2008 Michigan State Spartans football team

The 2008 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS 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 Dantonio's second season as the Spartans head coach.

2008 Michigan State Spartans football
Capital One Bowl, L 12–24 vs. Georgia
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 24
AP	No. 24
2008 record	9–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach	Mark Dantonio (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Don Treadwell (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Pat Narduzzi (2nd season)
Home stadium	Spartan Stadium (c. 75,005 natural grass)

2008 Big Ten Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 8 Penn State $+		7	–	1					11	–	2
No. 9 Ohio State %+		7	–	1					10	–	3
No. 24 Michigan State		6	–	2					9	–	4
Northwestern		5	–	3					9	–	4
No. 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 conference champion % – BCS at-large representative + – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

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 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 California*		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/ESPN[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	No. 23	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	ESPN2[10]	W 37–20	32,527[13]
October 18	3:30 p.m.[10]	No. 12 Ohio State	No. 20	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	ABC/ESPN2[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/ESPN2[10]	W 35–21	110,146[15]
November 1	12:00 p.m.	Wisconsin	No. 22	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	ESPN	W 25–24	75,121[16]
November 8	12:00 p.m.	Purdue	No. 18	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	BTN	W 21–7	75,522[17]
November 22	3:30 p.m.	at No. 7 Penn State	No. 17	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (Land Grant Trophy)	ABC/ESPN[10]	L 18–49	109,845[18]
January 1, 2009	1:00 p.m.	No. 16 Georgia*	No. 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 the game All times are in Eastern time

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Game summaries

California

1 2 3 4 Total Michigan State 0 7 7 17 31 • California 7 10 7 14 38 Date: August 30 Location: California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA Game start: 8:12 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:38 Game attendance: 62,956 Game weather: 73F, Wind: NW 5 MPH, Clear Referee: Brian O'Cain TV announcers (ABC): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play) Ed Cunningham (Analyst) Heather Cox (Sideline)

See also: 2008 California Golden Bears football team

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

1 2 3 4 Total Eastern Michigan 0 7 0 3 10 • Michigan State 7 14 7 14 42 Date: September 6 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:03 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:06 Game attendance: 71,789 Game weather: 68 F, Wind: N 7 MPH, Sunny Referee: John Roggeman TV announcers (BTN): Mark Neely (Play-by-play) Glen Mason (Analyst) Shireen Saski (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

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

Florida Atlantic

1 2 3 4 Total Florida Atlantic 0 0 0 0 0 • Michigan State 0 7 3 7 17 Date: September 13 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:03 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:05 Game attendance: 70,321 Game weather: 68F, Wind: SSE 12 MPH, Rain Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (ESPN2): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

See also: 2008 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

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

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

1 2 3 4 Total Notre Dame 0 0 0 7 7 • Michigan State 3 7 3 10 23 Date: September 20 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 3:37 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:13 Game attendance: 76,366 Game weather: 79F, Wind: WSW 10 MPH, Sunny Referee: Thomas Tomczyk TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Brad Nessler (Play-by-play) Bob Griese (Analyst) Paul Maguire (Analyst) Stacey Dales (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Megaphone Trophy

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

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

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 13 14 9 6 42 Indiana 7 15 7 0 29 Date: September 27 Location: Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN Game start: 12:02 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:40 Game attendance: 31,832 Game weather: F, Wind: MPH, Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (ESPN): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

See also: 2008 Indiana Hoosiers football team and Old Brass Spittoon

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

The Spartans and the Hoosiers met for the Old Brass Spitoon. This game featured a great deal of offense. 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 an 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 touchdown. 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

1 2 3 4 Total Iowa 0 3 3 7 13 • Michigan State 7 6 3 0 16 Date: October 5 Location: Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:02 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 2:58 Game attendance: 77,526 Game weather: 49F, Wind: NNW 4 MPH, Partly Cloudy Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (ESPN2): Clay Matvick (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

See also: 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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

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

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 17 7 10 3 37 Northwestern 0 7 10 3 20 Date: October 11 Location: Ryan Field Evanston, IL Game start: 3:45 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:17 Game attendance: 32,527 Game weather: 73F, Wind: SSE 7 MPH, Sunny Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (ESPN2): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

See also: 2008 Northwestern Wildcats football team

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

Ohio State

1 2 3 4 Total • Ohio State 21 7 0 17 45 Michigan State 0 0 7 0 7 Date: October 18 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansin, MI Game start: 3:37 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:08 Game attendance: 77,360 Game weather: 54F, Wind: SE 7 MPH, Partly Cloudy Referee: Todd Geerlings TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Brad Nessler (Play-by-play) Bob Griese (Analyst) Paul Maguire (Analyst) Stacey Dales (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

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

Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 7 7 7 14 35 Michigan 7 7 7 0 21 Date: October 25 Location: Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI Game start: 3:35 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:15 Game attendance: 110,146 Game weather: Low 50s, Wind: 10-20 MPH SW, Cloudy w/ Lt Rain Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play) Chris Spielman (Analyst) Erin Andrews (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team and Paul Bunyan Trophy

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
28–67–5	2007	MSU, 35–21

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 for good in the fourth quarter when Javon Ringer ran in another TD, this time from 3 yards out, and capped their win when Josh Rouse scored on a 7-yard TD pass.

Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total Wisconsin 7 3 7 7 24 • Michigan State 0 6 7 12 25 Date: November 1 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:02 EST Elapsed time: 3:34 Game attendance: 75,121 Game weather: 48F, Wind: NE 10 MPH, Mostly Sunny Referee: Bill LeMonniner TV announcers (ESPN): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) Ray Bentley (Analyst)

See also: 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Overall Record	Last Meeting	Result
26–20	2007	MSU, 25–24

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

1 2 3 4 Total Purdue 0 0 0 7 7 • Michigan State 7 7 7 0 21 Date: November 8 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:03 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:09 Game attendance: 75,522 Game weather: 37F, Wind: SW 13–24 MPH, Cloudy Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (BTN): Wayne Larrivee (Play-by-play) Charles Davis (Analyst) Charissa Thompson (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Purdue Boilermakers football team

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

Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total Michigan State 0 7 0 11 18 • Penn State 7 21 14 7 49 Date: November 22 Location: Beaver Stadium University Park, PA Game start: 3:33 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 109,845 Game weather: 28F, Wind: NW 10–15 MPH, Cold & Blustery, Snow Referee: David Witvoet TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Mike Patrick (Play-by-play) Todd Blackledge (Analyst) Holly Rowe (Sideline)

See also: 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team and Land Grant Trophy

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

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

1 2 3 4 Total • Georgia 3 0 14 7 24 Michigan State 3 3 0 6 12 Date: January 1 Location: Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Game start: 1:07 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3:19 Game attendance: 59,681 Game weather: 67F, Wind: E 24 MPH, Breezy Referee: Karl Richins TV announcers (ABC): Mike Patrick (Play-by-play) Todd Blackledge (Analyst) Holly Rowe (Sideline)

Main article: 2009 Capital One Bowl

See also: 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team

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

Personnel

2008 Michigan State Spartans football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 8 Kirk Cousins Fr WR 3 B.J. Cunningham Fr WR 84 Deon Curry Sr WR 2 Mark Dell So QB 7 Brian Hoyer Sr RB 20 A.J. Jimmerson Jr WR 82 Keshawn Martin Fr RB 24 Caulton Ray Fr RB 23 Javon Ringer Sr QB 17 Charlie Snow Fr WR 25 Blair White Jr So 19 David Williams So	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 5 Johnny Adams Fr CB Jeremy Ware	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Brett Swenson	Head coach Mark Dantonio Coordinators/assistant coaches Pat Narduzzi (DC) Don Treadwell (OC) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

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

1. "Michigan State 2007 football schedule". sportsillustrated.com. January 13, 2008. Archived from the original on December 2, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
2. "Spartans Open 2008 Football Season In Prime Time At California". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. May 2, 2008. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
3. "Strong Cal Offense Gets 38-31 Win Against Michigan State". University of California–Berkeley Sports Information. August 30, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
4. "Spartan Football Update: Kickoff Times Set For EMU, Florida Atlantic & Notre Dame". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
5. "Eastern Michigan vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. September 6, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
6. "Florida Atlantic vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. September 13, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
7. "Notre Dame vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. September 20, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
8. "Michigan State vs Indiana". Indiana University Bloomington Department of Athletics. September 27, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
9. "Two Iowa Football Game Times Announced". University of Iowa Department of Athletics. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
10. "MSU Football Schedule". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
11. "Iowa vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. October 4, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
12. "Big Ten Weekly Football Release-Sept. 29". Big Ten Conference. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
13. "Michigan State vs Northwestern". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. October 11, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
14. "Ohio State vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. October 18, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
15. "Michigan State vs Michigan". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. October 25, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
16. "Wisconsin vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. November 1, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
17. "Purdue vs Michigan State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. November 8, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
18. "Michigan State vs Penn State". Michigan State University Department of Athletics. November 22, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
19. "2009 Capital One Bowl". Florida Citrus Sports. January 1, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
20. "Michigan State 31, California 38". Yahoo! Sports. August 30, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
21. "Michigan St. Blanks FAU Behind Ringer's Career-High 282 Rushing Yards". ESPN. September 13, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
22. "Michigan State RB Ringer Flattens Notre Dame with 201 Yards". ESPN. September 20, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
23. "Michigan State Makes Key Stop to Hold off Iowa". ESPN. October 4, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
24. "Michigan State Stages Comeback Victory Over Wisconsin". ESPN. November 1, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
25. "Clark Passes for 341 Yards, 4 TDs as Penn State Slams Spartans". ESPN. November 22, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2014.