Sports: High Hopes for 1998

            After steady improvement the past three seasons, are the Spartans ready for a breakthrough year? Many, including Nick Saban, are optimistic. 

            In Nick Saban's first three years, MSU has made steady improvements. Last year, MSU won seven times, one more than the two previous seasons. The question is, can the Spartans achieve a breakthrough year in 1998? Saban, for one, remains optimistic. 'Our expectations are higher,' he says. 'Our players understand that we were two plays away from being 9-2 in the regular season, instead of 7-4. It's important that our team learns how to play with more consistency. A winning attitude is beginning to permeate the team. Now, our players are expecting to win every time they step onto the field.' 

            Behind Saban's optimism lies these factors: MSU returns 37 lettermen, including 15 starters--nine on defense--from last year's 7-5 team. MSU boasts the most 'big play' weapons on offense since Saban's arrival three years ago. Although the leadership of co-captain Ike Reese will be missed, MSU returns experience, talent and depth on defense--and that's what one needs to win Big Ten championships. MSU just landed its highest rated recruiting class under Saban--a group ranked 14th nationally by recruiting expert Tom Lemmings. The downside, however, is MSU's schedule--clearly one of the toughest in recent memory. 

            MSU faces four Top 20 teams--Colorado State and Notre Dame at home, and Oregon and defending national champions Michigan away--in its first five games. Later MSU must visit the likes of Ohio State and Penn State, and face such rising programs as Northwestern and Purdue. Although six starters left on offense, including All-America linemen Flozell Adams and Scott Shaw, MSU will feature some 'big play' weapons along with new junior quarterback Bill Burke, who, says Saban, 'has the right kind of nervous system to be a good quarterback.' Concerns about his durability were dispelled in the Spring, when Burke threw over 100 balls in each practice without any lower-back pain.

            Although he is backed by two walk-ons, many expect highly-touted freshman Ryan Van Dyke to rise quickly to become the back-up. MSU's marquee weapon is tailback Sedrick Irvin (6-0, 223, Jr.), the first player in Spartan history to rush for 1,000 yards as both a true freshman and a sophomore. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in rushing (fifth at 105.8 yards per game), all-purpose yards (second at 160.8), punt returns (second at 13.6 avg.) and scoring (fifth at 7.0 points). Irvin already stands seventh on MSU's all-time rushing list with 2,337 yards. 'We wouldn't trade Sedrick Irvin for any other running back in the Big Ten,' Saban says. 'He's a complete football player.' Fullbacks Garett Gould (6-2, 238, Sr.) and Leroy McFadden (6-3, 235, Jr.), who gained 332 yards as a back-up tailback last season, will round out the back field. 

            The offensive line, which last year averaged 186.8 yards rushing, must be retooled, and new line coach Golden Ruel expects to get the job done. MSU will build around center Jason Strayhorn (6-2, 286, Sr.) and Shaun Mason (6-5, 285, So.), who moves to right tackle. Dave Sucura (6-3, 289, So.) has emerged as the leading candidate for left tackle, while Shawn Murphy (6-4, 285, R-Fr.) and Mike Schutz (6-7, 296, So.) are competing for guard posts. 'Both Dave Sucura and Mike Schutz played well as backups last year,' Saban notes. 'Shawn Murphy is one of the top young line prospects we have on the roster.' 

            Others who figure in the rotation are tackles Greg Robinson-Randall (6-5, 328, Jr.) and Matt Bonito (6-7, 285, So.), guards Casey Jensen (6-7, 289, Jr.) and Willie Comerford (6-3, 295,So.) plus center Josh Smith (6-4, 271, R-Fr.). 

            MSU enjoys depth at tight end, with Chris Baker (6-3, 259, R-Fr.) and Brad Rainko (6-3, 235, Jr.) vieing to start. Rainko caught six passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns in '97. Others candidates include Ivory McCoy (6-3, 223, So.) and veteran Kyle Rance (6-6, 244, Jr.). 

            Last year's passing game lacked big-play ability, averaging only 14.1 yards on 84 receptions. 'We simply have to get more production out of our skill players,' Saban allows. 'The future looks bright at this position. We have a number of inexperienced receivers with a lot of natural ability but we must turn some of that potential into production.' 

            The flanker job belongs to Gari Scott (6-1, 192, Jr.), who led the team in receptions with 41 for 680 yards (16.6 avg.) and seven TDs; he came up with five catches for 114 yards and two scores in the Aloha Bowl. Plaxico Burress (6-6, 219, So.) won the starting job at split end thanks to an impressive spring practice. Burress had 21 receptions for 395 yards (18.8 avg.) and four touchdowns in three spring scrimmages. 

            Lavaile Richardson (6-2, 190, So.), Herb Haygood (5-11, 177, R-Fr.) and Demont Smith (5-10, 170, So.). add depth. 'Offensively, the first thing we want to establish is physical toughness,' Saban says. 'Second, we want to develop our tempo and finish plays. Third, we want to eliminate turnovers. Last year, we never gave ourselves a chance to win against the best teams--Michigan, Ohio State and Washington. We committed 13 turnovers in those three games. Last, we want to improve as a short-yardage team and our third-down efficiency.' 

            On defense, MSU looks strong. The defensive line is talented, experienced and deep, ranked second-best in the nation according to The Sporting News. Pre-season All-American Robaire Smith (6-5, 264, Jr.) and Dimitrius Underwood (6-7, 272, Sr.), who combined for 28 tackles for losses in 1997, including 20 sacks, are the bookends. Last year, Smith led MSU in tackles for losses (16 for 66 yards) and sacks (12 for 58)and was fifth in tackles with 74 (38 solos, 36 assists). 

            The Spartans have three defensive tackles returning with starting experience: Robert Newkirk (6-3, 295, Jr.), Desmond Thomas (6-3, 282, Sr.) and Pete Govens (6-4, 296, R-So.). Jace Sayler (6-5, 270, So.), Nick Myers (6-2, 265, R-Fr.), and Artie Steinmetz (6-4, 261, So.) add depth. 'For the first time in my four-year tenure, we have some quality depth on the defensive line,' says Saban. 

            The key player to replace is weakside linebacker Ike Reese, who led the Spartans in tackles the last two seasons and, more importantly, provided emotional leadership. 'It's going to be very difficult to replace Ike Reese, the leader,' says Saban. 'He was a special player because he had the ability to affect all of the other players on the field. Ike raised everybody's quality of play.' 

            Tops on the list of returnees at linebacker are Mike Austin (6-3, 237, Jr.) and Courtney Ledyard (6-3, 242, Sr.). Austin heads into his second season as the starter at middle linebacker. Ledyard heads into his third year as a starter on the defensive unit--his second season at strongside linebacker. Talented sophomore T.J. Turner (6-2, 240, So.) will likely find a starting spot at linebacker. Other contenders include Dwayne Hawkins (6-3, 248, R-Jr.), Sean Banks (6-2, 215, Jr.) and Shawn Wright (6-2, 227, Jr.). 'Mike Austin and Courtney Ledyard are two battle-tested linebackers,' Saban says. 'T.J. Turner has the ability to be an impact player at linebacker. T.J. is an instinctive guy with good power and punch. He demonstrated an ability to make plays on special teams last year.' 

            Experience is abundant in the secondary where four players with starting experience return, including left cornerback Amp Campbell (6-0, 186, Sr.), strong safeties Lemar Marshall (6-2, 211, Sr.) and Aric Morris (5-11, 209, Jr.) plus free safety Sorie Kanu (5-11, 192, Sr.). The Sporting News ranks this unit No. 10 in the nation.