Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Fall To Spartans, 35-21
9/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept 8, 2001
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - James King blocked four Michigan State punts to tie a Division I-A record, but the Spartans survived a scare to beat Central Michigan 35-21 Saturday.
T.J. Duckett rushed for 120 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run, to lead Michigan State.
The Spartans (1-0) scored three touchdowns in the final 4:23 of the first half and one early in the third quarter to take what appeared to be a comfortable 35-7 lead over the Chippewas (1-1).
But when King blocked his third and fourth punts of the game - and they were returned for touchdowns - the Chippewas cut it to 35-21 with 6:41 left.
Michigan State fumbled on the ensuing possession, but Central Michigan could not capitalize.
King, who also blocked a punt in a 42-28 win over Eastern Kentucky last week, matched the record of four set by Memphis' Ken Irvin against Arkansas in 1992.
All by himself, King tied a team record shared by three other teams.
Michigan State's Jeff Smoker started and completed 15 of 23 passes for 196 yards with an interception and a touchdown. His 3-yard touchdown run began the Spartans' scoring burst in the second quarter.
Ryan Van Dyke, who rotated with Smoker, connected with Little John Flowers and Roderick Maples for 28-yard and 53-yard touchdowns to give the Spartans a 28-7 halftime lead. Van Dyke was 3-for-6 for 96 yards.
Charles Rogers caught three passes for 72 yards in his much-anticipated debut for the Spartans.
Central Michigan's Derrick Vickers completed 18 of 36 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Robbie Mixon ran for 72 yards on 16 carries.
About 40 students - with signs and chants outside the stadium - protested Michigan State's admission of freshman Eric Knott and sophomore Damon Dowdell.
In June, Knott pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a misdemeanor, for a 1999 incident involving a 13-year-old girl. Knott served 30 days in jail and was placed on one year's probation.
Last year, Dowdell join the team after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery in the same July 1999 incident. He did not serve time in jail.
