Michigan State University Athletics
Football Looks To Rebound Against Ohio State
11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 1, 1999
No. 19/19 MICHIGAN STATE (6-2, 3-2)
vs.
No. 20/20 OHIO STATE (6-3, 3-2)
GAME 9: QUICK FACTS
DATE: Nov. 6, 1999
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sold out)
LAST SATURDAY: Michigan State had a bye week after losing to Wisconsin, 40-10, Oct. 23, Ohio State defeated Iowa, 41-11.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Larry Bielat, sideline reporter Harlon Barnett and broadcast host Scott Anderson, will broadcast the game to 31 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5).
Television - ESPN will broadcast the MSU-Ohio State game live nationally.
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's Nick Saban (Kent State '73) is 31-24-1 (.563) in his fifth season with the Spartans and 40-26-1 (.604) in his sixth season as a college head coach. Saban came to Michigan State following four seasons as the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator from 1991-94. He previously served as head coach at the University of Toledo where he guided the Rockets to a 9-2 record overall in 1990, including a share of the Mid-American Conference title at 7-1.
Ohio State head coach John Cooper (Iowa State '62) is 103-36-4 (.734) in his 12th year as head coach of the Buckeyes and 185-76-6 (.704) in 23 years as a college head coach. Cooper is the only coach to lead both a Big Ten team (OSU) and a Pac-10 team (Arizona State) to victories in the Rose Bowl. Prior to joining Ohio State, Cooper coached for three years at Arizona State (1985-87) and eight years at Tulsa (1977-84). He was named National Coach of the Year in 1986 after leading ASU to a 10-1-1 record.
SERIES RECORD: OSU leads, 20-11
IN EAST LANSING: OSU leads, 10-4
LAST 10 MEETINGS: OSU leads, 7-3
LAST MEETING: MSU 28, OSU 24 (Nov. 7, 1998 in Columbus)
LAST OSU WIN: OSU 37, MSU 13 (Nov. 1, 1997 in East Lansing)
FIRST MEETING: MSU 35, OSU 20 (Nov. 28, 1912 in Columbus)
NICK SABAN vs. OHIO STATE: 1-1
JOHN COOPER vs. MICHIGAN STATE: 6-3
CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 1 by MSU (1998)
LONGEST MSU STREAK: 3 (1912-53)
LONGEST OSU STREAK: 8 (1975-84)
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshmanMichigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 0 freshmenOhio State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores, 0 freshmenOhio State Defense: 3 seniors, 2 juniors, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (1999 statistics):
Rushing - Lloyd Clemons (120 carries for 648 yards, 5.4 avg., 0 TD)Passing - Bill Burke (126 of 222 for 1671 yards, 14 TDs, 12 INTs)Receiving - Plaxico Burress (41 catches for 712 yards, 17.4 avg., 5 TDs)Tackles - Aric Morris (97 tackles, 58 solos, 39 assists, 10 for losses, 4sacks, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs)
Ohio State (1999 statistics):
Rushing - Michael Wiley (130 carries for 709 yards, 5.5 avg., 8 TDs)Passing - Steve Bellisari (77 of 164 for 1338 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs)Receiving - Ken-Yon Rambo (37 catches for 756 yards, 20.4 avg., 6 TDs)Tackles - Na'il Diggs (73 tackles, 49 solos, 24 assists, 12 for losses, 4sacks, 3 PBUs)
TEAM COMPARISONS ?
Michigan State Ohio StateBasic Offense Pro Set I FormationBasic Defense 4-3 4-3Offensive Starters Returning 8 5Defensive Starters Returning 7 7Specialists Returning 2 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State Ohio StateOff. Line & Tight End 6-5, 286 6-5, 292Off. Backs & Wide Receivers 6-2, 213 6-1, 208Def. Line 6-3, 281 6-4, 273Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-4, 232Def. Backs 5-11, 193 6-1, 195
STAT COMPARISON (1999 statistics) ?
Michigan State Ohio StateScoring 31.1 26.8First Downs 19.6 18.6Total Offense 390.1 371.2Rushing Yards 146.4 168.8 Passing Yards 243.8 202.4Time of Possession 29:35 27:39Third Down Conversions .379 .407Points Allowed 22.0 21.6Total Offense Allowed 332.0 377.7Rushing Yards Allowed 72.5 170.8Passing Yards Allowed 259.5 206.9
THE LAST MEETING ?
Nov. 6, 1998, in Columbus: Michigan State scored 19 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 28-24 upset victory over top-ranked and previously undefeated Ohio State in Columbus. It marked Michigan State?s first win over a top-ranked team since beating Michigan in 1990. Ohio State scored on three of its first four possessions to take a 17-3 lead in the first quarter. The Spartans pulled to within 17-9 at the half, thanks to three first-half field goals by Paul Edinger, from 33, 43 and 22 yards. Ohio State?s only second-half points came on Damon Moore?s 73-yard interception return with 9:51 left in the third quarter as the Buckeyes built a 24-9 lead. The complexion of the game changed after the Spartans were stopped on their next offensive series and forced to punt. Michigan State caught a break when Craig Jarrett?s 34-yard, line-drive punt hit Ohio State?s Nate Clements and Scott Ernsberger recovered the free ball for the Spartans near midfield. Five plays later, Bill Burke threw a 23-yard touchdown strike to Lavaile Richardson as the Spartans pulled to within nine at 24-15 with 6:02 remaining in the third quarter. Michael Wiley fumbled on Ohio State?s next possession, which led to another Edinger field goal, a career-long 49-yarder, as the Spartans closed to within six at 24-18. Michigan State put together an eight-play, 92-yard drive and took its first lead of the game at 25-24 on Sedrick Irvin?s 3-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter. Josh Shaw?s 22-yard fumble return to the Ohio State 18 set up Edinger?s school record-tying fifth field goal, from 42 yards. Trailing 28-24, Ohio State drove to the MSU 26 but on fourth-and-1 Joe Montgomery was stuffed for no gain by T.J. Turner and Courtney Ledyard. The Spartans produced only one first down on the next series and David Boston?s 26-yard punt return gave Ohio State possession at its own 49 with 1:39 to play. Two-straight completions by Joe Germaine gave the Buckeyes a first down at the MSU 15. Cedric Henry broke up his next pass that was intended for Boston in the end zone. On second down, Germaine overthrew Boston and Renaldo Hill tipped away his third-down toss intended for Dee Miller in the end zone. On fourth-and-10, Hill iced the game by stepping in front of Miller on the goal line for an interception. Michigan State outgained Ohio State, 377-353, in total yards as the Spartans held the Big Ten?s top-ranked offense to 159 yards below its season average.
THE LAST TIME OUT: WISCONSIN 40, MICHIGAN STATE 10 ?
Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne proved why he is one of the nation?s top rushers, carrying for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the Badgers? 40-10 victory over Michigan State Oct. 23 in Madison. The Spartan rushing defense, which had given up just 39.9 yards per game entering the game, allowed 301 yards on the ground, nearly 200 yards more than the previous season high (108 allowed vs. Notre Dame). Dayne?s rushing and a pair of interceptions sparked Wisconsin to scoring drives in each of its first four possessions, and the Badgers had a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter. Vital Pisetsky added his third field goal of the half and Paul Edinger countered with a career-long 55-yard kick of his own to make the halftime score 23-3. Wisconsin built its lead to 33-3 before freshman tailback T.J. Duckett broke through for a 53-yard TD run. Duckett finished the day with a career-best 91 yards on 10 carries. Michael Bennett?s 1-yard run in the fourth quarter made the final score 40-10.
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Offense: TB T.J. Duckett (career-best 91 yards on 10 carries, including 53-yard TD run)
Defense: LB Josh Thornhill (12 tackles, including seven solos, and two PBUs)
Special Teams: PK Paul Edinger (career-long 55-yard field goal, PAT)
INJURY REPORT ? OUT: OL Brian Ottney (underwent surgery on right shoulder Sept. 3, out for the season), DT Joe Tate (reinjured shoulder/neck in Sept. 21 practice, DNP vs. Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin), LB Pierre Wilson (MCL right knee vs. Wisconsin, out for the season). PROBABLE: WR Gari Scott (strained right knee vs. Purdue, DNP vs. Wisconsin), C Josh Smith (underwent surgery Sept. 21 to repair torn tendon on the ring finger of his left hand, DNP vs. Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin), DE Hubert Thompson (bruised right shoulder vs. Iowa, DNP vs. Purdue and Wisconsin).
QUOTING NICK SABAN ?
On the bye week: ?The bye week certainly came at the right time for us. It gave some guys a chance to get healthy after playing games for eight weeks in a row.
?This team needs to recapture the desire that it had for the first six weeks of the season. For whatever reason we lost that in the last two games, but with three games left we have the opportunity to get it back and make this a memorable season. I think the leaders on this football team will help us refocus and get the attitude back which made us such a dangerous team in the first six weeks of the season.?
On the Ohio State game: ?Ohio State always has a very good football team and this year is no different. They have terrific weapons on offense, including Michael Wiley out of the backfield and Ken-Yon Rambo at wide receiver.
?Defensively Ohio State has one of the top linebackers in the nation in Na?il Diggs. Ahmed Plummer is a big-play man in the secondary.?
SPARTAN-BUCKEYE SERIES NOTES ?
? MSU snapped a five-game losing streak to the Buckeyes with last year?s upset of the nation?s top-ranked team in Columbus.
? Ohio State has won 13 of the last 16 games.
? MSU is looking to win back-to-back games vs. the Buckeyes for the first time since 1987 (13-7 in Ohio Stadium) and ?88 (20-10 in Spartan Stadium).
? Eight of the last 10 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.
? MSU?s first and most recent wins over No. 1-ranked opponents both came against Ohio State (Nov. 9, 1974, and Nov. 7, 1998).
SPARTAN-BUCKEYE CONNECTIONS ?
? Michigan State head coach Nick Saban served as Ohio State?s secondary coach for two seasons (1980-81) under Earle Bruce.
? Michigan State defensive secondary coach Mark Dantonio worked for two years (1983-84) as a graduate assistant at Ohio State under Earle Bruce.
? Michigan State strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie earned his master?s degree from Ohio State in 1985 and served as a graduate assistant for the Buckeyes in ?84.
? Michigan State head athletic trainer Jeff Monroe graduated from Ohio State in 1972 with a degree in physical education. Monroe spent four years as a student trainer for the Buckeyes from 1969-72.
TURN THINGS AROUND ? Michigan State?s last two games ? its first two losses of the season ? produced dramatically different results from the first six games. Here?s a look at Michigan State?s statistics in the first six games and the last two, with totals and per-game averages listed:
FIRST SIX GAMES LAST TWO GAMES Difference Total (Avg.) Total (Avg.) between averages Points For 211 (35.2) 38 (19.0) -16.2Total Offense 2605 (434.2) 516 (258.0) -176.2Rushing Yards 1017 (169.5) 154 (77.0) -92.5Passing Yards 1588 (264.7) 362 (181.0) -83.7Points Against 84 (14.0) 92 (46.0) 32.0Total Yards Allowed 1728 (288.0) 928 (464.0) 176.0Rushing Yards Allowed 220 (36.7) 360 (180.0) 143.3Passing Yards Allowed 1508 (251.3) 568 (284.0) 32.7Turnovers 10 (1.7) 11 (5.5) 3.8Opponent Turnovers 11 (1.8) 4 (2.0) 0.2
OHIO NATIVES DOT SPARTAN ROSTER ? Michigan State?s two-deep includes 11 natives of the state of Ohio. Among those are five starters: QB Bill Burke (Warren/Howland), OG Shaun Mason (Toledo/St. John?s), DE Nick Myers (Springfield/Springfield North), FS Richard Newsome (Fostoria/Fostoria) and LB T.J. Turner (Hillsboro/Hillsboro).
GROUNDING GROUND GAMES ? Michigan State leads the Big Ten and stands fifth in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing just 72.5 yards per game on the ground. That figure would be fourth-best all-time at MSU in a full season. MSU has given up 100 yards rushing just twice this season (108 to Notre Dame, 301 vs. Wisconsin).
Michigan State did not allow a rushing touchdown through the first five games of the season, the first time MSU had gone five games without giving up a rushing touchdown since joining the Big Ten in 1953.
A year ago the Spartans finished 10th in the Big Ten in rushing defense (171.8 yards per game).
MSU?S BEST RUSHING DEFENSES ALL-TIME Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed (National Rank in Parentheses) 1. 1965 45.6 (1) 2. 1966 51.4 (3) 3. 1987 61.5 (1) 4. 1999 72.5 (7) 5. 1963 82.0 (4)
GROUNDING GROUND GAMES ... AND WINNING ? Michigan State has held 10 opponents to 50 or fewer yards rushing in Coach Nick Saban?s five years at MSU, with five of those efforts coming in 1999. The Spartans have won all 10 of those games.
MSU?S BEST SINGLE-GAME RUSHING DEFENSE PERFORMANCES UNDER SABANDate Opponent Yds. Att. Avg. TDs ResultOct. 31, 1998 Northwestern 6 30 0.20 0 W, 29-5Oct. 9, 1999 Michigan 6 21 0.29 1 W, 34-31Oct. 2, 1999 Iowa 7 26 0.27 0 W, 49-3Sept. 28, 1996 Eastern Michigan 25 39 0.64 0 W, 47-0Sept. 2, 1999 Oregon 28 29 0.97 0 W, 27-20Sept. 11, 1999 Eastern Michigan 29 24 1.21 0 W, 51-7Sept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan 29 21 1.38 0 W, 42-10Sept. 25, 1999 Illinois 42 34 1.24 0 W, 27-10Oct. 12, 1996 Illinois 49 32 1.53 2 W, 42-14Sept. 16, 1995 Louisville 50 37 1.35 0 W, 30-7
POLL CATS ? Michigan State stands 19th in this week?s Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches polls. The Spartans were as high as fifth in the Associated Press poll and seventh in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll on Oct. 10. That marked the first time MSU has been in the top 10 since standing eighth in both polls at the end of the 1988 season and was the Spartans? highest ranking in the AP poll since a No. 3 ranking on Sept. 18, 1967.
RANKED TEAMS FACE OFF ? This marks the ninth time that Michigan State and Ohio State have met when both were ranked by the Associated Press and just the second time since 1987. Ohio State holds a 5-3 advantage in games when both teams were ranked, including a 37-13 victory over the Spartans in 1997. The higher ranked team has won seven of the eight meetings, with the exception of 15th-ranked MSU?s 13-7 win over No. 15 Ohio State in 1987.
UPSET SPECIALS ? Michigan State is 5-5 in its last 10 games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, including this year?s wins over 24th-ranked Notre Dame and third-ranked Michigan. All five of those wins have come while MSU was unranked or ranked below its opponent and includes the upset of No. 1 Ohio State last year in Columbus. The Spartans are 11-37 (.229) against Top 25 teams since 1988.
SPARTAN AIR RAID ? Michigan State set or tied five single-game school passing or receiving records in the two games against Iowa (Oct. 2) and Michigan (Oct. 9).
Against Michigan, QB Bill Burke threw for a school-record 400 yards, shattering Ed Smith?s previous record of 369 yards set vs. Indiana in 1978. WR Plaxico Burress caught 10 passes for 255 yards against the Wolverines, breaking Andre Rison?s single-game record of 252 receiving yards set in the 1989 Gator Bowl vs. Georgia.
Michigan State set or tied three school records in its 49-3 victory over Iowa Oct. 2. MSU quarterbacks threw six TD passes (breaking the previous team record of five, set vs. Northwestern in 1981). QB Bill Burke threw four TD passes himself, tying the individual record he and three other Michigan State quarterbacks had set previously. WR Plaxico Burress caught three TD passes, tying the school single-game record for TD receptions previously shared by Andre Rison (vs. Georgia, 1989), Mark Ingram (vs. Iowa, 1986) and Gene Washington (vs. Indiana, 1965).
SPARTAN AIR RAID II ? Michigan State has scored more touchdowns passing than running each of the last three years. That trend is a complete reversal from the previous eight seasons. MSU?s rushing and passing TD ratio for the last 11 seasons:
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989Rush TDs/Pass TDs 8/17 14/21 18/21 27/15 21/11 20/11 25/9 24/4 10/7 35/4 37/9
BURRESS FOR THE BILETNIKOFF ? Preseason first-team All-Big Ten WR Plaxico Burress is one of 10 semifinalists for the 1999 Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation?s top receiver. He is the only Big Ten player among the list of 10.
Burress had a single-game school-record 255 receiving yards vs. Michigan and earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. In the last four games, he has averaged 6.3 catches for 120.8 yards and 1.3 TDs per game. In the first four games of the year, Burress averaged four catches for 57 yards per game with no touchdowns. Burress has had at least three receptions in each game this year. Thirty of his 41 catches have been good for first downs.
BURKE APPROACHES TD RECORD ? Senior QB Bill Burke had a stretch of 11 straight games with at least one TD pass snapped vs. Wisconsin. Burke has 14 TD passes on the year, including a share of the school single-game record with four against Iowa. He has 40 TD passes for his career and needs just four more to set the school career record, currently shared by Dave Yarema (1982-86) and Ed Smith (1976-78) with 43 career TDs each.
Burke is one of 25 candidates for the 1999 Davey O?Brien National Quarterback Award. The 10 finalists will be announced Nov. 18.
Burke, who had a school-record 400 yards passing vs. Michigan, has thrown for at least 200 yards in eight of his last 12 games. MSU is 8-3 all-time when Burke throws for 200 yards. Burke needs 80 yards passing to become just the fourth Spartan QB to throw for 5,000 yards in his career.
BAKER A FAVORITE TARGET ? Sophomore TE Chris Baker is second on the team in receptions with 32 (341 yards and three touchdowns). Baker?s 4.0 catches per game stands tied for eighth in the Big Ten, while he has 42.6 yards receiving per game. Prior to this season, Michigan State?s most prolific pass-catching tight end of the 1980s or ?90s was Al Kimichik (3.55 catches per game, 34.8 yards per game in 1981).
Baker stands in the top 10 in the nation among tight ends in both receptions (third) and receiving yards (fifth) and has a TD catch in three of the last seven games.
MORRIS A THORPE SEMIFINALIST ? Senior SS Aric Morris ? a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week ? is one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation?s top defensive back. He shared the Big Ten honor after the Notre Dame game and earned it to himself after the Oregon game. He made 11 tackles against the Irish (six solo, five assists), after setting a career-high with 19 tackles vs. Oregon. Two weeks ago at Wisconsin, Morris equaled his career-high with 19 tackles (12 solo, seven assists).
Morris, who has 13 career double-figure tackle games including six in eight games this year, leads the Spartans in tackles with 97 (58 solos, 39 assisted).
HERE?S THE KICKER ? Senior PK Paul Edinger has been one of the nation?s best in 1999, converting on 13-of-16 field goals and 27-of-28 PATs, including a career-long 55-yard field goal at Wisconsin. Edinger has made three field goals of 50-plus yards this season.
Edinger, ranked fourth among candidates for the Lou Groza Award by ESPN.com this week, has made 15-of-20 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in his career (six-of-nine this year). Nine of Edinger?s 13 field goals in 1999 have come in the second half.
WHEN BEARS ATTACK ? Senior DE Robaire Smith had a career-high 12 tackles at Wisconsin. Against Michigan, Smith made nine tackles (five solos, four assists), including two sacks for 22 yards. Against Purdue, he added his second interception of the season. He stands third on the team and leads all defensive linemen in tackles (32-21-53). He shares the team lead in sacks (seven) and is second on the team behind LB Julian Peterson in tackles for loss (12 for 78 yards).
PETERSON BUILDS ON RECORD-SETTING GAME VS. OSU LAST YEAR ? Senior LB Julian Peterson, who set an MSU single-game record with seven tackles for loss in the upset win over Ohio State last season, has tied the school season record with 18 TFLs this year. He already shared that record with Larry Bethea (1977).
Peterson stands tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 52. He matched his career high with 11 tackles (five solos, six assists) against Oregon, including six tackles for loss (seven yards). Peterson forced three fumbles in the first four games, while he climbs the MSU career charts in tackles for losses (third with 36) and sacks (fifth with 17).
HURRICANE LLOYD CONTINUES TO INFLICT DAMAGE ? Senior TB Lloyd Clemons has enjoyed three 100-yard rushing games in the first eight games of the season, and has built upon his single-game career-high in each of those games.
Clemons leads MSU and stands fifth in the Big Ten with 81.0 rushing yards per game.
T.J. = TDs ? Freshman T.J. Duckett started the season working on both offense (tailback) and defense (linebacker), but has been used more and more at tailback as the season has progressed. He had his most productive game of the year against Wisconsin, running 10 times for 91 yards (9.1 avg.), including a 53-yard TD run. Duckett has six of the Spartans? eight rushing TDs on the year.
GREAT SCOTT ? Senior WR Gari Scott, who missed the Wisconsin game with a strained knee, broke the Michigan State record for career punt return yards in the opener against Oregon on his career-long 49-yard return in the third quarter. He established a new career long with a 51-yard return against Eastern Michigan and now has 889 career punt return yards, 269 more yards than Derrick Mason, who stands No. 2 on the MSU career list.
Offensively, Scott leads MSU with six touchdown catches and has at least one TD catch in five of his seven games. He needs just three more TD receptions to set the school single-season record (currently shared by three players with eight each) and six more TD catches to set the MSU career record (currently held by Kirk Gibson with 24 from 1975-78).
FAST START ? Michigan State?s 6-0 start was its best since 1966, when the Spartans started 9-0 and tied Notre Dame in the season finale.
SOUP IS GOOD FOOD ? Senior CB Amp Campbell, nicknamed ?Soup? by his teammates, completed a storybook return to the field against Oregon, returning a fumble 85 yards for the game-winning TD. He has one interception this season, coming in the end zone at Notre Dame. Against Michigan, Campbell broke up four passes and held David Terrell to 8.6 yards per catch. Campbell holds the MSU career record for passes broken up (45) and leads the 1999 team with 15.
Campbell suffered what was thought to be a career-ending injury last year against Oregon. He fractured his sixth and seventh vertebrae as he attempted to make a tackle on Oregon?s second touchdown, an injury which required spinal-fusion surgery that night. His rehabilitation picked up speed around the midpoint of last season. This summer he was cleared to play and the NCAA granted a sixth-year waiver request. To fulfill Big Ten regulations he still needed to complete his undergraduate degree, which he did this summer and earned a telecommunication degree.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 ? Since 1990, Michigan State is 50-11-1 (.815) when it scores at least 24 points and 8-42-1 (.167) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that nine-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 57-53-2 (.518).
SPARTANS PREFER ARTIFICIAL TURF ? Michigan State?s 23-13 victory at Notre Dame Sept. 18, 1999, marked the Spartans? third win on natural grass since 1993 (the others coming at Notre Dame Stadium in 1997 and Ohio Stadium in 1998). The Spartans are just 3-13-1 (.206) in their last 17 games played on natural grass. By contrast, Michigan State is 32-20 (.615) in its last 52 games on artificial turf.
FULL HOUSE ? All six Michigan State home games for 1999 have already been sold out. Michigan State fans purchased a record 60,857 season tickets for 1999, breaking the previous record of 60,145 set in 1997.
FRIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG ? USA Today named Nick Saban its Coach of the Half-Year in its mid-season report and called Amp Campbell?s fumble return for a touchdown against Oregon the season?s Best Moment ... CNNSI.com called MSU the nation?s #1 surprise team and named Aric Morris and Greg Robinson-Randall first-half All-Americans ... Morris also was selected to the ABC Sports/Bowl Championship Series Online First Half All-American Team . . . ESPN?s Kirk Herbstreit ranks T.J. Duckett among the nation?s top five freshman players at midseason . . . Michigan State?s football team (AP No. 19), hockey team (No. 4) and men?s basketball team (preseason No. 1 in many publications) are all in the top 20 nationally.
BIG TEN STAT LEADERS ?
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA Total Offense 390.1 t-6th t-42ndRushing Offense 146.4 7th 56thPassing Offense 243.8 3rd 30thScoring Offense 31.1 5th 25thTotal Defense 332.0 4th 35thRushing Defense 72.5 1st 5thPassing Defense 259.5 11th ?Pass Eff. Def. 122.1 8th 62ndScoring Defense 22.0 6th t-37thTurnover Margin -0.75 11th t-103rdNet Punting 39.5 2nd 11thPunt Returns 11.9 4th 18thKickoff Returns 15.6 11th 113th
Category ? Individual Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Yards ? Clemons 81.0 5th t-49thPassing Efficiency ? Burke 130.0 7th 34thPassing Yards ? Burke 208.9 3rd ?Total Offense ? Burke 196.4 6th 46thReceptions ? Burress 5.13 4th ?Receptions ? Baker 4.00 t-8th ?Receiving Yards ? Burress 89.0 2nd 27thAll-Purpose Yards ? Scott 112.3 7th ?Scoring (Overall) ? Edinger 8.3 7th t-26thPunting ? Jarrett 43.5 3rd 12thPunt Returns ? Scott 12.6 4th 21stKickoff Returns ? Haygood 17.9 9th ?Field Goal Pct. ? Edinger 81.3 2nd ?Fld Gls Per Gm ? Edinger 1.63 3rd t-11thTackles ? Morris 11.1 4th ?Tackles/Losses ? Peterson 18 (total) 2nd ?Pass Breakups ? Campbell 16 (total) 1st ?
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Opponent Offense Defense Special TeamsOregon Lloyd Clemons Julian Peterson Gari ScottEastern Mich. Shaun Mason Josh Shaw Paul EdingerNotre Dame Bill Burke Renaldo Hill Shawn WrightIllinois Chris Baker Robaire Smith Duron BryanIowa Plaxico Burress Mike Austin Duron Bryan/Shawn WrightMichigan P. Burress/B. Burke Renaldo Hill Herb HaygoodPurdue Casey Jensen T.J. Turner Duron BryanWisconsin T.J. Duckett Josh Thornhill Paul Edinger
1999 OPPONENTS UPDATE ?
Date vs.MSU Opponent This Week Last Week Sept. 2 Oregon (5-3) vs. Washington State W vs. Arizona State, 20-17Sept. 11 Eastern Michigan (3-5) vs. Ball State L at Central Florida, 31-6Sept. 18 at Notre Dame (5-3) at Tennessee W vs. Navy, 28-24Sept. 25 at Illinois (4-4) at Iowa L vs. Penn State, 27-2Oct. 2 Iowa (1-7) vs. Illinois L at Ohio State, 41-11Oct. 9 Michigan (6-2) vs. Northwestern W at Indiana, 34-31Oct. 16 at Purdue (6-3) vs. Wisconsin W at Minnesota, 33-26Oct. 23 at Wisconsin (7-2) at Purdue W at Northwestern, 35-19Nov. 6 Ohio State (6-3) at Michigan State W vs. Iowa, 41-11Nov. 13 at Northwestern (3-5) at Michigan L vs. Wisconsin, 35-19Nov. 20 Penn State (9-0) vs. Minnesota W at Illinois, 27-7*MSU opponents have a cumulative record of 53-31 (.631), not including games vs. the Spartans
SPARTAN TRENDS ?
Here?s how Michigan State has fared this year and during Nick Saban?s tenure (1995-99):
1999 Under SabanGames played in Spartan Stadium: 4-0 21-8Games played on the road/neutral site: 2-2 10-16-1
August games: 0-0 1-1September games: 3-0 10-5-1October games: 2-2 12-8November games: 0-0 7-7December games: 0-0 0-3
Games decided by a TD or less: 2-0 8-8Games decided by a FG or less: 1-0 3-5
When scoring first: 5-1 25-11-1When opponent scores first: 1-1 6-13
When leading after first quarter: 3-0 22-5-1When trailing after first quarter: 0-2 4-12When tied after first quarter: 3-0 5-7When leading at halftime: 4-0 27-8When trailing at halftime: 1-2 3-15-1When tied at halftime 1-0 1-1When leading after three quarters: 4-0 26-3-1When trailing after three quarters:0-2 3-18When tied after three quarters: 2-0 2-3
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 4-0 25-6When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 2-2 6-14-1When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 0-4
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 2-0 19-3-1When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-1 3-12-1When an MSU player rushes for 100+ yards: 3-0 20-6-1When an opponent rushes for 100+ yards: 0-1 9-13-1When outrushing opponent: 6-0 27-5-1When being outrushed by opponent: 0-2 4-19
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 5-1 20-13-1When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 4-1 12-13-1
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 4-0 27-6When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 2-2 4-18-1When leading in time of possession: 5-0 22-12-1When trailing in time of possession: 1-2 9-12
SABAN?S RECORD BREAKDOWN (MSU and TOLEDO)?
All Games: 40-26-1 (.604)Home Games: 26-9 (.743)Road Games: 14-17-1 (.453)August Games: 1-1 (.500)September Games: 15-5-1 (.738)October Games: 15-9 (.625)November Games: 9-8 (.529)December Games: 0-3 (.000)Games decided by a TD or less: 11-10-1 (.523)Games decided by a FG or less: 3-6-1 (.350)
OFFENSIVE QUICK BIOS
2 . HERB HAYGOOD . FL . had a career-best five catches in his first career start at Wisconsin . has 10 catches for 141 yards on the year with a TD (vs. Iowa)
4 . PLAXICO BURRESS . SE . one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award and the only one from the Big Ten . tied MSU single-game record with three TD catches vs. Iowa and set single-game record with 255 yards receiving vs. Michigan . 30 of his 41 catches have been for first downs . has five TDs, all in the last four games . second-team All-Big Ten selection in '98 (media, honorable mention by the coaches) . ranked among the nation's top five WRs by The Sporting News (No. 4) and Lindy's (No. 5)
7 . LAVAILE RICHARDSON . SE . has three catches for 67 yards this year . made his first career start at Wisconsin . caught at least one pass in nine games in '98
8 . T.J. DUCKETT . TB/LB . MSU's second-leading rusher overall (55 carries, 305 yards, six TDs) . career-best 91 yards on 10 carries at Wisconsin, including a 53-yard TD run . has six of MSU's eight rushing TDs . older brother, Tico, ranks as MSU's second-leading all-time rusher (4,212 yards, 1989-92) . wears #8 as the sum of the digits in Tico's #35
16 . BILL BURKE . QB . had MSU-record-tying four TD passes vs. Iowa . has thrown for 200 yards in eight of his last 12 games, including MSU single-game record 400 vs. UM . one of four MSU QBs with over 4,500 passing yards and approaching 5,000, now has 4,920 . already among MSU career passing leaders in attempts (fifth at 676), completions (fourth at 369), completion percentage (seventh at .546), yards (fourth at 4,920) and TD passes (third at 40) . needs four TD passes to set MSU career record, held by Dave Yarema and Ed Smith (43) . MSU is 8-3 when he throws for 200-plus yards . has started 19 straight games
22 . SHAWN FOSTER . TB . led MSU vs. Iowa with 67 rushing yards
23 . LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS . TB . fourth on team in rushing (21 carries for 99 yards)
36 . LLOYD CLEMONS . TB . owns three 100-yard rushing games this year, including a career-best 141 yards at Illinois . in 120 carries has only been stopped for a loss six times (all -1 or -2 yards) . has 648 yards on 120 carries (5.4 avg.) in 1999 . was MSU's second-leading rusher last year behind Sedrick Irvin with 364 yards on 73 carries
49 . DAWAN MOSS . FB . made first start of career at Illinois . scored on his first career carry vs. EMU with a 42-yard TD run . ran 14 yards for the eventual game-winning TD vs. Michigan on his only carry of the day . first MSU FB to score a rushing TD since 1996 (Travis Reece vs. Michigan)
64 . CASEY JENSEN . C . C this year after playing both RG and LG in 1998 . Offensive Spartan of the Week vs. Purdue . had a season-high 14 production points vs. U-M . has produced his top grades vs. Iowa (career-high 89 percent), Purdue (87) and Notre Dame (87)
70 . DAVE SUCURA . LG . moved to left guard this year after starting every game at left tackle in 1998 . top performances of 1999 have come vs. Michigan (graded out 82 percent with 14 production points) and Notre Dame (80/20)
71 . SHAUN MASON . RG . offensive Spartan of the Week vs. EMU (graded out at 82 percent) . graded out with a career-best 89 percent vs. Oregon (83 percent run-blocking, 94 pass-blocking) and 84 percent at Notre Dame (14 production points)
74 . TUPE PEKO . LT . a JUCO All-American at Cerritos College, he has won the starting job at left tackle . turned in his best performance of the season vs. Michigan (81 percent with 15 production points)
76 . GREG ROBINSON-RANDALL . RT . has started 17 straight games at right tackle . graded out 82 percent vs. Michigan with 12 production points
83 . CHRIS BAKER . TE . second on team with 32 receptions and third in receiving yards with 341 . top five in nation among TEs in catches (third) and yards (fifth) . best catches and yards per game of any MSU TE in the 1980s or '90s
85 . IVORY McCOY . TE . has 12 catches and 180 receiving yards . 10 of 12 catches have been for first down . caught third career TD pass vs. Illinois
86 . GARI SCOTT . FL . missed Wisconsin game with an injury, snapping string of 31 straight starts and 31 straight games with at least one reception . six of his 21 catches this year have gone for TDs and nine of 21 have come on third down . second on team with 368 receiving yards and has at least one TD catch in five of his seven games . with six TDs in '99, just three shy of setting MSU single-season record (currently eight) . owns the MSU record for career punt return yardage (889 yards) . leads all MSU players with 33 career starts
DEFENSIVE QUICK BIOS
3 . AMP CAMPBELL . CB . has made a courageous comeback from a cervic-spinal injury suffered last year at Oregon and capped it off with the game-winning TD vs. the Ducks this year on an 85-yard fumble return . owns MSU career record for pass breakups (45), including team-leading 15 this year . presented the Biggie Munn Award last year as the team's most inspirational player . has 34 games (and 33 starts) under his belt . has six career INTs (five as a junior in 1997 when he was a second-team All-Big Ten selection)
5 . LORENZO GUESS . S . returned first career INT for TD vs. EMU . had career-high five tackles vs. Michigan . plays guard for MSU's Final Four basketball team
8 . T.J. DUCKETT . LB/TB . has made 10 tackles (seven solo, three assists) at LB and on special teams . one of the nation's most highly touted freshmen
9 . ARIC MORRIS . SS . two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week . has double figures in tackles in six of eight games and in 13 games in his career . had career-best 19 tackles vs. both Oregon and Wisconsin . in his third year as MSU's starting SS . made 14 stops vs. Purdue and returned an INT for a touchdown . hon. mention All-Big Ten pick (media) in '98 . MSU's co-captain, along with Gari Scott
15 . RENALDO HILL . CB . tied career high with 10 tackles vs. Michigan . tied for lead among active Spartans with six career INTs, including one which clinched the win vs. Oregon . brother, Ray, is a former Spartan and current Miami Dolphin
25 . MIKE AUSTIN . LB . an experienced senior with 23 career starts . started the first five games of 1998 and returned for the season finale
32 . RICHARD NEWSOME . FS . second on team in tackles with 41-25-66 . made career-high 17 tackles at Wisconsin . made second career start vs. Oregon and had 10 tackles (six solos, four assists)
35 . T.J. TURNER . LB . Defensive Spartan of the Week vs. Purdue with two INTs, including one returned for a TD . made 10 stops (4-6-10) at Illinois . in his second year as starter at MIKE LB . had double-figures in tackles in four of the last five games of 1998
37 . CEDRIC HENRY . CB . missed the first three games but returned against Illinois with 2-2-4 tackles and one pass breakup . ran his first career punt return back 70 yards for a TD vs. Iowa . second on the team in '98 with 13 PBUs
50 . JOSH THORNHILL . LB . career-best 18 tackles (eight solo, 10 assists) at Illinois . Spartan of the Week with 12 tackles at Wisconsin . tied for fourth on team with 23-29-52 tackles . second-team freshman All-America pick by The Sporting News in 1998
66 . DESMOND THOMAS . DT . has already surpassed last year's sack total with three through eight games
75 . NICK MYERS . DE . called by defensive coordinator Bill Miller the biggest pleasant surprise of preseason camp, he has produced 29 tackles and two sacks
80 . JACE SAYLER . DT . playing DT after starting 12 games at DE in '98 . missed start of preseason camp with mono
89 . HUBERT THOMPSON . DE . has 8-12-20 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups in six games played
91 . ROBAIRE SMITH . DE . shares team lead in sacks (7) and second on team in TFLs (12) . third on team and first among defensive linemen with 32-21-53 tackles . had his third career INT at Purdue . made career-high 12 stops vs. Wisconsin . 10 tackles vs. Oregon (five solo), including two TFLs and one sack . already among MSU career leaders in sacks (fourth at 21) and TFLs (third at 36) . a Playboy All-America pick . preseason first-team All-Big Ten pick by Street & Smith's, Lindy's and Athlon
95 . JOSH SHAW . DT . tied for fifth on team with 19-24-43 tackles . starting LT led MSU in tackles vs. EMU with 4-5-9, including one for loss and one pass breakup . played all 12 games in '98 as a true freshman
98 . JULIAN PETERSON . LB . tied for fourth on team with 33-19-52 tackles . 18 of his tackles have been for losses, equaling the MSU single-season record he set last year (18) and shares with Larry Bethea (1977) . owns the top two TFL games in MSU history (seven vs. Ohio State, 1998, six vs. Oregon, 1999) . posted career-best 5-6-11 tackles vs. Oregon and forced the fumble which Amp Campbell returned for the game-winning TD
SPECIALIST QUICK BIOS
1 . PAUL EDINGER . PK . 13-for-16 in FGs and 27-for-28 in PATs in '99 . ranked No. 4 among nation's PKs this week by ESPN.com . ranked among nation's top 10 kickers by Lindy's (No. 5) and The Sporting News (No. 7) . has hit 15-of-20 attempts from 40-plus yards in his career (6-of-9 in 1999) . second-team All-Big Ten selection in 1998, when he set an MSU record for field goal percentage (.846, 22 of 26) . 12 of 49 KOs have been touchbacks in '99
12 . CRAIG JARRETT . P . ranks third in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 43.5 punting average . has hit 10 punts 50-plus yards and had eight downed inside the 20-yard line in 1999 . second-team All-Big Ten (media) in '98
