Spartans revamped for 2000

Bobby Williams knows certain things will be expected of him in his first full-season as head coach of Michigan State. \nEven though the Spartans lost several key players from a season ago, Williams will not enjoy much of a honeymoon following Michigan State's scintillating Citrus Bowl win in January against Florida. He is expected to win now, not later.\n"It's the nature of the business that we are all expected to win," Williams said. "And that's what we expect. We expect to win."\nAfter the losses he saw from last year's team and the strength of the Big Ten, Williams may find his number one priority hard to meet. Receivers Gari Scott and Plaxico Burress are gone, along with quarterback Bill Burke from last year. \n"There's no question that we lost quite a few seniors from last year's team," Williams said. "I think we've recruited well over the years, and I'm very excited about the new leaders that we have this year."\nThe main talent Williams will focus his team on is sophomore tailback T.J. Duckett. In his freshman season, Duckett, who is an All-American candidate, ran for 606 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. \nOne of Duckett's main blockers will be guard Shaun Mason, also an All-American candidate. Along with his teammates, Mason was confident in Duckett and his abilities from the time Duckett set foot on campus.\n"We knew he was a great back and he had the potential, we were just waiting for his first chance in a game," Mason said. "We're totally confident in T.J., and we know he is going to be a player. I think he's going to be the next premiere back in the Big Ten."\nSenior cornerback Renaldo Hill, who will lead a solid defensive unit, has had the displeasure of trying to bring down the 6-foot-1, 252 pound Duckett in practice.\n"Once he gets around that corner and he gets his shoulders squared, you have to go low on him," Hill said. "If you go high, you are going to be on your back and he's going to still be running down the field."\nThe big hole to fill for the Spartans on offense will be at quarterback. Burke, a two-year starter, is gone and junior Ryan Van Dyke takes center stage as the signal caller. Van Dyke has only seen action in 11 collegiate games, never starting. Last year he was 21-36 passing for 393 yards and four touchdowns in four games.\nEven though Van Dyke doesn't have much in the way of experience in the conference, Mason is sure he will be able to handle his new responsibilities.\n"He really matured as a leader and that's important in a quarterback," Mason said. "I think he knows what it takes to be a Big Ten quarterback. He's going to be ready to play. He is out to prove something."\nHill has been equally impressed.\n"He's really taking charge on the offensive side of the ball," Hill said. "He really seems comfortable back there and he isn't timid at all."\nIn the end, whether the players are new or old, Williams is anxious to get on the field and win some games.\n"I don't think I've ever had a total comfort level going into a new season," Williams said. "There's always a sense of anxiety that comes with a new season and there's a tremendous sense of anxiety that I have going into this season as head coach"