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Michigan State Football Team History


Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State University
 East Lansing, MI
Founded: 1855
Stadium: Spartan Stadium
Capacity: 75,005
Colors: Green & Gold
Coach: Nick Saban
Conference: Big 10-

Team Home Summary  Coaches Games by Year Opponents Rankings Bowls Conference


Select Year:    
1885  <-- 1996 <- 1997 -> 1998 --> 2024
1997 Season Highlights
 Nick Saban enters his 3rd season as Head Coach at Michigan State.
 
1997 Season
 Date   Opponent  Score   
 Sat., Sep. 6  vs. Western Michigan  42   10   W       
 Sat., Sep. 13  vs. Memphis  51   21   W       
 Sat., Sep. 20  @ Notre Dame  23   7   W       
 Sat., Oct. 4  vs. Minnesota  31   10   W       
 Sat., Oct. 11  @ Indiana  38   6   W       
 Sat., Oct. 18  @ Northwestern  17   19   L       
 Sat., Oct. 25  vs. Michigan  7   23   L       
 Sat., Nov. 1  vs. Ohio State  13   37   L       
 Sat., Nov. 8  @ Purdue  21   22   L       
 Sat., Nov. 22  @ Illinois  27   17   W       
 Sat., Nov. 29  vs. Penn State  49   14   W       
 Thu., Dec. 25   Washington  23   51   L    @ Honolulu, HI   Aloha Classic Bowl
 
1997 Season Totals
  Record7-5
  Points Scored342
  Scoring Average28.5
  Points Allowed237
  Defense Average19.8
  Opponents Record77-65
  Conference Record4-4
  Home Record4-2
  Away Record3-2
1997 NCAA Final Rankings
 Rank   Record   Source 
  was not ranked.
  
1997 Big 10- Standings
  Season   Bowls   Conference 
 Team  W/L/T  PF  PA    W/L/T  PF  PA   Coach 
Minnesota 3-9238334 1-7119226  Glen Mason
Indiana 2-9120359 1-774281  Cam Cameron
Illinois 0-11119368 0-876283  Ron Turner
Michigan 12-0322114Won  21-168-021578  Lloyd Carr
Ohio State 10-3394170Lost  14-316-225386  John Cooper
Penn State 9-3366254Lost  6-216-2217185  Joe Paterno
Purdue 9-3396267Won  33-206-2285180  Joe Tiller
Wisconsin 8-5291306Lost  6-335-3165195  Barry Alvarez
Iowa 7-5411159Lost  7-174-4221106  Hayden Fry
Michigan State 7-5342237Lost  23-514-4203148  Nick Saban
Northwestern 5-7243288 3-5141201  Gary Barnett

1997 All American Awards
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Award   Team   Source 
 Coming Someday 

1997 All Big 10 Conference Players
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Team   Source 
 Coming Someday 


Some records may be incomplete.


Great Moments in College Football History

The forward pass first appeared in college football in 1906. It was introduced in an attempt to increase scoring and reduce injuries.