ShareThisBy CHIP SCOGGINS
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Michigan State football coach John L. Smith, embattled for much of the past two seasons, received the inevitable news last week that his turbulent four-year tenure was over. But rather than pack his boxes and hit the road immediately, Smith said the decision to stay and finish the season was "automatic."
"We didn't want to leave these guys in shambles," Smith said. "We don't want to let them run amok. We'll finish the year and then we'll move on."
Despite Smith's firing and a puzzling free fall, the Spartans (4-6) can still earn a bowl game trip by defeating Minnesota on Saturday and Penn State next week in the season finale.
That would be a small consolation for a team that once again created lofty expectations only to crash and burn as the season progressed.
"Our main focus right now is just to find a way to win a football game," senior quarterback Drew Stanton said. "We can't look ahead or behind us. We still have a chance to go to a bowl game, so that's our immediate focus."
It's not unusual for college teams to be emotionally fragile at times during a season. The Spartans, however, are two exits past that point. They have lost six of their past seven games _ a few in spectacular fashion _ and are playing for a lame-duck coaching staff.
"I really don't know how to describe this team," Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito said.
The Spartans are nothing if not confounding. Most agree their record does not match their talent level. But as in previous years, the Spartans lack consistency and the ability to finish a job.
That was never more apparent than in a 40-37 loss to Notre Dame, a game that started their downward spiral and essentially sealed Smith's fate. Michigan State came out blazing, jumped on the Fighting Irish in a nationally televised game and looked every bit like a dominant team.
But everything went up in smoke as Notre Dame rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Spartans, clearly reeling from the collapse, lost to Illinois the following week and have won only once since.
It's a futile exercise, but it makes one wonder how their season would have unfolded had they not fumbled away the Notre Dame game.
"You can't point to one play or one game," senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan said. "We just weren't able to get it done this season."
Not even a 35-point comeback _ the largest in NCAA Division I-A history _ in a 41-38 victory over Northwestern could save the season. The Spartans followed that performance with a 25-point loss to Indiana, a team Minnesota trounced by 37 points on Saturday.
Smith was fired four days after the Indiana loss. The Spartans pushed their season to the brink with a loss to Purdue last week, but they disputed the notion they have checked out emotionally.
"Were still fighting," Ryan said. "The guys are not going to quit and give up because our coaches won't let us give up. If anything, they are coaching us harder now than before."
Stanton said the players are taking their cue from the coaches. He said it's impossible to completely ignore all that has happened, but he doesn't believe Smith's status is a distraction in terms of preparation.
"Everybody is being professional about it," Stanton said. "No doubt that it's difficult. But Coach Smith and the rest of the coaches have handled everything with class and are making sure we're focused on playing good football."
Smith said his singular goal is to make sure his players enjoy the remaining few weeks. The Spartans still have a shot at a bowl game. And Saturday will mark the final home game for the seniors. And for Smith, too.
"I just want to see a smile on our seniors' faces," he said.
