By Elizabeth Cotter | @ekcotter18 Sports Capital Journalism Program DALLAS – The day before the greatest challenge of his coaching career, the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Alabama, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio delivered a carefully crafted message. “This will be a great opportunity,” he said, “but a great challenge for us as a program. …
Read MoreBy Jessica Wimsatt | @Jessica_Wimsatt Sports Capital Journalism Program ARLINGTON, Texas — Alabama backup quarterbacks David Cornwell and Blake Barnett have a job that comes with a bounty of bumps and bruises. As Alabama created a path to the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Michigan State, Cornwell and Barnett have spent time at practice running …
Read MoreThe sun has come out, the Texas sky blue at last. You can find Michigan State green in the streets, with Alabama Crimson Tide fans rolling into the Metroplex. A Cotton Bowl – my first Cotton Bowl, I must sheepishly admit – is within sight, and I keep telling myself how much I wish my …
Read MoreBy Jessica Wimsatt | @Jessica_Wimsatt Sports Capital Journalism Program DALLAS — The stern, bearded face, coupled with an intimidating presence, epitomizes the idea of an Alabama defensive lineman. At 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, junior defensive end A’Shawn Robinson can appear like a brick wall, obstructing anything in its path. But don’t let that appearance fool …
Read MoreBy Elizabeth Cotter | @ekcotter18 Sports Capital Journalism Program DALLAS – In normal circumstances throughout Michigan State’s remarkable football season, the first player to touch the ball for the Spartan offense has been nationally recognized for his accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and as a prominent leader of his unit. No, not quarterback …
Read MoreBy Elizabeth Cotter | @ekcotter18 Sports Capital Journalism Program DALLAS — LJ Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London are the three young Michigan State running backs that power the Spartans, competing for touches and starts, but forming a self-described brotherhood that works toward the same goal. “We’re all brothers,” London said. “We love each other. …
Read MoreBy Jessica Wimsatt | @Jessica_Wimsatt Sports Capital Journalism Program DALLAS — On the first day of 2015, Alabama lost a chance to play for the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship when the Crimson Tide lost to Ohio State. At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, 364 days later, the Tide will have that same chance. …
Read MoreBy Sports Capital Journalism Program Staff DALLAS – A pair of students from the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will cover the College Football Playoff Semifinal between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan State Spartans in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year’s Eve. Jessica Wimsatt and Elizabeth Cotter will …
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