Sports: Bobby Builds on Citrus Bowl Win

            Bobby Williams looks to extend his “perfect record” after recruiting a Top Ten class.

            After debuting with a glorious win over Florida in the 2000 Citrus Bowl, Bobby Williams, the only Big Ten coach with a perfect record, wants to raise the bar even higher. “We want to be in a position to contend for the Big Ten title every year,” he declares. “And soon, I hope we can talk about being a national championship contender.”

            Those are bold words for a rookie coach, one who just lost a couple of dozen players from last year’s team—seven of them to the NFL draft, including two, wide receiver Plaxico Burress and linebacker Julian Peterson, who went in the first round. Gone as well are the starting quarterback, both defensive ends, and the team’s leading tackler, Aric Morris. But those losses do not phase Williams, who delights in doing what others say can’t be done. “Every season, we’ll raise the bar,” he declares. “And once we reach it, we’ll raise it again.”

            Williams and his assistants have one thing on their side—an incoming recruiting class widely ranked among the nation’s Top Ten. In addition, returning are some outstanding, proven performers, around whom the coaches plan to build the 2000 team. On offense, despite the loss of outstanding receivers Burress and co-captain Gari Scott, and quarterback Bill Burke, the strategy—directed by coordinator Morris Watts—is to “get the ball into the hands of our playmakers.” That means 6-1, 252 behemoth tailback T.J. Duckett, a human freight train who, says Williams, “is only going to get better and better each week.”

            A freshman All-American last season, Duckett is ranked by some experts among the nation’s top 15 running backs. Next to Duckett, fullback Dawan Moss may seem small at 5-8, 248, but he poses a dangerous triple threat. Junior quarterback Ryan Van Dyke, who last season completed 21 of 36 passes for 393 yards, four TDs and no interceptions, “has really stepped up as a leader in the huddle, at practice and off the field,” says Williams. “He has all the tools.” Van Dyke might throw a few passes to junior Chris Baker and senior Ivory McCoy, perhaps the league’s top duo of tight ends. “They can catch the short to intermediate pass or stretch the defense with their speed,” notes Williams.

            At the wide receiver slots, however, some players need to step up—among them Lavaille Richardson, Herb Haygood, and converted tailback Shawn Foster. The offensive line starts four seniors, including senior tri-captain Shaun Mason. At 6-5, 302, the right guard is MSU’s strongest and most versatile offensive lineman. Seniors Matt Bonito, Siitupe Peko and Dave Sucura all boast experience. Freshman Brian Ottney will be tested at center. Says Williams of this veteran unit, “They have played together and can function as one unit.”

            Last year MSU’s defense allowed only 77 rushing yards a game, fifth best in the nation. Coordinator Bill Miller has to fill holes left by Peterson, Morris, Robaire Smith and Amp Campbell. Fortunately, two outstanding tackles, senior Jace Sayler and junior Josh Shaw, will anchor the DL. Junior Nick Myers is back at defensive end, along with Jabari Hendricks, Dimitry Bernard, Samalj Gordon, Joe Tate and Kyle Rasmussen. Junior tri-captain Josh Thornhill, a rock-solid performer, has moved to the middle while T.J. Turner, an all-league performer last year, moves to the strong side. Although Peterson will be tough to replace, Turner last year boasted 66 tackles, 8 for losses, and 5 interceptions. Thornhill & Turner, both preseason all-Big Ten, are being dubbed by fans as T’N’T.

            Joining that explosive combo on the weak side is JC transfer Drew Young, a junior. Tri-captain Renaldo Hill, who Williams lauds as a “technician,” anchors MSU’s defensive backfield. Joining him are several players who boast talent and experience, including Richard Newsome, Cedric Henry, Duron Bryan, Thomas Wright, and Lorenzo Guess.

            Leading MSU’s special teams is Craig Jarrett, whose 43.5-yard average punt was 13th in the nation last season and will be a weapon for field position. The coaching staff needs to find a returner to replace Scott and a kicker to replace NFL-bound Paul Edinger, whose kick won the Citrus Bowl.

            Spartan fans clearly expect a successful season, as indicated by the early sellout of season tickets. The biggest question is how quickly Williams can fill the holes left by the many departures from last year’s team, which went 10-2 while defeating Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Florida.