1984 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1984 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6–6 5–4 George Perles 2nd Nick Saban 2nd Jim Morrissey Jim Morrissey Spartan Stadium Cherry Bowl L Lost 6–10 vs. Army The 1984 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 1984 Big Ten football season. In their second season under head coach George Perles, the Spartans compiled a 6–6 record (5–4 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 193 to 187. In three games against ranked opponents, they defeated No. 13 Michigan and No. 18 Iowa, but lost to No. 8 Ohio State. The Spartans played in the program's first bowl game since 1965, losing to Army in the 1984 Cherry Bowl.1984 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 23, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1984-schedule.html2025 Michigan State Football Media Guide Michigan State University 205 April 23, 2025 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/msuspartans.com/documents/2025/8/29/2025_Michigan_State_Football_Media_Guide.pdf?timestamp=20250829045740 On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 141.5 rushing yards and 123.9 passing yards per game. On defense, and with Nick Saban in his second season as the Spartans' defensive coordinator, they held opponents to an average of 115.7 rushing yards and 212.9 passing yards per game. The team's individual leaders included quarterback Dave Yarema with 1,322 passing yards, Carl Butler with 581 rushing yards, wide receiver Mark Ingram Sr. with 21 receptions and 479 receiving yards, and kicker Ralf Mojsiejenko with 45 points scored (10 of 14 field goals, 15 of 20 extra points).1984 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 23, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1984.html Six Spartans were recognized by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team: linebacker Jim Morrissey (AP-2; UPI-1); defensive back Phil Parker (UPI-1); running back Carl Butler (UPI-2); center Mark Napolitan (AP-2); defensive lineman Kelly Quinn (AP-2; UPI-2); and placekicker and punter Ralf Mojsienenko (AP-2; UPI-2).Byars Unanimous All-Big Ten Choice The Blade (Toledo) November 28, 1984 36 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19841128&id=IW4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6808,35760091984 All-Big Ten Football team UPI.com November 19, 1984 http://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/11/19/1984-All-Big-Ten-Football-team/1750469688400/ Linebacker Jim Morrissey was the team captain and was also selected as the team's most valuable player.2025 Media Guide, p. 300. The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Schedule 1984 AP Eastern September 8 w y y Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO 24–21 35,825 https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-citizen-patriot-spartans-survive/170177164/ Jackson Citizen Patriot Spartans survive close call September 9, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 15 l y Notre Dame Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 20–24 76,919 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-notre-dame-nips-sp/166924145/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Notre Dame nips Spartans September 16, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 l y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–40 75,762 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-illinois-buries-spartan/170173472/ The Saginaw News Illinois buries Spartans, 40–7 September 23, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 l Purdue Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–13 64,819 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-msu-offense-fails-los/170174580/ The Flint Journal MSU offense fails, losing streak at 3 September 30, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 w y Michigan 13 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 19–7 105,612 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-reserves-td-sparks/170177320/ The Courier-Journal Reserve's TD sparks Michigan State over Michigan October 7, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 w y Indiana Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 13–6 63,890 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-butlers-late-dash/170177435/ Battle Creek Enquirer Butler's late dash lifts Spartan spirits October 14, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 l Ohio State 8 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 20–23 75,133 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-buckeyes-stay-o/170172480/ The Akron Beacon Journal Buckeyes stay on path to Rose Bowl October 21, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 w y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN 20–13 47,427 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-bowl-hungry-spartans/170177584/ Detroit Free Press Bowl-hungry Spartans attack Gophers, 20–13 October 28, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 w Northwestern Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 27–10 63,619 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-freshman-leads-ms/170177712/ The Grand Rapids Press Freshman leads MSU to 5th win November 4, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 w y Iowa 18 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 17–16 65,887 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-spartans-knock-i/170175977/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Spartans knock Iowa from lead November 11, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 17 l Wisconsin Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–20 61,702 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-badgers-bowl-ove/170176898/ The Duluth News-Tribune & Herald Badgers bowl over Spartans November 18, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com December 22 l y y Army Pontiac Silverdome Pontiac, MI Cherry Bowl 6–10 70,332 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-army-wins-cherry-bowl/166928604/ Detroit Free Press Army wins Cherry Bowl December 23, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Notre Dame Fighting Irish 0 3 7 14 Spartans 17 0 3 0 September 15 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 76,919 yes Q1 MSU Butler 15 yard run (kick failed) MSU 6–0 Q1 MSU Butler 23 yard run (Ingram pass from Yarema) MSU 14–0 Q1 MSU Mojsiejenko 24 yard field goal MSU 17–0 Q2 ND Carney 42 yard field goal MSU 17–3 Q3 ND Pinkett 40 yard pass from Beuerlein (Carney kick) MSU 17–10 Q3 MSU Mojsiejenko 43 yard field goal MSU 20–10 Q4 ND Jackson 8 yard pass from Beuerlein (Carney kick) MSU 20–17 Q4 ND Pinkett 5 yard run (Carney kick) ND 24–20 yes 1984 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry Gainesville Sun. 1984 Sept 16. At Michigan Spartans 7 6 3 3 Wolverines 0 7 0 0 October 6 Michigan Stadium 105,612 yes Q1 MSU Butler 1 yard run (Mojsiejenko kick) MSU 7–0 Q2 MSU Morse 87 yard punt return (kick failed) MSU 13–0 Q2 MICH Garrett 1 yard run (Bergeron kick) MSU 13–7 Q3 MSU Mojsiejenko 49 yard field goal MSU 16–7 Q4 MSU Mojsiejenko 30 yard field goal MSU 19–7 yes 1984 Michigan Wolverines football team MSU springs an upset, 19–7: Wolverines lose QB, too Detroit Free Press Tommy George October 7, 1984 1F, 7F https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42628561/msu_springs_an_upset_197/ Newspapers.com Ohio State Buckeyes 3 6 7 7 Spartans 0 0 6 14 October 20 Spartan Stadium 1:00 p.m. EDT 2:45 75,133 Cloudy; 55 F; wind 12–17 mph on S John Nealon yes Q1 2:14 OHST Spangler 36 yard field goal OHST 3–0 Q2 2:23 OHST Spangler 42 yard field goal OHST 6–0 Q2 0:10 OHST Spangler 30 yard field goal OHST 9–0 Q3 14:13 OHST Byars 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 16–0 Q3 9:03 MSU Morse 2 yard pass from Yarema (kick failed) OHST 16–6 Q4 11:40 MSU Ingram 75 yard pass from Yarema (pass failed) OHST 16–12 Q4 4:44 OHST Tomczak 1 yard run (Spangler kick) OHST 23–12 Q4 4:32 MSU Jackson 93 yard kickoff return (Rolle pass from Yarema) OHST 23–20 yes 1984 Ohio State Buckeyes football team At Iowa Michigan State at #18 Iowa Spartans 7 7 3 0 Hawkeyes 3 0 0 13 November 10 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 1:10 p.m. CST 3:00 65,887 ~42 F, cloudy, possible rain and snow, Wind N 10-20 mph on Otho Kortz yes Q1 7:29 IOWA Nichol 24-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q1 1:55 MSU L. White 2-yard run (Mojsiejenko kick) MSU 7–3 Q2 5:20 MSU Rolle 7-yard pass from Yarema (Mojsiejenko kick) MSU 14–3 Q3 2:23 MSU Mojsiejenko 24-yard field goal MSU 17–3 Q4 9:18 IOWA O. Gill 2-yard run (Nichol kick) MSU 17-10 Q4 0:44 IOWA Hayes 3-yard pass from Long (Long run failed) MSU 17–16 yes 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes football team November 11, 1984 OHIO ST. GRABS BIG TEN LEAD https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/11/sports/ohio-st-grabs-big-ten-lead.html The New York Times November 23, 2019 Vs. Army (Cherry Bowl) Cadets 0 7 0 3 Spartans 0 0 0 6 December 22 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan 70,336 Indoors yes 2 6:31 ARMY Clarence Jones 4-yard run (Stopa kick) ARMY 7–0 4 8:40 ARMY Craig Stopa 38-yard field goal ARMY 10–0 4 4:19 MSU Bob Wasczenski 36-yard pass from Yarema (pass failed) ARMY 10–6 yes 1984 Cherry Bowl 1984 Army Cadets football team ARMY WINS, 10-6, IN ITS BOWL DEBUT https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/23/sports/army-wins-10-6-in-its-bowl-debut.html The New York Times December 23, 1984 November 23, 2019 Personnel 1984 Michigan State Spartans y 95 Jr Veno Belk TE y 11 So Mark Ingram WR y Mark Ingram Sr. 60 Fr Pat Shurmur C y 34 Fr Lorenzo White RB y 73 Jr John Wojciechowski T y 14 So Dave Yarema QB 51 Jr Anthony Bell Anthony Bell (American football) LB y 41 So Shane Bullough LB 40 Sr Jim Morrissey LB y 32 Jr Phil Parker S y 93 Jr Kelly Quinn DE 36 Sr Lonnie Young CB y 2 Sr Ralf Mojsiejenko P/K y 23 Fr Greg Montgomery P y George Perles References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football Category:Long stubs with short prose