MSU Football Blog

A police department review into a complaint filed by former MSU football player Trenton Robinson has concluded that a Bay City police officer used foul language at a traffic stop with Robinson, but did not use unnecessary force or racial profiling, according to a report from mlive.com.

Robinson received a $120 failure to signal ticket in Bay City, Mich. on Dec. 22, 2011, according to The Bay City Times.

Robinson filed a citizen’s complaint against the police officer and, according to reports obtained by The Bay City Times through a Freedom of Information Act request, Robinson alleged the officer used vulgar language, unneccessary force and racial profiling.

While Robinson was stopped, the newspaper reported he wrote a post on his Facebook page referring to the incident.

The post read:

“All I do is good for my city and try and set an example for the youth in my city of what not to do but for some reason when I come home and try and visit The Bay City Police always wanna stop me and take (me) out of my car and search me like I am out here selling dope!!! UN believable.”

The Bay City Police stated the claims of racial profiling and unneccesary force were unfounded.
There has been no statement as to whether Bay City police officer Keath Bartynski, who issued the ticket, will face any penalty or disciplinary action.

At the peak of his football career — winning Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants — linebacker Greg Jones made a big move in his personal life.

On the field during his team’s celebration, the former MSU linebacker popped the question to his girlfriend, former MSU basketball player. Amanda Piechowski. She said yes.

““She was bawling,” Jones told The Star-Ledger this morning. “I was like, ‘I don’t know how long she’s going to keep crying.’”

After hanging up his Spartan uniform, Jones was a sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft last year who found himself on the Giants’ starting lineup at the beginning of the season. During the season and in New York’s win over the New England Patriots, Jones proved to be a valuable contributor.

Had it not been the Giants’ night, Jones said he would have waited to ask Piechowski to marry him, but given all the excitement surrounding the win, he thought it was the right time.

College football fans are fed up with the postseason being driven by the BCS rather than having an organized playoff to determine the national championship contenders and other major bowl game participants.

According to The Chicago Tribune, it sounds like the Big Ten is at least open to alternatives. Better late than never.

The BCS has about a 10 percent approval rating by fans when polled by Sports Illustrated, according to Dan Wetzel, Josh Peter and Jeff Passan in their book “Death to the BCS.” So it’s about time conferences started realistically shopping for an alternative.

According to the Tribune, the Big Ten’s plan for football postseason would be to keep the top teams at the end of the season out of BCS bowl contention and have a four-team playoff held on the schools’ campuses. The higher seeds would get home-field advantage, fans could enjoy an addition home game at the end of the season and the schools could earn additional revenue.

Throughout the years, there have been several alternatives for a postseason playoff suggested in place of the BCS, but generally, they were all deemed unrealistic (or maybe no one wanted to listen to suggestions). Although some of the plans might not be plausible, at least it sounds like people are throwing around a variety of ideas to replace the despised current system.

“We have to listen to the fans; we cannot be tone-deaf,” Northwestern athletics director Jim Phillips told the Tribune. “The Big Ten is open and curious.”

With Phillips chairing the Big Ten’s Administrators Council, it’s refreshing to hear that discussions about replacing the BCS are continuing and new ideas are being thrown around.

Among the 18 impressive recruits head coach Mark Dantonio announced today at the National Signing Day press conference, DeAnthony Arnett stands out for a couple reasons.

First, he’s a coveted recruit who Dantonio said has proven his abilities as a talented wide receiver.

Additionally, in the 2012 recruiting class, Arnett is the only transfer — a wide receiver making the switch from Tennessee, where he played in all 12 games this season and finished with 24 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

A Saginaw, Mich. native, Arnett wanted to transfer back home to a school in Michigan to be closer to his father — who is suffering health problems — but in order to transfer, he had to be released from the program at Tennessee.

Originally, Tennessee only would release Arnett to MAC schools, but the program ultimately changed its mind and allowed him to join MSU’s roster.

But being released from his former program is not the only concern. Arnett must now apply to the NCAA for a hardship waiver in order to be eligible for the 2012 season. With three years of eligibility to play — regardless of when they occur — Dantonio said he looks forward having Arnett on the field.

With MSU losing wide receivers B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol, Arnett could be a major factor if the NCAA allows him on the field for the upcoming season.

“He’s a young man that I believe will certainly get on the field for us immediately, once hopefully a waiver clears,” Dantonio said. “If not, we’ll wait for him to play.”

“I think he’s a young man that’s got maturity. He’s been coached on the college level. He’s got three years left to play. Hopefully, he can play this year, but if not, we will wait for him anxiously, and he’ll have an immediate impact on this program when he comes.”

With Mark Dantonio and Jim Tressel coaching together at Ohio State from 2001-03, the two maintained a friendship after Dantonio’s departure, and with that came a gentleman’s agreement with regards to recruiting — something along the lines of respecting each other’s committed recruits.

But according to CantonRep.com, it might be a different story now that Urban Meyer has taken over the Buckeyes’ program. According to Todd Porter, if Dantonio and Meyer had a previous friendship, it no longer exists in lieu of this year’s recruiting battle.

As a guest speaker at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club on Monday, MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi implied that a recruiting rivalry has taken the place of a friendship between the Big Ten coaches.

It’s possible the rivalry was ignited when defensive end Se’Von Pittman — a top recruit out of Canton, Ohio who committed to MSU in the summer — was convinced to play for Ohio State in December 2011.

“(The agreement) has been between the coaches,” Narduzzi told CantonRep.com. “Jim Tressel and Mark Dantonio would never call or talk to each other’s commitments. People Coach Dantonio knows well don’t come in and take players away. When you do, you lose friendships over that.”

Because MSU heavily recruits from Ohio, Dantonio and Meyer found themselves fighting for the same recruits, and it’s not going to get any better from here.

It’s unfortunate that this is how a rivalry between the schools is developing — as opposed to happening on the field — but with Tressel gone, it was bound to happen.

“It sets a tone and starts a recruiting rivalry,” Narduzzi said. “I guess it’s fair game. You don’t want it to be that way, but that’s how it is.”

It’s National Signing Day, and so far, MSU is doing pretty well.

According to the MSU football Twitter account, the Spartans got their first letter of intent at 7:01 a.m. this morning from three-star offensive lineman Benny McGowan out of Centerville, Ohio.

Joining McGowan on the line is Zach Higgins — a three–star recruit from Alliance, Ohio — and Kodi Kieler a three-star recruit from Rockwood, Mich. However, MSU did lose the recruiting battle over offensive tackle Kyle Dodson to Ohio State — one of his finalists along with MSU, Wisconsin and USC.

Wide receivers Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and Macgarrett Kings, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) were added to the list this morning as well. Burbridge is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound four-star recruit, while Kings is a three-star recruit standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 178 pounds.

Key defensive letters of intent came from four-star recruit safety Demetrious Cox — who verbally committed to MSU on Sunday after visiting Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State in January.

Other defensive backs who have signed letters today include Jermaine Edmondson (Canton, Ohio), Mark Meyers (Toledo, Ohio) and Ezra Robinson (Sarasota, Fla.)

MSU is still waiting to hear from three-star wide receiver Monty Madaris — who verbally committed to MSU during the weekend. According to Rivals.com, in Madaris’ senior year at Cincinnati Moeller, he finished the season with 56 receptions for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. Demonstrating his versatility, he also ran up 280 rushing yards for two touchdowns.

Below is the complete list of recruits with signed letters — according to Rivals.com. There are 17 as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Continue checking the MSU Football Blog at statenews.com and @thesnews_sports on Twitter for updates.

LB Riley Bullough: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds; three-star recruit
WR Aaron Burbridge: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds; four-star recruit
DB Demetrious Cox: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds; four-star recruit
DB Jermaine Edmondson: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds; three-star recruit
DT David Fennell: 6-foot-3, 274 pounds; two-star recruit
OL Zach Higgins: 6-foot-5, 305 pounds; three-star recruit
TE Evan Jones: 6-foot-6, 240 pounds; three-star recruit
WR Kyle Kerrick: 6-foot-3, 183 pounds; three-star recruit
OL Kodi Kieler: 6-foot-6, 305 pounds; three-star recruit
WR Macgarrett Kings, Jr.: 5-foot-11, 178 pounds; three-star recruit
DE Jamal Lyies: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds; four-star recruit
OL Benny McGowan: 6-foot-4, 290 pounds; three-star recruit
DB Mark Meyers: 6-foot-0, 180 pounds; three-star recruit
QB Tyler O’Connor: 6-foot-3, 202 pounds; three-star recruit
TE Josiah Price: 6-foot-5, 239 pounds; three-star recruit
DB Ezra Robinson: 6-foot-0, 174 pounds; three-star recruit
RB Nick Tompkins: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds; three-star recruit

And the Spartans pull through again, this time receiving a verbal commitment from four-star recruit safety Demetrious Cox tonight. With signing day just less than two days away, this is a big win for Mark Dantonio and MSU — which Cox selected over Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.

Despite recently visiting Wisconsin and having visits to Ohio State and Penn State earlier this month — according to Rivals.com — something about MSU must have stood out for the 6-foot-1, 192-pound defensive back out of Jeannette, Penn.

Visiting Columbus, Happy Valley and Madison in January, something about East Lansing left Cox with a good impression since out those visits, his time at MSU was the only visit prior to the new year, according to Rivals.com.

In addition to his four stars, Rivals also puts Cox as the No. 10 safety in Pennsylvania and the No. 13 safety in the nation.

He is the Spartans’ 18th verbally committed member of the 2012 recruiting class, and he joins defensive backs Jermaine Edmondson (Canton, Ohio), Mark Meyers (Toledo, Ohio) and Ezra Robinson (Sarasota, Fla.) in padding the secondary of MSU’s incoming class.

Just days before National Signing Day on Feb. 1, the MSU football team received another verbal commitment during the weekend in wide receiver Monty Madaris from Cincinnati, Ohio.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound three-star recruit — according to Rivals.com — is the 17th verbally committed recruit for MSU and the fourth wide receiver to join the Spartans’ 2012 recruiting class, joining Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Kyle Kerrick (Coatsville, Pa.) and Macgarrett Kings, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

According to Rivals.com, in Madaris’ senior year at Cincinnati Moeller, he finished the season with 56 receptions for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. Demonstrating his versatility, he also ran up 280 rushing yards for two touchdowns.

All in all, I’d say it’s pretty good news Madaris has verbally committed to MSU. It seems like the Spartans would rather play with him than against him at Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana or Florida State — schools that also recruited him.

MSU and the Big Ten were well-represented at the Senior Bowl on Saturday in Mobile, Ala., with seniors quarterback Kirk Cousins, tight end Brian Linthicum and safety Trenton Robinson playing for the North team, which won 23-13.

Linthicum and Robinson started for the North, while Cousins joined Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson and Boise State’s Kellen Moore in the quarterback lineup.

Robinson finished with two tackles and a fumble recovery, but he missed some crucial tackles in the first half on the South’s offensive attempts.

Linthicum finished with one play — a nine-yard reception from Wilson on the North’s first offensive play.

During the week of practice, Big Ten Network anchor Rick Pizzo tweeted: “B. Linthicum back after missing (practice) Tuesday and looks crazy quick for a guy who measured almost 6’4”, 250 (pounds).”

After Purdue kicker Carons Wiggs kicked a field goal — which came partially as a result of Robinson’s fumble recovery — and Wilson had the North up, 13-6 headed into halftime, it was Cousins’ turn to step up offensively.

After having a noticeably good week in practice prior to Saturday’s game, Cousins finished his day completing five-for-11 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

After completing a pass to North Carolina State receiver T.J. Graham for 22 yards, Cousins and the North’s offense began to pick up momentum.

To give the North a 20-6 lead, Cousins ran an 80-yard drive, which ended with him hitting Arizona State wide receiver Gerell Robinson up the middle to score a 41-yard touchdown.

NFL Draft analyst Dion Caputi tweeted during the game: “Couple Big Ten players hooking up, as #MichiganSt QB Kirk Cousins hit #OSU WR Devier Posey. Tight-window throws by Cousins, Posey ran well.”

Cousins’ throwing looked sharp as he made connections up the field, and he demonstrated patience as well as his comfort in stepping up in the pocket.

Prior to the game, Cousins told the MSU Athletics Department that the week of practice leading up to the game gave him an opportunity to separate himself from the North’s other quarterbacks in terms of arm strength and make NFL-type throws.

“My position coach from the Minnesota Vikings, Craig Johnson, and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said that I’ve had a great week of practice,” Cousins said in a release from the athletics department. “Based upon the number of individual meetings that I’ve had with NFL scouts and head coaches, there’s a great deal of interest.”

Earlier today, The Lansing State Journal reported that junior running back Edwin Baker has been invited to participate in the NFL Combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis, according to Baker’s financial adviser Richard Griffin.

Baker joins senior wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin and senior quarterback Kirk Cousins — who also received invitations earlier this month.

Announcing he was foregoing his senior year at MSU after the team’s 33-30 victory over Georgia at the Outback Bowl, Baker’s decision to enter the NFL Draft was called into question. However, with his position on the football team taking a backseat to sophomore running back Le’Veon Bell, his decision is understandable.

In his final Spartan season, Baker averaged 47.5 yards per game and finished with 170 total attempts for 665 yards and five touchdowns. One of his highlights from this season is MSU’s 28-14 win over Michigan on Oct. 15, 2011.

Baker led the Spartans in rushing with 26 attempts for 167 yards and one touchdown with his longest run reaching 25 yards.