2008 Michigan State Spartans football team

2008 Michigan State Spartans football
Capital One Bowl, L 24-12 vs. Georgia
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	#24
AP	#24
2008 record	9–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	Mark Dantonio (2nd year)
Offensive coordinator	Don Treadwell (2nd year)
Defensive coordinator	Pat Narduzzi (2nd year)
Home stadium	Spartan Stadium (c. 75,005 natural grass)
Seasons « 2007 2009 »

2008 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
#8/8 Penn State †§		7	–	1					11	–	2
#9/11 Ohio State ‡§		7	–	1					10	–	3
#24/24 Michigan State		6	–	2					9	–	4
Northwestern		5	–	3					9	–	4
#20/20 Iowa		5	–	3					9	–	4
Wisconsin		3	–	5					7	–	6
Minnesota		3	–	5					7	–	6
Illinois		3	–	5					5	–	7
Purdue		2	–	6					4	–	8
Michigan		2	–	6					3	–	9
Indiana		1	–	7					3	–	9
† – BCS representative as champion ‡ – BCS at-large representative § – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll

The 2008 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2008–2009 college football season. The team's head coach was Mark Dantonio. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was Mark Dantonio's second season as the Spartans head coach.

Contents 1 Previous season 2 Schedule 3 Game notes 3.1 California 3.2 Eastern Michigan 3.3 Florida Atlantic 3.4 Notre Dame 3.5 Indiana 3.6 Iowa 3.7 Northwestern 3.8 Ohio State 3.9 Michigan 3.10 Wisconsin 3.11 Purdue 3.12 Penn State 3.13 Capital One Bowl 4 Notable Players 5 Depth chart 6 Roster 7 Coaching staff 8 2009 NFL Draft 9 See also 10 References

Previous season

In the 2007 season, the Spartans opened the season 4–0, but lost five of their next six games to put their record at 5–5.^[1] Michigan State ended up finishing the season 7–5 after defeating Purdue and Penn State.This qualified the Spartans into a bowl for the first time since the 2003 season. The Spartans played in the Champs Sports Bowl against ACC opponent Boston College, losing 24–21 to end Dantonio's first season at 7–6.

Schedule

The Spartans opened the 2008 season at California Memorial Stadium against California of the Pac-10. The game ended the home and home between Michigan State and California. The other game was played in the 2002 season at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State played their next three games at home against MAC opponent and instate rival Eastern Michigan, Sun Belt opponent Florida Atlantic, and rival Notre Dame.

Following the conclusion of the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Spartans began Big Ten play with an away game against Indiana and opened October with their first Big Ten home game against Iowa. The Spartans then traveled to Evanston, Illinois to avenge a 2007 overtime loss against Northwestern. The following week, Michigan State returned to East Lansing to play against 2007 BCS runner-up Ohio State. Michigan State ended October in Ann Arbor to play in-state rival and arch nemesis Michigan. The Spartans opened their final month of the regular season against Wisconsin. The following week, Michigan State played its final home game of the season against Purdue. The Spartans had a bye week before traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania to play their final game of the season against Penn State.

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	8:00 p.m.[2]	at Cal*		Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA	ABC[2]	L 31–38	62,956[3]
September 6	12:00 p.m.[4]	Eastern Michigan*		Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	BTN[4]	W 42–10	71,789[5]
September 13	12:00 p.m.[4]	Florida Atlantic*		Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	ESPN2[4]	W 17–0	70,321[6]
September 20	3:30 p.m.[4]	Notre Dame*		Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI (Megaphone Trophy)	ABC[4]	W 23–7	76,366[7]
September 27	12:00 p.m.	at Indiana		Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN (Old Brass Spittoon)	ESPN	W 42–29	31,832[8]
October 4	12:00 p.m.[9]	Iowa		Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	ESPN2[10]	W 16–13	77,526[11]
October 11	3:45 p.m.[12]	at Northwestern	#23	Ryan Field • Evanston, IL	ESPN2[10]	W 37–20	32,527[13]
October 18	3:30 p.m.[10]	#12 Ohio State	#20	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	ABC[10]	L 7–45	77,360[14]
October 25	3:30 p.m.[10]	at Michigan		Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI (Paul Bunyan Trophy)	ABC[10]	W 35–21	110,146[15]
November 1	12:00 p.m.	Wisconsin	#22	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	ESPN	W 25–24	75,121[16]
November 8	12:00 p.m.	Purdue	#18	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI	BTN	W 21–7	75,522[17]
November 22	3:30 p.m.	at #7 Penn State	#17	Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA (Land Grant Trophy)	ABC[10]	L 18–49	109,845[18]
January 1	1:00 p.m.	#16 Georgia*	#19	Florida Citrus Bowl • Orlando, FL (Capital One Bowl)	ABC[10]	L 12–24	59,681[19]
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Game notes

California

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	0	7	7	17	31
Bears	7	10	7	14	38

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
2-1	2002	Cal, 46-22

Both teams were scoreless until a blocked Spartans punt resulted in a Bears touchdown in the first quarter. Cal scored again on a field goal by freshman kicker David Seawright in the second quarter. Michigan State responded when Otis Wiley intercepted a Nate Longshore pass and returning it for a touchdown, while Cal was able to counter with a touchdown run by Jahvid Best prior to the half.

The second half saw both teams score back and forth. The Spartans struck first with a touchdown run by Javon Ringer, followed by Cal QB Kevin Riley connecting with Cameron Morrah for a touchdown. Ringer made his second touchdown run of the game in the fourth quarter, while Riley made his second touchdown pass of the game to Will Ta'ufo'ou. After a Spartans field goal, freshman running back Shane Vereen scored on an 81 yard touchdown run that gave the Bears their final score of the game. The Spartans countered with a touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell to get within 7 points and had a chance to tie the game with seconds left, but Hoyer threw four straight incompletions from midfield.^[20]

Longshore, who lost the starting quarterback job to Riley, threw for 62 yards with 2 interceptions. Riley threw for 202 yards with 2 touchdowns. The game marked the first time that two Cal running backs had completed over 100 yards rushing since the 2006 Holiday Bowl, with Best at 111 yards and Vereen at 101, respectively.^[3] Spartans quarterback Hoyer finished with 321 yards passing, including a touchdown and an interception. Ringer, who completed 1,447 yards rushing during the 2007 season, was held to 81 yards, which included 2 touchdowns.

Eastern Michigan

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
7-0	2006	MSU, 52-20

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	7	0	3	10
Spartans	7	14	7	14	42

Florida Atlantic

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
1-0	2008	MSU, 17-0

	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	0	0	0	0	0
Spartans	0	7	3	7	17

It was a rainy day in East Lansing. On the second play of the game FAU broke a would-be 79 yd touchdown run, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Because of the horrible weather conditions, the teams combined had 3 lost fumbles, and it was a low-scoring affair. Javon Ringer had a career high 282 yards and added 2 touchdowns.^[21]

Notre Dame

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
27-44-1	2007	MSU, 31-14

	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Irish	0	0	0	7	7
Spartans	3	7	3	10	23

In week four, the Spartans welcomed undefeated rival Notre Dame. In the previous eight years of the rivalry, the visiting team had won each game. Michigan State was able to dominate the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 203 yards while holding Notre Dame to just 16 rushing yards. Javon Ringer, who had over 200 yards rushing on the game, brought out his offensive line, tight ends, and fullbacks to the post-game press conference to recognize them for their contributions.^[22]

Indiana

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
39-15-2	2007	MSU, 52-27

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	13	14	9	6	42
Hoosiers	7	15	7	0	29

The Spartans and the Hoosiers met for the Old Brass Spitoon. This was highly offensive game. Spartans QB Brian Hoyer finally had a break out game. It had all been Javon Ringer up until this point. In one of the most exciting plays of the game, Hoyer hit TE Charlie Gantt on a 83 yd TD pass. But the Hoosiers came back with an 80 yd TD run by Marcus Thigpen, who tore up the defense. It was 27-22 at halftime. The defense stepped up in the second half for the Spartans, allowing only one TD. In one of the crucial plays of the game, a 99 yd TD pass was called back on a holding penalty. The Hoosiers were on their own goal line, and the holding penalty caused a safety. That sucked the momentum out the Hoosiers as the Spartans went on to win 42-29. Brian Hoyer was 14-26, threw for 261 yds, and 2 TD's, while Javon Ringer improved his Heisman resume, rushing for 198 yds, and 2 TD's. The Spartans improved to a 4-1 record.

Iowa

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
17-20-2	2007	Iowa, 34-27 (OT)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hawkeyes	0	3	3	7	13
Spartans	7	6	3	0	16

Michigan State got out to an early 13-0 lead behind two Brett Swenson field goals and a touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt. However, Iowa stormed back in the second half, with running back Shonn Greene running for 157 yards on the day. It took a late stop by Adam Decker on an Iowa fourth-and-one at the MSU 21-yard line to seal the victory for Michigan State. Iowa went on to win 6 of its final 7 games including a win in the Outback Bowl.^[23]

Northwestern

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
32-16	2007	NU, 48-41 (OT)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	17	7	10	3	37
Wildcats	0	7	10	3	20

Ohio State

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
12-26	2007	OSU, 24-17

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buckeyes	21	7	0	17	45
Spartans	0	0	7	0	7

Michigan

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
28-67-5	2007	UM, 28-24

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	7	7	7	14	35
Wolverines	7	7	7	0	21

The Spartans struck first, scoring on a huge 61 yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White with just under 12 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Wolverines tied it up near the end of the first quarter when Brandon Minor scored on a 19 yard TD pass from Steven Threet (this score was the result of an incorrectly overturned call from the initial ruling of an incomplete pass). The Spartans took the lead back near the end of the half with a 64 yard TD run by Javon Ringer. The Wolverines tied it back up less than a minute later when Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 2 yards out. Midway through the third quarter, the Wolverines took their only lead of the game when QB Steven Threet ran in a touchdown himself from 2 yards out. However, the Spartans entirely controlled the game after that. The Spartans tied it back up when Charlie Gantt scored on a 4 yard TD pass near the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines were shut out in the fourth quarter. The Spartans took the lead in the fourth quarter when Javon Ringer ran in another TD, this time from 3 yards out, and sealed their win when Josh Rouse scored on a 7 yard TD pass.

Wisconsin

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
26-20	2007	UW, 37-34

	1	2	3	4	Total
Badgers	7	3	7	7	24
Spartans	0	6	7	12	25

Coming off of an emotional win against arch-rival Michigan, Michigan State appeared to suffer a bit of an emotional letdown against the underachieving Badgers. Wisconsin dominated the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 281 yards while holding Michigan State to just 25 yards rushing. With Wisconsin leading 24-22 late in the fourth quarter with the ball in Spartan territory, the game appeared all but over. However, a holding call brought back what would have likely been the game-clinching first down for Wisconsin and forced them to punt. With 1:19 left to play, Brian Hoyer led a drive to set up the game-winning 44 yard field goal by Brett Swenson with 7 seconds remaining.^[24]

Purdue

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
29-29-3	2007	MSU, 48-31

	1	2	3	4	Total
Boilermakers	0	0	0	7	7
Spartans	7	7	7	0	21

Penn State

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
12-12-1	2007	MSU, 35-31

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	0	7	0	11	18
Nittany Lions	7	21	14	7	49

Coming into the game, Michigan State had a chance to clinch a share of their first Big Ten title since 1990. However, Penn State held Javon Ringer to 42 yards on 17 carries as the Lions beat Michigan state 49-18. Daryll Clark threw for 341 yards and 4 touchdown passes.^[25]

Capital One Bowl

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
0-1	1989	Georgia, 34-27

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	3	0	14	7	24
Spartans	3	3	0	6	12

Notable Players

• Javon Ringer
• Brian Hoyer
• Blair White
• Brett Swenson
• Jeremy Ware (American football)

Depth chart

Roster

Coaching staff

• Mark Dantonio - Head Coach
• Don Treadwell - Offensive Coordinator
• Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator

2009 NFL Draft

Only one Spartan was selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, quarterback Brian Hoyer signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

Player	Round	Pick	Position	NFL Team
Javon Ringer	5	173	Running Back	Tennessee Titans

See also

• 2008 Big Ten Conference football season

References

2008 Big Ten Conference football season Teams Illinois Fighting Illini • Indiana Hoosiers • Iowa Hawkeyes • Michigan Wolverines • Michigan State Spartans • Minnesota Golden Gophers • Northwestern Wildcats • Ohio State Buckeyes • Penn State Nittany Lions • Purdue Boilermakers • Wisconsin Badgers 2008–09 bowl games Champs Sports Bowl • Alamo Bowl • Insight Bowl • Outback Bowl • Capital One Bowl • BCS Rose Bowl • and Fiesta Bowl

Michigan State Spartans football Venues Spartan Stadium (1923–present) Bowls & rivalries Bowl games Land Grant Trophy (Penn State) Megaphone Trophy (Notre Dame) Old Brass Spittoon (Indiana) Paul Bunyan Trophy (Michigan) Culture & lore Sparty "Michigan State University Fight Song" Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band Zeke the Wonder Dog Winged football helmet People Head coaches Seasons 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 National championship seasons in bold