1969 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1969 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4–6 2–5 Duffy Daugherty 16th Ron Saul Franklin Foreman Rich Saul Spartan Stadium The 1969 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 1969 Big Ten football season. In their 16th season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 4–6 record (2–5 in conference games), finished ninth in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 231 to 202. They began the season ranked No. 12 in the preseason AP poll but dropped out of the poll after losing to Notre Dame and Ohio State in the third and fourth weeks of the season.1969 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1969-schedule.html2025 Michigan State Football Media Guide Michigan State University 204 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 203.1 rushing yards and 123.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 189.7 rushing yard and 214.7 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Bill Triplett with 715 passing yards, halfback Don Highsmith with 937 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and split end Frank Foreman with 22 receptions and 537 receiving yards.1969 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1969.html Four Michigan State players received first- or second-team honors from either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) on the 1969 All-Big Ten Conference football team: offensive guard Ron Saul (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive tackle Ron Curl (AP-1, UPI-2); defensive end Rich Saul (UPI-1); and linebacker Don Law (AP-2, UPI-2).No Hawks Named All-Big Ten The Daily Iowan 6 November 26, 1969 http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1969/di1969-11-26.pdfBucks Head All-Big Ten Oshkosh Daily Northwestern November 28, 1969 16 https://www.newspapers.com/image/24744248/?terms=phipps%2Badamle%2Bmandich%2Bdierdorf%2Bcurtis%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 Ron Saul was 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 1969 AP September 20 w y 12 Washington Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 27–11 63,022 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-spartan-power-slashes/183440277/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Spartan power slashes Huskies September 21, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 13 SMU Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 23–15 72,189 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-spartans-triumph-2315/168916569/ Chicago Tribune Spartans triumph, 23–15 September 28, 1969 March 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 l y y 14 Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 28–42 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-wild-irish-might/183358292/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Wild Irish might rocks and shocks MSU, 42–28 October 5, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 l y 19 Ohio State 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 21–54 86,641 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-buckeyes-kern-dazzles-sp/183502709/ The Fresno Bee Buckeyes' Kern dazzles Spartans before 86,641 October 12, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 w Michigan 13 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 23–12 79,368 'Just Played Poorly' -- Bo Detroit Free Press October 19, 1969 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41344004/um_vs_msu/ Newspapers.comIt's MSU, 23-12! Win over U-M Revives Rose Bowl Hopes Detroit Free Press Jack Saylor October 19, 1969 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41340685/its_msu_2312_win_over_um_revives/ Newspapers.comState romps to 23-12 victory The Michigan Daily Andy Barbas October 19, 1969 1, 11 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754159/419 Bentley Historical Library October 25 l y Iowa Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 18–19 56,471 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-125-to-go-cilek-passes/183505530/ Chicago Tribune 1:25 to go: Cilek passes Iowa to 19–18 triumph October 26, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 l y Indiana Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 0–16 77,533 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-hoosiers-end-msus-bo/183506575/ Detroit Free Press Hoosiers end MSU's bowl hopes, 16–0 November 2, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 l y Purdue 10 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 13–41 67,397 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-phipps-brown-lead-411/183504060/ The Saginaw News Phipps, Brown lead 41–13 rout of MSU November 9, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 l Minnesota Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–14 60,011 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-gophers-hold-spar/183504915/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Gophers hold; Spartans' bid intercepted November 16, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 39–7 25,606 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-spartans-rout-wildcat/183507460/ The Bay City Times Spartans rout Wildcats November 23, 1969 October 22, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1969 Michigan State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/174728 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics October 22, 2025 References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football