Dantonio says Spartans have closed gap with elite

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio says the program has closed the gap with college football’s elite.

The Spartans beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl last Wednesday for a school-record 13th win in their first trip to Pasadena, Calif., since 1988.

Michigan State finished No. 3 in the final Associated Press poll for its highest ranking since being No. 2 in 1966.

Dantonio and members of his team were honored with a standing ovation and roaring crowd Tuesday night as the fifth-ranked Spartans basketball team hosted No. 3 Ohio State.

Dantonio told the fans: “We haven’t been in this situation since ’66. We will be back.”

Spartans offensive lineman Travis Jackson led the fans in what was a postgame ritual, asking them all to squat and to scream “YES!” as they stood up.