For the first time since its victory over Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl last December, Michigan State strapped on the pads Wednesday and started hitting.
Just more than nine months and a changeover in coaches later, the Spartans enjoyed the first day of real football as they prepare for the season opener on Oct. 24 against Rutgers, and for defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, playtime is over — and that’s a good thing.
“As we move forward it's going to be about how the guys really play in pads,” Hazelton said. “When it's real ball, not pajamas and stuff like that.