Michigan State football banquet a time to reflect on recovery, look ahead to Holiday Bowl

EAST LANSING – Joe Bachie was surprised to hear his name called as Michigan State’s most valuable player.

He and the teammates who gave him the honor were overjoyed to be at a team banquet that once again felt like the celebration it is supposed to be.

Yet another big difference in the Spartans’ flipping the misery of 2016 into this season’s recovery.

“You come to last year’s banquet, we didn’t get no food like that. It was walk up and get your own, a couple pieces of mac and cheese or whatever,” said Bachie, who took home the Governor’s Award and two other honors Sunday. “You go there and it’s special, everybody is there. My family came out. You just see the people there that truly care about you – your teammates, their families, all the coaches. It’s just a great way to put it on. It’s always a great time.

“And it feels a lot better being 9-3 than 3-9.”

No. 19 MSU is in the early stages of preparing for its Holiday Bowl showdown against No. 21 Washington State on Dec. 28 in San Diego (9 p.m./Fox Sports 1). For Mark Dantonio, his 11th banquet as head coach provided a reason to celebrate the accomplishments of his team’s growth in a year.

“When you win nine football games and you’re going to a great bowl game versus a great opponent, an opportunity to win 10 games, that doesn’t happen often,” Dantonio said. “It’s a chance to send our players out. Now, we need to get job No. 10 done. But I think it was a great moment for us.”

Senior linebacker Chris Frey, who was named MSU’s outstanding defensive player, said any frustration over what bowl game the Spartans are going to has vanished.

“Now that you sit back and look at it, I think this is better for us,” Frey said. “Somebody said to me today that this is almost like the Rose Bowl. It’s Big Ten, Pac-12 – it’s just like playing in an old-school Rose Bowl. We’re really excited for the time that we’re going to be able to spend down there in San Diego.”

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Bachie was the Spartans’ first sophomore to be named MVP since Drew Stanton in 2004. It’s a sign of the youth this year’s MSU team possesses, with 13 true freshmen who played this season (along with 23 who are redshirting), 16 redshirt freshmen and four second-year sophomores getting a chance for their first bowl game.

“We’ve got an infusion of young players into this program,” Dantonio said, “which I think sort of gave us a new life. … The future is bright.”

Cougars gone

It appears Washington State will be without its top two receivers, both of whom are no longer with the program.

The Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman-Review said second-team All-Pac-12 wideout Tavares Martin Jr. has been dismissed from WSU for a violation of team rules, though Martin disputed that and said he was dismissed for asking for his scholarship release.

The Cougars’ second-leading receiver, Isaiah Johnson-Mack, announced on Twitter last week that he is transferring. The Spokesman-Review said coach Mike Leach said Johnson-Mack would not play in or practice for the Holiday Bowl.

Martin ranked fourth in the Pac-12 at 75.5 yards per game (831 yards) and led Washington State with 70 catches and nine TDs. Johnson-Mack had 60 catches for 555 yards and five touchdowns.

Century Mark

A victory over Washington State (9-3) would give Dantonio his 100th victory at MSU.

“Sort of ironic. It gives us another thing to point towards,” Dantonio said. “When I look at 99 victories thus far, I look back and think about the players that have been here and the work they have done. … There has been so many players, so many great players, so many guys that have gone on to play in the NFL or have started for us or had roles with us that have really been the foundation of who we are as a program.”

Signing day ahead

The new three-day early signing period in college football begins Dec. 20, two days before the Spartans leave for San Diego. Dantonio said he expects all 20 of MSU’s committed high school seniors will sign that day.

“That’s unique in that aspect,” he said. “I guess it points toward recruiting juniors in January.”

Dantonio said he is not anticipating any players transferring out of the program during the offseason, “but you never know what may happen.”

Award winners

Here is a full list of the Spartans’ team award winners, which were announced during their banquet Sunday at Kellogg Center.

Governor's Award (most valuable player): Joe Bachie

Captains Award: Brian Allen, Chris Frey

Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding defensive player): Chris Frey

Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding offensive player): Brian Allen

Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding special teams player): Jake Hartbarger

Up Front Award (outstanding lineman): Brian Allen (offense), Joe Bachie (defense)

Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award: Luke Campbell (offense), Kenny Willekes (defense)

Outstanding Underclass Back Award: Brian Lewerke (offense), Josiah Scott (defense)

President's Award (senior back/lineman for perseverance): Gerald Holmes (offense), Demetrius Cooper (defense)

Jim Adams Award (unsung hero): Darrell Stewart Jr. (offense), Khari Willis (defense)

Iron Man Award (strength and conditioning): Raequan Williams

Potsy Ross Award (scholar-athlete): Chase Gianacakos

Tommy Love Award (most improved): Felton Davis III (offense), David Dowell (defense)

Clarence Underwood Sportsmanship Award: Matt Sokol

MSU Football Players Association Community Service Award: Gerald Holmes

Danziger Award (outstanding Detroit-area player): David Beedle

Doug Weaver Oil Can Award (team humorist): Darrell Stewart Jr.

Biggie Munn Award (most inspirational): Brian Allen (offense), Joe Bachie (defense)

Cowing Award (senior manager): Austin Featherstone and Ryan Connelly

Con Demos Scholarship Award (manager): Matt DeWyse

George Scofes Outstanding Faculty Award: Nicolas Gisholt, College of Social Science

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!