April 16, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - With temperatures in the mid-70s, Michigan State second-year head football coach John L. Smith sent his team through a 110-play "controlled" scrimmage in Spartan Stadium Friday, April 16 to conclude the third week of spring practice.

"We saw great competition today," Smith said. "The players took the intensity and emotion to another level. Nobody backed down. The guys fought each other for 110 plays and were disappointed when I blew the whistle at the end of practice, because they wanted to keep going.

"The defense did a great job and won today's battle. The defense found a way to come up with third-down stops. The offense went three-and-out on seven of 15 possessions. The defense also didn't give up many big plays.

"We're definitely making some progress. The offense took better care of the ball today, committing only one turnover (lost fumble). The first-team offense needs to show more consistency moving the football. The bottom line is we need to develop more leadership on the first unit.

"It's been a difficult spring for our inexperienced offensive line and quarterback because we've thrown a ton of material at them. In the long run, I really believe that's going to payoff."

Stephen Reaves completed 12-of-20 throws for 76 yards in Friday's scrimmage.

The first-team defense nearly posted a shutout as the first-team offense failed to score on its first seven possessions. On its eighth and final series, the first-team offense, led by red-shirt freshman Stephen Reaves (6-1, 200), put together a five-play, 52-yard scoring drive.

Linebacker Ronald Stanley (6-0, 232, Sr.) paced the first-team defense with eight tackles, including 2.5 sacks for 24 yards. Strong safety Cole Corey (5-10, 191, R-Fr.) recorded seven tackles, while free safety Jason Harmon (5-11, 199, Sr.) contributed four stops.

"Ronald Stanley seemed to be all over the field, making tackles," Smith said. "Ronald ran down plays on both sidelines, stuffed runs up the middle and sacked the quarterback. He had a smile on his face every time he came off the field. Ronald is a different player this year because he played hurt (shoulder) most of last season."

"The defense had a good day," Stanley said. "The offense seemed a little out of sync, so the defense had its way. The offense ran the ball well in the first two scrimmages, but we came out focused on shutting down the running game today.

"I had a lot of fun today. I like being involved in pressuring the quarterback, so I got to blitz a few times today and came up with a couple of sacks."

Defensive end Michael Bazemore (6-3, 260, Jr.) led the second-team unit with six tackles, including a 3-yard sack.

Reaves took all of the snaps with the first-team offense and completed 12-of-20 throws for 76 yards. His 25-yard completion to Matt Trannon (6-6, 228, Jr.) on a third-and-7 play set up the first unit's only touchdown. Two plays later, Jason Teague (5-9, 191, Jr.) scored on a 24-yard run up the middle.

"Stephen Reaves made some good decisions and didn't throw the ball up for grabs," Smith said. "We've thrown so much material at Stephen that the light hasn't gone on yet, but he's improved each week."

Damon Dowdell accounted for 149 total yards and two scores in Friday's scrimmage.

Veteran quarterback Damon Dowdell (6-1, 220, Sr.) accounted for 149 total yards and two scores while directing three TD drives for the second-team offense. He hit 4-of-9 passes for 88 yards and rushed for a scrimmage-best 61 yards on seven carries.

"With Damon Dowdell at quarterback, the second team showed more composure and leadership," Smith said. "The second-team offense displayed some want, some grit and some focus. We need to develop those same traits with the first unit."

Dowdell capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive with a 9-yard TD strike to Aaron Alexander (6-5, 196, Jr.) in the left corner of the end zone. He opened the next series with a 55-yard bomb to Alexander. Three plays later, Dowdell scored on a 1-yard sneak.

On the scrimmage's final possession, Dowdell converted a fourth-and-4 play by racing 34 yards around right end on a naked bootleg. Jehuu Caulcrick (6-0, 250, R-Fr.) finished off the five-play, 43-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run up the middle.

Jason Teague rushed for 46 yards on four carries, including a 24-yard TD run.

Teague gained 46 yards on only four carries, including his 24-yard TD gallop. He also had an 18-yard TD run wiped out by an illegal-shift penalty.

DeAndra Cobb (5-10, 191, Sr.) picked up 42 yards on 13 rushes, while Caulcrick contributed 36 yards on 10 attempts.

"Jehuu Caulcrick showed some toughness running the football today," Smith said. "Jehuu has to be that kind of bruising back for us all year."

Tight end Jason Randall (6-5, 260, Sr.) and Trannon had three receptions each for 31 and 30 yards, respectively. Nine different receivers caught at least one pass.

Alexander, who sat out six practices this spring including the first two scrimmages while recovering from off-season foot surgery, returned to the lineup and had an immediate impact. He caught two passes for 64 yards. His first catch, a 9-yarder from Dowdell, resulted in a TD and his second grab (55 yards from Dowdell) set up another score.

"Aaron Alexander brings a lot of positives to the field," Smith said. "He saw action with the second-team offense today and added some confidence and maturity to the lineup. Aaron also brings a ton of energy to the field. He's almost hyper when he's in the huddle."

"It felt good to score a touchdown today," Alexander said. "I'm just glad to be back out on the field with the guys. Physically, I'm probably 75-percent back from the foot injury, but I have to keep pressing forward.

"Offensively, the guys need to come out and play with more focus. The defense played with more intensity today and punished us. We got beat at the line of scrimmage. It all starts with the offensive line but unfortunately, we didn't get a great push."

JC transfer John Goss converted 6-of-11 field-goal attempts during Friday's scrimmage, including a 58-yarder.

John Goss (6-3, 217, Jr.), a transfer from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, continues to push incumbents Dave Rayner (6-2, 207, Sr.) and Brandon Fields (6-6, 233, So.) for the placekicking and punting duties, respectively. Goss converted 6-of-11 field-goal attempts, including a 58-yarder, and averaged 50.3 yards on three punts, including a 58-yarder. Rayner also hit 6-of-11 field-goal tries, including a 47-yarder, while Fields averaged 44.5 yards on four punts, including a 59-yarder.

Michigan State concludes its 15 spring practices with the Green-White intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. Admission is free. Following the scrimmage, Spartan players will be available for autographs on the field.

Additional Spring Football Notes:
* The only injury occurred on the first play of Friday's 110-play scrimmage as strong safety Greg Cooper (5-11, 185, So.) sprained his shoulder while tackling tight end Jason Randall after a 19-yard reception from Stephen Reaves.

* Michigan State's coaching staff and players will conduct a youth football clinic prior to the Saturday, April 24 scrimmage. Children, ages 8-12, are invited to attend the youth clinic from 10-11:30 a.m. on the practice fields behind the Duffy Daugherty Football Building, located at the corner of Chestnut Rd. and Shaw Lane. Clinic participants and their parents are requested to enter the practice fields through the gate on Shaw Lane.

The purpose of the clinic is to introduce youngsters to the game by stressing fundamentals. No football gear is required. Admission is free for the youth clinic. Following the clinic, all participants will be provided a complimentary hot dog and Coke.

* The annual MSU Athletics Department and Concessions "Spring Garage Sale" will be held Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Sideline Shop, located at the south entrance of Spartan Stadium. Featured sales items include: new assorted football cleats and artificial turf shoes (low, mid and high tops) from sizes 8-18, blank game jerseys and T-shirts.