1974 Michigan State Spartans football team

The 1974 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1974 Big Ten football season. In their second season under head coach Denny Stolz, the Spartans compiled a 7–3–1 record (6–1–1 in conference games), finished in third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 270 to 196. In the final college football polls, they were ranked No. 12 by the AP (writers) and No. 18 by the UPI (coaches). In four games against ranked opponents, the Spartans lost to No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 4 Michigan, and defeated No. 20 Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State. On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 269.2 rushing yards and 87.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 202.1 rushing yards and 107.0 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Charlie Baggett with 965 passing yards, Levi Jackson with 942 rushing yards, and split end Mike Hurd with 18 receptions and 373 receiving yards. Baggett was selected as the team's most valuable player. Seven Michigan State players were selected by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first- or second-team players on the 1974 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Otto Smith at defensive end (AP-1, UPI-1); Terrence McClowry at linebacker (AP-1, UPI-1); James Taubert at defensive tackle (AP-2, UPI-1); Levi Jackson at running back (UPI-1); Greg Schaum at defensive tackle (AP-2, UPI-2); Charlie Ane at center (AP-2); and Tom Graves at defensive back (AP-2). The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. == Schedule == == Game summaries == === Michigan === On October 12, 1974, Michigan State lost to Michigan by a 21-7 score. The game, played at Michigan Stadium, attracted a crowd of 104,682, reported to be "the second largest crowd in modern N.C.A.A. history" behind the 1973 Michigan-Ohio State game. Gordon Bell led Michigan's rushing attack with 73 yards on 16 carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Dennis Franklin completed five of nine passes for 84 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jim Smith in the second quarter, but left the game in the third quarter with bruised ribs. Linebacker Dan Jilek also scored in the second quarter when he forced a fumble on a punt attempt and then recovered it in the end zone. === Ohio State === Michigan State manages a considerable upset at home, topping then #1 Ohio State, 16-13. Fullback Levi Jackson scores the final points of the game on an 88-yard TD run, followed by a Hans Neilsen point after touchdown. In a tumultuous finish, Ohio State fails to convert at the Spartans' 1-yard line as time expires. Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke went to referee Gene Calhoun and the team of officials to confirm that the Buckeyes had not attempted their second-down play before the clock ran out. == Roster == == See also == 1974 in Michigan == References ==