Mike Lucas: Michigan State expectations 'very high,' QB Hoyer says

Mike Lucas  —  8/19/2008 8:12 pm

Editor's note: Part 6 of a series previewing each Big Ten Conference football team (scroll to bottom for complete schedule). Coming Wednesday: Ohio State

One loss continues to haunt Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer. "I remember it being close, and I remember we had the opportunity to win," he said.

Despite generating 564 yards of total offense, the Spartans still lost a 37-34 shootout to the University of Wisconsin last September at Camp Randall Stadium.

"What was really frustrating," recalled Hoyer, who completed 22 of 36 passes for a season-high 323 yards against the Badgers, "was that we could have started off 5-0 with a win (in Madison)."

After winning four straight nonconference games to open the season, the Spartans dropped five of their next six games.

They were close.

They lost in overtime to Northwestern and double overtime to Iowa. They also lost three one-possession games by margins of three, four and seven points.

The silver lining?

"The Wisconsin game showed us that we have the talent to hang with anybody in the Big Ten," said Hoyer, a fifth-year senior from Cleveland St. Ignatius.

"It also showed us that we can take the next step and beat anybody in the Big Ten."

The 22-year-old Hoyer knows that he must show that he can be a "finisher" -- a reliable closer in the fourth quarter when the outcome is still in question.

"Any time it comes down to the end of a game, you know the quarterback is going to be involved in some way," he said.

"That's where I have to take my next step -- I have to make that big-time play in the clutch."

In his first season as a starter, Hoyer completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,725 yards.

"I hope to be over 65 percent this year," he said. "If you can do that, you're moving the ball."

Javon Ringer is another priority for Hoyer. "If you get him the ball," he said of his explosive tailback, "he can get you yards."

Ringer was spectacular at times last season. He had "breakout" games against Indiana (203 yards) and Northwestern (185).

"As a team, we have a grasp of the offense now," said Hoyer. "I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, whereas it was more like 'learn as you go'' last year.

"I had to think about what I had to do against certain defenses. Now, I'm to the point where I can see a defense and react."

How will the loss of leading receiver Devin Thomas impact the offense? Thomas had 79 catches and could stretch a defense.

Not to worry. "Deon Curry is my Keyshawn Johnson-type receiver," Hoyer contended.

Curry ranked fourth on the team with 24 receptions.

"He's not the fastest guy, and I don't know that he's going to beat you vertically," Hoyer said.

"But he's sure-handed, and he runs very precise routes. You always know where Deon is going to be. We call him 'Coach Curry.' I guess it runs in the family."

Indeed. Deon Curry's father is Michael Curry, the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

What are the Spartans' expectations under second-year coach Mark Dantonio?

"Very high," Hoyer said. "We have the talent to compete with everybody, and we go into every game with the expectation to win. That's where the attitude has changed at Michigan State.

"In the past, I think maybe people were hoping that they could win. Now, we expect to win every single game."

For years, the underachieving Spartans have lacked stability as a program while transitioning from Nick Saban to Bobby Williams to Morris Watts to John L. Smith to Dantonio.

The irony was not lost on Hoyer that Michigan State might be more stable today than Michigan, which is undergoing change.

"And because they're only 50 miles down the road," he said of the Wolverines, "we'll always be measured by those guys."

He just figures the Spartans are finally ready to measure up.

"I don't think we'll be able to creep up on anybody," he said. "But if the media wants to call us a sleeper, we can live with that."

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MICHIGAN STATE SKINNY

Last season: 7-6; 3-5 Big Ten

Braintrust: head coach Mark Dantonio, 2nd year; offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, 2nd year; defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, 2nd year.

Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense

All-Big Ten returnees: tailback Javon Ringer, second team.

Triggerman: No. 7, Brian Hoyer, who has a 7-7 record in 14 career starts. Last year, he completed better than 70 percent of his passes in back-to-back games against Purdue (22 of 31) and Penn State (16 of 21).

Cheesehead connection: Nehemiah Warrick's cheap-shot hit on UW wide receiver Kyle Jefferson has prompted more attention and focus on the dangers of head-hunting: helmet-to-helmet collisions in college football.

By the numbers: The Spartans got 10 sacks and 14 TFLs from Jonal Saint-Dic and 8 sacks and 18 TFLs from Ervin Baldwin. Neither is back.

Famous alums: Tony Earl, Clare Fisher, Magic Johnson

Mascot grade: F. Sparty needs to be drug-tested.

Dantonio sez: "I think if you don't talk about championships within your football program, you're doing your players a disservice and selling them short. Our goal will be to win a Big Ten championship this year."

2008 schedule

(7 home, 5 road)

Aug. 30 at California

Sept. 6 Eastern Michigan

Sept. 13 Florida Atlantic

Sept. 20 Notre Dame

Sept. 27 at Indiana

Oct. 4 Iowa

Oct. 11 at Northwestern

Oct. 18 Ohio State

Oct. 25 at Michigan

Nov. 1 WISCONSIN

Nov. 8 Purdue

Nov. 15 bye

Nov. 22 at Penn State

Not on schedule: Illinois, Minnesota

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BIG TEN PREVIEWS

Wednesday, Aug. 6 -- Minnesota: Decker revels in double duty 

A year removed from a move into an on-campus stadium, can the Gophers make a significant jump from a 1-11 start to the Tim Brewster coaching era?

Friday, Aug. 8 -- Michigan: Jamison adjusts to life with a new coach

The Wolverines went outside the "Michigan Man" lineage, and coach Rich Rodriguez has overhauled both the offensive and defensive schemes.

Monday, Aug. 11 -- Penn State: Penn State's high hopes rest on yet-to-be-named quarterback

The Nittany Lions, coming off a 9-4 campaign, return 18 players with starting experience for their 43rd -- and perhaps final -- season under coach Joe Paterno.

Wednesday, Aug. 13 -- Iowa: The turmoil continues off the field

The Hawkeyes missed a bowl game last season for the first time since 2000, raising questions about the direction of the program under Kirk Ferentz, one of the most highly paid coaches in the nation.

Friday, Aug. 15 -- Indiana: Indiana's Starr sees Hoosier football renaissance

The Hoosiers won't have Michigan or Ohio State on the schedule for the second year in a row, and play eight of their first 10 games at home.

Monday, Aug. 18 -- Michigan State

The Spartans return two key cogs of the highest-scoring offense in the Big Ten last year in Brian Hoyer and Javon Ringer, and aim to build on the momentum of a Champs Sports Bowl berth.

Wednesday, Aug. 20 -- Ohio State

Back-to-back drubbings in the national title game haven't dampened the optimism surrounding the Buckeyes, who are a consensus top-3 preseason pick and get an early showdown at Southern Cal.

Friday, Aug. 22 -- Illinois

The Illini made a surprising run to the Rose Bowl last season and harbor aspirations of a second straight BCS appearance behind the likes of quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Monday, Aug. 25 -- Purdue and Northwestern

The Badgers won't face either team this season meaning they miss out on the final year of the Joe Tiller era at Purdue and a chance to square off against former defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz, now at Northwestern.

Mike Lucas  —  8/19/2008 8:12 pm