Jan. 1, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. - As Michigan State prepares to take on Georgia in the 2009 Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day, catch up on all the latest information on the Spartans. The game begins at 1 p.m. in Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium and will be televised nationally on ABC.

ARTICLES:
Orlando Sentinel
Michigan State at last soaring once again
Michigan State Spartans return to Orlando

MLive.com
Spartans seek redemption
Spartans' seniors reflect on careers before bowl
Spartans' Blair White: Walk-on to top receiver
Spartans' Brian Hoyer seeks respect, milestone
Passing game difference-maker for MSU, Georgia

The Detroit News
Spartans savor spotlight
Swenson stays calm in points of pressure
Dantonio and MSU a perfect match

Detroit Free Press
MSU LB Jones to be in middle of action vs. Georgia
MSU hopes for similar bowl success story

The Oakland Press
MSU guard surpassing expectation

USA TODAY
Wiley, No. 19 Michigan State relish challenge

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spartans RB wants `perfect game' vs. UGA

Athens Banner-Herald
Battle of the backs
Hoyer happy with role
Walsh credits Spartans kicker for football fancy

Earl Morrall at Citrus Parade Video | Earl Morrall Interview

EARL MORRALL NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN -
Former Michigan State All-America quarterback and two-time All-Pro selection Earl Morrall has been selected honorary captain for Thursday's Capital One Bowl game against No. 16 Georgia. Morrall will address the team during the pre-game meal and join the Spartan captains at midfield for the coin toss.

A three-year letterman from 1953-55, he played for legendary Michigan State coaches Clarence "Biggie" Munn and Duffy Daugherty. A two-year starter for Coach Daugherty, Morrall completed 42-of-68 passes (.618) for 941 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 1955 while leading the Spartans to a 9-1 record, including a 17-14 victory over UCLA in the 1956 Rose Bowl. He completed 10-of-14 throws for a then-school record 274 yards in a 33-0 victory over Marquette in his final home game. Morrall, a consensus All-America selection as a senior, finished fourth in the balloting for the 1955 Heisman Trophy. The 1955 Spartans finished second in the final Associated Press and United Press International Polls, but were named National Champions by one major selector (Boand). His 140.5 career passing rating ranks second on MSU's all-time list.

A native of Muskegon, Mich., Morrall was selected in the first round of the 1956 National Football League Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent 21 years in the NFL, playing for six different teams: San Francisco (1956), Pittsburgh (1957-58), Detroit (1958-64), New York Giants (1965-67), Baltimore Colts (1968-71) and Miami (1972-76). In 21 NFL seasons, Morrall compiled a 60-31-3 career record as a starting quarterback, completing 1,379-of-2,689 throws (.513) for 20,809 yards, 161 TDs and 148 interceptions. He made four Super Bowl appearances during his career and won three championship rings (Super Bowls V, VII and VIII).

In 1968, Morrall completed 57 percent of his throws (182 of 317) for 2,909 yards and 26 TDs while leading Baltimore to a 13-1 regular-season record. He was named NFL MVP by both AP and UPI in 1968.

In 1972, Morrall replaced an injured Bob Griese and compiled a 9-0 record as the starter, helping Miami to a perfect 14-0 regular-season ledger. He was selected American Football Conference Player of the Year and AP Comeback Player of the Year in 1972.

Morrall currently resides in Naples, Fla.