Seeking the next rebuilding block

Sporting News, The, Dec 18, 1995 by Tony Barnhart

Rarely have two teams been happier to be spending the Christmas Holidays in Shreveport, La. After losing a heartbreaker to Penn State (24-20) in the final four seconds on November 25, Michigan State and first-year Coach Nick Saban thought they might get shut out of the bowls. And, from their perspective, that would have been a shame.

A 64-1 season for Michigan State easily could have been 8-3 as the Spartans lost to Penn State and were tied by Purdue (35-35) in the late stages of the game. But they could have just as easily been 2-9 as the Spartans were 4-1-1 in games decided by six or fewer points.So Michigan State, which is building a new program under Saban, counts its blessings, which included a huge 28-25 upset of Michigan.

LSU needed a surprising 28-0 victory over Arkansas, the SEC's Western Division champ, in the last game of the regular season on November 18 to qualify for its first bowl since the 1988 season. It is just the stamp of approval needed by first-year Coach Gerry Di-Nardo.

The Tigers appeared headed for a good season after a 3-1 start, which included a 12-6 upset of Auburn. But injuries to quarterback Jamie Howard and youth caught up with LSU. Still, like Michigan State, the Independence Bowl represents a reward for a good start to the rebuilding process of a football program.

KEY MATCHUP

LSU's Kevin Faulk was the nation's most highly recruited running back in high school last year and the Tigers were at their best when they let Faulk carry the offense.

He averaged 85.2 yards per game in seven starts and became even more important when freshman Herbert Tyler had to take over at quarterback because of injuries to senior Jamie Howard. Michigan State's rushing defense finished 10th in the Big Ten, giving up 4.5 yards per carry and 207 yards per game. If Faulk gets on track then the Tigers have the edge. If Michigan State can tighten up against the run, then the Spartans have a shot

STRANGE BUT TRUE

When you play Michigan State, you have to be careful. The Spartans can lull you into a false sense of security and then strike with their special teams. Indiana, for example, dominated the first half of its game with Michigan State, holding the ball for more than 50 plays while the Spartans had it only nine. But Michigan State got a 59-yard touchdown run by Marc Renaud, a 76-yard punt return by Scott Greene and an 87-yard kickoff return by Derick Mason and led, 21-7.

SKULL SESSION

Michigan State senior quarterback Tony Banks missed three games with an ankle injury but still had good season. The only negative in the Spartans' passing game was 18 interceptions, most in the Big Ten. Louisiana state has a plan to add to that total. As a pair, defensive ends James Gillyard and Gabe Northern are the best pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference. The tandem combined for 15 sacks during the regular season, as the Tigers recorded 35 sacks to rank fourth in the SEC. LSU is convinced it can get a pass rush on Banks, who completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,741 yards, 8 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and force Michigan State into turnovers that will provide some easy opportunities or the offense. The Spartans finished 8th in the Big Ten with a minus-1 turnover margin.