AP No. 24 | Coaches No. 24 2008 record 9–4 (6–2 Big Ten) | |
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell (2nd year) | ||
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.
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Previous season
In the 2007 season, the Spartans opened the season 4–0, but lost five of their next six games to put their record at 5–5. Michigan State ended up finishing the season 7–5 after defeating Purdue and Penn State.This qualified the Spartans into a bowl for the first time since the 2003 season. The Spartans played in the Champs Sports Bowl against ACC opponent Boston College, losing 24–21 to end Dantonio's first season at 7–6.
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.
Notable Players
Roster
QB#7 Brian Hoyer(SR)
QB#8 Kirk Cousins (FR)
QB#17 Charlie Snow (FR)
HB#23 Javon Ringer (SR)
HB#20 A.J. Jimmerson (JR)
HB#24 Caulton Ray (FR)
WR#2 Mark Dell (SO)
WR#84 Deon Curry (SR)
WR#3 B.J. Cunningham (FR)
WR#82 Keshawn Martin (FR)
WR#19 David Williams (SO)
Coaching staff
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.