When the Spartan football team gathers on their sideline for the season-opening kickoff in tonight's game against Boise State, you'll want to look for a local gridiron hero.

Whether you are in the stands or watching on TV, keep an eye out for #38. That's Niko Palazeti, the 6'-1" sophomore fullback from Northville. Palazeti, the son of Jeffrey and Toulla Palazeti, is a third-year player having red-shirted his freshman season. He played high school football at Detroit Catholic Central.

Palazeti appeared in five games during the 2011 season to earn his first letter, according to the MSU media guide. He caught one pass for 2 yards in a win over Indiana.

Michigan State is ranked 13th and Boise State 24th in the Associated Press' preseason poll. ESPN.com predicts tonight's game in East Lansing will be a slugfest. Catch the action at 8 p.m. on ESPN.