2008 Michigan State Spartans - Rec. Class

Michigan State Spartans 2008 Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

Michigan State Spartans

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Fred Smith WR 6-2 207, Detroit, Mich., Southeastern High School
Ranked among the country’s top wide receivers Scouts, Inc. (No. 34), Scout.com (No. 34) and SuperPrep (No. 47) . . . listed among the Midwest’s top prospects by the Detroit Free Press (No. 10), Scouts, Inc. (No. 21) and SuperPrep (No. 29) . . . ranked among the state’s top seniors by The Detroit News (No. 2), Scouts, Inc. (No. 4), Scout.com (No. 4), Lansing State Journal (No. 5), and Detroit Free Press (No. 7) . . . selected to represent the East in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star Game, scheduled for July 19 in Spartan Stadium . . . named to The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press Dream Teams . . . earned all-state (Division 1-2) and All-Detroit honors from The Detroit News . . . three-year starter for Coach Donshell English at Southeastern High School in Detroit, Mich. . . . had 43 receptions for 665 yards (15.5 avg.) and seven touchdowns as a senior despite being slowed by a sprained ankle during the first half of the season . . . recorded two 100-yard receiving games in 2007 . . . caught seven passes for a career-best 185 yards and five TDs vs. Central . . . had a career-high eight catches for 125 yards vs. Catholic Central . . . caught 37 passes for 595 yards (16.1 avg.) and six scores as a junior . . . also led Southeastern in all-purpose yards (840) and interceptions (6 for 135 yards) in 2006 . . . had five receptions for 85 yards vs. Crockett Tech and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD . . . had five catches for 65 yards vs. Southwestern to go along with two interceptions . . . caught five passes each vs. Northwestern (87 yards) and Ford (75) . . . had four receptions for 77 yards and a score vs. Chadsey . . . had three catches for 76 yards and three TDs vs. Western International . . . high school teammate of Spartan football signee Charles Burrell . . . listed among the state’s top senior basketball wing players (No. 8), according to MLive.com’s midseason rankings . . . averaging 17.4 points in 2007-08 . . . averaged 23 points per game as a junior . . . also competes in track as a sprinter

Potential Instant Impact Players

Steve Gardiner LB  6-1 210 Dublin, Ohio, Coffman High School
Ranked among the nation’s top inside linebackers by Scouts, Inc. (No. 18) . . . rated among the country’s top linebackers by Scouts, Inc. (No. 18 inside), Scout.com (No. 19 weakside)  . . listed among the Midwest’s top prospects by Scouts, Inc. (No. 43) and SuperPrep (No. 54) . . . named to SuperPrep’s and PrepStar’s All-Midwest Teams . . . rated among Ohio’s top seniors by Scouts, Inc. (No. 14), Scout.com (No. 15) . . . Associated Press Central All-District first-team selection as a senior . . . earned second-team All-Metro honors in 2007 from The Columbus Dispatch . . . three-year starter for Coach Mark Crabtree at Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio . . . set school single-season records for tackles (172) and tackles for loss (24) as a senior while helping Coffman (13-1) advance to the Division I state semifinals . . . also became the Shamrocks’ all-time leader in tackles (363) in 2007 . . . scored on a 36-yard run in the regional semifinal vs. Pickerington Central . . . recorded 125 tackles (68 solos, 57 assists) as a junior, with six resulting in losses including two sacks . . . also intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in 2006 . . . rushed for 1,036 yards (6.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns as a junior . . . scored three rushing TDs (runs of 77, 3 and 70 yards) vs. Reynoldsburg in 2006 . . . returned a fumble 25 yards for a score vs. Dublin Sciota as a junior . . . registered 65 tackles and one interception as a sophomore . . . two-year starter for the Shamrocks’ basketball team

Jamiihr Williams LB 6-3 230 Lima, Ohio, Trotwood-Madison High School
Ranked among the nation’s top weakside linebackers by Scout.com (No. 35) . . . listed among the Midwest’s top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 97) . . . named to SuperPrep’s and PrepStar’s All-Midwest Teams . . . rated among Ohio’s top seniors by Scout.com (No. 57) . . . earned first-team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) honors as a senior while helping Trotwood-Madison High School to an 8-4 record . . . recorded 90 tackles (60 solos, 30 assists) and forced five fumbles for Coach Maurice Douglass in 2007 . . . produced 17 tackles for losses (142 yards) as a senior, including nine sacks (67 yards), and recovered four fumbles . . . also returned a blocked extra-point attempt for two points . . . posted double-figure tackles twice in 2007, including 14 stops (9 solos, 5 assists) vs. Trenton Edgewood in the first round of the playoffs . . . tallied a season-best 16 tackles, including three sacks, and forced a fumble vs. Beavercreek . . . was a two-year starter at Lima Senior High School before transferring to Trotwood-Madison . . . earned all-conference honors as a junior after registering 57 tackles, with 13 resulting in losses including seven sacks, in just five games . . . also forced three fumbles in 2006 . . . won a starting job as a freshman at Lima Central Catholic . . . plans to participate in track and field at Trotwood-Madison this spring and compete in the 200 meters, shot put and discus . . . son of Chad and Deloris Williams . . . born Sept. 15, 1989 . . . his cousin Travis Walton is a guard on the Michigan State basketball team

Rest of the Class

Johnny Adams	DB	5-11	157	Akron, OH
Charles Burrell	DB	6-0	204	Detroit, MI
John Deyo	OL	6-6	270	Richland, MI
Steve Gardiner	LB	6-1	205	Dublin, OH
Tyler Hoover	DE	6-7	265	Novi, MI
Zach Hueter	OL	6-7	295	North Branch, MI
Cameron Jude	DE	6-4	235	Midlothian, VA
Keshawn Martin	WR	6-0	180	Westland, MI
Chris McDonald	OL	6-5	260	Sterling Heights, MI
Caulton Ray	RB	5-9	185	Birmingham, MI
Trenton Robinson	DB	5-10	171	Bay City, MI
David Rolf	LB	6-3	220	Piqua, OH
Ethan Ruhland	OL	6-4	262	Lake Orion, MI
Fred Smith	WR	6-2	207	Detroit, MI
Drew Stevens	LB	6-4	203	Lewis Center, OH
Brynden Trawick	DB	6-2	213	Marietta, GA
Myles White	WR	6-0	151	Livonia, MI
Jamiihr Williams	LB	6-2	224	Trotwood, OH
Glenn Winston	ATH	6-1	213	Detroit, MI
Anthony  Woods	OL	6-4	305	Melvindale, MI
Jerel Worthy	DT	6-2	288	Huber Heights, OH

- 2007 MSU Preview 
- 2007 MSU Season
- 2006 MSU Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 4-8
2007 Results: 7-6

Sept. 1 UAB W 55-18
Sept. 8 B. Green W 28-17
Sept. 15 Pitt W 17-13
Sept. 22 at No Dame W 31-14
Sept. 29 at Wisconsin L 37-34
Oct. 6 Nwestern L 48-41 OT
Oct. 13 Indiana W 52-27
Oct. 20 at Ohio State L 24-17
Oct. 27 at Iowa L 34-27 2OT
Nov. 3 Michigan L 28-24
Nov. 10 at Purdue W 48-31
Nov. 17 Penn State W 35-31
Champs Sports Bowl
Dec. 28 Boston College L 24-21

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: The flakiness is over. No one thought MSU was going to challenge for the Big Ten title in Mark Dantonio's first season, but Spartan fans were hoping the program's overall attitude and self-defeating culture would change. Mission accomplished. While past MSU teams would've folded up the tents after losing three straight late in the year with an overtime loss to Iowa and yet another heart-stomper against Michigan, the 2007 team went on the road to beat Purdue and came back to beat Penn State to get to a bowl where it battled the ACC's number two team, Boston College. The way November ended means everything.
Why to be grouchy: Just enough key cogs are gone to prevent a major improvement in Dantonio's year two. RB Javon Ringer and QB Brian Hoyer are back, but DEs Jonal Saint-Dic & Ervin Baldwin, FS Travis Key, LB Kaleb Thornhill, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, and RB Jahuu Caulcrick have to be replaced. Schedule-wise, how's this for a back half of the season? Ohio State, at Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, at Penn State.
The number one thing to work on is: The punting game. For a team that likes to run the ball and pound away like this one, field position is always at a premium. The Spartans were tenth in the league in punting and dead last, and 118th in the nation, in punt returns. Expect that to change.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Devin Thomas
Biggest defensive loss: DE Jonal Saint-Dic
Best returning offensive player: RB Javon Ringer, Sr.
Best returning defensive player: CB Kendell Davis-Clark, Sr.

2007 Recap
2007 Recap: The Spartans took a modest step forward in Mark Dantonio’s first season in East Lansing, winning seven games and earning a bowl berth for the first time since 2003.  Unlike recent Michigan State teams, this year’s edition showed some heart in November, outscoring Purdue and Penn State in the final two weeks to earn that bid opposite Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl.  Led by complimentary backs Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick, the Spartans wasted no time adopting Dantonio’s offensive philosophy, grinding out almost 200 yards a game on the ground behind a veteran offensive line.    

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Devin Thomas

Defensive Player of the Year: DE Jonal Saint-Dic

Biggest Surprise: John L. Smith’s Spartan teams would have caved in after losing five of six Big Ten games in the middle of the season.  This year’s squad, however, battled through the adversity to land season-saving upsets of Purdue and Penn State in November.  In both cases, Michigan State was sparked by a balanced offense and the big-play ability of Thomas. 

Biggest Disappointment: To really feel the love, Dantonio recognizes that he’s got to start beating Michigan once in a while, something that hasn’t happened since 2001.  The Spartans almost pulled it off on Nov. 3, but let a 10-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter slip through their fingertips.

Looking Ahead: With a year in the rear view mirror, Dantonio’s no-nonsense approach will resonate even louder in 2008.  After losing all six games in 2007 by a touchdown or less, the Spartans are determined to finish stronger next fall.    

Dec. 28
2007 Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College 24 ... Michigan State 21
Five Michigan State turnovers and a big bomb gave Boston College its eighth straight bowl win and its first 11 win season since 1940. Up 17-13 midway through the fourth quarter, Matt Ryan found Rich Gunnell for a 68-yard touchdown pass, but the Spartans wouldn't go away as Brian Hoyer, who threw four picks, threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Deon Curry and a pass for a two-point conversion to Kellen Davis to pull within three with 6:04 to play. BC's offense struggled to close, but punter Johnny Ayers did a good job of pinning the MSU offense deep. BC's Paul Anderson picked off an overthrown Hoyer pass to snuff out any late hopes of forcing overtime. Ryan threw three touchdown passes in all, including two to Gunnell, while Hoyer finished with two scoring passes.
Offensive Player of the Game: Boston College WR Rich Gunnell caught six passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Game: Boston College S Jamie Silva made ten tackles and intercepted two passes
Stat Leaders: Boston College - Passing: Matt Ryan, 22-47, 249 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Andre Callender, 12-33. Receiving: Rich Gunnell, 6-138, 2 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 14-36, 131 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 21-101. Receiving: Kellen Davis, 4-38, 1 TD
Thoughts & Notes ... Michigan State lived on ball control offense all year long with a great running game and a mere 13 turnovers, but it gave the ball away five times to BC, only ran for 172 yards, and couldn't find much of an offensive rhythm. It didn't help that Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick each appeared to be bothered by little injuries. ... Even without Jonal Saint-Dic, who was suspended, MSU got consistent pressure on Matt Ryan and came up with three sacks. The defense did enough to win the game allowing just 276 yards with 68 coming on one play. ... BC's defense never let the great MSU backs break off the type of big runs that could've changed the game around. With QB Brian Hoyer struggling, MSU needed Javon Ringer to hit a home run or two, and he didn't. ... MSU star return man Devin Thomas started the game off with a 79-yard kickoff return leading to an early Spartan touchdown, but BC kept him under wraps the rest of the way. A few bobbles helped, but Eagle punter Johnny Ayers had a great game pinning MSU deep.

Nov. 17
Michigan State 35 ... Penn State 31
Down 24-7 at halftime, Michigan State rallied with 28 second half points on three of Brian Hoyer's four touchdown passes, and a one-yard Jehuu Caulcrick scoring run. Devin Thomas scored from 12, 33 and 26 yards out for the Spartans with two coming in the second half rally. Penn State started out hot, and kept pace for a while, with Deon Butler scoring from 37 yards out, Rodney Kinlaw getting two four-yard touchdown runs, and even getting a five-yard touchdown run from PK Kevin Kelly on a direct snap. The Nittany Lions had the ball with one final shot at pulling it out, but the drive stalled and MSU pulled out the stunner.
Player of the game: Michigan State WR Devin Thomas caught seven passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 16-35, 188 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 28-125, 2 TD. Receiving: Rodney Kinlaw, 4-22
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 16-21, 257 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Jehuu Caulcrick, 22-99, 1 TD. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 7-139, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Talk about overcoming a heartbreak, MSU not only got past the loss to Michigan, but it came up with two key wins of its own to assure itself of a bowl game. The running game was slowed down by Penn State, so Brian Hoyer went to work with Devin Thomas coming up with yet another strong game. The team's top receiver over the second half of the season has become unstoppable with three touchdown catches against the Nittany Lions, and now he'll go into next year as the Big Ten's hot receiving weapon. But first, there's a 13th game to prepare for. The team has earned it.

Nov. 10
Michigan State 48 ... Purdue 31
Michigan State took advantage of three Purdue turnovers, breaking the game open in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard Travis Key fumble return for a touchdown, and putting it away with a three-yard Eric Andino catch. Jehuu Caulcrick ran for two short scores for the Spartans, and Brian Hoyer threw for two scores and ran for a one-yard run. MSU needed to keep putting points on the board with Purdue's offense cranking out 517 yards. Curtis Painter ran for touchdowns from 27 and seven yards out and threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Kory Sheets, but it wasn't nearly enough. MSU held on to the ball for 38:18.
Player of the game: Michigan State WR Devin Thomas caught ten passes for 116 yards
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 22-31, 266 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 23-86. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 10-116
Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 29-45, 344 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Kory Sheets, 6-80, 1 TD. Receiving: Dustin Keller, 7-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Spartans could've gone into the tank after yet another painful loss to Michigan, and past teams would've, but this year's group cranked out an effective, efficient game against Purdue, keeping the ball, answering every home run, and converting ten of 19 third down chances to keep drives rolling. The defense couldn't handle anything Purdue wanted to do, but it took it away three times and took advantage of several chances. Now bowl eligible, it'll take a win over Penn State to ensure a 13th game.

Nov. 3
Michigan 28 ... Michigan State 24
Michigan overcame a late ten-point deficit with a 14-yard Greg Mathews touchdown catch and with 2:28 to play, a 31-yard Mario Manningham grab. The Wolverine defense hung on as the Spartans sputtered out. Chad Henne finished the game with four touchdown passes, with two going to Manningham, while Mike Hart came back from injury to get 110 yards. The Spartans cranked out 352 yards with two one-yard Jehuu Caulcrick touchdown runs and Kellen Davis making a five-yard scoring grab in the fourth.
Player of the game: Michigan QB Chad Henne completed 18 of 33 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 19-35, 161 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 15-128. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 7-65
Michigan - Passing: Chad Henne, 18-33, 211 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Hart, 15-110. Receiving: Mario Manningham, 8-129, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... How does MSU possibly bounce back from this crushing late loss to the Wolverines? It all was set up so well with a fourth quarter lead and the running game working well, but in the end, the Spartans were beaten by a veteran passer in Chad Henne, who found his groove at the right time. After losing in double overtime to Iowa, and with five loses in the last six games, head coach Mark Dantonio will have to work wonders on his team's psyche. A bowl bid is still possible with another win, but going on the road to face Purdue, and hosting Penn State isn't going to be easy after this.

Oct. 27
Iowa 34 ... Michigan State 27 2OT
Iowa got a one-yard Jevon Pugh touchdown run in the second overtime, and then came up with a fourth down stop to pull off a big comeback. Up 17-3 at halftime, the Spartans appeared on their way to an easy win, but the Iowa running game took over in the second half as Albert Young scored from 26 and three yards out. Daniel Murray connected on a 47-yard field goal for Iowa's first lead of the game, but MSU was able to force overtime on a 29-yard Brett Swenson field goal with four seconds to play. In the first overtime, Jehuu Caulcrick gave MSU the lead with his third touchdown of the game, but Iowa answered with a 23-yard Paul Chaney catch. Iowa outrushed MSU 230 yards to 160, but MSU had the ball 36:26 to 23:34.
Player of the game: Iowa RB Albert Young ran 34 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns, and LB Mike Humpal made 18 tackles and broke up a pass
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 25-42, 308 yds
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 23-103. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 9-139
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 5-15, 53 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 34-179, 2 TD. Receiving: James Cleveland, 2-17
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Spartans weren't able to run the ball well on the nasty Iowa defensive front, only averaging 3.1 yards per carry, but it got a great day from Brian Hoyer. The problem for the second week in a row was a run defense that couldn't handle a hot back. Last week it was Ohio State's Chris Wells who ran wild, and this week it was Albert Young. The MSU defensive line is being pushed around in the second halves of games, and that could be a big problem with Michigan and Penn State still on the slate.

Oct. 20
Ohio State 24 ... Michigan State 17
Ohio State appeared to be coasting to yet another easy win with a 24-0 lead late in the third quarter on two Todd Boeckman touchdown passes, highlighted by a 50-yard score, and a five-yard Chris Wells touchdown run, and then Michigan State made things interesting with Otis Wiley took a Boeckman pass 54 yards for a touchdown and SirDarean Adams picked up a fumble for a 25-yard score. The Spartans got within seven late on a 43-yard Brett Swenson, but didn't get any further. MSU only gained 185 total yards and nine first downs.
Player of the game: Ohio State RB Chris Wells carried it 31 times for 221 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 12-23, 126 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 18-49. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 4-77
Ohio State - Passing: Todd Boeckman, 15-23, 193 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Wells, 31-221, 1 TD. Receiving: Brian Hartline, 4-41
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Spartans sure did make it interesting against Ohio State with its aggressive defense creating problems and making things happen when the offense wasn't going anywhere. The Buckeye defense is just that good, so for the ground game to not work for one week isn't anything to get in a twist over. After all, at the moment, this is the number one team in America MSU lost to. The Spartan defense might have been carved up by the OSU running game, but there were nine tackles for loss against a great offensive line. There's still plenty of time to make enough noise to get to a bowl, but next week's game at Iowa will be a must-win.

Oct. 13
Michigan State 52 ... Indiana 27
Michigan State dominated Indiana with 368 rushing yards to 22, 28 first downs to nine, and 41:05 on the time of possession to 18:55 thanks to 202 yards from Javon Ringer and a near-perfect passing day from Brian Hoyer, Indiana tied if at seven midway through the first quarter on a 59-yard Kellen Lewis touchdown run, and then MSU dominated until late in the third with two of Jehuu Caulcrick's three short touchdown runs, a 64-yard Ringer dash, along with a three-yard run, and a 34-yard Devin Thomas scoring catch. Ervin Baldwin and the defense got into the act with a 12-yard fumble return for a score to make it 45-13. IU got a big defensive score of its own on a 76-yard Tracy Porter fumble return for a touchdown.
Player of the game: Michigan State RB Javon Ringer ran 29 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Kellen Lewis, 13-19, 171 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Kellen Lewis, 7-23  1 TD. Receiving: James Herdy, 6-121, 1 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 20-23, 190 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 29-203, 2 TD. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 13-148, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... This isn't the same MSU team. Usually, it would follow up two losses with another meltdown, but the defense was night-and-day better against Indiana than it was against Northwestern, and the offense pitched a near-perfect game. Javon Ringer and the running game will likely get all the attention, but Brian Hoyer was magnificent, missing just three of 23 passes. Now it a chance to really make a statement against number one Ohio State, and if the offense plays like it did this week, it could come up with the stunner.

Oct. 6
Northwestern 48 ... Michigan State 41 OT
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher threw five touchdown passes including a 12-yarder to Omar Conteh in overtime. Michigan State misfired on four passes, and the Wildcats pulled off the big road win. The two teams traded shots all game long, with neither getting up by more than a score in the see-saw battle. Northwestern rolled up 611 yards, with Conteh scoring three times, with touchdown runs of 11 and nine yards in the first quarter, and then it was all Bacher, hitting five different receivers for scores, including a 78-yarder to Jeff Yarbrough and a 70-yarder to Eric Peterman. Until overtime, MSU always had an answer, with Javon Ringer ripped off three touchdowns with dashes from four, 47 and 80 yards.
Player of the game: Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher completed 38-of-48 passes for 520 yards and five touchdown passes, and rushed five times for five yards.
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 38-48, 520 yds, 5 TDs
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 19-70, 2 TDs. Receiving: Eric Peterman, 9-141, 1 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 17-31, 194 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 12-185, 3 TDs. Receiving: Javon Ringer, 6-54
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The MSU aggressive pass rush was all but neutralized by the Northwestern spread offense that got rid of the ball quickly enough to avoid taking sacks. The Spartan offense did its job, for the most part, always getting the big scores needed to keep pace, but it didn't hold on to the ball long enough to give the defense much of a rest. QB Brian Hoyer wasn't effective enough on third downs, while the D did nothing to get the Wildcats off the field until late in regulation. Now a win over Indiana is a must to avoid talk of yet another MSU meltdown.

Sept. 29
Wisconsin 37 ... Michigan State 34
In what was supposed to be a bit of a defensive slugfest, the two teams combined for 1,025 yards of total offense with several huge plays. The Badgers hung on, as MSU PK Brett Swenson missed a 53-yard field goal late, and later had a chance to drive deep, but misfired on a fourth down pass. The Spartans got 145 rushing yards, and 88 receiving, from Javon Ringer, who set up two, two-yard Jehuu Caulcrick touchdown runs. The two teams traded haymaker after haymaker, highlighted by a second quarter stretch when MSU answered a 64-yard Kyle Jefferson touchdown with an 80-yard Devin Thomas touchdown on the next play from scrimmage. Donovan threw two touchdown passes and P.J. Hill added two short scoring runs, but it was Taylor Mehlhaff's field goals from 35, 47 and 22 yards that helped the Badgers stay ahead.
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill ran 34 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 22-36, 323 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 10-145. Receiving: Javon Ringer, 7-88
Wisconsin - Passing: Tyler Donovan, 17-24, 247 yds, 2 TD.2 INT
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 29-155, 2 TD. Receiving: Travis Beckum, 10-132, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Don't start assuming Michigan State is the same, flaky program that would usually go into the tank after a tough loss like the one against Wisconsin. This was a tremendous game for the offense, hitting several home runs and doing a fantastic job of keeping the Badger defense on its heels. It was a game that could've gone either way, and MSU just came up short. This is a strong team that'll make a whole bunch of noise in the Big Ten race this year.

Sept. 22
Michigan State 31 ... Notre Dame 14
Notre Dame scored its first offensive touchdown of the year on a one-yard Travis Thomas touchdown run for a 7-0 lead, and then MSU went on a 17-point run with two short Brian Hoyer touchdown passes and a 27-yard Brett Swenson field goal. The Irish marched 80 yards in five plays with Robert Hughes busting in a three-yard scoring run, but the Spartans owned the second half with two more Hoyer touchdown passes, highlighted by a fourth down 30yard touchdown throw to Kellen Davis, his second score of the day. The Irish ended up getting outgained 354 yards to 203.
Player of the game: Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer finished 11-of-24 for 135 yards, four touchdown passes, and one interception..
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 11-24, 135 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 26-144. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 4-55, 1 TD
Notre Dame - Passing: Jimmy Clausen, 7-13, 53 yds
Rushing: James Aldridge, 18-104. Receiving: George West, 3-25
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Give QB Brian Hoyer credit for coming up with the big plays needed to overcome a shaky, inconsistent day. He struggled with his accuracy, but he only threw one interception and came up with the key fourth down touchdown pass to Kellen Davis to ice the game. The defense never let the Irish passing game get going, and while the run defense struggled at times, it came though in the second half. Now the defensive line has to be even better next week at Wisconsin, while Hoyer will have to be more efficient.

Sept. 15
Michigan State 17 ... Pitt 13
Pitt had one last gasp, but a bomb into the end zone fell incomplete to allow Michigan State a chance to finally exhale. The Spartans got a two-yard Jehuu Caulcrick touchdown run and a 31-yard interception return for a score in the second quarter, but could only manage a 23-yard Brett Swenson field goal the rest of the way. Pitt got a 64-yard LeSean McCoy touchdown dash in the second quarter, but could only manage to Conor Lee field goals the rest of the way.
Player of the game: Michigan State DE Jonal Saint-Dic had five tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Stat Leaders: Pittsburgh - Passing: Kevan Smith, 9-18, 85 yds, 2 INTs
Rushing: LeSean McCoy, 25-172, 1 TD. Receiving: Marcel Pestano, 3-30
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 14-28, 183 yds
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 20-92. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 3-53
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU will take the win over Pitt and run, because it wasn't exactly Spartan football the way Mark Dantonio wants to play it. The offense has to outgain the opponent on the ground, but thanks to one big run from Pitt's LeSean McCoy, that didn't happen. However, the defense was tremendous against Kevan Smith, Pitt's No. 2 quarterback, and came through with the pressure it needed to throughout. The front seven is doing a fantastic job of speeding up the tempo. 11 penalties for 125 yards are way too many.

Sept. 8
Michigan State 28 ... Bowling Green 17
Bowling Green gave  a big push with Tyler Sheehan throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Pronty and running for a six-yard score in the second quarter, but Michigan State owned the second half with two Brian Hoyer touchdown passes and a five-yard Jehuu Caulcrick scoring run. MSU's Javon Ringer started out the scoring with a four-yard dash, but the Falcons answered with 14-straight points. The Spartans came up with seven sacks of Sheehan.
Player of the game: Michigan State DE Jonal Saint-Dic had four tackles, three sacks and forced a pair of fumbles.
Stat Leaders: Bowling Green - Passing: Tyler Sheehan, 32-50, 295 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Willie Geter, 3-31. Receiving: Fred Barnes, 9-80
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 17-29, 250 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 22-83, 1 TD. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 4-156, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Spartans struggled with Bowling Green QB Tyler Sheehan, who gave Minnesota fits in the upset the week before, but the coaching staff made the right adjustments at halftime and pounded the ball, pounded the ball, pounded the ball. QB Brian Hoyer did a nice job of keeping the chains moving, but it was the running game, and the play of the defense to get into the backfield, that helped the Spartans hold on to the ball for 17:18 of the second half. This isn't a world-beater of a team quite yet, but as long as there aren't a slew of turnovers, the running game will be the great equalizer. This Spartan ground game will be effective against just about everyone.

Sept. 1
Michigan State 55 ... UAB 18
Jehuu Caulcrick ran for three first quarter touchdowns, including a 42-yard dash for a 21-0 lead, and added a fourth score early in the second quarter as the Spartans got out to a 42-0 lead before UAB finally got on the board with a 35-yard Swayze Waters field goal. The Blazers didn't get into the end zone until the fourth quarter on a 15-yard Joe Webb catch, but that was the only highlight. The Spartans outgained the Blazers 298 yards to 12 on the ground.
Player of the game ... Michigan State RB Jehuu Caulcrick ran for 93 yards and four touchdowns on ten carries.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 21-39, 214 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rashaud Slaughter, 13-25 Receiving: Joseph Webb, 6-98, 1 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 14-17, 201 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jehuu Caulcrick, 10-93, 4 TDs  Receiving: Devin Thomas, 5-106, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Talk about making a statement, Michigan State dominated UAB from the start with a brutal running game and efficient passing that moved the ball at will. The hapless Blazers weren't going to be much of a challenge, and MSU never let it be interesting; that's what it was supposed to do. How tight was the offense? MSU converted eight of 13 third down chances. However, we've seen this all from past Spartan teams. Let's wait a few weeks before putting them in the Rose Bowl.