Sports: 1999 Football Preview

1999 SPARTANS READY TO RUMBLE

Though overlooked by the experts, Nick Saban's 1999 football squad stands ready to challenge the Big Ten.

             If football games were determined by prognosticators, the 1999 Spartan football team will wind up sixth in the Big Ten. Fortunately, games are determined on the field, and this year's squad is not conceding anything.

            In his fifth season, coach Nick Saban remains optimistic of MSU's chances in the league, despite a schedule loaded with seven bowl teams from 1998. Behind Saban's optimism are 42 returning lettermen and 11 potential senior starters--the most in his tenure. 'I really do like the experience and maturity of this football team,' Saban says. 'I'm encouraged by the attitude and effort the players have carried throughout the off-season. The senior class has taken ownership in this team and that's really important.'

            Despite its youth in 1998, MSU crushed No. 10 Notre Dame 45-23 and upset No. 1 Ohio State 28-24 in Columbus.

            New leaders need to step up in place of safety and MVP Sorie Kanu and tailback Sedrick Irvin. New co-captains Aric Morris and Gari Scott seem up to the task. On offense, MSU returns the Big Ten's third best air attack (246.2 yards a game), led by senior quarterback Bill Burke (6-5, 200) and perhaps the league's top receiving duo, junior split end Plaxico Burress (6-6, 229) and senior flanker Gari Scott (6-1, 197). Burke's 2,595 passing yards last season set an MSU record, and his 26 touchdown passes already rank fourth in MSU career history. 'Our skill position players are definitely the strength of this offense,' notes Saban. 'Plaxico Burress creates special match-up problems for secondaries because of his combination of size and speed.'

            The passing offense boasts depth, with talented sophomore quarterback Ryan Van Dyke and exciting wide receivers Lavaile Richardson, Herb Haygood and Demont Smith. Also, MSU has so many players at tight end - Chris Baker, Brad Rainko, Ivory McCoy and Kyle Rance - that one might try out at fullback. Who will replace Sedrick Irvin, the first Spartan ever to amass 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, and Garett Gould at fullback? Michigan State has three capable, but untested tailbacks in senior Lloyd Clemons (5-11, 211) and sophomores Shawn Foster (5-11, 200) and Little John Flowers (6-0, 208). Top contenders for fullback include Billy Greene (6-1, 238) and Dawan Moss (5-11, 233). Saban hopes one of them will emerge as a go-to guy 'both as a runner and as a receiver.'

            MSU's offensive line needs to mature. Last year, with a young line, MSU generated only 129.3 rushing yards per game - the lowest output since 1983 - while allowing a record 46 sacks. 'The line must play more physical football,' says Saban. 'We must have a consistent running game, so we can have better balance on offense.'

            This year's line will boast some starting experience, including center Casey Jensen (6-7, 294, Sr.), left guard Dave Sucura (6-3, 286, Jr.), right guard Shaun Mason (6-5, 275, Jr.) and right tackle Greg Robinson-Randall (6-5, 312, Sr.). Junior college transfer Tupe Peko (6-4, 276) won the starting job at left tackle during spring drills. Others competing for playing time include center Josh Smith (6-3, 272, So.), guards Paul Harker (6-3, 288, So.) and tackle Matt Bonito (6-6, 271, Jr.). 'I'm looking forward to this team playing with more mental toughness,' says Saban. 'We also must become a more disciplined football team and reduce the number of careless penalties.'

            On defense, the league's second-to-last rushing defense last season (171 yards per game allowed) must improve. 'We lacked character up front and didn't play with great effort and toughness,' Saban says. 'We can't play winning football if we don't win the battle up front.'

            Anchoring the front seven will be left defensive tackle Jace Sayler (6-5, 285), right defensive tackle Desmond Thomas (6-3, 285) and right defensive end Robaire Smith (6-5, 269). Nick Myers (6-2, 275) could take over at left defensive end. Others include tackle Josh Shaw and ends Hubert 'Boo Boo' Thompson and Raheem Miller. Thompson wowed the fans with three crunching tackles for losses during the Green-White spring game.

            MSU boasts five returning lettermen at linebacker, including starters T.J. Turner (6-2, 241, Jr.) at MIKE (middle) and 1998 Freshman All-American Josh Thornhill (6-3, 235, So.) at WILL (weakside). Julian Peterson (6-4, 235), a big playmaker who led the Spartans in tackles for losses (MSU single-season record 18 for 75 yards) and sacks (10 for 57), will contend for SAM (strongside). Seniors Mike Austin and Shawn Wright Austin will also vie for playing time.

            MSU's pass defense, ranked 10th in the NCAA last season with only 11 passing TDs allowed, returns eight lettermen - including starting strong safety Aric Morris (5-11, 207) and cornerback Renaldo Hill (5-11, 170). Morris reached double figures in tackles seven times last season, including 17 against Penn State and Ohio State. 'Aric Morris is one of the top players at his position in the country,' Saban notes. 'He has the ability to make big plays. Aric has emerged as a true team leader.'

            Competing for the other defensive backfield posts are cornerback Cedric Henry (5-10, 183) and free safety Richard Newsome (5-11, 191), who enjoyed a productive spring. Senior cornerback Amp Campbell (6-0, 200), who suffered a cervic-spinal injury against Oregon last season, could be eligible to play if he graduates by summer semester.

            Other secondary contenders include corners Donvetis Franklin, DeMario Suggs and Richard Brown and safeties Lorenzo Guess, Duron Bryan and Jimel Cofer.

            The Spartans boast experienced specialists in placekicker Paul Edinger (5-10, 168), who led the Big Ten in field goals at 2.0 per game, and punter Craig Jarrett (6-2, 208, So.), who ranked second in the Big Ten and No. 12 nationally with his 43.8-yard punting average last season. But Saban syas that 'overall, there's plenty of room for improvement' - such as better production in kickoff return and more consistency.

            Gari Scott returns with MSU's single season record for with 440 yards in 1998.

            MSU has five new assistant coaches: offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Morris Watts, defensive coordinator Bill Miller, defensive line coach Brad Lawing, tight ends and special teams coach Bob Casullo and wide receivers coach Reggie Mitchell. They join secondary coach Mark Dantonio, offensive line coach Pat Golden Ruel, outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Bill Sheridan, running backs coach Bobby Williams, strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie, and director of football operations Mike Vollmar.

1999 SPARTAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 vs. Oregon

Sept. 11 vs. Eastern Michigan

Sept. 18 @ Notre Dame

Sept. 25 @ Illinois

Oct. 2 vs. Iowa (Homecoming)

Oct. 9 vs. Michigan

Oct. 16 @ Purdue

Oct. 23 @ Wisconsin

Nov. 6 vs. Ohio State

Nov. 13 @ Northwestern

Nov. 20 vs. Penn State