2008 Michigan State Spartans football team

Schedule

The Spartans opened the 2008 season at California Memorial Stadium against California of the Pac-10. The game ended the home and home between Michigan State and California. The other game was played in the 2002 season at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State played their next three games at home against MAC opponent and instate rival Eastern Michigan, Sun Belt opponent Florida Atlantic, and rival Notre Dame.

Following the conclusion of the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Spartans began Big Ten play with an away game against Indiana and opened October with their first Big Ten home game against Iowa. The Spartans then traveled to Evanston, Illinois, to avenge a 2007 overtime loss against Northwestern. The following week, Michigan State returned to East Lansing to play against 2007 BCS runner-up Ohio State. Michigan State ended October in Ann Arbor to play in-state rival and nemesis Michigan. The Spartans opened their final month of the regular season against Wisconsin. The following week, Michigan State played its final home game of the season against Purdue. The Spartans had a bye week before traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania to play their final game of the season against Penn State.

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Game summaries

California

Berkeley, CA Ron Franklin (Play-by-play) Ed Cunningham (Analyst) Heather Cox (Sideline)

Both teams were scoreless until a blocked Spartans punt resulted in a Bears touchdown in the first quarter. Cal scored again on a field goal by freshman kicker David Seawright in the second quarter. Michigan State responded when Otis Wiley intercepted a Nate Longshore pass and returning it for a touchdown, while Cal was able to counter with a touchdown run by Jahvid Best prior to the half.

The second half saw both teams score back and forth. The Spartans struck first with a touchdown run by Javon Ringer, followed by Cal QB Kevin Riley connecting with Cameron Morrah for a touchdown. Ringer made his second touchdown run of the game in the fourth quarter, while Riley made his second touchdown pass of the game to Will Ta'ufo'ou. After a Spartans field goal, freshman running back Shane Vereen scored on an 81-yard touchdown run that gave the Bears their final score of the game. The Spartans countered with a touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell to get within 7 points and had a chance to tie the game with seconds left, but Hoyer threw four straight incompletions from midfield.

Longshore, who lost the starting quarterback job to Riley, threw for 62 yards with 2 interceptions. Riley threw for 202 yards with 2 touchdowns. The game marked the first time that two Cal running backs had completed over 100 yards rushing since the 2006 Holiday Bowl, with Best at 111 yards and Vereen at 101, respectively. Spartans quarterback Hoyer finished with 321 yards passing, including a touchdown and an interception. Ringer, who completed 1,447 yards rushing during the 2007 season, was held to 81 yards, which included 2 touchdowns.

Eastern Michigan

East Lansing, MI Mark Neely (Play-by-play) Glen Mason (Analyst) Shireen Saski (Sideline)

Florida Atlantic

East Lansing, MI Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst) It was a rainy day in East Lansing. On the second play of the game FAU broke a would-be 79 yd touchdown run, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Because of the horrible weather conditions, the teams combined had 3 lost fumbles, and it was a low-scoring affair. Javon Ringer had a career-high 282 yards and added 2 touchdowns.

Notre Dame

East Lansing, MI Brad Nessler (Play-by-play) Bob Griese (Analyst) Paul Maguire (Analyst) Stacey Dales (Sideline)

In week four, the Spartans welcomed undefeated rival Notre Dame. In the previous eight years of the rivalry, the visiting team had won each game. Michigan State was able to dominate the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 203 yards while holding Notre Dame to just 16 rushing yards. Javon Ringer, who had over 200 yards rushing on the game, brought out his offensive line, tight ends, and fullbacks to the post-game press conference to recognize them for their contributions.

Indiana

Bloomington, IN Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

The Spartans and the Hoosiers met for the Old Brass Spitoon. This game featured a great deal of offense. Spartans QB Brian Hoyer finally had a break out game. It had all been Javon Ringer up until this point. In one of the most exciting plays of the game, Hoyer hit TE Charlie Gantt on an 83 yd TD pass. But the Hoosiers came back with an 80 yd TD run by Marcus Thigpen, who tore up the defense. It was 27–22 at halftime. The defense stepped up in the second half for the Spartans, allowing only one touchdown. In one of the crucial plays of the game, a 99 yd TD pass was called back on a holding penalty. The Hoosiers were on their own goal line, and the holding penalty caused a safety. That sucked the momentum out the Hoosiers as the Spartans went on to win 42–29. Brian Hoyer was 14–26, threw for 261 yds, and 2 TD's, while Javon Ringer improved his Heisman resume, rushing for 198 yds, and 2 TD's. The Spartans improved to a 4–1 record.

Iowa

East Lansing, MI Clay Matvick (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

Michigan State got out to an early 13–0 lead behind two Brett Swenson field goals and a touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt. However, Iowa stormed back in the second half, with running back Shonn Greene running for 157 yards on the day. It took a late stop by Adam Decker on an Iowa fourth-and-one at the MSU 21-yard line to seal the victory for Michigan State. Iowa went on to win 6 of its final 7 games including a win in the Outback Bowl.

Northwestern

Evanston, IL Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

Ohio State

East Lansin, MI Brad Nessler (Play-by-play) Bob Griese (Analyst) Paul Maguire (Analyst) Stacey Dales (Sideline)

Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI Sean McDonough (Play-by-play) Chris Spielman (Analyst) Erin Andrews (Sideline)

The Spartans struck first, scoring on a huge 61-yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White with just under 12 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Wolverines tied it up near the end of the first quarter when Brandon Minor scored on a 19-yard TD pass from Steven Threet (this score was the result of an incorrectly overturned call from the initial ruling of an incomplete pass). The Spartans took the lead back near the end of the half with a 64-yard TD run by Javon Ringer. The Wolverines tied it back up less than a minute later when Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 2 yards out. Midway through the third quarter, the Wolverines took their only lead of the game when QB Steven Threet ran in a touchdown himself from 2 yards out. However, the Spartans entirely controlled the game after that. The Spartans tied it back up when Charlie Gantt scored on a 4-yard TD pass near the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines were shut out in the fourth quarter. The Spartans took the lead for good in the fourth quarter when Javon Ringer ran in another TD, this time from 3 yards out, and capped their win when Josh Rouse scored on a 7-yard TD pass.

Wisconsin

East Lansing, MI Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

Coming off of an emotional win against arch-rival Michigan, Michigan State appeared to suffer a bit of an emotional letdown against the underachieving Badgers. Wisconsin dominated the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 281 yards while holding Michigan State to just 25 yards rushing. With Wisconsin leading 24–22 late in the fourth quarter with the ball in Spartan territory, the game appeared all but over. However, a holding call brought back what would have likely been the game-clinching first down for Wisconsin and forced them to punt. With 1:19 left to play, Brian Hoyer led a drive to set up the game-winning 44-yard field goal by Brett Swenson with 7 seconds remaining.

Purdue

East Lansing, MI Wayne Larrivee (Play-by-play) Charles Davis (Analyst) Charissa Thompson (Sideline)

Penn State

University Park, PA Mike Patrick (Play-by-play) Todd Blackledge (Analyst) Holly Rowe (Sideline)

Coming into the game, Michigan State had a chance to clinch a share of their first Big Ten title since 1990. However, Penn State held Javon Ringer to 42 yards on 17 carries as the Lions beat Michigan state 49–18. Daryll Clark threw for 341 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

Capital One Bowl

Orlando, FL Mike Patrick (Play-by-play) Todd Blackledge (Analyst) Holly Rowe (Sideline) Main article: 2009 Capital One Bowl

Personnel

• Mark Dantonio

Coaching Staff

• Don Treadwell – Offenvie Coordinator/Wide Receivers coach
• Dave Warner – Quarterbacks coach
• Dan Enos – Running backs coach
• Mark Staten – Tight ends coach/Tackles/Recruiting Coordinator
• Dan Roushar – Offensive line coach
• Pat Narduzzi – Defensive Coordinator
• Ted Gill – Defensive line coach
• Mike Tressel – Linebackers coach/Special Teams Coordinator
• Harlon Barnett – Secondary coach

2009 NFL draft

Only one Spartan was selected in the 2009 NFL draft. However, quarterback Brian Hoyer signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

References

References

1. (May 2, 2008). "Spartans Open 2008 Football Season In Prime Time At California". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
2. (July 2, 2008). "Spartan Football Update: Kickoff Times Set For EMU, Florida Atlantic & Notre Dame". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
3. (September 6, 2008). "Eastern Michigan vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
4. (September 13, 2009). "Florida Atlantic vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
5. (September 20, 2009). "Notre Dame vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
6. (September 27, 2009). "Michigan State vs Indiana". Indiana University Bloomington Department of Athletics.
7. (May 12, 2008). "Two Iowa Football Game Times Announced". University of Iowa Department of Athletics.
8. (September 29, 2008). "MSU Football Schedule". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
9. (October 4, 2008). "Iowa vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
10. (September 29, 2008). "Big Ten Weekly Football Release-Sept. 29". Big Ten Conference.
11. (October 11, 2009). "Michigan State vs Northwestern". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
12. (October 18, 2009). "Ohio State vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
13. (October 25, 2009). "Michigan State vs Michigan". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
14. (November 1, 2009). "Wisconsin vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
15. (November 8, 2008). "Purdue vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
16. (November 22, 2008). "Michigan State vs Penn State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics.
17. (January 1, 2009). "2009 Capital One Bowl". Florida Citrus Sports.
18. (August 30, 2008). "Michigan State 31, California 38". [[Yahoo! Sports]].
19. (August 30, 2008). "Strong Cal Offense Gets 38-31 Win Against Michigan State". University of California–Berkeley Sports Information.
20. (September 13, 2008). "Michigan St. Blanks FAU Behind Ringer's Career-High 282 Rushing Yards". [[ESPN]].
21. (September 20, 2008). "Michigan State RB Ringer Flattens Notre Dame with 201 Yards". [[ESPN]].
22. (October 4, 2008). "Michigan State Makes Key Stop to Hold off Iowa". [[ESPN]].
23. (November 1, 2008). "Michigan State Stages Comeback Victory Over Wisconsin". [[ESPN]].
24. (November 22, 2008). "Clark Passes for 341 Yards, 4 TDs as Penn State Slams Spartans". [[ESPN]].