Garrett Celek News

When two starting Michigan State wide receivers -- Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham -- were suspended in conjunction with their involvement in the altercation at a fraternity potluck last month, coach Mark Dantonio said some little-used players would get an opportunity to earn playing time in the Alamo Bowl.

Did you attend this game? If so, start chronicling your sports memories today with ESPN's Sports Passport.

Cousins, Leggett have field day against Western Michigan By Chris Vannini Coming into Saturday, the MSU football team's running back position was in shambles.

URL: http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/big_targets_becoming_popular_for_spartans Current Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:07:00 -0500 Western Michigan safety Andy Dorcely tackles junior tight end Charlie Gantt while he catches the ball.

Michigan State sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins took care of business early to make sure the Spartans wouldn't have to worry about another heartbreaking loss.

East Lansing -- A season that began with very high expectations for Michigan State could at least be salvaged with a bowl game appearance.

Little-used Ashton Leggett ran for 110 yards and four touchdowns and Kirk Cousins threw for a career-high 353 yards and two scores to lead Michigan State past Western Michigan 49-14 on Saturday in a rare November non-conference matchup for the Spartans.

The series between MSU and Northwestern has taken an interesting turn since 2005.

The experiment of playing Michigan State true freshman tight end Dion Sims at defensive end continued this week, but there are no guarantees he'll be rushing the Illinois quarterback on Saturday.

Michigan State's depth, espcially in the defensive backfield, is coming into play.

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema owes quite a bit to Michigan State defensive line coach Ted Gill.

Just three games into his Michigan State career, running back Larry Caper is already confirming what many thought before the season started.

The tight end position is one of the strengths of the Spartan team. With that being said, the position just got a bit stronger as Garrett Celek has returned from injury.

It's hard not to smile while having a conversation with Michigan State offensive tackle D.J. Young.

There was "a pretty big pit in my stomach," said Kirk Cousins, when the Michigan State quarterback watched the replay of his last-minute interception in Saturday's loss to Notre Dame.

South Bend, Ind. --Michigan State could get some help Saturday from two newcomers in its 3:30 p.m. game against Notre Dame.

Matchup: Michigan State 1-0; Central Michigan 0-1. TV/radio: ESPN2; WJR-AM . Line: MSU by 14 1/2 Injuries: MSU - TE Garrett Celek , WR Mark Dell , C Joel Nitchman , DT Kevin Pickelman , FB Josh Rouse , questionable.

Michigan State quarterbacks coach Dave Warner spoke with reporters late Thursday night, and no, he didn't give any indication of who will start against Central Michigan on Saturday.

Matchup: Michigan State 9-4 in 2008; Montana State 7-5. Kickoff: Noon, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State tight ends coach Mark Staten loves the prospect of seeing a 6-foot-5, 268-pound tight end matching up against a smaller defender.