By Staff
EAST LANSING - It felt more like summer than fall when I walked across the Red Cedar River en route to Spartan Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University.
It's been a few years since I graced the campus at MSU.
Some things have changed about the drive to East Lansing, but it all came back to me as I headed north on I-69.
Turning off of the highway on to Trowbridge, I began to see all the familiar sites.
Just a little over a mile off the interstate you turn left onto the campus of Michigan State University. Weaving through traffic I took in all the sights.
Trying to remember just where my parking area was, I drove past the Breslin Center and Munn Ice Arena. A quick turn to the right and it was past the stadium and Sparty, who stands his usual vigil and greets the MSU and Central Michigan fans.
This early season game left me longing for the crisp fall afternoons I am used to coming to East Lansing on. I missed seeing the leaves turning fall colors along the Red Cedar River.
But regardless of the fact that the temperatures would hover around 80 degrees this Saturday afternoon, there were all the familiar sights and sounds of campus life on a football Saturday.
Various campus groups were selling items along my walk, while others were simply out enjoying a beautiful Saturday morning before the home opener.
Then there was the smell eminating from the grills and tents along my walk to the stadium. There is truly something for everyone.
I was thrown a small curve when I arrived at the stadium. Instead of just walking around to the press entrance I was met by a construction zone which I had to weave my way through to the elevator to the press box.
From here I have watched many an epic battle involving the Spartans and a variety of opponents.
There have been the battles with the cross-state Wolverines, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, which it this week's opponent, Ohio State and Penn State.
This was the second time I had covered the Spartans against a Mid-American Conference school.
The last time I got in trouble with my readers because I didn't give Western Michigan any chance against Michigan State.
What transpired that afternoon gave me a new-found appreciation for the talent of the Mid-American Conference.
I wasn't in attendance when Saturday's opponent, Central Michigan, upset the Spartans several years ago.
This time, I did not make any mistakes by looking upon the MAC with disdain. I fully expected the Chippewas to give the Spartans a battle.