Michigan State Spartans football
Encyclopedia
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University
in college football
as members of the Big Ten Conference
at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan State has won or shared a total of six national championships (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, and 1966), two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships (1903 and 1905), and seven Big Ten championships (1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987, 1990, and 2010). Currently 24 former Spartans are playing in the NFL.
Today, the team competes in Spartan Stadium, a 75,005 person football stadium in the center of campus, though frequently the stadium holds more than 80,000 spectators. Michigan State hired Mark Dantonio
on November 27, 2006 as head coach. MSU's traditional archrival is the University of Michigan
, against whom they compete for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
. Michigan State is one of three Big Ten teams to have an annual non-conference football game against the University of Notre Dame
.
Starting as a club sport in 1885, football gained varsity status in 1896. Early teams at the then Michigan Agricultural College (MAC) competed in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
(MIAA), which was chartered in 1888 and is the oldest existing collegiate leagues in the United States. Previously, in 1884, Albion College
and Michigan Agricultural had played in the first intercollegiate football game held within the state of Michigan. The MIAA's other charter members included Albion, Olivet and Hillsdale Colleges. The Association's first season of competitive football was in 1894 which by then also included Eastern Michigan University
(then Michigan Normal School) and Alma College
; Kalamazoo College
was added in 1896. In those early years the MAC Aggies could only accomplish one outright league football championship (1905) and share another with Albion (1903). The first decade of the 20th Century generally saw the MIAA and MAC being dominated by either Albion or Olivet Colleges. MSU left the league and became an Independent in 1907.
During the 1950s when Detroit was known as the world's leading automobile manufacturer, Michigan State was often referred to as the nation's "football factory." It was then that the Spartans churned out such impressive models as Lynn Chandnois
, Dorne Dibble
, Don McAulliffe, Tom Yewcic
, Sonny Grandelius
, Bob Carey
, Don Coleman
, Earl Morrall
and Dean Look
. In 1951, the Spartans finished undefeated and untied to claim a share of the national championship with Tennessee. A second consecutive undefeated season led to a consensus national title in 1952. The team was admitted into the Big Ten as a regular member in 1949. They promptly went on to capture the league championship (losing only one game during the season) and beating UCLA
in their first Rose Bowl game
. After the 1953 season Biggie Munn
, the Spartan coach, turned the team over to his protégé Duffy Daugherty
. The team won the Rose Bowl
in 1954, 1956, and 1988.
From the creation of Division I-AA (now called Division I FCS) in 1978 through the 2008 season, Michigan State never played a I-AA/FCS opponent, holding out longer in doing so than all but four other FBS schools. The Spartans ended their streak by opening the 2009 season against FCS member Montana State
.
was hired from the University of Cincinnati
to become Michigan State's new men's football head coach. He has compiled a 41–21 (25–13) record while at Michigan State. In 2010, Dantonio led Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten Championship with a 7-1 record. It was Michigan State's first Big Ten Championship in over 20 years. He has 4-1 record against rival Michigan winning the Paul Bunyan Trophy
in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. This streak of 4 wins in a row ties the Spartans best in the rivalry. Dantonio's record also includes a 3-2 mark for the Megaphone Trophy
which goes to the winner of the Michigan State vs. Notre Dame rivalry football game. Dantonio served as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1995-2000, was Ohio State
's defensive coordinator during their 2002 national championship season
. and was also an assistant at Kansas
and Youngstown State University
. He is known as a defensive-minded coach and has been on the coaching staffs of Glen Mason
, Jim Tressel
and Nick Saban
.
prior to the 1995 season, MSU had not had a winning season since 1990, and the team was sanctioned by the NCAA for recruiting violations committed under his predecessor and former mentor, George Perles
.
In 1972, Chuck Noll, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, offered Perles the position of defensive line coach. In Perles’ first season, the Steelers made the NFL playoffs for the second time in franchise history, the first since 1947, losing to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game. In 1974, the Steelers won the first of six consecutive AFC Central division championships and also their first Super Bowl. Perles became the defensive coordinator for the Steelers in 1978 and then assistant head coach under Noll in 1979. During Perles' ten years with Pittsburgh (1972–1981), the Steelers won a then-unprecedented four Super Bowls and became known as the team of the decade for the 1970s, largely on the back of their "Stunt 4-3" defense designed by Perles.
Perles returned to Michigan State University on December 3, 1982. In 12 years, he led the Spartans to two Big Ten Conference titles, seven bowl games and a victory in the 1988 Rose Bowl. The 1987 season marked the Spartans' last outright Big Ten title to date. During the 1987 season Perles and Michigan State beat Southern Cal twice in the same season, once in the regular season and one in the Rose Bowl.
During 1994–1995, an extensive external investigation conducted by the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. uncovered various infractions including grade tampering by an athletic department administrator. MSU president M. Peter McPherson fired Perles before the end of the 1994 season, and ordered the Spartans to forfeit their five wins for that season. Perles was found "not culpable" by the NCAA.
from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships. Duffy's tenure of 19 seasons at the helm of the Michigan State Spartans football team is the longest of any head coach in the program's history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
During Daugherty's time in East Lansing
, he recruited and coached some of the best players in Michigan State's history, including Herb Adderley
, Brad Van Pelt
, Bubba Smith
, George Webster, and Joe DeLamielleure
. He was one of the first college football coaches to field a racially integrated team.
and 1952 squad
won national championships
. Munn retired from coaching in 1953 to assume duties as Michigan State's athletic director
, a position he held until 1971. Each year, the Michigan State Spartans football team
hands out the "Biggie Munn Award" to the team's most motivational player. MSU's Munn Ice Arena
, built in 1974, is named in his honor. Munn was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
as a coach in 1959, and, in 1961, he became Michigan State's first inductee into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
. He authored the coaching textbook Michigan State Multiple Offense in 1953.
Shortly after the Rose Bowl victory, MSU's athletic director
, Ralph H. Young retired. Munn stepped down from coaching to assume duties as athletic director and remained in that position until 1971. Munn named his assistant, Duffy Daugherty
, as his to successor to helm the football team. During his tenure as Michigan State's head football coach, Munn tutored 17 All-Americans
. His teams have retained the school's top four season marks for rushing
-yards-per-game: 1948 (304.5 yards/game), 1951 (293.9 yards), 1952 (272.4), and 1950 (269.3). Munn was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1959.
Spartan Stadium will enter its 88th season as home to Michigan State football in 2011. Until the 1920s, Michigan State's football team played on Old College Field just northwest of the current stadium. In the early 1920s school officials decided to construct a new stadium to replace Old College Field. College Field, the future Spartan Stadium was ready in the fall of 1923 with a capacity of 14,000. Over the years the stadium grew. In 1935 the seating capacity
was increased to 26,000 and the facility was dedicated as Macklin Field. By 1957, upper decks were added to the east and west ends, boosting the capacity to 76,000. That same season Michigan State dropped the name Macklin Stadium in favor of Spartan Stadium.
In 2005 Michigan State finished a new $64 million expansion project to Spartan Stadium. It featured the addition of nearly 3,000 club seats in the "Spartan Club," 24 suites and a 193-seat press box, bringing the current stadium capacity to 75,005. The original World War II
-era terracotta cast of the "The Spartan" statue was moved indoors to the atrium of the new structure to protect it from the elements and occasional vandalism, and a new bronze
cast was made for outdoors. The 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) addition also houses the MSU Alumni Association, University Development and other units.
Spartan Stadium's capacity is 75,005, making it the Big Ten's
sixth largest stadium and 23rd largest college football stadium in the country. In 2010 Spartan Stadium had the 19th highest attendance in NCAA Division I FBS. Spartan Stadium is so loud that Stanley Kubrick
’s Spartacus
(1960) uses a recording of the crowd noise during the 1959 Michigan State-Notre Dame game.
For the 2007 football season the student section had around 13,000 members. Like the basketball student section the Izzone, the Michigan State Student Alumni Foundation used to oversee a subgroup in the football student section named "Corner Blitz." When head coach Mark Dantonio
took over the football program in 2006 "Corner Blitz" was united with the normal student section. Like Corner Blitz the entire student section now receives a special t-shirt which is voted on annually.
, three of which are consensus national championships after being declared the national champion by the AP
and Coaches' Poll in 1952, the Coaches' Poll in 1965, and the National Football Foundation in 1966.
+ until 1971-72 season Big Ten schools were forbidden from participating in the Rose Bowl
in 2 consecutive years.
football game ("The Game of the Century
") remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history. The game was played in Michigan State's Spartan Stadium
on November 19, 1966. Michigan State entered the contest 9–0 and ranked #2, while Notre Dame entered the contest 8–0 and ranked #1. Notre Dame elected not to try for the end zone on the final series, thus the game ended in a 10–10 tie with both schools recording national championships.
Offense
WR Gene Washington
1964–66
WR Andre Rison
1985–88
TE Billy Joe DuPree
1970–72
E Robert Carey
1949–51
OL Sid Wagner
1933–35
OL Don Coleman
1949–51
OL Dan Currie
1955–57
OL Ed Budde
1960–62
OL Tony Mandarich
1985–88
OL Flozell Adams
1994–97
QB Earl Morrall
1953–55
QB Steve Juday 1963–65
RB John Pingel
1936–38
RB Sonny Grandelius
1948–50
RB Lorenzo White
1984–87
K Morten Andersen
1978–81
Defense
DL Blake Miller 1912–15
DL Ed Bagdon
1946–49
DL Bubba Smith
1964–66
DL Larry Bethea
1974–77
LB Dan Bass 1976–79
LB Carl Banks
1980–83
LB Percy Snow
1986–89
LB Julian Peterson
1998–99
DB Lynn Chandnois
1946–49
DB George Saimes
1960–62
DB George Webster 1964–66
DB Brad Van Pelt
1970–72
P Greg Montgomery
1985–87
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as members of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan State has won or shared a total of six national championships (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, and 1966), two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships (1903 and 1905), and seven Big Ten championships (1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987, 1990, and 2010). Currently 24 former Spartans are playing in the NFL.
Today, the team competes in Spartan Stadium, a 75,005 person football stadium in the center of campus, though frequently the stadium holds more than 80,000 spectators. Michigan State hired Mark Dantonio
Mark Dantonio
Mark Dantonio is the current head football coach at Michigan State University. He was hired on November 27, 2006 and became the 24th head coach at Michigan State. He is credited for winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and his 4 game win streak over arch-rival Michigan...
on November 27, 2006 as head coach. MSU's traditional archrival is the University of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, against whom they compete for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
Paul Bunyan Trophy
The Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
. Michigan State is one of three Big Ten teams to have an annual non-conference football game against the University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
.
History
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association is an athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. The nine teams in the conference are all located in the states of Michigan and Indiana. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association was established on March 24, 1888, making...
(MIAA), which was chartered in 1888 and is the oldest existing collegiate leagues in the United States. Previously, in 1884, Albion College
Albion College
Albion College is a private liberal arts college located in Albion, Michigan. Related to the United Methodist Church, it was founded in 1835 and was the first private college in Michigan to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. It has a student population of about 1500.The school's sports teams are...
and Michigan Agricultural had played in the first intercollegiate football game held within the state of Michigan. The MIAA's other charter members included Albion, Olivet and Hillsdale Colleges. The Association's first season of competitive football was in 1894 which by then also included Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan Eagles football
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are a college football program at Eastern Michigan University. They compete in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference...
(then Michigan Normal School) and Alma College
Alma College
Alma College is a private, liberal arts college located in Alma, Michigan. The enrollment is approximately 1,400 students, and the college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college's 13th President, Dr...
; Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College, also known as K College or simply K, is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1833, the college is among the 100 oldest in the country. Today, it produces more Peace Corps volunteers per capita than any other U.S...
was added in 1896. In those early years the MAC Aggies could only accomplish one outright league football championship (1905) and share another with Albion (1903). The first decade of the 20th Century generally saw the MIAA and MAC being dominated by either Albion or Olivet Colleges. MSU left the league and became an Independent in 1907.
During the 1950s when Detroit was known as the world's leading automobile manufacturer, Michigan State was often referred to as the nation's "football factory." It was then that the Spartans churned out such impressive models as Lynn Chandnois
Lynn Chandnois
Lynn Chandnois was a former standout professional American football player who earned All-American honors for the Michigan State Spartans in 1949, the NFL Player Of The Year award for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952 and twice made it to the Pro Bowl.After both his parents died, Lynn, who was born...
, Dorne Dibble
Dorne Dibble
Dorne Allen Dibble is a former American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions . He attended Michigan State....
, Don McAulliffe, Tom Yewcic
Tom Yewcic
Thomas J. Yewcic is a former American football quarterback and punter and Major League Baseball player. He attended Michigan State University, where, as a baseball player, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1954 College World Series despite his team not reaching the championship game...
, Sonny Grandelius
Sonny Grandelius
Everett John "Sonny" Grandelius was an American football player, coach, announcer, and executive. He served as the head coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1959 to 1961, compiling a record of 20–11...
, Bob Carey
Bob Carey (American football)
Robert Winfield Carey was an American football end in the National Football League. He was a first round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1952 NFL Draft from Michigan State University. He played with the Rams from 1952 to 1956...
, Don Coleman
Don Coleman
Don Edwin Coleman is a former American football player. Coleman played high school football at Flint Central High School and college football at Michigan State University. He was a unanimous All-American in 1951, the first African-American All-American football player at Michigan State...
, Earl Morrall
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
and Dean Look
Dean Look
Dean Zachary Look was an American college and Professional Football player. A quarterback at Michigan State and for the American Football League New York Titans, a Major League Baseball outfielder, and American football official in the National Football League...
. In 1951, the Spartans finished undefeated and untied to claim a share of the national championship with Tennessee. A second consecutive undefeated season led to a consensus national title in 1952. The team was admitted into the Big Ten as a regular member in 1949. They promptly went on to capture the league championship (losing only one game during the season) and beating UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
in their first Rose Bowl game
1954 Rose Bowl
The 1954 Rose Bowl game, played on January 1, 1954 was the 40th Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 28–20. Michigan State halfback Billy Wells was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the first year that Michigan State University was counted in...
. After the 1953 season Biggie Munn
Biggie Munn
Clarence Lester "Biggie" Munn was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator in the United States. He was the head football coach at Albright College , Syracuse University , and most notably Michigan State College , where his 1952 squad won a national championship...
, the Spartan coach, turned the team over to his protégé Duffy Daugherty
Duffy Daugherty
Hugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships...
. The team won the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
in 1954, 1956, and 1988.
From the creation of Division I-AA (now called Division I FCS) in 1978 through the 2008 season, Michigan State never played a I-AA/FCS opponent, holding out longer in doing so than all but four other FBS schools. The Spartans ended their streak by opening the 2009 season against FCS member Montana State
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
.
Mark Dantonio
On November 27, 2006, Mark DantonioMark Dantonio
Mark Dantonio is the current head football coach at Michigan State University. He was hired on November 27, 2006 and became the 24th head coach at Michigan State. He is credited for winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and his 4 game win streak over arch-rival Michigan...
was hired from the University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
to become Michigan State's new men's football head coach. He has compiled a 41–21 (25–13) record while at Michigan State. In 2010, Dantonio led Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten Championship with a 7-1 record. It was Michigan State's first Big Ten Championship in over 20 years. He has 4-1 record against rival Michigan winning the Paul Bunyan Trophy
Paul Bunyan Trophy
The Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. This streak of 4 wins in a row ties the Spartans best in the rivalry. Dantonio's record also includes a 3-2 mark for the Megaphone Trophy
Megaphone Trophy
Started in 1949 the Megaphone Trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the football game between the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. Notre Dame and Michigan State started competing against each other 114 years ago in 1897...
which goes to the winner of the Michigan State vs. Notre Dame rivalry football game. Dantonio served as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1995-2000, was Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
's defensive coordinator during their 2002 national championship season
2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was the national champion of the 2002 college football season. The team was the first in Division I-A history to finish its season at 14–0, and the second to win 14 games, following BYU's 14–1 season in 1996...
. and was also an assistant at Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks football
The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
and Youngstown State University
Youngstown State Penguins
Youngstown State University is in NCAA Division I. Nicknamed the Penguins, they play in the Horizon League and Missouri Valley Football Conference, and compete in the following sports:*Baseball *Basketball *Cross Country...
. He is known as a defensive-minded coach and has been on the coaching staffs of Glen Mason
Glen Mason
Glen O. Mason is an American football coach. Mason previously served as the head football coach at Kent State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Minnesota, compiling a career college football record of 123–121–1.-Playing career:Mason played college football at...
, Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
and Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
.
Nick Saban
When Saban arrived in East Lansing, MichiganEast Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
prior to the 1995 season, MSU had not had a winning season since 1990, and the team was sanctioned by the NCAA for recruiting violations committed under his predecessor and former mentor, George Perles
George Perles
George J. Perles is a former American football player and coach. He was a defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972–1981 and the head coach at Michigan State University from 1983–1994...
.
- 1995–1997 – Beginning in 1995, Saban moderately improved MSU's fortunes, taking the Spartans to minor bowl games (all of which they lost by double-digit margins) in each of his first three seasons. From 1995 to 1997, Michigan State finished 6-5-1, 6-6, and 7-5. In comparison, MSU had finished 5–6, 6–6 and 5–6 (prior to NCAA forfeits) in 1992–1994.
- 1998 – On November 7, 1998, the Spartans upset the #1 ranked Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes footballThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
28–24 at Ohio StadiumOhio StadiumOhio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
. However, even after the upset and an early-season rout of then-highly-ranked Notre Dame the Spartans finished 6–6, including three last-minute losses featuring turnovers, defensive lapses, and special-teams misplays, and failed to earn a bowl invitation.
- 1999 – Saban led the Spartans to a 9–2 season that included wins over Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
, MichiganMichigan Wolverines footballThe Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes footballThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, and Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
. Conversely, the two losses were routs at the hands of PurduePurdue Boilermakers footballThe Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
and WisconsinWisconsin Badgers footballThe Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
. Following the final regular-season game against Penn State, Saban abruptly resigned to accept the head coaching position with LSULSU Tigers footballThe LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
. Saban's assistant head coach and successor, Bobby WilliamsBobby Williams- External links :* at RollTide.com...
, then coached MSU to a Citrus Bowl victory over FloridaFlorida Gators footballThe Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
, giving the Spartans an overall record of 10–2 for the 1999 season. It would be the best season in terms of wins for the Spartans since 1965, and it would see the Spartans reach their highest ranking since the 1966 team. Future former NFL Head Coach Josh McDanielsJosh McDanielsJosh McDaniels is the former head coach of the Denver Broncos and currently the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. He previously served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots...
served as a Graduate Assistant on Saban's 1999 coaching staff.
George Perles
After returning from US Army active duty, Perles returned to Michigan where he enrolled at Michigan State University and played football under legendary coach Duffy Daugherty. Perles played the 1958 season before his playing career was cut short by a knee injury. Perles then started his football coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State before moving on to the high school ranks in Chicago and Detroit, where his St. Ambrose High School team won their first Detroit City League Championship in 1961. Perles returned to Michigan State as defensive line coach under his mentor, Daugherty.In 1972, Chuck Noll, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, offered Perles the position of defensive line coach. In Perles’ first season, the Steelers made the NFL playoffs for the second time in franchise history, the first since 1947, losing to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game. In 1974, the Steelers won the first of six consecutive AFC Central division championships and also their first Super Bowl. Perles became the defensive coordinator for the Steelers in 1978 and then assistant head coach under Noll in 1979. During Perles' ten years with Pittsburgh (1972–1981), the Steelers won a then-unprecedented four Super Bowls and became known as the team of the decade for the 1970s, largely on the back of their "Stunt 4-3" defense designed by Perles.
Perles returned to Michigan State University on December 3, 1982. In 12 years, he led the Spartans to two Big Ten Conference titles, seven bowl games and a victory in the 1988 Rose Bowl. The 1987 season marked the Spartans' last outright Big Ten title to date. During the 1987 season Perles and Michigan State beat Southern Cal twice in the same season, once in the regular season and one in the Rose Bowl.
During 1994–1995, an extensive external investigation conducted by the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. uncovered various infractions including grade tampering by an athletic department administrator. MSU president M. Peter McPherson fired Perles before the end of the 1994 season, and ordered the Spartans to forfeit their five wins for that season. Perles was found "not culpable" by the NCAA.
Duffy Daugherty
Duffy Daugherty (September 8, 1915 – September 25, 1987) replaced Clarence Munn known as "Biggie" Munn, in December 1953, following Munn's retirement to become Michigan State's athletic director. Daugherty would serve as the head coach at Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships. Duffy's tenure of 19 seasons at the helm of the Michigan State Spartans football team is the longest of any head coach in the program's history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
- 1954–1964 After compiling a disappointing 3–6 record in Daugherty's first season in 1954, the Spartans improved and finished second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State in 1955 with an 8–1 record in the regular season. Michigan State received the conference's invitation to the 1956 Rose Bowl instead of the Buckeyes due to the conference's prohibition against consecutive trips to the Rose Bowl. In Pasadena, the Spartans defeated UCLA, 17–14, for their second bowl win in school history. From 1956 to 1964, Daugherty's Michigan State teams were usually good, three times placing second in Big Ten, but never captured the conference crown. The Spartans did, however, beat Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
eight straight times between 1955 and 1963, a feat matched only by MichiganMichigan Wolverines footballThe Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
(1887–1908) and USC (2002–2009). On November 5, 1964, the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
found Daugherty's program at Michigan State guilty of NCAA infractions prior to and during the 1957, 1958, and 1959 seasons. Daughtery's football program was put on probation for three years following the 1964 decision.
- 1965–1966 The 1965 and 1966 seasons were the high points in Daugherty's coaching tenure, if not in the history of Michigan State football. The 1965 team1965 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1965 Michigan State Spartans football team represented the Michigan State University in the 1965 college football season. The Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and competed in the 1966 Rose Bowl...
finished the regular season 10–0 and ranked first in the country, but was upset by UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl1966 Rose BowlThe 1966 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1966 was the 52nd Rose Bowl Game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the #1 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 14–12. UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:...
, 14–12. Nevertheless, Michigan State was named national champions by the UPIUnited Press InternationalUnited Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
and the National Football Foundation. The 1966 team1966 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1966 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1966 college football season.-Regular season:The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football vs. Notre Dame football game remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history...
began the season 9–0 and headed into their final game ranked #2 against #1 Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
at Spartan StadiumSpartan Stadium (East Lansing)Spartan Stadium opened in 1923 in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Michigan State University Spartans...
on November 19. The #1 vs. #2 showdown, dubbed the "The Game of the CenturyGame of the Century (college football)The phrase "Game of the Century" is a superlative that has been applied to several college football contests played in the 20th century, the first full century of college football in the United States...
" by national media, ended in a 10–10 tie. The Spartans did not play in a bowl game following the 1966 season due to Big Ten rules in place at the time that prohibited its teams from playing in the Rose Bowl in consecutive years and barred participation in any other bowl. Notre Dame and Michigan State received a share of the 1966 national championship.
- 1967–1972Beginning with the 1967 season, there was a decline in the Spartans football program under Duffy. Daugherty's teams in the late 60s and early 70s consistently hovered around the .500 mark, with only his 1971 squad finishing with a winning record (6–5). Under pressure from MSU's administration, Daugherty retired after the 1972 season and was succeeded as head coach by Denny StolzDenny StolzDennis E. "Denny" Stolz is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Alma College , Michigan State University , Bowling Green State University , and San Diego State University , compiling a career college football record of 125–93–5.Stolz graduated...
.
During Daugherty's time in East Lansing
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, he recruited and coached some of the best players in Michigan State's history, including Herb Adderley
Herb Adderley
Herbert Allen Adderley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League....
, Brad Van Pelt
Brad Van Pelt
Brad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
, Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
, George Webster, and Joe DeLamielleure
Joe DeLamielleure
Joseph Michael DeLamielleure is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was...
. He was one of the first college football coaches to field a racially integrated team.
"Biggie" Munn
Clarence Lester "Biggie" Munn (September 11, 1908 – March 18, 1975) was head coach of Michigan State from (1947–1953). His 1951 squad1951 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1951 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1951 college football season.The Spartans played their home games at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan...
and 1952 squad
1952 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1952 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1952 college football season. The Spartans had an undefeated season and won the National Championship.-Schedule:-Rivalries:...
won national championships
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
. Munn retired from coaching in 1953 to assume duties as Michigan State's athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
, a position he held until 1971. Each year, the Michigan State Spartans football team
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
hands out the "Biggie Munn Award" to the team's most motivational player. MSU's Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena is a 6,470-seat hockey-only arena in East Lansing, Michigan on the campus of Michigan State University. It is home to the MSU's ice hockey team...
, built in 1974, is named in his honor. Munn was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
as a coach in 1959, and, in 1961, he became Michigan State's first inductee into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame to honor Michigan sports people. It was organized in 1954 by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Philip Hart, Michigan State University athletic director Biggie Munn, president of the Greater Michigan Foundation Donald Weeks, general manager of the...
. He authored the coaching textbook Michigan State Multiple Offense in 1953.
- 1947–1950 In 1947, Munn and the Michigan State administration, led by university president John A. HannahJohn A. HannahJohn Alfred Hannah was president of Michigan State College for 28 years, making him the longest serving of MSU's presidents. He is credited with transforming the school from a little-known, regional agricultural college into a large national research institution...
, approached Notre DameUniversity of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
president Father CavanaughJohn J. CavanaughThe Rev. John J Cavanaugh, C.S.C. , a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, served from 1946 to 1952 as the 14th president of the University of Notre Dame, having previously served as its vice president since 1941...
to have his Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
play the Spartans for the first time since 1921. MSU initially offered to let Notre Dame take 80 percent of the gate, but Cavanaugh insisted they split the receipts down the middle. Munn was the only coach to beat Notre Dame head coach Frank LeahyFrank LeahyFrancis William Leahy was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive...
three years in a row (1950–1952). Starting with a 33-14 win over William & Mary in East Lansing on October 14th, 1950 Biggie Munn start his historic 28 game winning streak.
- 1951 The 1951 Michigan State Spartans football team1951 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1951 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1951 college football season.The Spartans played their home games at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan...
went undefeated and were elected the National Champions by the Helms Athletic FoundationHelms Athletic FoundationThe Helms Athletic Foundation was an athletic foundation based in Los Angeles, founded in 1936 by Bill Schroeder and Paul Helms. It put together a panel of experts to select National Champion teams and make All-America team selections in a number of college sports including football and basketball...
; however, the rest of the polls voted for the Tennessee Volunteers, who lost in the Sugar Bowl to the Maryland Terrapins, but post season games did not count back then. Michigan State
- 1952 1952 squad1952 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1952 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1952 college football season. The Spartans had an undefeated season and won the National Championship.-Schedule:-Rivalries:...
continued Munn's undefeated streak going 9-0. Michigan State won a national championshipNCAA Division I FBS National Football ChampionshipA college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
for the second year in a row and for the first time in school history were voted #1 in both the AP and Coaches' polls. Munn was named the AFCA Coach of the YearAFCA Coach of the YearThe AFCA Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the American Football Coaches Association . The award has had several different sponors over the years, including Eastman Kodak Corporation, and thus also been named the Kodak Coach of the Year Award.-Football Bowl...
, coaching MSU to 9–0 record and a
- 1953 In 1953, Michigan State's first year of conference play in the Big TenBig Ten ConferenceThe Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, the Spartans shared the conference title with IllinoisIllinois Fighting Illini footballThe Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
and went to the Rose Bowl1954 Rose BowlThe 1954 Rose Bowl game, played on January 1, 1954 was the 40th Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 28–20. Michigan State halfback Billy Wells was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the first year that Michigan State University was counted in...
, where they beat UCLAUCLA Bruins FootballThe UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, 28–20. October 24th, 1953 Purdue upset the Spartans 6-0 ending Munn's 28 game winning streak. The Spartans won the first ever Paul Bunyan TrophyPaul Bunyan TrophyThe Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
after beating rival Michigan 14-6 in East Lansing.
Shortly after the Rose Bowl victory, MSU's athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
, Ralph H. Young retired. Munn stepped down from coaching to assume duties as athletic director and remained in that position until 1971. Munn named his assistant, Duffy Daugherty
Duffy Daugherty
Hugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships...
, as his to successor to helm the football team. During his tenure as Michigan State's head football coach, Munn tutored 17 All-Americans
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
. His teams have retained the school's top four season marks for rushing
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
-yards-per-game: 1948 (304.5 yards/game), 1951 (293.9 yards), 1952 (272.4), and 1950 (269.3). Munn was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1959.
Head coaching records
| Coach | Years | Seasons | Record | Pct. | Conf. Record | Pct. | Div. Titles | Conf. Titles | Bowl Games | National Titles | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [No Coach] | 1896 | 1 | 1–2–1 | .375 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MIAA Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association is an athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. The nine teams in the conference are all located in the states of Michigan and Indiana. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association was established on March 24, 1888, making... |
| Henry Keep Henry Keep (American football) -External links:... |
1897–1898 | 2 | 8–5–1 | .607 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MIAA Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association is an athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. The nine teams in the conference are all located in the states of Michigan and Indiana. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association was established on March 24, 1888, making... |
| Charles Bemies Charles Bemies Charles Otis Bemies was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach and Presbyterian minister. He became acquainted with James Naismith while studying at Springfield College in the late 1880s... |
1899–1900 | 2 | 3–7–1 | .318 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MIAA |
| George Denham George Denman (American football) -External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com... |
1901–1902 | 2 | 7–9–1 | .441 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MIAA |
| Chester Brewer Chester Brewer Chester Leland Brewer was an American football, basketball, baseball, and track and field coach and athletic director... |
1903–1910, 1917, 1919 | 10 | 58–23–7 | .699 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Left MIAA in 1907 |
| John Macklin John Macklin John Farrell "Big John" Macklin was an American football player, coach of football, basketball, baseball and track and field, and a college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Michigan Agricultural College, now Michigan State University from 1911 to 1915... |
1911–1915 | 4 | 29–5–0 | .853 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| Frank Sommers Frank Sommers -External links:... |
1916 | 1 | 4–2–1 | .643 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| George Gauthier George Gauthier (American football) George E. "Gooch" Gauthier was an American football and basketball player, athletic coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Michigan Agricultural College, now Michigan State University, in 1918 and at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1921 to 1946,... |
1918 | 1 | 4–3–0 | .571 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| George Clark | 1920 | 1 | 4–6 | .400 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| Albert Barron Albert Barron -External links:... |
1921–1922 | 2 | 6–10–2 | .389 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| Ralph H. Young | 1923–1927 | 5 | 18–22–1 | .451 | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | Independent |
| Harry G. Kipke Harry G. Kipke Harry George Kipke was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. He was the head football coach at Michigan State College in 1928 and at the University of Michigan from 1929–1937, compiling a career record of 49–30–5... |
1928 | 1 | 3–4–1 | .438 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| Jim Crowley Jim Crowley James Harold "Jim" Crowley was an American football player and coach. He gained fame as one-fourth of the University of Notre Dame's legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield where he played halfback from 1922 to 1924. After a brief career as a professional football player, Crowley turned to coaching... |
1929–1932 | 4 | 22–8–3 | .712 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | 0 | Independent |
| Charlie Bachman Charlie Bachman Charles William "Charlie" Bachman, Jr. was an American college football player and head coach. Bachman was an Illinois native and an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, where he played college football... |
1933–1942, 1944–1946 | 13 | 70–34–10 | .658 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | 0 | Independent |
| Clarence Munn | 1947–1953 | 6 | 54–9–2 | .846 | 5–1 | .833 | n/a | 1 | 0 | 2 | Joined Big Ten in 1949 |
| Duffy Daugherty Duffy Daugherty Hugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships... |
1954–1972 | 19 | 109–69–5 | .609 | 72–50–3 | .588 | n/a | 2 | 3 | 4 | Big Ten |
| Denny Stolz Denny Stolz Dennis E. "Denny" Stolz is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Alma College , Michigan State University , Bowling Green State University , and San Diego State University , compiling a career college football record of 125–93–5.Stolz graduated... |
1973–1975 | 3 | 19–13–1 | .591 | 14–9–1 | .604 | n/a | 0 | 0 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Darryl Rogers Darryl Rogers Darryl Dale Rogers is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at California State University, Fresno , San Jose State University , Michigan State University , and Arizona State University , compiling a career college football record of 126–77–7... |
1976–1979 | 4 | 24–18–2 | .568 | 19–12–1 | .609 | n/a | 1 | 0 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Muddy Waters | 1980–1982 | 3 | 10–23–0 | .303 | 8–18–0 | .308 | n/a | 0 | 0 | 0 | Big Ten |
| George Perles George Perles George J. Perles is a former American football player and coach. He was a defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972–1981 and the head coach at Michigan State University from 1983–1994... |
1983–1994 | 12 | 68–67–4 | .504 | 53–42–2 | .557 | n/a | 2 | 7 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Nick Saban Nick Saban Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo... |
1995–1999 | 5 | 35–24–1 | .592 | 23–16–1 | .589 | n/a | 0 | 3 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Bobby Williams Bobby Williams - External links :* at RollTide.com... |
2000–2002 | 3 | 15–17 | .469 | 6–15 | .286 | n/a | 0 | 2 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Morris Watts Morris Watts -External links:* *... |
2002 | 1 | 1–2 | .333 | 1–2 | .333 | n/a | 0 | 0 | 0 | Big Ten |
| John L. Smith John L. Smith John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino... |
2003–2006 | 4 | 22–26 | .458 | 12–20 | .375 | n/a | 0 | 1 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Mark Dantonio Mark Dantonio Mark Dantonio is the current head football coach at Michigan State University. He was hired on November 27, 2006 and became the 24th head coach at Michigan State. He is credited for winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and his 4 game win streak over arch-rival Michigan... |
2007–present | 5 | 43–21 | .672 | 27–13 | .675 | 1* | 1 | 4 | 0 | Big Ten |
| Totals | 1896–present | 113 | 635–427–44 | .593 | 238–198–8 | .541 | 1 | 7 | 21 | 6 |
- The Big Ten split into the Leaders and Legends Divisions with the addition of Nebraska for the 2011 season. Michigan State has played in the Legends Division from 2011 to present.
Spartan Stadium
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
was increased to 26,000 and the facility was dedicated as Macklin Field. By 1957, upper decks were added to the east and west ends, boosting the capacity to 76,000. That same season Michigan State dropped the name Macklin Stadium in favor of Spartan Stadium.
In 2005 Michigan State finished a new $64 million expansion project to Spartan Stadium. It featured the addition of nearly 3,000 club seats in the "Spartan Club," 24 suites and a 193-seat press box, bringing the current stadium capacity to 75,005. The original World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era terracotta cast of the "The Spartan" statue was moved indoors to the atrium of the new structure to protect it from the elements and occasional vandalism, and a new bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
cast was made for outdoors. The 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) addition also houses the MSU Alumni Association, University Development and other units.
Spartan Stadium's capacity is 75,005, making it the Big Ten's
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
sixth largest stadium and 23rd largest college football stadium in the country. In 2010 Spartan Stadium had the 19th highest attendance in NCAA Division I FBS. Spartan Stadium is so loud that Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
’s Spartacus
Spartacus (film)
Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast...
(1960) uses a recording of the crowd noise during the 1959 Michigan State-Notre Dame game.
For the 2007 football season the student section had around 13,000 members. Like the basketball student section the Izzone, the Michigan State Student Alumni Foundation used to oversee a subgroup in the football student section named "Corner Blitz." When head coach Mark Dantonio
Mark Dantonio
Mark Dantonio is the current head football coach at Michigan State University. He was hired on November 27, 2006 and became the 24th head coach at Michigan State. He is credited for winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and his 4 game win streak over arch-rival Michigan...
took over the football program in 2006 "Corner Blitz" was united with the normal student section. Like Corner Blitz the entire student section now receives a special t-shirt which is voted on annually.
Duffy Daugherty Building / Skandalaris Center
In 2007 Michigan State expanded it's Duffy Daugherty Football Building with a $15 million expansion and renovation project. The face-lift started with construction of the 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) Skandalaris Football Center that features new team, staff and position meeting rooms, coaches' offices, MSU football Players Lounge and The Demmer Family Hall of History. MSU alumni Robert and Julie Skandalaris of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., donated $5 million as the lead gift for the $15 million project. In 2008, weight room was increased in size from 9,000 to 16500 square feet (1,532.9 m²) at a cost of $2 million. The complex includes a 86000 square feet (7,989.7 m²) indoor practice facility with a full in-door football field, two outdoor practice football fields and a training room with a rehab and hydrotherapy section.All-time record
At the completion of the 2010 season, Michigan State's all-time win/loss/tie record is 633–427–44.National championships
Michigan State claims a total of six national championshipsNCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
, three of which are consensus national championships after being declared the national champion by the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches' Poll in 1952, the Coaches' Poll in 1965, and the National Football Foundation in 1966.
| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"> | ||||
| Year | Coach | Selector | Record | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Clarence Munn | Helms Helms Athletic Foundation The Helms Athletic Foundation was an athletic foundation based in Los Angeles, founded in 1936 by Bill Schroeder and Paul Helms. It put together a panel of experts to select National Champion teams and make All-America team selections in a number of college sports including football and basketball... |
9–0 | |
| 1952 | Clarence Munn | AP Poll AP Poll The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation... , Coaches' Poll, Helms, National Championship Foundation, United Press |
9–0 | |
| 1955 | Duffy Daugherty Duffy Daugherty Hugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships... |
Boand | 9–1 | Won Rose 1956 Rose Bowl The 1956 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, 1956 was the 42nd Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 17–14. Michigan State halfback Walt Kowalczyk was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. The game was played on January 2, because New Year's Day was a Sunday... |
| 1957 | Duffy Daugherty | Billingsley, National Championship Foundation | 8–1 | |
| 1965 | Duffy Daugherty | Coaches' Poll, Football Writers Association, Helms, United Press | 10–1 | Lost Rose 1966 Rose Bowl The 1966 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1966 was the 52nd Rose Bowl Game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the #1 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 14–12. UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:... |
| 1966 | Duffy Daugherty | Helms, National Football Foundation, College Football Researchers Association | 9–0–1 | + |
| National Championships | 6 | |||
+ until 1971-72 season Big Ten schools were forbidden from participating in the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
in 2 consecutive years.
Big Ten Conference Championship Games
| Date | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA |
| December 3, 2011* | - | Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers football The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football... |
- | - |
- First Big Ten Championship Game.
Bowl games
| Date | Bowl | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA |
| January 1, 1938 | Orange 1938 Orange Bowl The 1938 Orange Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Auburn Tigers and Michigan State Spartans at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on January 1, 1938. It was the fourth Orange Bowl, and the first held in the stadium. The Tigers won 6–0, scoring the game's only points in the... |
L | Auburn Auburn Tigers football Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the... |
0 | 6 |
| January 1, 1954 | Rose 1954 Rose Bowl The 1954 Rose Bowl game, played on January 1, 1954 was the 40th Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 28–20. Michigan State halfback Billy Wells was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the first year that Michigan State University was counted in... |
W | UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
28 | 20 |
| January 2, 1956 | Rose 1956 Rose Bowl The 1956 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, 1956 was the 42nd Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 17–14. Michigan State halfback Walt Kowalczyk was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. The game was played on January 2, because New Year's Day was a Sunday... |
W | UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
17 | 14 |
| January 1, 1966 | Rose 1966 Rose Bowl The 1966 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1966 was the 52nd Rose Bowl Game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the #1 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 14–12. UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:... |
L | UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
12 | 14 |
| December 22, 1984 | Cherry Cherry Bowl The Cherry Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played in the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1984 and 1985. The Cherry Bowl is noteworthy as an early attempt to bring a game to chilly Michigan, years before the successful Motor City Bowl... |
L | Army Army Black Knights football The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946.... |
6 | 10 |
| December 31, 1985 | Hall of Fame Classic | L | Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
14 | 17 |
| January 1, 1988 | Rose 1988 Rose Bowl The 1988 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1988. It was the 74th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the USC Trojans 20-17. Michigan State Linebacker Percy Snow was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the last Rose Bowl game to air on NBC... |
W | USC | 20 | 17 |
| January 1, 1989 | Gator Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally... |
L | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
27 | 34 |
| December 25, 1989 | Aloha 1989 Aloha Bowl The 1989 Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl was a college football bowl game, played as part of the 1989-90 bowl game schedule of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the 8th Aloha Bowl. It was played on December 25, 1989, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game matched the Hawaii Rainbows... |
W | Hawaii Hawaii Warriors football The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors... |
33 | 13 |
| December 31, 1990 | John Hancock Sun Bowl The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl... |
W | USC | 17 | 16 |
| December 28, 1993 | Liberty 1993 Liberty Bowl The 1993 Liberty Bowl is the thirty-fifth annual college football bowl game, and was played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee on December 28, 1993 as part of the 1993-94 bowl season. The Louisville Cardinals accepted their invitation after their victory over the . The Michigan... |
L | Louisville Louisville Cardinals football The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship... |
7 | 18 |
| December 29, 1995 | Independence Independence Bowl The Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976.... |
L | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
26 | 45 |
| December 31, 1996 | Sun 1996 Sun Bowl The 1996 Norwest Sun Bowl, played on December 31, 1996, featured the and the Michigan State Spartans.Stanford scored first following a lateral from running back Josh Madsen to Leroy Pruitt. The 78 yard play went for a touchdown, and set the day for a Stanford rout. In the second quarter,... |
L | Stanford Stanford Cardinal football The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The... |
0 | 38 |
| December 25, 1997 | Aloha 1997 Aloha Bowl The 1997 Aloha Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 25, 1997 in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was part of the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Washington Huskies of the Pac-10 and the Michigan State Spartans of the Big Ten... |
L | Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... |
23 | 51 |
| January 1, 2000 | Citrus 2000 Citrus Bowl The 2000 Citrus Bowl was a college football bowl game following the 1999-2000 football season. The game matched the Michigan State against the Florida Gators.... |
W | Florida Florida Gators football The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference... |
37 | 34 |
| December 31, 2001 | Silicon Valley Classic | W | Fresno State Fresno State Bulldogs football The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they... |
44 | 35 |
| December 29, 2003 | Alamo 2003 Alamo Bowl The 2003 Alamo Bowl was an American football bowl game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Nebraska Cornhuskers played December 29, 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.... |
L | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... |
3 | 17 |
| December 28, 2007 | Champs Sports 2007 Champs Sports Bowl The 2007 Champs Sports Bowl was the 18th edition of the college football bowl game. It was part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, and was played on December 28, 2007 at the Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida.... |
L | Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
21 | 24 |
| January 1, 2009 | Capital One 2009 Capital One Bowl The 2009 Capital One Bowl was held on January 1, 2009 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The Georgia Bulldogs of the Southeastern Conference defeated the Michigan State Spartans of the Big Ten Conference by a score of 24–12. The game was televised to a national audience on ABC... |
L | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
12 | 24 |
| January 2, 2010 | Alamo 2010 Alamo Bowl (January) The 2010 Alamo Bowl was the seventeenth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 2, 2010. The game featured the Michigan State Spartans against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.The 2010 game was the last one to feature a team... |
L | Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders football Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
31 | 41 |
| January 1, 2011 | Capital One Capital One Bowl The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl... |
L | Alabama 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team The 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 118th overall season, 78th as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 19th within the SEC Western Division... |
7 | 49 |
| Total | 21 Bowl Games | 7-14 | 378 | 488 |
Rivalry Trophy games
- Megaphone TrophyMegaphone TrophyStarted in 1949 the Megaphone Trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the football game between the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. Notre Dame and Michigan State started competing against each other 114 years ago in 1897...
vs. Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
- The Megaphone Trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the football game between the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. The rivalry includes games such as the Game of the Century, arguably the greatest college football game ever played. The Megaphone Trophy series record is 31–26–1 in favor of Notre Dame. Michigan State won the Megaphone Trophy in 2010 after beating the Irish 34-31 in East Lansing on a OT fake field goal play known as "Little Giants."
- Old Brass SpittoonOld Brass SpittoonThe Old Brass Spittoon is the name of the trophy that is annually awarded to the winner of the Big Ten Conference college football game between Indiana University and Michigan State University. First presented in 1950, it was Michigan State's idea to start up the trophy and Indiana quickly accepted...
vs. Indiana HoosiersIndiana Hoosiers footballThe Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
- The Old Brass SpittoonSpittoonA spittoon is a receptacle made for spitting into, especially by users of chewing and dipping tobacco. It is also known as a cuspidor , although that term is also used for a type of spitting sink used in dentistry."Spittoon" can also be slang American English...
is presented to the winner of the IndianaIndiana University BloomingtonIndiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
-Michigan State footballCollege footballCollege football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game which was first presented in 19501950 in sports-American football:* NFL Championship – Cleveland Browns win 30–28 over the Los Angeles Rams* Oklahoma Sooners – college football champions.* Coaches Poll established to rank top 20 American college football teams-Association football:...
. Michigan State currently leads the all-time trophy series 40–12–1. Though Indiana and MSU will be in opposite divisions in the Big Ten conference starting with the 2011 season, this rivalry game is to be scheduled every year. The Spartans currently hold the Old Brass Spittoon after beating Indiana 55-3 in 2011.
- Paul Bunyan TrophyPaul Bunyan TrophyThe Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
vs. Michigan WolverinesMichigan Wolverines footballThe Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
- The Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game between the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
WolverinesMichigan WolverinesThe Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
. The winner retains possession of the trophyTrophyA trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
until the next year's game. Michigan State currently trails the trophy series, which dates back to 1904 67–31–5. Michigan State has won the Paul Bunyan Trophy the last four years, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
- Land Grant TrophyLand Grant TrophyThe Land Grant Trophy is presented to the winner of each football game between Michigan State and Penn State. The Michigan State Spartans are the current holder of the Land Grand Trophy after beating Penn State 28-22 in State College, PA; the victory ensured that the Spartans won a share of the...
vs. Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
- The Land Grant Trophy is named so because both Penn State University and Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
are the nation's oldest land-grant universities, both founded in 1855 (Michigan State on February 12 and Penn State on February 22). When Penn State joined the Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten ConferenceThe Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
in 1993, the Nittany Lions and Spartans have played each other for the trophy in the last week of conference play, this streak ended after the 2010 season. The trophy, designed by former Michigan State coach George PerlesGeorge PerlesGeorge J. Perles is a former American football player and coach. He was a defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972–1981 and the head coach at Michigan State University from 1983–1994...
, features pictures of Penn State's Old MainOld Main (Pennsylvania State University)Old Main, originally called "Main Building" is The Pennsylvania State University’s first building of major significance. It was completed in 1863 after a six-year period of construction. Hugh McAllister designed the structure to contain classrooms, laboratories, offices, a chapel, and residential...
and Michigan State's Beaumont TowerBeaumont TowerBeaumont Tower , designed by the architectural firm of Donaldson and Meier, is a structure on the campus of Michigan State University. The tower marks the site of College Hall, the first building in America erected for instruction in scientific agriculture.During its dedication ceremony the...
. Penn State leads the trophy series 13–5. MSU and PSU are now in opposite Big Ten conference divisions, and not scheduled to play each other from 2011 - 2014. Michigan State is the current holder of the Land Grand Trophy after beating Penn State 28-22 in State College, PA; the victory ensured that the Spartans won a share of the 2010 Big Ten Championship
Game of the Century
The 1966 Michigan State vs. Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
football game ("The Game of the Century
Game of the Century (college football)
The phrase "Game of the Century" is a superlative that has been applied to several college football contests played in the 20th century, the first full century of college football in the United States...
") remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history. The game was played in Michigan State's Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium (East Lansing)
Spartan Stadium opened in 1923 in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Michigan State University Spartans...
on November 19, 1966. Michigan State entered the contest 9–0 and ranked #2, while Notre Dame entered the contest 8–0 and ranked #1. Notre Dame elected not to try for the end zone on the final series, thus the game ended in a 10–10 tie with both schools recording national championships.
Players
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- Brad Van PeltBrad Van PeltBrad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
- 1972- Fred Biletnikoff AwardFred Biletnikoff AwardThe Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
- Fred Biletnikoff Award
- Charles Rogers - 2002
- Dick Butkus AwardDick Butkus AwardThe Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football...
- Dick Butkus Award
- Percy SnowPercy SnowPercy Lee Snow is a retired American football linebacker who played at Michigan State University and was a first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Snow made the College Football All-America Team at Michigan State...
- 1989- Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
- Lombardi Award
- Percy SnowPercy SnowPercy Lee Snow is a retired American football linebacker who played at Michigan State University and was a first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Snow made the College Football All-America Team at Michigan State...
- 1989
- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
- Ed BagdonEd BagdonEdward Bagdon was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Michigan State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1950 NFL Draft....
- 1949- Chicago Tribune Silver FootballChicago Tribune Silver FootballThe Chicago Tribune Silver Football is awarded by the Chicago Tribune to the college football player determined to be the best player from the Big Ten Conference. The award has been presented annually since 1924, when Red Grange of Illinois was the award's first recipient.The winner of the Silver...
- Chicago Tribune Silver Football
- Eric Allen - 1971
- Larry BetheaLarry BetheaLarry Bethea was an American football defensive lineman who played six years in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He later played for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders and Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League...
- 1977 - Lorenzo WhiteLorenzo WhiteLorenzo Maurice White , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He attended Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. A 5 ft 11 in running back from Michigan State University, White played in 8...
- 1987
College Football Hall of Famers
- Charlie BachmanCharlie BachmanCharles William "Charlie" Bachman, Jr. was an American college football player and head coach. Bachman was an Illinois native and an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, where he played college football...
- Don ColemanDon ColemanDon Edwin Coleman is a former American football player. Coleman played high school football at Flint Central High School and college football at Michigan State University. He was a unanimous All-American in 1951, the first African-American All-American football player at Michigan State...
- Duffy DaughertyDuffy DaughertyHugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965 and 1966 teams won national championships...
- Biggie MunnBiggie MunnClarence Lester "Biggie" Munn was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator in the United States. He was the head football coach at Albright College , Syracuse University , and most notably Michigan State College , where his 1952 squad won a national championship...
- John PingelJohn PingelJohn Spenser Pingel was an American football halfback. He played for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected as a first-team All-American in both 1937 and 1938. He holds the all-time NCAA record for most punting yards in a season with 4,138 yards in 1938...
- Bubba SmithBubba SmithCharles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
- Brad Van PeltBrad Van PeltBrad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
- Gene WashingtonGene Washington (Vikings)Eugene Washington is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos . He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.-College career:...
- Frank Waters
- George Webster
Michigan State's All-Time Team
Chosen in 2001 by Athlon SportsOffense
WR Gene Washington
Gene Washington (Vikings)
Eugene Washington is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos . He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.-College career:...
1964–66
WR Andre Rison
Andre Rison
Andre Previn Rison is a retired American football wide receiver who played professionally for the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and the Canadian Football League's...
1985–88
TE Billy Joe DuPree
Billy Joe Dupree
Billy Joe DuPree is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League who played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:DuPree was born and reared in Monroe, Louisiana...
1970–72
E Robert Carey
Bob Carey (American football)
Robert Winfield Carey was an American football end in the National Football League. He was a first round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1952 NFL Draft from Michigan State University. He played with the Rams from 1952 to 1956...
1949–51
OL Sid Wagner
Sid Wagner
Sidney P. "Sid" Wagner was an American football lineman for the Michigan State Spartans and for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. Wagner was a consensus All-American in 1935...
1933–35
OL Don Coleman
Don Coleman
Don Edwin Coleman is a former American football player. Coleman played high school football at Flint Central High School and college football at Michigan State University. He was a unanimous All-American in 1951, the first African-American All-American football player at Michigan State...
1949–51
OL Dan Currie
Dan Currie
Daniel George Currie is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played nine seasons for the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams . He was an All-American linebacker and center at Michigan State in 1957...
1955–57
OL Ed Budde
Ed Budde
Edward Leon Budde , a product of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan and later Michigan State University, was the number one draft pick of the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1963....
1960–62
OL Tony Mandarich
Tony Mandarich
Ante Josip "Tony" Mandarich is a former football offensive lineman of the NFL. He was the first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1989, second overall behind quarterback Troy Aikman, and ahead of the third selection, running back Barry Sanders, the fourth selection, linebacker Derrick...
1985–88
OL Flozell Adams
Flozell Adams
Flozell "The Hotel" Adams is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State....
1994–97
QB Earl Morrall
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
1953–55
QB Steve Juday 1963–65
RB John Pingel
John Pingel
John Spenser Pingel was an American football halfback. He played for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected as a first-team All-American in both 1937 and 1938. He holds the all-time NCAA record for most punting yards in a season with 4,138 yards in 1938...
1936–38
RB Sonny Grandelius
Sonny Grandelius
Everett John "Sonny" Grandelius was an American football player, coach, announcer, and executive. He served as the head coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1959 to 1961, compiling a record of 20–11...
1948–50
RB Lorenzo White
Lorenzo White
Lorenzo Maurice White , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He attended Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. A 5 ft 11 in running back from Michigan State University, White played in 8...
1984–87
K Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...
1978–81
Defense
DL Blake Miller 1912–15
DL Ed Bagdon
Ed Bagdon
Edward Bagdon was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Michigan State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1950 NFL Draft....
1946–49
DL Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
1964–66
DL Larry Bethea
Larry Bethea
Larry Bethea was an American football defensive lineman who played six years in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He later played for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders and Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League...
1974–77
LB Dan Bass 1976–79
LB Carl Banks
Carl Banks
Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team...
1980–83
LB Percy Snow
Percy Snow
Percy Lee Snow is a retired American football linebacker who played at Michigan State University and was a first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Snow made the College Football All-America Team at Michigan State...
1986–89
LB Julian Peterson
Julian Peterson
Julian Thomas Peterson is a free agent linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State...
1998–99
DB Lynn Chandnois
Lynn Chandnois
Lynn Chandnois was a former standout professional American football player who earned All-American honors for the Michigan State Spartans in 1949, the NFL Player Of The Year award for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952 and twice made it to the Pro Bowl.After both his parents died, Lynn, who was born...
1946–49
DB George Saimes
George Saimes
George Thomas Saimes is a former American football defensive back and fullback for Michigan State University and the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, which produced American Football League Championships in 1964 and 1965...
1960–62
DB George Webster 1964–66
DB Brad Van Pelt
Brad Van Pelt
Brad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
1970–72
P Greg Montgomery
Greg Montgomery
Greg Montgomery is a former National Football League punter from for three teams. In his 9 NFL seasons, he led the NFL in yards per punt average three times , was selected to one Pro Bowl and finished his career with 22,831 punting yards and 120 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line...
1985–87
Current NFL players
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Muhsin Muhammad Muhsin Muhammad II is a retired American football wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft... Ogemdi Nwagbuo Ogemdi Sharron Nwagbuo is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State... Domata Peko Peko was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.The Bengals signed Peko to a five-year extension worth $29.3 million.-External links:*... Julian Peterson Julian Thomas Peterson is a free agent linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State... Dave Rayner David Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... Javon Ringer Javon Ringer is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football at Michigan State.... Jonal Saint-Dic Jonal Saint-Dic is an American football defensive end formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State.-Personal:... Eric Smith (American football) -2006:Smith was selected 97th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Smith had been rising on many draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft as he was praised for his instincts and physicality on the field. The Jets signed Smith to a contract on July 21, 2006.... Robaire Smith Robaire Fredrick Smith is an American football player who is currently a free agent.-High school and college career:... Drew Stanton Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:... Brett Swenson Brett Swenson is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Michigan State University.-Early life:... Devin Thomas Devin Thomas is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the New York Giants. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State... James Law James Law was Archbishop of Glasgow. Entering the church after graduation from university, he rose to the position of Bishop of Orkney, reorganising the diocese, before rising to hold the position of Archbishop of Glasgow.... Kevin Vickerson Kevin Darnell Vickerson is an American football defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft... Blair White Blair White is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Michigan State.-Early years:... |
Other famous players
- Fred ArbanasFred ArbanasFrederick Vincent Arbanas is an American former college and professional football player. Drafted out of Michigan State by the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961, he missed the 1961 season with injuries...
- Carl BanksCarl BanksCarl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team...
- Tony BanksTony Banks (quarterback)Anthony "Tony" Lamar Banks is a former professional American football quarterback.-High school years:...
- Ed BuddeEd BuddeEdward Leon Budde , a product of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan and later Michigan State University, was the number one draft pick of the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1963....
- James Caan
- Don ColemanDon ColemanDon Edwin Coleman is a former American football player. Coleman played high school football at Flint Central High School and college football at Michigan State University. He was a unanimous All-American in 1951, the first African-American All-American football player at Michigan State...
- Billy Joe DupreeBilly Joe DupreeBilly Joe DuPree is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League who played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:DuPree was born and reared in Monroe, Louisiana...
- Paul EdingerPaul EdingerPaul Edinger is a gridiron football placekicker, who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
- Wayne FontesWayne FontesWayne Fontes is a former American football coach and college and professional football player who was the head coach of the NFL's Detroit Lions from 1988 to 1996. His 67 wins and 71 losses are each the most for a head coach in team history.-Background and early career:Fontes was born in the...
- Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
- Peter GentPeter GentGeorge Davis Peter Gent was a Michigan State University basketball player and National Football League wide receiver turned novelist.-Early days:...
- Kirk GibsonKirk GibsonKirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
- Sedrick IrvinSedrick IrvinSedrick Irvin is the running backs coach for the University of Memphis.-Early years:Irvin played high school football at Miami High School where he was named a USA Today All-American in 1995...
- Mark Ingram
- Tony MandarichTony MandarichAnte Josip "Tony" Mandarich is a former football offensive lineman of the NFL. He was the first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1989, second overall behind quarterback Troy Aikman, and ahead of the third selection, running back Barry Sanders, the fourth selection, linebacker Derrick...
- Jim MillerJim Miller (quarterback)James Donald Miller is a former NFL quarterback, last under contract with the New York Giants. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 178th overall. Miller attended Waterford Kettering High School and graduated in 1989...
- Earl MorrallEarl MorrallEarl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
- Ike ReeseIke ReeseIsaiah "Ike" Reese is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
- Andre RisonAndre RisonAndre Previn Rison is a retired American football wide receiver who played professionally for the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and the Canadian Football League's...
- Paul RochesterPaul RochesterPaul "Rocky" Rochester is a former American football defensive tackle. He played for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets in the American Football League...
- Charles Rogers
- George SaimesGeorge SaimesGeorge Thomas Saimes is a former American football defensive back and fullback for Michigan State University and the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, which produced American Football League Championships in 1964 and 1965...
- Daryl TurnerDaryl TurnerDaryl Turner was a professional American football player that played wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League for four years. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans....
- Bill SimpsonBill Simpson (American football)William Thomas "Bill" Simpson is a former professional American football defensive back who played in the National Football League from 1974-1982. Before his NFL career, he played defensive back and punted for Michigan State University and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2nd round of...
- Bubba SmithBubba SmithCharles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
- Jeff SmokerJeff SmokerJeff Smoker is an American football quarterback who played for the National Football League's St. Louis Rams from 2004 to 2005. He was also the starting quarterback for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.-Michigan State:Jeff Smoker attended Michigan State University...
- Ben TownsendBen TownsendBen Townsend is an English football player who played in the Football League for Wycombe Wanderers.Townsend was born in Reading, Berkshire. He has played for Wycombe Wanderers, Woking, Farnborough Town, Maidenhead United and Basingstoke Town. Townsend is a versatile, confident player, who can play...
- Gene WashingtonGene Washington (Vikings)Eugene Washington is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos . He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.-College career:...
- Doug WeaverDoug Weaver-Additional sources:* Fitzgerald, Tim. Kansas State Wildcats Handbook: Stories, Stats and Stuff About K-State Sports -External links:...
- Lorenzo WhiteLorenzo WhiteLorenzo Maurice White , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He attended Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. A 5 ft 11 in running back from Michigan State University, White played in 8...
- Tyrone WillinghamTyrone WillinghamLionel Tyrone "Ty" Willingham is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University , the University of Notre Dame , and the University of Washington , compiling a career college football record of 76–88–1.-Early career:Willingham attended...