1973 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1973 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 5–6 4–4 Denny Stolz 1st Andy MacDonald 1st Ray Nester Michael Holt John Shinsky Spartan Stadium The 1973 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 1973 Big Ten football season. In their first season under head coach Denny Stolz, the Spartans compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 164 to 114. In four games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 17 UCLA, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 5 Michigan, and No. 1 Ohio State.1973 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1973-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 172.0 rushing yards and 58.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 190.1 rushing yards and 55.7 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Charlie Baggett with 516 passing yards, halfback Clarence Bullock with 496 rushing yards, and split end Mike Hurd with 11 receptions and 163 receiving yards.1973 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1973.html Defensive Bill Simpson was the only Spartan to be selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1973 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Simpson received first-team honors from the UPI and second-team honors from the AP. Other Spartans received second-team honors, including defensive tackle John Shinsky, linebackers Ray Nester and Terence McClowry, and defensive back Mark Niesen.1973 AP All Big Ten Football Team Piqua Daily Call November 27, 1973 11 https://www.newspapers.com/image/43056027/?terms=franklin%2Bgriffin%2BhobanBucks, Wolves Dominate: Buckeyes Place 10 On All-Big Ten Team The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) November 28, 1973 11B https://www.newspapers.com/image/78749989/?terms=franklin%2Bgriffin%2Bhoban%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 Nester 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 1973 AP September 15 l y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 10–14 27,305 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-turnovers-hurt-michigan/181868000/ The Saginaw News Turnovers hurt Michigan State September 16, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 w y y Syracuse Archbold Stadium Syracuse, NY 14–8 21,821 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-last-minute/181585597/ Evansville Courier & Press Last minute rally gives Spartans win September 23, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 l y UCLA 17 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 21–34 60,850 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-johnsons-3-tds-lift-ucl/181653228/ Oakland Tribune Johnson's 3 TDs lift UCLA past Spartans September 30, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 l y y Notre Dame 8 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 10–14 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-irish-hold-off-m/181651162/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Irish hold off MSU, 14–10 October 7, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 l Michigan 5 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 0–31 78,263 No Contest! M 31, MSU 0: No. 4 Wolverines Frolic in the Rain Detroit Free Press Charlie Vincent October 14, 1973 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5645391/no_contest_m_31_msu_0_no_4/ Newspapers.com June 27, 2016 October 20 l Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 3–6 63,303 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-beavers-kic/181867171/ Evansville Courier & Press Beavers kicks by Spartans, 6–3 October 21, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 w y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 10–7 55,291 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-spartans-thrive-on-gr/181868084/ The Flint Journal Spartans thrive on 'grass' – and rain is deterrent October 28, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 w y Wisconsin Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 21–0 54,010 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-spartans-whip-bad/181868116/ The Grand Rapids Press Spartans whip Badgers, 21–0 November 4, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 l y Ohio State 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 0–35 87,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-ohio-state-shut/181866311/ The Decatur Daily Review Ohio State shuts out MSU November 11, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 17 w Indiana Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 10–9 50,116 https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-citizen-patriot-defense-keeps-ms/181868187/ Jackson Citizen Patriot Defense keeps MSU's Big 10 .500 bid alive November 18, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 24 w y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 15–6 31,119 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-defense-sparkles-in-msu/181868243/ The Saginaw News Defense sparkles in MSU's 15–6 victory November 25, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1973 Michigan State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/363884 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 27, 2025 Roster 1973 Michigan State Spartans y So Charlie Baggett QB y Fr Mike Cobb TE y 21 So Dane Fortney WR Mike Holt RB Tyrone Willingham QB y Denny Stolz Mike Rasmussen(Graduate assistant) Season summary At Ohio State 1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Michigan State Spartans 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan State Spartans at Ohio State Buckeyes November 10 1:30 p.m. Michigan St 0 0 0 0 Ohio St 7 14 7 7 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 87,600 36 F C Box Score First quarter OSU – Bruce Elia 1-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 3:24. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: Second quarter OSU – Bruce Elia 2-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 9:26. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: OSU – Neal Colzie 43-yard punt return (Blair Conway kick), 2:08. Ohio St 21–0. Third quarter OSU – Bruce Elia 2-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 8:57. Ohio St 28–0. Drive: Fourth quarter OSU – Pete Johnson 2-yard run (Blair Conway kick), 13:53. Ohio St 35–0. Drive: Top passers MSU – Tyrone Willingham – 1/2, 6 yards OSU – Cornelius Greene – 3/6, 31 yards, INT Top rushers MSU – Mike Holt – 13 rushes, 52 yards OSU – Archie Griffin – 21 rushes, 131 yards Top receivers MSU – Mike Cobb – 1 reception, 6 yards OSU – Elmer Lippert – 1 reception, 20 yards References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football Category:Long stubs with short prose