per ESPN.com...

Michigan State's annual Green-White intrasquad game has been canceled, head coach Bobby Williams said.

Williams said the decision was made because of poor field conditions for Saturday's game at Okemos High School.

"We checked out the site (Wednesday), and there was standing water on the field as the result of the heavy rains earlier this week," Williams said in a written release. "Unfortunately, the warmer and drier weather arrived too late to improve the field conditions, and showers are again in the forecast for Friday."

The scrimmage was scheduled at Okemos High because natural gr*** was being installed at Spartan Stadium.

The scrimmage last was canceled in 1994, when the field at Spartan Stadium was being lowered. Last season, the spring game was replaced with a controlled scrimmage because of a lack of players.

Okemos athletics director and head football coach Keith Froelich said the school was disappointed, but Williams' decision was commendable.

"Our community was excited," Froelich told The State News. "I think it would've been an exciting event, but you have to give MSU credit. They were concerned about tearing up our field and the big picture."

The Spartans will conclude their spring practices with a controlled scrimmage Saturday at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. The scrimmage is closed to the general public.