Dantonio: Spartans have 'lost some respect'

EAST LANSING - Michigan State University football coach Mark Dantonio said today his team has "lost some respect" and must start "rebuilding this process" after Saturday's 42-34 loss at Minnesota.

"We've come up short, we've lost some respect. It's about building respect." Dantonio said at his Tuesday news conference. "I'm not saying we weren't ready to play (Saturday), but we need to be able to execute as coaches and as players."

The Spartans (4-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) will try to get back to .500 Saturday at Spartan Stadium against 4-5 Western Michigan. MSU needs to win two of its final three games to qualify for a bowl bid.

Asked to clarify his "respect" comment, Dantonio said:

"I think that's a weekly thing we struggle with, our players and coaches, losing respect and regaining respect. When you don't win, you don't get the prize for second place. I mean, you either win or lose. It gets you irritable and I think we want our players irritable, that's why I say that. We want our coaches irritable, that's why I say that."

Dantonio originally decided to cut off media access to players this week, but agreed to bring the captains to his news conference. Members of the media usually interview requested players Tuesday nights after practice.