Notebook: Stanitzek apologizes for hit, Ostman questionable for Michigan State game
Two closely-contested games against a pair of Power Five college football programs have sharpened the teeth of the Central Michigan University football team.
Next, the Chippewas will attempt to take a bite out of the Spartans and pull off the biggest upset in program history and Mid-American Conference history.
CMU travels to No. 2 Michigan State at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Here are a few major storylines surrounding the team this week during practice.
Injury update
Head Coach John Bonamego said junior defensive end Joe Ostman is "getting better" and is listed as questionable for the MSU game. Ostman injured his left ankle during Week 2's win over Monmouth and did not travel with the team to Syracuse last week.
Junior running back Martez Walker is healthy and expected to receive a full workload this weekend, Bonamego said. He participated in a full practice Tuesday after being banged up during CMU's home-opener against Oklahoma State.
He did not play against Syracuse.
Stanitzek apologizes for illegal hit
CMU sophomore defensive lineman Mitch Stanitzek was ejected for an illegal head-to-head hit on SU starting quarterback Eric Dungey on Saturday, which knocked Dungey out of the game with an upper-body injury.
He was evaluated for concussion-like symptoms and did not return. Dungey's playing status moving forward remains uncertain.
On Tuesday, Stanitzek said he was sorry for a hit that "happened so fast."
"I'd like to apologize to him. It was never my intention to go head-to-head with him," he said. "It was a quick play and I wasn't able to react. It's unfortunate he received a concussion. It's part of the game. No one ever wants to see that happen anywhere."
Immediately following his ejection in the first half, Stanitzek received death threats from some Syracuse football fans, which he said he ignored.
Taking on No. 2
Saturday's game will be against the highest-ranked opponent CMU has faced since No. 2 Georgia in 2008, when Matthew Stafford threw for 213 yards and two scores in the Bulldogs' 56-17 win.
Bonamego said this year's MSU team could easily be the No. 1 team in the nation.
"They're excellent on both sides of the ball," Bonamego said. "They don't make mistakes or hurt themselves. You don't see them turning the ball over. They are the real deal. There is an argument to say they are No. 1."
CMU has not defeated MSU since 2009, and the Spartans won in the two teams' most recent meeting in Mount Pleasant during the 2012 season.
"It would mean the world to beat them this year," said punter Ron Coluzzi. "It would be something I would be telling my grandparents about."
The Chippewas and Spartans face off at 12 p.m. on Saturday in East Lansing.
