MSU's Frey, A. Dowell locked in tight competition at OLB

EAST LANSING - It didn’t take long for outside linebackers Chris Frey and Andrew Dowell to make their mark on the Michigan State spring game Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

In front of more than 50,000 fans, Frey, playing for the Green team, was in on a tackle on the first play.

Representing the White team, Dowell sacked quarterback Tyler O’Connor a few minutes later.

Both carried on what has been a spirited competition for a starting outside linebacker spot.

During Saturday’s game, won by the White team, 14-11, it was either Frey tackling quarterback Damion Terry or Dowell throwing an opponent to the ground.

Even Dowell’s twin brother, David, playing safety for the White team, got into the action in a big way, making a game-high six tackles.

“We are a very competitive group,” said Frey, a junior who had four tackles Saturday. “Doesn’t matter if the linebackers are playing checkers, chess or hopscotch, we are competing. It’s how we are bred.”

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While Frey and the Dowells have formed a brotherhood at MSU, they are still fighting for starting spots.

“Yes, we look after each other,” said Frey, who had 23 tackles in 2015. “But, at the same time, it’s every man for himself. We are fighting to win the game and fighting for position.”

MSU co-defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, who coached the Green team, was encouraged by Andrew Dowell’s performance Saturday and this spring as a whole.

“He’s always been a playmaker,” Tressel said. “Both Andrew and his brother, David, play above their experience.”

Coach Mark Dantonio agreed with Tressel on Andrew, who played last year, and David, who redshirted.

“They are very active football players — 100 mile-per-hour guys,” Dantonio said of the twins.

“I can’t tell you who is the oldest, but I’m going to find that out. Both guys are very good football players. Up-tempo guys who give you everything they’ve got.”

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Andrew, in fact, is the older brother, and he’ll play a lot this fall, even if he loses some reps to Frey.

“There’s so much competition,” Frey said. “Guys were fighting today for playing time. They don’t want to get redshirted. We all played a lot more today than we thought we would. That’s fine with me.”