MSU redshirt linebacker not likely to back down

EAST LANSING - Eric Gordon hits like a grandfather.

More accurately, Gordon aspires to hit like his grandfather, the late Don Dohoney, used to at Michigan State.

"I try to," said Gordon, a redshirt freshman linebacker who is competing for a starting spot.

Dohoney was an All-American defensive end in the 1950s under coach Biggie Munn. He passed away when Gordon was 6, but Gordon's grandmother, Sue, gave him some old game film to watch - including the Spartans' victory in the 1954 Rose Bowl.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Gordon came away impressed with Dohoney, who played on the line at 6-1, 215 and with no facemask, "so he was pretty tough," Gordon said.

Gordon has learned things about his grandfather from some of his former teammates. Hank Bullough told Gordon that Dohoney "was the meanest guy on the field and the nicest guy off it."

Gordon said he "bled green" even though many of his family members attended Michigan. Now he's battling senior incumbent SirDarean Adams for the starting job at weak-side linebacker.

Gordon entered fall camp atop the depth chart, a fact many viewed as a tactic to motivate Adams. But linebackers coach Mike Tressel refuted that idea, saying Gordon is "absolutely a No. 1 right now and deserves to be a No. 1."

"Me and (Adams) are just butting heads right now, trying to get that position," said Gordon, who also could play some strong-side linebacker this season, where redshirt freshman Jon Misch is the starter. "I'm just fighting to keep it."

Gordon stood out Sunday in MSU's first scrimmage with eight tackles, including three and a half for losses of 21 yards. But Adams, a two-year starter, is showing a good attitude and competing as well, head coach Mark Dantonio said.

"He played well, he played solid (in the scrimmage)," Dantonio said of Adams, who declined an interview request Tuesday.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Senior left tackle Mike Gyetvai did not participate in the scrimmage and may not be ready for the Sept. 1 season opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

MSU is being careful with Gyetvai, a two-year starter who missed half of last season and all of spring ball after having surgery to repair nerve damage in his shoulder.

Gyetvai took part in contact drills Tuesday. Offensive line coach Dan Roushar said he hopes to have Gyetvai "if not by the opener, soon after."

Peter Clifford is the starting left tackle while Gyetvai heals. Roushar cited Clifford, senior center John Masters and junior guard Mike Bacon - a walk-on who is pushing Roland Martin at right guard and likely will see time in a three-guard rotation - as the linemen who have excelled so far in fall camp.

FRESHMAN STEPS UP: On the defensive side of the ball, freshman cornerback Chris L. Rucker of Warren, Ohio, is making noise. Secondary coach Harlon Barnett said Rucker "is gonna be a real good cornerback, he's gonna be a special player."

MSU's starting four appears set right now, with Ross Weaver and Kendell Davis-Clark at the corners, and Otis Wiley and Nehemiah Warrick at free and strong safety, respectively.

Safety Travis Key also will be on the field often, as a nickel back and in other packages. And Rucker and Ashton Henderson are the two corners making the biggest push to see some action, Barnett said.

ANOTHER FRESHMAN: Frosh receiver Mark Dell is taking advantage of his opportunity. With veteran receivers Terry Love (academics) and T.J. Williams (suspension) absent for now, Dell is getting plenty of reps at receiver and punt returner.

Dell and junior Devin Thomas are the receivers "that have stood out," Dantonio said.

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@lsj.com.