1957 Michigan State Spartans football team
American college football season
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The 1957 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1957 Big Ten Conference football season. In their fourth season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled an 8–1 record (5–1 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 264 to 75, finished in second place in the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked No. 3 in both the final AP and UPI polls.[1][2] Michigan State was named national champion by Dunkel System, an NCAA-designated major selector.[3]
| 1957 Michigan State Spartans football | |
|---|---|
| |
National champion (Dunkel) | |
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 3 |
| AP | No. 3 |
| Record | 8–1 (5–1 Big Ten) |
| Head coach |
|
| MVP | Dan Currie |
| Captain | Patrick F. Burke |
| Home stadium | Spartan Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Ohio State $ | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Michigan State | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6 Iowa | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 19 Wisconsin | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purdue | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 3 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 0 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 0 | – | 7 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1957 Spartans won all three of their annual rivalry games, defeating Indiana (54–0), Notre Dame (34–6), and Michigan (35–6).[2] In non-conference play, the Spartans also defeated California (19–0) and Kansas State (27–9).[2]
The Spartans gained averaged 263.0 rushing yards and 120.9 passing yards per game, while holding opponents to 117.2 rushing yards and 74.3 passing yards per game.[4] The team's individual statistical leaders included:
- Quarterback Jim Ninowski completed 45 of 79 passes (57.0%) for 718 yards with six touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 150.8 quarterback rating.[4]
- Fullback Walt Kowalczyk rushed for 545 yards on 101 carries (5.4 yards per carry) and scored nine rushing touchdowns.[4]
- Dave Kaiser caught 19 passes for 267 yards.[4]
Six Spartans were selected as first-team players on the 1957 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Ninowski (AP-1, UP-1); Kowalczyk (AP-1, UP-1); center Dan Currie (AP-1, UP-1); tackle Pat Burke (AP-1, UP-1); end Sam Williams (UP-1); and guard Ellison Kelly (UP-1).[5]
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 28 | Indiana | No. 4 | W 54–0 | 52,162 | [6] | |
| October 5 | at California* | No. 2 | W 19–0 | 40,000 | [7] | |
| October 12 | at No. 6 Michigan | No. 2 | W 35–6 | 101,001 | [8] | |
| October 19 | Purdue | No. 1 |
| L 13–20 | 64,950 | [9] |
| October 26 | No. 16 Illinois | No. 8 |
| W 19–14 | 64,353 | [10] |
| November 2 | at Wisconsin | No. 6 | W 21–7 | 49,826 | [11] | |
| November 9 | No. 15 Notre Dame* | No. 4 |
| W 34–6 | 75,391 | [12] |
| November 16 | Minnesota | No. 4 |
| W 42–13 | 65,718 | [13] |
| November 23 | Kansas State* | No. 1 |
| W 27–9 | 35,989 | [14] |
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