Michigan State Football news

Spartan Football Well Represented At 2008 Spring Commencement

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:46:13 PST

Ten members of the 2007 Spartan football team participated in spring commencement ceremonies, conducted last weekend (May 2-4) on the Michigan State University campus: cornerback Mike Bell (urban and regional planning), running back Jacob Bishop (agribusiness management), wide receiver Carl Grimes (advertising), offensive guard Mike Gyetvai (mechanical engineering), defensive tackle Justin Kershaw (interdisciplinary studies in social science - human resources and society), nose tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (interdisciplinary studies in social science - human resources and society), fullback Devin Pritchett (psychology), offensive guard Kenny Shane (sociology), nose tackle Chris Smith (English) and linebacker Rob Tabatchnick (construction management).

Spartan Football Fantasy Camp Scheduled For June 22-23

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:44 PST

Fans 18 and older are invited to enroll in the third-annual Spartan Football Fantasy Camp, scheduled for June 22-23 on the Michigan State campus. The entire Michigan State coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Dantonio, will coordinate a scouting combine and player draft, offensive and defensive team meetings and two practice sessions.

The non-contact practice sessions will be conducted in Spartan Stadium, and one of the fantasy camp highlights is the player introductions by the public address announcer. All practice gear - including game jerseys and shoes - will be provided.

Spartans Open 2008 Football Season In Prime Time At California

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:03:14 PST

Michigan State's 2008 football season opener, Aug. 30 at California, will be televised on a regional basis by ABC, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. The Spartans will be playing their first game in Berkeley since 1957.

2008 NFL Draft Update: Baldwin Chosen By Chicago In Seventh Round

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:10:02 PST

Former Michigan State defensive end Ervin Baldwin, who led the Spartan defense in tackles for loss (18.5 for 89 yards) and production points (239) as a senior, has been selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 National Football League Draft Sunday, April 27. Baldwin became the first pick in the seventh round and the No. 208 selection overall.

Ervin Baldwin 2007 Highlights

2008 NFL Draft Update: Davis Selected By Chicago In Fifth Round

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:06:34 PST

Former Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis has been selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2008 National Football League Draft Sunday, April 27. Davis, the No. 23 pick in the fifth round and the No. 158 selection overall, becomes the first Spartan tight end to be drafted since 2002 when Chris Baker went in the third round (No. 88 overall) to the New York Jets.

The 6-6, 252-pound Davis, who set career highs for receptions (32), receiving yards (513) and touchdowns (6) in 2007, participated in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl.

Kellen Davis 2007 Highlights

Thomas Selected No. 34 Overall By Washington In 2008 NFL Draft

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:58:51 PST

Former Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas, who set Spartan single-season records for receptions (79), 100-yard receiving games (7), kickoff return yards (1,135) and all-purpose yards (2,590), has been selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2008 National Football League Draft Saturday, April 26. Thomas became the third pick in the second round and the No. 34 selection overall.

Devin Thomas 2007 Highlights

Spartan Football Legend Sonny Grandelius Passes Away At Age 79

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:19:33 PST

Former Michigan State All-American Everett "Sonny" Grandelius died of natural causes on Friday, April 25 in Beverly Hills, Mich. He was 79.

Born April 16, 1929, Grandelius earned three letters for the Spartans from 1948-50, while playing for legendary football coach Clarence "Biggie" Munn. The 6-foot, 195-pound back helped Michigan State to a combined record of 20-6-2, including an 8-1 record and a Top 10 finish in 1950 (Associated Press No. 8 and United Press International No. 9).

As a senior, Grandelius became Michigan State's first 1,000-yard rusher and just the 17th in college football history, gaining 1,023 yards on 163 carries (6.3 avg.).

Spartans' Passing Game Passes Test

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:12:46 PST

Matt Haughey kicked three field goals, including the game winner with 1:18 remaining, to give the Green team a 23-21 victory over the White Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 27,000 at Spartan Stadium in the annual spring game. Brian Hoyer threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns for the White team, while B.J. Cunningham had six catches for 97 yards. Mark Dell caught six passes for 120 yards, and Kirk Cousins and Nick Foles combined to throw for 292 yards in the win for the Green team.

Final Stats|Quotes|2008 Spring Game Photo Gallery

Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts:
Coach Dantonio Post-Game Comments|Kirk Cousins|Brian Hoyer|Otis Wiley

Watch Highlights (Free)

Spring Football Game, Youth Clinic Set For Saturday

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:55:18 PST
Michigan State football concludes its 15 spring practices under second-year head coach Mark Dantonio with the Green-White intrasquad game on Saturday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. Parking is free (in Lots T-79, A-62, S-56, P-39/40, H-63 and M-66), and the stadium gates open at 12 p.m. Admission is free.
Spring Game Coverage:
Watch Live (Free)
Live Audio (Free)
Gametracker

Spring Football Update: Defense Wins Second Scrimmage, 46-40

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:24:49 PST
Second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through an 89-play "controlled" scrimmage on Saturday, April 12, as the Spartans completed the 12th of 15 allotted spring practices. Despite a steady, light rain and temperatures in the low-40s, the team spent the first 58 plays outdoors before finishing the scrimmage in the Duffy Daugherty Football Building indoor practice facility. Utilizing a modified scoring system, the defense retained the Green (home) jersey for the final week of spring practice and on into preseason camp by winning the second scrimmage, 46-40.
Second Spring Football Scrimmage Photo Gallery

Spring Football Game, Youth Clinic Scheduled For April 19

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:50:07 PST
Michigan State football concludes its 15 spring practices under second-year head coach Mark Dantonio with the Green-White intrasquad game on Saturday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. Parking is free (in Lots T-79, A-62, S-56, P-39/40, H-63 and M-66), and the stadium gates open at 12 p.m. Admission is free.
April 19 also marks the first anniversary of the passing of former Spartan All-American George Webster. At Coach Dantonio's request, the spring game will provide an opportunity to raise funds for the George Webster Scholarship Fund. For the first time ever, fans will have an opportunity to purchase press box seats and enjoy the same view as the media that cover Spartan football. Only 100 press box seats - priced at $50 each - are on sale for the spring game. (Note: Minimum age requirement is 12 for press box admission.) All proceeds from the sale of press box seats will be contributed to the George Webster Scholarship Fund. Click here to order your press box seats online.

Spring Football Update: Defense Wins First Scrimmage, 58-42

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:56:42 PST
Under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low-50s, second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a two-hour, 94-play "controlled" scrimmage in Spartan Stadium on Tuesday, April 3, as the Spartans completed the eighth of 15 allotted spring practices. Utilizing a modified scoring system, the defense retained the Green jerseys by winning the scrimmage, 58-42.
The Spartan defense came up with stops on 13 of the first 14 possessions, including four takeaways.
First Spring Football Scrimmage Photo Gallery

Spring Football Update: Spartans Prepare For First Scrimmage

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:28:01 PST
Second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a 2 1/2-hour workout in full pads in the Duffy Daugherty Football Building on Tuesday, April 1, as the Spartans completed the seventh of 15 allotted spring practices.
"Once again, here we are indoors," Dantonio said. "We've practiced indoors for all but two periods so far this spring. After all the rain (nearly 2.5 inches) last night, the practice fields were simply too wet. I've spent a lot of time this spring looking at weather maps and forecasts, but we've still been able to get a lot of work done indoors."
Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts:
Coach Enos Interview
Coach Barnett Interview
Andrew Hawken Interview
Otis Wiley Interview

Spartan Football Begins Spring Practice

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:15:00 PST
Second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio sent his team through a 2 1/2-hour workout on Tuesday, March 18, as the Spartans opened spring drills inside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. The team - wearing shorts, jerseys and helmets - participated in the first of 15 allotted practices.
First Practice Photo Gallery

Spartan Football Spring Preview, Pt. 3

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:52:56 PST
Second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spent nearly an hour on Wednesday, March 12, previewing spring football practice. The Spartans open spring drills on Tuesday, March 18.
Watch Press Conference (Free)
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Spring Preview Pt. 1
Spring Preview Pt. 2