-year starter). He is making great decisions down the stretch.
"Second, we have had somebody different step up in every game: whether it's a blocked punt by Denicos Allen or an interception by Chris Norman in the final minute of play (against Purdue). Offensively and defensively, guys have stepped up all season long and made clutch plays. We've also had good play-calling on both sides of the ball, but with the game on the line, the players have made the plays down the stretch. We have been able to keep it close in the tough games, and our players continue to believe in each other. Our players have great confidence, and if the game is close in the fourth quarter, we've got a great chance to pull out the win."
Michigan State will conduct its second bowl practice at Freedom High School on Monday, Dec. 27 at 10:15 a.m. Monday afternoon, Spartan players will have an opportunity to visit Disney World.
The 2011 Capital One Bowl marks the first-ever meeting between Michigan State and Alabama. Saturday's game will be televised nationally by ESPN with kickoff set for 1 p.m. EST.
