The Michigan State football program is seemingly in shambles. Because of problems on and off the field, the Spartans have a new coach at the helm, a new starting quarterback, and a new tailback.
But anytime anyone thinks about sleeping on the Spartans' offense, they've got to remember that one of the best wide receivers in college football still resides in East Lansing. Even though his team is looking at a Christmas season at home, wide receiver Charles Rogers isn't done getting into highlight reels.
Since former coach Bobby Williams, who had a big part in recruiting him was fired, Rogers has just stepped up his game. Though Rogers has had solid outings throughout the season, he went five straight games without 100 yards receiving before the Indiana game Nov. 9, the first under interim head coach Morris Watts.
He ended that streak with five receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 66 yards on two rushing attempts. Those were just his third and fourth carries of the season. He led the Spartans to a 56-21 win over Indiana.
Last week, he put forth a valiant effort towards continuing the turnaround. He registered eight more
receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He also took a reverse for a 14-yard gain. The Spartans went down to the wire with Purdue but lost in a 45-42 shootout.
That's more than enough to make the always-cautious Penn State football coach Joe Paterno more than a little bit worried.
"Rogers is just an amazing athlete," Paterno said. "Rogers is one of the best athletes we have ever played against, not only catching the football, but on reverses and a lot of other things. He ties up a lot of people and they have done a good job of moving him around so that it is really very difficult to pin him down."
Paterno has also been impressed with the play of quarterback Damon Dowdell, charged with getting Rogers the ball while previous starter Jeff Smoker battles his substance abuse problem. Dowdell threw for 203 yards and four touchdowns in the Indiana game and 253 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue.
"I think Damon's improved each week that we've played," said Watts. "Up until this happened, he only had one start. He didn't have a lot of total snaps in his career here. He's been given the chance to be the quarterback he can be."
Charged with keeping Dowdell from getting the ball in Roger's hands is a secondary that has improved continually as the season has progressed.
They have only allowed three receivers to break the 100-yard mark in this season. Virginia wide receiver Billy McMullen was the first opposing wideout to do it since Iowa's Maurice Brown. McMullen got most of his yards on screen plays.
Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub was only the first quarterback to throw for over 240 yards against them since Michigan's John Navarre. Rogers has been impressed by the Lions secondary.
"I played against [cornerback Rich Gardner] before, he's got a lot of speed," Rogers said. "I remember playing against [cornerback Bryan Scott] last year. He's got a lot of size and matches up well."
As easily as Rogers can burn them, the Lions know they are in a lot better shape if that is all that can beat them. The Hoosiers also allowed tailback David Richard to rush for 136 yards and a touchdown. If they get great play from their monster defensive line, they won't have to worry about the ball getting to Rogers.
"We definitely know coming in we have to stop the run," defensive end Michael Haynes said. "Then all we're going to do is tee off on the pass."
