Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Football :: Official Athletic Site
April 19, 1997
First-Teamers Prevail as Green Beats White, 27-7, in MSU Spring Game
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Reserve tailback Lloyd Clemons rushed for 91 yards (17 carries) and scored twice as the Green, or first team, defeated the White, 27-7, Saturday as Michigan State concluded spring practice with the annual intrasquad game before a crowd of 7,122 in Spartan Stadium.
"That's about how a spring game should go -- with no major injuries," MSU head coach Nick Saban said. "We saw some good football, especially in the second half. Both teams loosened up and delivered some good hits.
"I'm pleased with the progress the team made this spring. I think we improved on offense, defense and special teams."
The White, or second team, got on the scoreboard first as Ralph Truitt tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Lavaile Richardson with 13:02 left in the second quarter.
The first team responded by scoring 27 unanswered points. The Green tied the game at 7-7 thanks to Garett Gould's 1-yard run with 8:08 left in the first half.
Clemons scored on a 4-yard run midway through the third quarter as the Green moved ahead 14-7. Clemons reached the end zone again just four seconds into the fourth quarter -- this time from 3 yards out. Chris Gardner added field goals of 52 and 29 yards late in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.
"Emotion carried the White team in the first half," Saban said. "When the White team scored first, it sent a wake-up call to the first team. The Green team really dominated the second half. I think the Green simply wore down the White team but there was good competition on both sides. It was a spirited game and you don't often see that in the spring."
Clemons and Sedrick Irvin combined for 176 yards rushing. Irvin, who was named the Green team's most valuable offensive player, picked up 85 yards on 15 attempts.
Walk-on Sam Eyde took the majority of snaps for the Green squad and completed 10-of-21 pass attempts for 139 yards. Eyde's favorite target was tight end Josh Keur, who caught five passes for 58 yards, including a 26-yarder to set up the Green's first touchdown. Gari Scott had four receptions for 65 yards, including a 36-yarder from Matt Bitonti late in the game.
The Green defense limited the White to 34 yards rushing (19 carries) and 168 total yards. Tailback Leroy McFadden managed 55 yards on 12 rushes. Truitt, a transfer from Hillsdale (Mich.) College, saw the most action at QB for the White team and hit six-of-11 passes for 102 yards and one TD. Richardson, the White team's offensive MVP, had five catches for 74 yards.
Green defensive MVP Robaire Smith had nine tackles, including one for loss (2 yards) and a sack (11 yards). Cornerback Lemar Marshall, who spent time on both teams, earned White defensive MVP honors thanks to his eight tackles and two interceptions.
The Spartans open the 1997 season at home Saturday, Sept. 6 against Western Michigan.
Scoring Summary
Team Qtr. Time left Scoring Play Conversion Score White 2 13:02 Lavaile Richardson pass from Truitt Gardner kick 7-0 Green 2 8:08 Garret Gould 1 Run Gardner kick 7-7 Green 3 7:34 Lloyd Clemons 4 Run Gardner kick 14-7 Green 4 14:56 Lloyd Clemons 3 Run Gardner kick 21-7 Green 4 4:01 Chris Gardner 52 Field Goal 24-7 Green 4 1:04 Chris Gardner 29 Field Goal 27-7
Individual Statistics
White
Rushing Att. Gain Lost Net TD Long
Leroy McFadden 12 55 18
Ralph Truitt 1 1 1
Johnny Walker 2 0 1
Phil Lambert 2 -6 0
Derrick Derker 2 -16 -
Totals 19 34 18
Passing Att.-Comp.-Int. Yards TD Long Sacks
Ralph Truitt 11-6-0 102 1 30
Derrick Detter 12-4-1 32 13
Totals 23-10-1 134 1 30
Pass Receiving No. Yards TD Long
Lavaile Richardson 5 14 1 30
Dwayne Payne 2 20 13
Leroy McFadden 2 15 11
Brad Rainko 1 25 25
Totals 100 134 1 30
Punting No. Yards Avg. Long
Paul Gardner 8 283 36.3 45
All Returns Int. Passes No. Yds. LP
Lemar Marshall 1 28 28
Archer Collins 1 18 18
Totals 2 46
Green
Rushing Att. Gain Lost Net TD Long
Lloyd Clemons 17 91 2 11
Sedrick Irvin 15 85 14
Garrett Gould 4 11 1 6
Sam Eyor 1 3 3
Totals 37 190 3 14
Passing Att.-Comp.-Int. Yards TD Long Sacks
Sam Eyor 21-10-1 139 27
Matt Bitonti 7-3-1 43 36
Greg Wood 3-0-0
Totals 31-13-2 182 36
Pass Receiving No. Yards TD Long
Josh Keur 5 58 26
Gari Scott 4 65 36
Damien Hiram 2 52 27
Garrett Gould 1 6 6
Sedrick Irvin 1 1 1
Totals 13 182 36
Punting No. Yds. Avg Long
Paul Gardner 3 134 44.6 48
Field Goals
Gardner, 52, 29
All Returns Int. Passes
No. Yds. LP
Lemar Marshall 1-5-5