National Notes: Ringer carries Michigan State to best start since 2003

CBSSports.com Midseason All-America Team

Javon Ringer is not tired. That's the amazing thing.

By sprinting and powering his way to the most rushing yards in the country, he has positioned himself for that rarity of rarities in recent years -- a Heisman won by a running back.

Whether it's carries, yards or bruises, Michigan State's tailback has assumed the position each week, becoming the equivalent of Kevin Bacon in Animal House.

Thank you, sir, may I have another

We first heard that dialogue back in 1978 which is fitting this week as the season reaches its halfway point. They signify punishment rather than finesse. In the midst of a national offensive revolution, Michigan State is winning the old-fashioned way -- more '78 than '08, a paddle to the butt rather than pat on the back.

The Bo and Woody of 30 years ago would be proud that their philosophy still lives in Ringer's lively legs and his coach's simple outlook.

"When your best player is a tailback, you're certainly going to do things to feature him," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said.

In the Big Ten things do change -- Spread HD anyone? -- but they also come full circle. Ringer is pounding the ball, really pounding it, averaging almost 35 1/2 carries per game. At his current pace, he would smash the NCAA record for carries in a season in Michigan State's bowl game.

Javon Ringer: 'Am I worn out yet? I'm still going. I kid you not, I feel fine.' (US Presswire)

Considering that the Spartans have ridden Ringer to a tie atop the Big Ten at this point makes the Spartans new wave in an old-school kind of way.

"Am I worn out yet?" Ringer asked this week. "I'm still going. I kid you not, I feel fine. My legs feel better than what they did than at the beginning of the season."

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior doesn't so much as soak his legs after games. That's unbelievable after watching Ringer carry it 43, 39 and 44 times in consecutive weeks against Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame and Indiana earlier this season. It's incredible considering Ringer has more rushing touchdowns (14) than 13 teams have total touchdowns. He is piling up yards at a 2,000-yard pace (158.8 yards per game, second nationally). Those kinds of numbers haven't been seen this far into the season at Michigan State in more than 20 years.

All of these accomplishments have not been lost on defenses. They have stacked seven, eight, nine men in the box. Ringer just keeps coming hard, and especially late. The largest percentage of his yards come in the fourth quarter (355 of 1,112, 32 percent).

"What does it feel like?" he said. "Toward the end of the game they know we're going to run the ball. They stack the box. I'll be in my stance as (quarterback Brian) Hoyer is going through his cadence. I'll just kind of look up at the defense. I'll see the d-line and linebacker. I'll see the safeties crouched down and I'll kind of just smile."