Sports: MSU Can Unleash Weapons on Offense

            Many Spartans eagerly await fireworks from an explosive MSU offense and its marquee  “Smoker to Rogers” tandem.

            Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.  If the cliché is true, expect sellout football crowds in eight home games this season as MSU competes for a title.

            No question—MSU boasts a marquee offensive threat, the Jeff Smoker to Charles Rogers combo.   Capping its 7-5 season last year, the two juniors led a 44-point explosion in MSU’s upset of Fresno State at the Silicon Valley Bowl and helped coach Bobby Williams win his second straight bowl.  They may be known to voters who ranked MSU No. 18 in the USA Today/ESPN  pre-season poll.

            Smoker-to-Rogers might be MSU’s most lethal tandem since Smith-to-Gibson.  A national leader in passing efficiency, Smoker completed 63 percent of his passes, tossing 21 touchdowns (with 8 interceptions).  Junior classmate Rogers, a tall, rangy wide receiver who also set track records in high school, is the latest in a long list of great MSU receivers—like Gibson, Courtney Hawkins, Andre Rison, Muhsin Muhammad and Plaxico Burress.  Williams calls him “arguably the best big-play receiver in the country.”  MSU needs to develop another receiver to keep the defenses honest.

            Protecting Smoker will be an offensive line that has more maturity than last year, when it surrendered the most sacks in the league.  Led by junior center and quad-captain Brian Ottney, the line improved dramatically by season’s end.  The line boasts some depth at tight end, where sophomores Eric Knott, Jason Randall and Ryan Woods will vie for playing time.   “All battles are won up front,” notes Williams.  “I expect the line to be even more physical at the point of attack this fall.”

            If so, that should help tailback Dawan Moss, tabbed to replace NFL first-rounder T.J. Duckett.  A fullback last season, Moss has since shed 32 pounds and is described by Williams as “tough and physical.” Offensive coordinator Morris Watts will look to four freshmen running backs to see if one can emerge as the backup.

            MSU ranked seventh in the league in defense last year, allowing 180.8 yards rushing per game.  “We need to get back to playing Michigan State defense and that means stopping the run,” says Williams.  “We also need a consistent pass rush.”

            Sohpomore Kevin Vickerson and junior Kyle Rasmussen will anchor the line as tackles, while sophomore Mathias Askew and juniors Greg Taplin and Clifford Dukes fill out at ends.  Other prospects include junior Dominick Brown and sophomore Brandon McKinney.  As Williams puts it, “We’re extremely young along the defensive line . . . (but) there’s quality, young talent at each position.”

            At linebacker, junior Mike Labinjo, who emerged as the team’s leader in tackles for losses, shifts to middle linebacker to replace MVP Josh Thornhill.  Joining him will be sophomore Ronald Stanley and junior Monquiz Wedlow.  Other contenders include highly-touted redshirt freshmen Seth Mitchell and Michael Bazemore.  “We have a good nucleus of players,” notes Williams, “but someone needs to step forward as a leader.”

            Defensive coordinator Bill Miller probably feels best about the defensive backfield, which boasts nine returning lettermen, including senior cornerback Cedric Henry, who sat out last season.  Senior corner Broderick Nelson led MSU with 5 interceptions and 20 pass break-ups last season.  Senior Thomas Wright, who led the secondary with 92 tackles last second, is joined at safety by sophomore Jason Harmon.  Senior DeMario Suggs, and sophomores Roderick Maples and Robert Flagg add depth to a unit that ranked high statistically last season.

            Special teams remain a question mark.  Sophomore Dave Rayner takes over kicking duties, having been nearly perfect (.973) in extra point conversions.  “He has all the tools to become a key offensive weapon,” says Williams.  MSU needs to find replacements for four-year punter Craig Jarrett and for All-America punt returner Herb Haygood.

            Williams has long stated his goal of building a consistent Top 25 football program.  Helping him achieve the goal are assistants Danny Crossman, Troy Douglas, Brad Lawing, Reggie Mitchell, Pat Perles, Jeff Stoutland and Don Treadwell.

            “This program is moving forward and it’s headed in the right direction,” sums up Williams.  “Our team is excited about facing the challenges ahead.”

Schedule

Aug. 31          EASTERN MICHIGAN

Sep. 7             RICE

Sep. 14          CALIFORNIA

Sep. 21          NOTRE DAME

Sep. 28          NORTHWESTERN

Oct. 12            @Iowa

Oct. 19            MINNESOTA (Homecoming)

Oct. 26            WISCONSIN

Nov. 2             @Michigan

Nov. 9             @Indiana

Nov. 16          PURDUE

Nov. 23          @Penn State