2008 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2012 2008 Michigan State Spartans football Michigan State Spartans alternate logo.svg 120 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 9–4 6–2 24 24 Mark Dantonio 2nd Don Treadwell 2nd Pat Narduzzi 2nd Spartan Stadium (c. 75,005 natural grass) Capital One Bowl L 12–24 vs. Georgia The 2008 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Mark Dantonio. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was Dantonio's second season as the Spartans head coach. Schedule The Spartans opened the 2008 season at California Memorial Stadium against California of the Pac-10. The game ended the home and home between Michigan State and California. The other game was played in the 2002 season at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State played their next three games at home against MAC opponent and instate rival Eastern Michigan, Sun Belt opponent Florida Atlantic, and rival Notre Dame. Following the conclusion of the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Spartans began Big Ten play with an away game against Indiana and opened October with their first Big Ten home game against Iowa. The Spartans then traveled to Evanston, Illinois, to avenge a 2007 overtime loss against Northwestern. The following week, Michigan State returned to East Lansing to play against 2007 BCS runner-up Ohio State. Michigan State ended October in Ann Arbor to play in-state rival and nemesis Michigan. The Spartans opened their final month of the regular season against Wisconsin. The following week, Michigan State played its final home game of the season against Purdue. The Spartans had a bye week before traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania to play their final game of the season against Penn State. 2008 AP Eastern August 30 8:00 p.m.http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050208aaa.html Spartans Open 2008 Football Season In Prime Time At California Michigan State University Department of Athletics May 2, 2008 May 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080503181124/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050208aaa.html May 3, 2008 live l y y California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ABC 31–38 62,956 September 6 12:00 p.m.http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070208aaa.html Spartan Football Update: Kickoff Times Set For EMU, Florida Atlantic & Notre Dame Michigan State University Department of Athletics July 2, 2008 July 2, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080706080035/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070208aaa.html July 6, 2008 live w y Eastern Michigan Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI BTN 42–10 71,789Eastern Michigan vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/msu-emu.html#GAME.NEW Michigan State University Department of Athletics September 6, 2008 December 26, 2014 January 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105000540/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/msu-emu.html#GAME.NEW dead September 13 12:00 p.m. w y Florida Atlantic Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN2 17–0 70,321Florida Atlantic vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/fau-msu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics September 13, 2009 December 26, 2014 September 20 3:30 p.m. w y Notre Dame Megaphone Trophy Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC/ESPN 23–7 76,366Notre Dame vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/nd-msu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics September 20, 2009 December 26, 2014 January 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105051825/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/nd-msu.html dead September 27 12:00 p.m. w y Indiana Old Brass Spittoon Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN ESPN 42–29 31,832Michigan State vs Indiana http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/game04.html Indiana University Bloomington Department of Athletics September 27, 2009 December 26, 2014 October 4 12:00 p.m.http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051208aaa.html Two Iowa Football Game Times Announced University of Iowa Department of Athletics May 12, 2008 May 12, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517042304/http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051208aaa.html May 17, 2008 live w y Iowa Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN2http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/msu-m-footbl-sched.html MSU Football Schedule Michigan State University Department of Athletics September 29, 2008 September 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080930163239/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/msu-m-footbl-sched.html September 30, 2008 live 16–13 77,526http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/iowa-msu.html Iowa vs Michigan State Michigan State University Department of Athletics October 4, 2008 October 9, 2008 October 11 3:45 p.m.http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092908aac.html Big Ten Weekly Football Release-Sept. 29 Big Ten Conference September 29, 2008 September 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081002221336/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092908aac.html October 2, 2008 dead mdy-all w y 23 Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL ESPN2 37–20 32,527Michigan State vs Northwestern http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/msu-nu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics October 11, 2009 December 26, 2014 October 18 3:30 p.m. l 20 Ohio State 12 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC/ESPN2 7–45 77,360Ohio State vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/msu-osu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics October 18, 2009 December 26, 2014 January 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105022132/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/msu-osu.html dead October 25 3:30 p.m. w y Michigan Paul Bunyan Trophy Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ABC/ESPN2 35–21 110,146Michigan State vs Michigan http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/michmsu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics October 25, 2009 December 26, 2014 November 1 12:00 p.m. w 22 Wisconsin Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN 25–24 75,121Wisconsin vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uw-msu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics November 1, 2009 December 26, 2014 January 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090104185555/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/uw-msu.html dead November 8 12:00 p.m. w 18 Purdue Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI BTN 21–7 75,522Purdue vs Michigan State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/pur-msu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics November 8, 2008 December 26, 2014 November 22 3:30 p.m. l y 17 Penn State 7 Land Grant Trophy Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC/ESPN 18–49 109,845Michigan State vs Penn State http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/psumsu.html Michigan State University Department of Athletics November 22, 2008 December 26, 2014 January 1, 2009 1:00 p.m. l y 19 Georgia 16 Capital One Bowl Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL ABC 12–24 59,6812009 Capital One Bowl http://stats.fcsports.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175914/http://stats.fcsports.com/ dead March 3, 2016 Florida Citrus Sports January 1, 2009 January 2, 2009 Game summaries California Michigan State California 0 7 7 17 7 10 7 14 August 30 California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA 8:12 p.m. EST 3:38 62,956 73F, Wind: NW 5 MPH, Clear Brian O'Cain Ron Franklin (Play-by-play)Ed Cunningham (Analyst)Heather Cox (Sideline) ABC 2008 California Golden Bears football team thumb|Spartans at California Golden Bears Both teams were scoreless until a blocked Spartans punt resulted in a Bears touchdown in the first quarter. Cal scored again on a field goal by freshman kicker David Seawright in the second quarter. Michigan State responded when Otis Wiley intercepted a Nate Longshore pass and returning it for a touchdown, while Cal was able to counter with a touchdown run by Jahvid Best prior to the half. The second half saw both teams score back and forth. The Spartans struck first with a touchdown run by Javon Ringer, followed by Cal QB Kevin Riley connecting with Cameron Morrah for a touchdown. Ringer made his second touchdown run of the game in the fourth quarter, while Riley made his second touchdown pass of the game to Will Ta'ufo'ou. After a Spartans field goal, freshman running back Shane Vereen scored on an 81-yard touchdown run that gave the Bears their final score of the game. The Spartans countered with a touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell to get within 7 points and had a chance to tie the game with seconds left, but Hoyer threw four straight incompletions from midfield.Michigan State 31, California 38 https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap;_ylt=AreDi1tzktpeqj.ppytQp9RH1LYF?gid=200808300059&prov=ap Yahoo! Sports August 30, 2008 December 26, 2014 Longshore, who lost the starting quarterback job to Riley, threw for 62 yards with 2 interceptions. Riley threw for 202 yards with 2 touchdowns. The game marked the first time that two Cal running backs had completed over 100 yards rushing since the 2006 Holiday Bowl, with Best at 111 yards and Vereen at 101, respectively.Strong Cal Offense Gets 38-31 Win Against Michigan State http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle University of California–Berkeley Sports Information August 30, 2008 December 26, 2014April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Spartans quarterback Hoyer finished with 321 yards passing, including a touchdown and an interception. Ringer, who completed 1,447 yards rushing during the 2007 season, was held to 81 yards, which included 2 touchdowns. Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan Michigan State 0 7 0 3 7 14 7 14 September 6 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 12:03 p.m. EST 3:06 71,789 68 F, Wind: N 7 MPH, Sunny John Roggeman Mark Neely (Play-by-play)Glen Mason (Analyst)Shireen Saski (Sideline) BTN 2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team Florida Atlantic Florida Atlantic Michigan State 0 0 0 0 0 7 3 7 September 13 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 12:03 p.m. EST 3:05 70,321 68F, Wind: SSE 12 MPH, Rain John O'Neill Pam Ward (Play-by-play)Ray Bentley (Analyst) ESPN2 2008 Florida Atlantic Owls football team It was a rainy day in East Lansing. On the second play of the game FAU broke a would-be 79 yd touchdown run, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Because of the horrible weather conditions, the teams combined had 3 lost fumbles, and it was a low-scoring affair. Javon Ringer had a career-high 282 yards and added 2 touchdowns.Michigan St. Blanks FAU Behind Ringer's Career-High 282 Rushing Yards http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282570127 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204095421/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282570127 dead February 4, 2009 ESPN September 13, 2008 December 26, 2014 Notre Dame Notre Dame Michigan State 0 0 0 7 3 7 3 10 September 20 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 3:37 p.m. EST 3:13 76,366 79F, Wind: WSW 10 MPH, Sunny Thomas Tomczyk Brad Nessler (Play-by-play)Bob Griese (Analyst)Paul Maguire (Analyst)Stacey Dales (Sideline) ABC/ESPN 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Megaphone Trophy In week four, the Spartans welcomed undefeated rival Notre Dame. In the previous eight years of the rivalry, the visiting team had won each game. Michigan State was able to dominate the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 203 yards while holding Notre Dame to just 16 rushing yards. Javon Ringer, who had over 200 yards rushing on the game, brought out his offensive line, tight ends, and fullbacks to the post-game press conference to recognize them for their contributions.Michigan State RB Ringer Flattens Notre Dame with 201 Yards http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640127 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204081041/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640127 dead February 4, 2009 ESPN September 20, 2008 December 26, 2014 Indiana Michigan State Indiana 13 14 9 6 7 15 7 0 September 27 Memorial StadiumBloomington, IN 12:02 p.m. EST 3:40 31,832 F, Wind: MPH, Dan Capron Pam Ward (Play-by-play)Ray Bentley (Analyst) ESPN 2008 Indiana Hoosiers football team Old Brass Spittoon The Spartans and the Hoosiers met for the Old Brass Spitoon. This game featured a great deal of offense. Spartans QB Brian Hoyer finally had a break out game. It had all been Javon Ringer up until this point. In one of the most exciting plays of the game, Hoyer hit TE Charlie Gantt on an 83 yd TD pass. But the Hoosiers came back with an 80 yd TD run by Marcus Thigpen, who tore up the defense. It was 27–22 at halftime. The defense stepped up in the second half for the Spartans, allowing only one touchdown. In one of the crucial plays of the game, a 99 yd TD pass was called back on a holding penalty. The Hoosiers were on their own goal line, and the holding penalty caused a safety. That sucked the momentum out the Hoosiers as the Spartans went on to win 42–29. Brian Hoyer was 14–26, threw for 261 yds, and 2 TD's, while Javon Ringer improved his Heisman resume, rushing for 198 yds, and 2 TD's. The Spartans improved to a 4–1 record. Iowa Iowa Michigan State 0 3 3 7 7 6 3 0 October 5 StadiumEast Lansing, MI 12:02 p.m. EST 2:58 77,526 49F, Wind: NNW 4 MPH, Partly Cloudy Dennis Lipski Clay Matvick (Play-by-play)Ray Bentley (Analyst) ESPN2 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Michigan State got out to an early 13–0 lead behind two Brett Swenson field goals and a touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt. However, Iowa stormed back in the second half, with running back Shonn Greene running for 157 yards on the day. It took a late stop by Adam Decker on an Iowa fourth-and-one at the MSU 21-yard line to seal the victory for Michigan State. Iowa went on to win 6 of its final 7 games including a win in the Outback Bowl.Michigan State Makes Key Stop to Hold off Iowa http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780127 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204160305/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780127 dead February 4, 2009 ESPN October 4, 2008 December 26, 2014 Northwestern Michigan State Northwestern 17 7 10 3 0 7 10 3 October 11 Ryan FieldEvanston, IL 3:45 p.m. EST 3:17 32,527 73F, Wind: SSE 7 MPH, Sunny John O'Neill Pam Ward (Play-by-play)Ray Bentley (Analyst) ESPN2 2008 Northwestern Wildcats football team Ohio State Ohio State Michigan State 21 7 0 17 0 0 7 0 October 18 Spartan StadiumEast Lansin, MI 3:37 p.m. EST 3:08 77,360 54F, Wind: SE 7 MPH, Partly Cloudy Todd Geerlings Brad Nessler (Play-by-play)Bob Griese (Analyst)Paul Maguire (Analyst)Stacey Dales (Sideline) ABC/ESPN2 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Michigan Michigan State Michigan 7 7 7 14 7 7 7 0 October 25 Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI 3:35 p.m. EST 3:15 110,146 Low 50s, Wind: 10-20 MPH SW, Cloudy w/ Lt Rain Dave Witvoet Sean McDonough (Play-by-play)Chris Spielman (Analyst)Erin Andrews (Sideline) ABC/ESPN2 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team Paul Bunyan Trophy The Spartans struck first, scoring on a huge 61-yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White with just under 12 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Wolverines tied it up near the end of the first quarter when Brandon Minor scored on a 19-yard TD pass from Steven Threet (this score was the result of an incorrectly overturned call from the initial ruling of an incomplete pass). The Spartans took the lead back near the end of the half with a 64-yard TD run by Javon Ringer. The Wolverines tied it back up less than a minute later when Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 2 yards out. Midway through the third quarter, the Wolverines took their only lead of the game when QB Steven Threet ran in a touchdown himself from 2 yards out. However, the Spartans entirely controlled the game after that. The Spartans tied it back up when Charlie Gantt scored on a 4-yard TD pass near the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines were shut out in the fourth quarter. The Spartans took the lead for good in the fourth quarter when Javon Ringer ran in another TD, this time from 3 yards out, and capped their win when Josh Rouse scored on a 7-yard TD pass. Wisconsin Wisconsin Michigan State 7 3 7 7 0 6 7 12 November 1 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 12:02 EST 3:34 75,121 48F, Wind: NE 10 MPH, Mostly Sunny Bill LeMonniner Pam Ward (Play-by-play)Ray Bentley (Analyst) ESPN 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team Coming off of an emotional win against arch-rival Michigan, Michigan State appeared to suffer a bit of an emotional letdown against the underachieving Badgers. Wisconsin dominated the ground game on both sides of the ball, rushing for 281 yards while holding Michigan State to just 25 yards rushing. With Wisconsin leading 24–22 late in the fourth quarter with the ball in Spartan territory, the game appeared all but over. However, a holding call brought back what would have likely been the game-clinching first down for Wisconsin and forced them to punt. With 1:19 left to play, Brian Hoyer led a drive to set up the game-winning 44-yard field goal by Brett Swenson with 7 seconds remaining.Michigan State Stages Comeback Victory Over Wisconsin http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060127 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204192737/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060127 dead February 4, 2009 ESPN November 1, 2008 December 26, 2014 Purdue Purdue Michigan State 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 0 November 8 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 12:03 p.m. EST 3:09 75,522 37F, Wind: SW 13–24 MPH, Cloudy Dennis Lipski Wayne Larrivee (Play-by-play)Charles Davis (Analyst)Charissa Thompson (Sideline) BTN 2008 Purdue Boilermakers football team Penn State Michigan State Penn State 0 7 0 11 7 21 14 7 November 22 Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA 3:33 p.m. EST 3:21 109,845 28F, Wind: NW 10–15 MPH, Cold & Blustery, Snow David Witvoet Mike Patrick (Play-by-play)Todd Blackledge (Analyst)Holly Rowe (Sideline) ABC/ESPN2 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team Land Grant Trophy Coming into the game, Michigan State had a chance to clinch a share of their first Big Ten title since 1990. However, Penn State held Javon Ringer to 42 yards on 17 carries as the Lions beat Michigan state 49–18. Daryll Clark threw for 341 yards and 4 touchdown passes.Clark Passes for 341 Yards, 4 TDs as Penn State Slams Spartans http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270213 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204175536/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270213 dead February 4, 2009 ESPN November 22, 2008 December 26, 2014 Capital One Bowl Georgia Michigan State 3 0 14 7 3 3 0 6 January 1 Citrus BowlOrlando, FL 1:07 p.m. EST 3:19 59,681 67F, Wind: E 24 MPH, Breezy Karl Richins Mike Patrick (Play-by-play)Todd Blackledge (Analyst)Holly Rowe (Sideline) ABC 2009 Capital One Bowl 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team Personnel 2008 Michigan State Spartans y 8 Fr Kirk Cousins QB y 3 Fr B.J. Cunningham WR y 84 Sr Deon Curry WR 2 So Mark Dell WR 7 Sr Brian Hoyer QB y 20 Jr A.J. Jimmerson RB 82 Fr Keshawn Martin WR y 24 Fr Caulton Ray RB 23 Sr Javon Ringer RB y 17 Fr Charlie Snow QB 25 Jr Blair White WR y 19 So David Williams So 5 Fr Johnny Adams CB y Johnny Adams (gridiron football) Jeremy Ware CB y Jeremy Ware (American football) Brett Swenson K y Mark Dantonio ==Coaching staff== Don Treadwell – Offenvie Coordinator/Wide Receivers coach Dave Warner – Quarterbacks coach Dan Enos – Running backs coach Mark Staten – Tight ends coach/Tackles/Recruiting Coordinator Dan Roushar – Offensive line coach Pat Narduzzi – Defensive Coordinator Ted Gill – Defensive line coach Mike Tressel – Linebackers coach/Special Teams Coordinator Harlon Barnett – Secondary coach 2009 NFL draft Only one Spartan was selected in the 2009 NFL draft. However, quarterback Brian Hoyer signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. Michigan State Spartans Player Round Pick Position NFL team Javon Ringer 5 173 Running Back Tennessee Titans References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football