[Trevmiesterj]

The last time Stanford and Michigan State met was the 1996 Sun Bowl, won by the Cardinal 38-0. 

Both teams came into that game at 6-5 but Stanford had won the last 4 and was playing well before the December 31, 1996 match-up.  Willingham vs. Saban.

Here is a 12 minute YouTube video of highlights of the game and game stats below.  Interesting Stanford is labeled STFD; this is a time before internet memes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQUIE2I6TPg


NCAAF SUN BOWL

FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- STANFORD 7 14 10 7 38 MICHIGAN ST 0 0 0 0 0 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QTR: STFD - TD, LEROY PRUITT 79 YARD LATERAL FROM JOSH MADSEN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
12:54 2ND QTR: STFD - TD, JON RITCHIE 8 YD PASS FROM CHAD HUTCHINSON (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
4:16 STFD - TD, ADAM SALINA 1 YD RUN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
14:23 3RD QTR: STFD - FG, KEVIN MILLER 24 YD,
7:55 STFD - TD, DAMON DUNN 27 YD RUN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
11:55 4TH QTR: STFD - TD, COREY HILL 6 YD RETURN OF BLOCKED PUNT (KEVIN MILLER KICK), 2:53

[Trevmiesterj]

The last time Stanford and Michigan State met was the 1996 Sun Bowl, won by the Cardinal 38-0. 

Both teams came into that game at 6-5 but Stanford had won the last 4 and was playing well before the December 31, 1996 match-up.  Willingham vs. Saban.

Here is a 12 minute YouTube video of highlights of the game and game stats below.  Interesting Stanford is labeled STFD; this is a time before internet memes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQUIE2I6TPg


NCAAF SUN BOWL

FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- STANFORD 7 14 10 7 38 MICHIGAN ST 0 0 0 0 0 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QTR: STFD - TD, LEROY PRUITT 79 YARD LATERAL FROM JOSH MADSEN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
12:54 2ND QTR: STFD - TD, JON RITCHIE 8 YD PASS FROM CHAD HUTCHINSON (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
4:16 STFD - TD, ADAM SALINA 1 YD RUN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
14:23 3RD QTR: STFD - FG, KEVIN MILLER 24 YD,
7:55 STFD - TD, DAMON DUNN 27 YD RUN (KEVIN MILLER KICK),
11:55 4TH QTR: STFD - TD, COREY HILL 6 YD RETURN OF BLOCKED PUNT (KEVIN MILLER KICK), 2:53

[PrinceLightfoot]

This was my first Stanford bowl game and was a very easy one for me to attend; I am from El Paso and was home for the holidays. I was swelling with pride as we delivered a crushing defeat to the Saban lead Spartans in what was the first Stanford game most of my friends and family (about 20 total) had ever seen.

El Pasoans love the Sun Bowl regardless of who plays in the game except perhaps USC since they disrespected the city and the bowl last year (another +1 for El Paso in my book). They just know the quality of play will almost always be better than UTEP's product.

[PrinceLightfoot]

This was my first Stanford bowl game and was a very easy one for me to attend; I am from El Paso and was home for the holidays. I was swelling with pride as we delivered a crushing defeat to the Saban lead Spartans in what was the first Stanford game most of my friends and family (about 20 total) had ever seen.

El Pasoans love the Sun Bowl regardless of who plays in the game except perhaps USC since they disrespected the city and the bowl last year (another +1 for El Paso in my book). They just know the quality of play will almost always be better than UTEP's product.

[Farm93]

The Sun Bowl was my first bowl game.  It was so much fun.  I remember I rollerbladed around the UTEP campus the day before the game, until the campus security told me that skating was not allowed.  :(  The pavement there was really smooth, not UNLV smooth but far better than most.

At some point in there, they let fans attend the team walk-throughs.  That was so cool to get into the stadium and watch the team prepare for the game.  At the time I thought it was routine but I have never seen that opportunity at any other bowl.

I also attended a UTEP basketball game.  That was really fun, and I got to sit near a UTEP person that told me all about Haskins.  It was a cool story and better to learn about it from someone that clearly was proud of that history.  I still love the idea that I got to see the great Haskins coach a game.

Then there was that 38-0 game.  Loads of fun.  My guess is that some MSU fans attending the 100th Rose Bowl will have a slightly different memory of the game.

The Sun Bowl was in many ways the best bowl game I have ever attended.  The score made it a perfect bowl experience, but the Sun Bowl organization really does a very good job.  It is too bad that SC tainted our conference's reputation with that group.

[Farm93]

The Sun Bowl was my first bowl game.  It was so much fun.  I remember I rollerbladed around the UTEP campus the day before the game, until the campus security told me that skating was not allowed.  :(  The pavement there was really smooth, not UNLV smooth but far better than most.

At some point in there, they let fans attend the team walk-throughs.  That was so cool to get into the stadium and watch the team prepare for the game.  At the time I thought it was routine but I have never seen that opportunity at any other bowl.

I also attended a UTEP basketball game.  That was really fun, and I got to sit near a UTEP person that told me all about Haskins.  It was a cool story and better to learn about it from someone that clearly was proud of that history.  I still love the idea that I got to see the great Haskins coach a game.

Then there was that 38-0 game.  Loads of fun.  My guess is that some MSU fans attending the 100th Rose Bowl will have a slightly different memory of the game.

The Sun Bowl was in many ways the best bowl game I have ever attended.  The score made it a perfect bowl experience, but the Sun Bowl organization really does a very good job.  It is too bad that SC tainted our conference's reputation with that group.

[terry]

I doubt that U,S,C tainted the conference's reputation. I think they just tainted their own reputation.

I attended one Sun Bowl and enjoyed it. The people of El Paso really seem to get behind their bowl game. The alumni tailgater was very good, and the stadium is nice. And I got a chance to participate in the El Paso Death March, walking across the entire city on a cold night, following slide in search of a Mexican restaurant. . . .

[terry]

I doubt that U,S,C tainted the conference's reputation. I think they just tainted their own reputation.

I attended one Sun Bowl and enjoyed it. The people of El Paso really seem to get behind their bowl game. The alumni tailgater was very good, and the stadium is nice. And I got a chance to participate in the El Paso Death March, walking across the entire city on a cold night, following slide in search of a Mexican restaurant. . . .

[pincemob]

Cool to see a late-20s Gus Johnson calling that game.  He was a little more reserved then than he is now.  :)

[pincemob]

Cool to see a late-20s Gus Johnson calling that game.  He was a little more reserved then than he is now.  :)

[Farm93]

I doubt that U,S,C tainted the conference's reputation. I think they just tainted their own reputation.

I attended one Sun Bowl and enjoyed it. The people of El Paso really seem to get behind their bowl game. The alumni tailgater was very good, and the stadium is nice. And I got a chance to participate in the El Paso Death March, walking across the entire city on a cold night, following slide in search of a Mexican restaurant. . . .

But we all know that many bowls are affiliated with the Pac-12 with the dream of landing SC from time to time.  SC's recent attitude when forced to play in non-BCS bowls will not be helping Larry Scott get the Pac-12 better bowls or more bowl money. 

[Farm93]

I doubt that U,S,C tainted the conference's reputation. I think they just tainted their own reputation.

I attended one Sun Bowl and enjoyed it. The people of El Paso really seem to get behind their bowl game. The alumni tailgater was very good, and the stadium is nice. And I got a chance to participate in the El Paso Death March, walking across the entire city on a cold night, following slide in search of a Mexican restaurant. . . .

But we all know that many bowls are affiliated with the Pac-12 with the dream of landing SC from time to time.  SC's recent attitude when forced to play in non-BCS bowls will not be helping Larry Scott get the Pac-12 better bowls or more bowl money. 

[pincemob]

I have been reading a bit more about the coming playoff system and I do think it upgrades our bowl hopes slightly.  The "committee" apparently (if I read it correctly) will not only slot the 4 playoff teams, their rankings determine the participants in the other 4 bowls which now include Cotton and Peach.  So that is 4 additional slots in "big time" bowls which would be available to a Pac 12 team.  The flip side is that now a mid-major is guaranteed a slot.  In addition, somehow the SEC and Big 10 managed to secure themselves 2 automatic slots.    Still, net-net, if Stanford ends up ranked between 5 and 12, I think we have a better chance of a big-time bowl than we have now (if we don't win the Pac 12).  If we're not top-12, an Alamo or Sun Bowl won't feel like an insult.

Side note, I think there is an opportunity for San Diego to sponsor a bigger bowl than the Holiday.  That's a great destination and I think it could handle a Jan 1 bowl, maybe in the evening slot vacated by the Orange Bowl.  The Holiday Bowl just does not seem to want to step up to the plate and is content to play on a random Tuesday night at 10pm eastern rather than Jan 1. 

[pincemob]

I have been reading a bit more about the coming playoff system and I do think it upgrades our bowl hopes slightly.  The "committee" apparently (if I read it correctly) will not only slot the 4 playoff teams, their rankings determine the participants in the other 4 bowls which now include Cotton and Peach.  So that is 4 additional slots in "big time" bowls which would be available to a Pac 12 team.  The flip side is that now a mid-major is guaranteed a slot.  In addition, somehow the SEC and Big 10 managed to secure themselves 2 automatic slots.    Still, net-net, if Stanford ends up ranked between 5 and 12, I think we have a better chance of a big-time bowl than we have now (if we don't win the Pac 12).  If we're not top-12, an Alamo or Sun Bowl won't feel like an insult.

Side note, I think there is an opportunity for San Diego to sponsor a bigger bowl than the Holiday.  That's a great destination and I think it could handle a Jan 1 bowl, maybe in the evening slot vacated by the Orange Bowl.  The Holiday Bowl just does not seem to want to step up to the plate and is content to play on a random Tuesday night at 10pm eastern rather than Jan 1. 

[Farm93]

San Diego?  A Jan 1 bowl.  Ohhhhh, the wrath that sponsor would feel by the powers in LA and likely even Sacramento.  Look out!

[Farm93]

San Diego?  A Jan 1 bowl.  Ohhhhh, the wrath that sponsor would feel by the powers in LA and likely even Sacramento.  Look out!

[sarcyspice]

This was my first Stanford bowl game and was a very easy one for me to attend; I am from El Paso and was home for the holidays. I was swelling with pride as we delivered a crushing defeat to the Saban lead Spartans in what was the first Stanford game most of my friends and family (about 20 total) had ever seen.

El Pasoans love the Sun Bowl regardless of who plays in the game except perhaps University of Spoiled Children  since they disrespected the city and the bowl last year (another +1 for El Paso in my book). They just know the quality of play will almost always be better than UTEP's product.

That game for Spartans fans is actually nicely remembered as tRCMB (in the youthful days when they were linked to MSU athletics) went on a drive to buy tickets for young kids in El Paso to watch the game... then it snowballed into MSU getting out gear and giving it to the kids as well......

when we set our minds on it, we can actually do some really nice things..... there is a heart in the madhouse!!!  :)

[sarcyspice]

This was my first Stanford bowl game and was a very easy one for me to attend; I am from El Paso and was home for the holidays. I was swelling with pride as we delivered a crushing defeat to the Saban lead Spartans in what was the first Stanford game most of my friends and family (about 20 total) had ever seen.

El Pasoans love the Sun Bowl regardless of who plays in the game except perhaps University of Spoiled Children  since they disrespected the city and the bowl last year (another +1 for El Paso in my book). They just know the quality of play will almost always be better than UTEP's product.

That game for Spartans fans is actually nicely remembered as tRCMB (in the youthful days when they were linked to MSU athletics) went on a drive to buy tickets for young kids in El Paso to watch the game... then it snowballed into MSU getting out gear and giving it to the kids as well......

when we set our minds on it, we can actually do some really nice things..... there is a heart in the madhouse!!!  :)