The 1973 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1973 Big Ten football season. In their first season under head coach Denny Stolz, the Spartans compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 164 to 114. In four games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 17 UCLA, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 5 Michigan, and No. 1 Ohio State.[1][2]
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On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 172.0 rushing yards and 58.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 190.1 rushing yards and 55.7 passing yards per game.[3] The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Charlie Baggett with 516 passing yards, halfback Clarence Bullock with 496 rushing yards, and split end Mike Hurd with 11 receptions and 163 receiving yards.[3]
Defensive Bill Simpson was the only Spartan to be selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1973 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Simpson received first-team honors from the UPI and second-team honors from the AP. Other Spartans received second-team honors, including defensive tackle John Shinsky, linebackers Ray Nester and Terence McClowry, and defensive back Mark Niesen.[4][5] Nester was selected as the team's most valuable player.[6]
The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.
