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JENNIFER FINER

STAFF WRITER

Once a lighirf reenited star,
the MU Rimirierbask is benched.

us Ornstein had
grandiose goals for
his first college foot-
ball season — a top
25 ranking, a bowl
game and at least
one touchdown
pass per game.
Now, eight games
into the season, the
6-foot-5-inch MSU
junior, with two
more years of foot-
ball eligibility, can
only hope for anoth-
er opportunity to
prove himself as a
quarterback.
Tonight, on the eve of the big Michigan-
Michigan State game, about all Ornstein can
do is watch from the sidelines. Of course, he
also plans to continue working hard in prac-
tice and trying to convince the coach, Nick Sa-
ban, he deserves to play. After all, that's why
he transferred from Notre Dame to MSU af-
ter his freshman year.
After sitting out a year to comply with NCAA
transfer rules, Ornstein, named after his great-
grandmother Gussie, began this season as the
No. 2 quarterback. When Todd Schultz, the
starter, suffered a knee injury during the MSU-
Nebraska game, Ornstein was immediately on
the field calling plays against one of the tough-
est college teams in the nation.
A mediocre performance in his first and only
start against Louisville, one week later, and a
good practice week by third stringer Bill Burke,
pushed Ornstein down to the No. 3 slot on the
quarterback list.
Despite the setback, Ornstein vows to work
hard on the practice field. He hasn't given up

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and will continue preparing to play in one of
college football's toughest conferences, the Big
Ten.
Some of the fans in East Lansing can be just
as tough, especially when a player doesn't meet
fan expectations.
After the Louisville game, while Ornstein
was eating at a popular off-campus restaurant,
a woman at the table next to him loudly vo-
calized her feelings about Ornstein's perfor-
mance.
"Typically, when people talk, it doesn't both-
er me," said Ornstein, a native of Tenafly, N.J.
"I'm kind of laid-back about those kinds of

Gus Ornstein is hopeful he will get more playing time.

things. At the same time, it can be hard. With
so many people voicing opinions out there,
everyone wants to tell you what to do. I lis-
ten to those who matter the most: my team-
mates, coaches and family."
There have been times when Ornstein is the
focus of extra attention. For example, during
a class held before the Spartans' game against
Eastern Michigan, one of his professors jok-
ingly told Ornstein, in front of the entire lec-
ture hall, "If State loses, it's going to be a very
long semester for you, Gus."
Unfortunately for Ornstein, it's already been
a long semester. Ornstein didn't start the EMU
game. Burke, a walk-on quarterback, did.
Schultz, the starting quarterback, is now
back in the lineup and Burke is in the No. 2
slot.
"I don't think I deserve to be No. 3 and I'm
not sure I understand what's going on," Orn-
stein said. "I haven't really gotten any answers
[from Coach Saban], but it's something I have
to go along with. Hopefully, I will get anoth-
er chance somewhere down the road. It's hard
to stay motivated, but I'm working hard. Oth-
erwise, I'd be letting myself down."
Ornstein, who has played in a total of four
games, has thrown for three touchdowns and
three interceptions while completing 38 of 64
passes for 469 yards.
Coach Saban has consistently said he will
play the guy who looks better in practice, which
is why Burke started against Eastern Michi-
gan.
Despite the lack of playing time, Ornstein
doesn't regret transferring.
"At least I've played here," he said. "I feel I
have a good shot at getting back in. I'm still
hopeful for playing time. You never know
what's going to happen."
When Ornstein did play, he never got ner-