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1980 Michigan State Spartans football
Conference Big Ten Conference
Record3–8 (2–6 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Joe Pendry (1st season)
MVPSteve Smith
CaptainSteve Smith, Rodney Strata, George Cooper, Bernard Hay
Home stadium Spartan Stadium
Seasons
←  1979
1981 →
1980 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 4 Michigan $ 8 – 0 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
No. 15 Ohio State 7 – 1 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
No. 17 Purdue 7 – 1 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
Iowa 4 – 4 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Minnesota 4 – 5 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Indiana 3 – 5 – 0 6 – 5 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 5 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Illinois 3 – 5 – 0 3 – 7 – 1
Michigan State 2 – 6 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
Northwestern 0 – 9 – 0 0 – 11 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1980 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. The Spartans finished in ninth place in the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), compiled a 3–8 overall record (2–6 against Big Ten opponents), and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 278 to 221. [1] [2] The team's .273 winning percentage was the worst in program history since the winless 1917 season. [3] The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

In January 1980, Michigan State hired Frank "Muddy" Waters as its new head football coach after Darryl Rogers resigned to take over as Arizona State's head coach. Waters had played for Michigan State from 1946 to 1949 and had been a head coach at Hillsdale College (1954–1973) and Saginaw Valley State (1975–1979). [4]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback John Leister with 1,559 passing yards, Steve Smith with 667 rushing yards, Ted Jones with 568 receiving yards, and placekicker Morten Andersen with 57 points. [5] Punter Ray Stachowicz was selected by both the Associated Press (AP) and the United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1980 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [6] [7] [8] Several Michigan State players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following:

  • Morten Andersen ranked third in the Big Ten with 12 field goals made and a 66.7 field goal percentage, and seventh with 56 points scored. [9]
  • John Leister ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 247 pass attempts and 14 interceptions, and fifth with 1,559 passing yards and 1,658 total yards. [9]
  • Thomas Morris ranked second with 185 punt return yards and third with 7.1 yards per punt return. [9]
  • Steve Smith ranked fourth with nine touchdowns from scrimmage and sixth with 180 plays from scrimmage and 54 points scored. [9]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 13at Illinois
L 17–2046,377
September 20at Oregon*
L 7–3530,431
September 27 Western Michigan*
W 33–775,123
October 4No. 7 Notre Dame*
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI ( rivalry)
L 21–2676,821
October 11at Michigan
L 23–27105,263
October 18 Wisconsindagger
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
L 7–1776,173
October 25at Purdue
L 25–3669,231
November 1No. 9 Ohio State
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
L 16–4877,153
November 8 Northwestern
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
W 42–1060,157
November 15at Minnesota
W 30–1230,329
November 22 Iowa
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
L 0–4155,123
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Personnel

1980 Michigan State Spartans football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
TE 84 Scott Auer Fr
QB 15 Bryan Clark Jr
G 66 Mike Densmore Sr
RB 5 Tony Ellis
QB 12 Addie Gaddis
WR 24 Tony Gilbert Jr
WR 9 Otis Grant So
RB 22 James Hodo
RB 44 Rob Holland
RB 42 Derek Hughes
C 51 Joe Jacquemain
WR 25 Mike Jones
WR 21 Ted Jones So
TE 95 Al Kimichik Sr
QB 18 John Leister
G 71 Marv Mantos Jr
C 56 Tom Piette Jr
RB 30 Bruce Reeves Sr
RB 45 Andy Schramm Sr
RB 20 Steve Smith Sr
G 69 Rod Strata Sr
WR 38 Daryl Turner Fr
QB 15 Bert Vaughn Jr
OT 63 Dave Whittle Sr
WR 85 Jim Williams Jr
OT 72 Jeff Wiska Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
LB Terry Bailey
LB 54 Carl Banks Fr
CB 28 Jim Burroughs Jr
LB 39 George Cooper Jr
DE 91 Smiley Creswell Jr
DB 35 Tim Cunningham Fr
DB 48 Nate Hannah Fr
DT 93 Bernard Hay Sr
DT 86 Johnny Lee Haynes Sr
S 23 Todd Langerveld So
LB 43 Steve Maidlow Jr
DB 2 Mike Marshall Sr
LB 40 John McCormick Sr
DT 55 Howard McAdoo So
DB 13 Rick Milhizer Jr
DL 88 Ron Mitchem Jr
DB 27 Thomas Morris Jr
LB 58 Jim Neely So
DL Calvin Perkins
DL 83 Joe Stevens So
S 36 Tony Townsend Jr
CB 7 Chris Van Pelt So
DB Carl Williams
CB 32 Van Williams Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 8 Morten Andersen Jr
P 19 Ray Stachowicz Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Game summaries

At Illinois

On September 13, Michigan State lost to Illinois, 20–17, in Champaign, Illinois, to spoil Muddy Waters debut as the Spartans' head coach. Mike Bass kicked the game-winning field goal as time ran out. [10]

At Oregon

On September 20, Michigan State lost to Oregon, 35–7, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. After the game, Michigan State coach Muddy Waters said, "They just beat our face off." [11]

Western Michigan

On September 27, Michigan State defeated Western Michigan, 33–7, before a crowd of 75,12 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The victory was the first of the Muddy Waters era at Michigan State. The Spartans were assisted by five Western Michigan fumbles and two interceptions. The Spartans scored three touchdowns off Western Michigan turnovers. Michigan State tailback Tony Ellis scored three touchdowns. Morten Andersen kicked two field goals for the Spartans. [12]

Notre Dame

On October 4, Michigan State lost to Notre Dame (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll), 26–21. Notre Dame running back Phil Carter rushed for 254 yards in the game. [13]

Michigan State honored former head coach Duffy Daugherty at halftime.

At Michigan

On October 11, in the annual Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry game, Michigan State lost to Michigan, 27–23, before a crowd of 105,263 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Michigan took an early 10–0 lead, but Michigan State rallied back, aided by three Morten Andersen field goals, including a 57-yard conversion that set a Michigan State record. In the third quarter, with the score tied 13-13, Michigan State was penalized for roughing the kicker on a field goal attempt The penalty gave Michigan a first down at the nine-yard line, and three plays later John Wangler threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Carter. Stan Edwards rushed for 139 yards for Michigan. Michigan scored its final touchdown on a pass from Wangler to Craig Dunaway. Michigan intercepted a pass in the final minute-and-a-half of the game to stop the Spartans' final drive. [14]

Wisconsin

On October 18, Michigan State lost to Wisconsin, 17–7, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Wisconsin fullback Dave Mohapp rushed for 138 yards and scored a touchdown. Wisconsin's second touchdown followed a fumbled punt that was recovered in the end zone by Mark Subach. [15]

At Purdue

On October 25, Purdue defeated Michigan State, 36–25, in West Lafayette. Purdue quarterback completed 24 of 46 passes for 340 yards to break the NCAA career record for passing yardage. Hermann passed the prior record of 7,747 yards set by Jack Thompson from 1976 to 1978. Michigan State quarterback John Leister threw more passes (54) than Hermann, but completed only 18, had five interceptions, and lost a fumble. After the game, Michigan State coach Muddy Waters said, "John is pretty disgusted with himself." [16]

Ohio State

On November 1, Ohio State (AP No. 9) defeated Michigan State, 48–16, in front of a crowd of 77,153 persons at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Ohio State tallied 603 total yards in the game, and the Buckeyes' 48 points was the most allowed by Michigan State since 1976. [17]

Northwestern

On November 8, Michigan State defeated Northwestern, 42–10, before a crowd of 60,157 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State tailback Steve Smith rushed for 229 yards and a school record with four touchdowns. The Spartans totaled 571 yards of total offense. [18]

At Minnesota

On November 15, Michigan State defeated Minnesota, 30–12, before a crowd of 30,329 in Minneapolis. Michigan State quarterback John Leister passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Minnesota quarterback Tim Salem completed only 5 of 15 passes, threw two interceptions, and fumbled twice. [19]

Iowa

On November 22, Iowa shut out Michigan State, 41–0, before a disappointed crowd of 55,123 fans at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. After the game, Iowa coach Hayden Fry called it a "real fine victory," while Michigan State coach Muddy Waters said: "You saw it – rotten, lousy flat. It was about the worst game I ever saw. We were afraid it would happen, scared to death it would happen with an inexperienced team like we have." [20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "1980 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  2. ^ "2015 Michigan State Football Media Guide" (PDF). Michigan State University. p. 147. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  3. ^ "Michigan State Spartans School History". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Charlie Vincent (January 30, 1980). "Spartans pick Muddy Waters: Football coach is yet another surprise". Detroit Free Press. p. D1.
  5. ^ "1980 Michigan State Spartans Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Herrmann All-Big Ten Quarterback". The Blade, Toledo, Ohio (AP story). December 2, 1980. p. 30.
  7. ^ "Herrmann Finally On All-Big Ten Unit". Kentucky New Era (AP story). December 2, 1980. p. 16.
  8. ^ "College Football: All-Big Ten". Detroit Free Press. November 25, 1980. p. 4D.
  9. ^ a b c d "1980 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  10. ^ Charlie Vincent (September 14, 1980). "Illinois' final kick boots MSU". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1H, 6H.
  11. ^ "MSU mistakes mean wet woes vs. Ducks". Lansing State Journal. September 21, 1980. p. C1.
  12. ^ Charlie Vincent (September 28, 1980). "Special delivery: WMU hands Muddy his first win, 33-7". Detroit Free Press. p. 1F, 3F.
  13. ^ "Irish slip MSU trap, 26–21". Detroit Free Press. October 5, 1980. p. 1E.
  14. ^ "U-M wins 27-23 . . . but MSU can brag". Detroit Free Press. October 12, 1980. p. 1D, 13D.
  15. ^ "Badgers, Mohapp down Spartans". Green Bay Press-Gazette. October 19, 1980. pp. D1–D2.
  16. ^ "Hermann eclipses MSU, 36-25". Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1980. pp. 1H, 11H.
  17. ^ Charlie Vincent (November 2, 1980). "Spartans buried, 48–16, by Buckeyes". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1H, 8H.
  18. ^ "Hallellujah! Northwestern heals Spartan ills". Lansing State Journal. November 9, 1980. p. C1.
  19. ^ James Tinney (November 16, 1980). "'Start season now,' say surging Spartans". Lansing State Journal. p. C1.
  20. ^ James Tinney (November 23, 1980). "Iowa express wrecks Spartan respectability". Lansing State Journal. p. C1.
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