'Who wore it best' at Michigan State: No. 73

Lansing State Journal

Arthur Ray Jr. watches during a recent MSU football practice (he was not playing that day).

Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program?

No. 73 – Scott Shaw

Tackle, 1995-97, Sterling Heights

Résumé

1995: 1,825 team rushing yards, 2,686 team passing yards, 152.1 team rushing yards per game, 223.8 team passing yards per game, 21 team rushing touchdowns, 11 team passing touchdowns

1996: 2,135 team rushing yards, 2,660 team passing yards, 177.9 team rushing yards per game, 221.7 team passing yards per game, 27 team rushing touchdowns, 15 team passing touchdowns

1997: 2,241 team rushing yards, 2,303 team passing yards, 186.8 team rushing yards per game, 199.5 team passing yards per game, 18 team rushing touchdowns, 21 team passing touchdowns

Total: 6,201 team rushing yards, 7,649 team passing yards, 172.3 team rushing yards per game, 212.5 team passing yards per game, 66 team rushing touchdowns, 47 team passing touchdowns

MSU offensive lineman Scott Shaw (73) blocks against Illinois this season.

Why Shaw?

Scott Shaw was a luxury at offensive tackle.

Need a first down on the ground? Need your quarterback to have time to take a seven-step drop?

Shaw is your man. And Nick Saban knew it.

During his senior season in 1997, a year in which Shaw was named a first-team All-American, the Spartans rushed for nearly 200 yards per game and scored 18 rushing touchdowns. Thanks to running backs like Sedrick Irvin and Marc Renaud, Michigan State eclipsed the 2,200-yard mark. In fact, Spartan tailbacks rushed for more than 100 yards seven times that season.

MSU's Duane Goulbourne is lifted into the air by 295-pound lineman Scott Shaw after Goulbourne scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Todd Schultz in the Spartans win over Wisconsin.

Quarterbacks Todd Schultz and Bill Burke connected for 21 touchdowns while amassing 2,303 passing yards. The 6-foot-4, 297-pound Shaw allowed only one sack all season. He started all 12 games that season.

Shaw wasn’t just solid in 1997. The Sterling Heights native was a staple on Saban’s O-line all three seasons, leading the Spartans past the 1,800-yard rushing mark every year.

He also helped lead MSU to three straight bowl games. Unfortunately for him, it was a trio of lopsided losses.

MORE: A LOOK BACK AT NUMBERS 1-72

Shaw beat Michigan one time in his tenure, a 28-25 win in 1995. He also was victorious over Notre Dame in the 1997 season.

Shaw was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL draft, one pick after teammate, Ike Reese. Shaw only played in two NFL games, both with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Arthur Ray Jr. leaves the field on Sept. 2, 2011, following a 28-6 win over Youngstown State. He later won the courage award given by the Football Writers Association of America for his comeback from cancer before transferring to Fort Lewis State.

Who else wore No. 73?

William Brown (OT, 1974), Dennis Finley (OT, 2014-15), Jerry Helstowski (DE, 1987), James Hinesly (OT, 1975-78), James Jebb (T, 1953), Russell Kelly (G, 1957), Roland Martin (OG, 2005-08), Stephen Mellinger (G, 1961-64), Scott Mittenberger (OT, 1971), Robert Mouch (OT, 1982), Charles Nystie (T, 1948-49), Brian Ottney (C, 2000-02), Pete Partchenko (OT, 1992), Arthur Ray (OG, 2011), John Wojciechowski (DL/OG, 1981-85), James Zito (T, 1946-47)

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.

MORE ON SCOTT SHAW:
* Reese, Shaw go back-to-back in NFL Draft