ce was significant because last year Scott split carries almost evenly with Madre London and Gerald Holmes. That wasnt the case against Furman.It made

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- In a season opener that was otherwise unimpressive for Michigan State, running back LJ Scott was a bright spot.It wasnt just how far he carried the ball -- but how often.Scott ran for 105 yards on 20 carries in Michigan States 28-13 victory over Furman on Sept. 2, staking an immediate claim as the top running back for the 12th-ranked Spartans. His performance was significant because last year Scott split carries almost evenly with Madre London and Gerald Holmes. That wasnt the case against Furman.It made a big difference, Scott said. I was able to catch my rhythm, and I was hungry for the ball. I was calling for it every time.The Spartans have this weekend off before playing at Notre Dame on Sept. 17. They have a lot to work on after a penalty-filled opener, and it remains to be seen how the running game will fare against tougher competition.Scott ran for 699 yards as a freshman in 2015 on a team-high 146 carries, but London had 119 rushing attempts and Holmes had 110. The rotating system was a bit of a change for Michigan State, which leaned on running back Jeremy Langford the previous two seasons and LeVeon Bell before that.In 2012, Bell had 382 carries, the third-highest season total in school history.Last season, the Spartans were content to have their backs share the rushing load. Scott reached 20 carries only once -- in the Big Ten title game against Iowa. In the final minute of that game, he reached the ball over the goal line to cap a 22-play drive that sent the Spartans to the College Football Playoff.It wasnt a surprise to see Scott start against Furman, but London had only five carries and Holmes didnt have any. That was a bit unexpected.I think we go with the productive player and the productive situation at every time, coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday. Im never going to say were not going to use three. If we can get people in rhythm, I think thats good. Guys come out -- we didnt want to have three guys come out with eight carries apiece, or even nine apiece. We wanted to make sure that we somewhat had the majority.Michigan States running game may be scrutinized more this year because the Spartans have a new starting quarterback. Fifth-year senior Tyler OConnor has taken over after backing up Connor Cook for the previous three seasons.Michigan State had 40 rushes and only 18 pass attempts against Furman. The Spartans never trailed in the game, so there wasnt much pressure to try to score quickly.But OConnor actually ended up with Michigan States second-most rushing attempts with six. Scott was the only running back who had the ball on a consistent basis.My plan was to play three running backs, offensive coordinator Dave Warner said. But LJ was playing the majority.He scored a touchdown on the first drive after the Spartans marched down the field. After that, Michigan State stuck with him instead of worrying about spreading opportunities around.So as the Spartans move on to tougher opponents, Scott appears to have quite an opportunity. If Michigan State wants to identify one top running back and give the most carries to him, that figures to be Scotts job to lose.I think that hes earned the starting position, and I think that hes earned to be kind of the lead guy, Warner said. Hes done that most especially throughout this camp in August.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister NCAA Jerseys Free Shipping . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Cheap NCAA Jerseys From China . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . http://www.cheapncaajerseys.net/ . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Online . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Cheap Basketball NCAA Jerseys . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. MILWAUKEE -- Jeremy Hefner no longer has to worry about the prospect of being sent down to the minors. Hefner allowed one run on two hits over seven innings and the New York Mets turned two throwing errors by Milwaukee third baseman Juan Francisco into two unearned runs and a 2-1 victory over the Brewers on Sunday. "I was maybe one or two bad starts from being in (Triple-A) Las Vegas, "said Hefner, who lost his first five decisions and did not win until his 10th start on May 29. "Something had to change. Obviously the mechanical adjustment was key. And, Im making pitches." Josh Satin had two doubles and a single for the Mets, scoring one run and driving in the other to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Hefner (4-6), who matched his career-high with eight strikeouts, allowed two runners in the second when he hit Rickie Weeks with two outs and Sean Halton followed with a single. But Hefner struck out Logan Schafer to end the inning. Hefner has a 1.64 ERA since June 4. "I think hes proven himself," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "His stuff is good enough. Hes a legitimate guy in the rotation." Bobby Parnell, who came on with a runner on first and two outs in the eighth, finished for his 15th save. Reliever Tom Gorzelanny (1-2), pressed into his second spot start of the season to give Wily Peralta a couple extra days to rest his ailing left hamstring, allowed two unearned runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out a season-high eight. The Mets hustled across an unearned run in the fourth. With two outs, Satin doubled to centre, narrowly sliding in ahead of the throw from centre fielder Carlos Gomez. Francisco then barehanded Andrew Browns slow bouncer, but his hurried throw eluded Halton at first, allowing Brown to reach and Satin to score. On the replay, it appeared that second baseman Weeks missed thhe initial swipe, but tagged Satin higher on the leg before he reached the bag.dddddddddddd. "Im not saying that was an easy call," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, who went out to ask the umpires about the call. "He gets to look at the first swipe that he misses him on. And, its pretty tough to stay with him and see the next part." "Its easy to see when you go back and look at the replay, but he doesnt have that," Roenicke said. "When its in fast motion, its tough to see, but it hurt us." Franciscos second throwing error on almost identical play set up the Mets second run in the sixth. With one out, he again barehanded a slow roller by Marlon Byrd and threw wildly past first, sending Byrd to second. Satin followed with an RBI double off the wall in right. "I just pretend Im playing every day," said Satin, hitting .382 since being called up from Las Vegas on June 11. "I hit in the cages a lot. Im comfortable with my role." Francisco had started 29 games this season for the Atlanta Braves before being acquired by the Brewers on June 3. He has started 21 games at first for Milwaukee, but was making only his third start at third base. When asked if Francisco should have held the ball, Roenicke said, "You dont want to eat it. If he makes the throw online, hes going to beat the runner. I think both times and if you throw it and put it online, theyre out." NOTES: Ruben Tejada returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas, was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and then optioned back to Las Vegas. ... Hefner has allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last seven starts, the first Mets pitcher to do since Johan Santana had 13 straight in 2008-09. ... Norichika Aokis eighth-inning single was his 22nd infield hit, third-most in baseball. 19:50ET 07-07-13 ' ' '