State uses week off to get healthy

The Spartans will be a healthier team when they take on Minnesota on Saturday. A week off is what the doctor ordered following their Oct. 10 victory over Indiana, Michigan State coach Nick Saban said yesterday.

"We got some much-needed rest for our team," Saban said at his weekly news conference. "I don't think there was any question we were probably in as poor shape physically after the Indiana game in terms of injuries, as we've been all year."

But now, he said, front-line players such as defensive end Robaire Smith, and safeties Sorie Kanu and Aric Morris, are ready to play again after nagging injuries.

The week off "gave us the opportunity to rest half a dozen players who probably would have had a difficult time playing the game this past weekend," Saban said.

Sedrick Irvin and the Michigan State football team weren't swervin' on the field this weekend. Instead, the Spartans used their bye week to recuperate from injuries.

"I think that was helpful, because all those players will be able to practice today and get a fairly good week of preparation in this week, which we will most certainly need.

"If they're probable for practice, they're probable for the game, until something else happens to them."

The Spartans, now 1-1 in the Big Ten and 3-3 overall, travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers, also 3-3 overall but winless in three conference matches.

Minnesota lost to Ohio State last Saturday 45-15. But Saban said the Gophers present a formidable foe.

"This game is going to be a very challenging game for us - the opportunity to win a game on the road, the opportunity to win a Big Ten game," Saban said. "To prove we can play, three weeks in a row, winning football, is also important."

But Saban said it's too early to talk about turning the Spartans' season around.

"We made the decision we're going to take them one game at a time," he said. "Every game we play is the biggest game that we have in the season right now because of where we're at.

"We've won three of the last four games and the last two games, so we've done some things to turn the season around. But if we're going to continue to do that we're going to have to continue to win. It's the only way you can do it."

LOUIS BROWN/Daily

10-20-98