Football Aims For Ninth Win vs. Penn State
11/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 1999
No. 15/14 MICHIGAN STATE (8-2, 5-2)
vs.
No. 13/13 PENN STATE (9-2, 5-2)
GAME 11: QUICK FACTS
DATE: Nov. 20, 1999
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. EST
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sold out)
LAST SATURDAY: Michigan State defeated Northwestern, 34-0, Penn State lost to Michigan, 31-27.
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 ? ABC Sports will televise the Michigan State-Penn State game on a regional basis. Brad Nessler will call play-by-play, with Bob Griese serving as color commentator. Lynn Swann will be the sideline reporter.
THE COACHES
Michigan State?s Nick Saban (Kent State ?73) is 33-24-1 (.578) in his fifth season with the Spartans and 42-26-1 (.616) 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.
Penn State?s Joe Paterno (Brown ?50) is 316-82-3 (.792) in his 34th year as a college head coach, all with the Nittany Lions. The four-time National Coach of the Year is in his 50th season on the Penn State staff. Paterno?s 316 career victories rank fifth all-time and lead all active Division I-A coaches. He has led the Nittany Lions to two national championships and 19 victories in bowl games, the most of any college coach.
SERIES RECORD: MSU leads, 9-6-1
IN EAST LANSING: MSU leads, 5-2
LAST 10 MEETINGS: Tied, 5-5
LAST MEETING: PSU 51, MSU 28 (Nov. 28, 1998, in State College)
LAST MSU WIN: MSU 49, PSU 14 (Nov. 29, 1997, in East Lansing)
FIRST MEETING: MSU 6, PSU 3 (Nov. 13, 1914, in State College)
NICK SABAN vs. PENN STATE: 1-3
JOE PATERNO vs. MICHIGAN STATE: 5-2
CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 1 by PSU (1998)
LONGEST MSU STREAK: 5 (1949-66)
LONGEST PSU STREAK: 4 (1993-96)
TEAM COMPARISONS
Michigan State Penn StateBasic Offense Pro Set MultipleBasic Defense 4-3 MultipleOffensive Starters Returning 8 8Defensive Starters Returning 7 9Specialists Returning 2 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS)
Michigan State Penn StateOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 286 6-5, 281Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-2, 213 6-2, 217Defensive Line 6-3, 281 6-5, 282Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-2, 233Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 5-11, 200CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS)
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshmanMichigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomoresPenn State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshmanPenn State Defense: 7 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores
STAT LEADERS
Michigan State (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Lloyd Clemons (156 carries for 824 yards, 5.3 avg., 0 TD)
Passing ? Bill Burke (144 of 253 for 1884 yards, 17 TDs, 14 INTs)
Receiving ? Plaxico Burress (53 catches for 957 yards, 18.1 avg., 9 TDs)
Tackles ? Aric Morris (113 tackles, 67 solos, 46 assists, 12 for losses, 4 sacks, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs)
Penn State (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Eric McCoo (140 carries for 699 yards, 5.0 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing ? Kevin Thompson (116 of 207 for 1731 yards, 11 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving ? Chafie Fields (38 catches for 688 yards, 18.1 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles ? Brandon Short (91 tackles, 52 solos, 39 assists, 11 for losses, 4 sacks)
STAT COMPARISON (1999 statistics)
Michigan State Penn StateScoring 30.6 33.2First Downs 18.8 19.7Total Offense 376.5 419.2Rushing Yards 144.2 189.2 Passing Yards 232.3 230.0Time of Possession 30:12 29:38Third Down Conversions .361 .358Points Allowed 18.3 18.1Total Offense Allowed 288.6 326.5Rushing Yards Allowed 69.0 111.5Passing Yards Allowed 219.6 215.1
THE LAST MEETING
Nov. 28, 1998, in State College: Eric McCoo rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown and Mike Cerimele scored twice to lead No. 21 Penn State to a 51-28 victory over Michigan State in Beaver Stadium. With a 6-6 final record, the Spartans failed to earn a bowl bid for the first time in four years. Michigan State scored on its first possession as Sedrick Irvin capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run. Penn State responded by scoring 21 unanswered points. Trailing 7-6, Penn State?s Brandon Short returned an interception 18 yards to the MSU 7 and two plays later, Cerimele bulled his way into the end zone from 2 yards out. David Macklin returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first quarter to give the Nittany Lions a 21-7 lead. Michigan State pulled to within 21-14 on Bill Burke?s 61-yard TD bomb to Plaxico Burress early in the second quarter. Penn State regained control when McCoo ended a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a 5-yard TD run. The Nittany Lions led 35-14 at halftime after Cerimele?s second touchdown, a 31-yard burst up the middle. Anthony King iced the game when he ran an interception back 25 yards for a score on the third play of the second half. Travis Forney tied Penn State?s single-game record with five field goals. The Nittany Lions gained 312 yards on the ground, the second-highest rushing total allowed during the Nick Saban era at Michigan State.
THE LAST TIME OUT: MICHIGAN STATE 34, NORTHWESTERN 0
Michigan State?s defense produced its first shutout since Sept. 28, 1996, vs. Eastern Michigan ? and its first against a Big Ten opponent since Nov. 19, 1988, vs. Wisconsin ? to lead the Spartans to a 34-0 victory over Northwestern Nov. 13 in Evanston, Ill. Receiver Plaxico Burress led the offense, catching three touchdown passes to tie the single-game school record and establish a new MSU single-season record with nine TD catches on the year. Linebacker T.J. Turner starred defensively, returning a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown and recording an interception and a sack. Michigan State got a field goal from Paul Edinger to cap an 11-play drive early in the second quarter and less than two minutes later scored one play after an Amp Campbell interception to open up a 10-0 lead. Quarterback Bill Burke threw that first TD pass to Burress, but was relieved by Ryan Van Dyke due to a bruised shoulder. Van Dyke was seven-for-15 for 153 yards and two TDs in his most extensive playing time of the season.
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK
Offense: FB Dawan Moss (graded out 90 percent in his blocking assignments, two knockdowns)
Defense: LB T.J. Turner (eight tackles, including two for losses, interception and 26-yard fumble return for a TD, 27 production points)
Special Teams: DeMario Suggs (one tackle)
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).
QUESTIONABLE: OT Siitupe Peko (sprained right knee vs. Ohio State, DNP vs. Northwestern).
PROBABLE: QB Bill Burke (bruised right shoulder vs. Northwestern).
QUOTING NICK SABAN
On Penn State: ?Penn State is a very good football team. They have hit a tough couple of games these last two weeks just like the rest of us in the conference have at one point or another this season. They have lost these games because they turned the ball over, which is the same reason we lost those back-to-back games last month. It?s clear that we are going to have to force turnovers on defense and take care of the ball ourselves on offense in order to give ourselves the best chance to win the game.
?Their quarterbacks are both very talented and Chafie Fields is a real big-play man at wide receiver. We saw last year what a talented back Eric McCoo is. They are a great defensive team and are very opportunistic. They put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and opposing teams.?
On finishing strong: ?We are striving for a strong finish to the regular season. We know that this game will help determine where we play our bowl game. This team has had its sights set on a New Year?s Day bowl game all season, and that is something which is very important to them.?
SPARTAN-NITTANY LIONS SERIES NOTES
? The series was renewed in 1993. After three out of four games were decided by less than a TD, the last two games have been decided by 35 and 23 points.
? MSU?s last win in the series, 49-14 in 1997, featured a pair of 200-yard rushers for the Spartans in Sedrick Irvin (238 yards) and Marc Renaud (203), as they set the NCAA record for most yards gained by two backs both rushing for over 200 yards.
? QB Bill Burke had MSU?s best passing yardage effort ever against Penn State last year (286 yards on 17-for-44 passing).
SPARTANS SEEK NINTH REGULAR-SEASON WIN ? Michigan State has produced its first eight-win season since 1987 and 18th all time. The Spartans enter the Penn State game in pursuit of its first nine-win regular-season since the national championship year of 1966. MSU has won nine games in the regular season just five times before: 1905, ?51, ?52, ?65 and ?66. Overall, including bowl victories, the Spartans have won nine games in a season eight times, most recently in 1987.
BATTLE FOR THE LAND GRANT TROPHY ? Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has been presented the Land-Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities? unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855, Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned. The trophy features pictures of campus landmarks, Michigan State?s Beaumont Tower and Penn State?s Old Main, plus replicas of the Spartan and Nittany Lion. Since ?93, Penn State leads the series 5-1.
AIMING FOR AN UNBEATEN HOME RECORD ? Michigan State enters the Penn State game with a 5-0 record at Spartan Stadium this season. A win would give the Spartans their 16th unbeaten home season and first since 1966 (5-0-1). It would mark their first unbeaten and untied home record since 1965 (5-0-0).
SENIORS BID FAREWELL ? Twenty-eight seniors will make their final appearance in Spartan Stadium vs. Penn State. This senior class has helped Michigan State to a four-year record of 27-19 (.587) since 1996, including trips to three bowl games (?96 Sun, ?97 Aloha and ?99 to be determined).
The Class of 1999 includes LB Mike Austin (Xenia, Ohio), PK Max Axler (Shaker Heights, Ohio), QB Matt Bitonti (Sterling Heights), QB Bill Burke (Warren, Ohio), CB Amp Campbell (Sarasota, Fla.), TB Lloyd Clemons (Detroit), PK Paul Edinger (Lakeland, Fla.), CB Donvetis Franklin (Fayetteville, N.C.), C Brian Grant (East Grand Rapids), FB Bill Greene (Canandaigua, N.Y.), WR Brandon Hughes (Chicago, Ill.), C Casey Jensen (Eagan, Minn.), K Andy Kennedy (Swanton, Ohio), WR E.J. Martin (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), DE Raheem Miller (Rochester, N.Y.), SS Aric Morris (Oak Park), C Mike Neal (Okemos), LB Julian Peterson (Hillcrest Heights, Md.), TE Brad Rainko (Farmington Hills), TE Kyle Rance (Troy), OT Greg Robinson-Randall (Hitchcock, Texas), WR Gari Scott (Lake Park, Fla.), DE Robaire Smith (Flint), DT Desmond Thomas (Beltsville, Md.), DT Brian Wells (Southfield), LB Brian Williams (Holland), LB Shawn Wright (Shaker Heights, Ohio), WR Todd Zayti (Northville).
BLANK STARE ? Michigan State?s 34-0 win over Northwestern was its first shutout since Sept. 28, 1996, vs. Eastern Michigan (47-0), and its first against a Big Ten team since Nov. 19, 1988, vs. Wisconsin (36-0). Its last road shutout of a Big Ten opponent was Oct. 17, 1987, vs. Northwestern (38-0).
PLAX ATTACK ? WR Plaxico Burress has scored four touchdowns in the last four games, while the rest of the Spartan offense has combined to score three TDs. The Michigan State defense has accounted for three TDs in that span as well.
BURKE TO BURRESS: SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD ? QB Bill Burke and WR Plaxico Burress both set school records in the 34-0 win over Northwestern. Burke threw his 43rd career touchdown pass to Burress in the second quarter, tying Dave Yarema (1982-86) and Ed Smith (1976-78) for the MSU career record. Burress caught two more TD passes on the day, tying the single-game school record of three TD receptions, which he also equaled earlier this season. The three TD catches gave Burress nine for the season, breaking the single-season mark he shared with Andre Rison (1988) and Bob Carey (1949).
AIN?T LIFE GRAND? ? WR Plaxico Burress is 43 receiving yards shy of becoming the first Spartan player to have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
IS LIFE GRAND? ? TB Lloyd Clemons is 176 yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards this season. MSU has had a 1,000-yard rusher each of the last four years and in 11 of the last 14 seasons.
O FROM THE D ? Michigan State?s defense has produced five touchdowns this season (three interceptions, two fumbles), led by two from LB T.J. Turner (INT vs. Purdue, fumble vs. Northwestern). The Spartan defense accounted for two TDs last season.
GROUNDING GROUND GAMES ? Michigan State leads the Big Ten and stands second in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing just 69.0 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 three times this season (108 to Notre Dame, 301 vs. Wisconsin, 110 vs. Northwestern).
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 69.0 (2)5. 1963 82.0 (4)
GROUNDING GROUND GAMES ... AND WINNING ? Michigan State has held 11 opponents to 50 or fewer yards rushing in Coach Nick Saban?s five years at MSU, with six of those efforts coming in 1999. The Spartans have won all 11 of those games. MSU?S BEST SINGLE-GAME RUSHING DEFENSE PERFORMANCES UNDER SABAN
| Date | Opponent | Yds. | Att. | Avg. | TDs | Result |
| Nov. 6, 1999 | Ohio State | 0 | 22 | 0.00 | 0 | W, 23-7 |
| Oct. 9, 1999 | Michigan | 6 | 21 | 0.29 | 1 | W, 34-31 |
| Oct. 31, 1998 | Northwestern | 6 | 30 | 0.20 | 0 | W, 29-5 |
| Oct. 2, 1999 | Iowa | 7 | 26 | 0.27 | 0 | W, 49-3 |
| Sept. 28, 1996 | Eastern Michigan | 25 | 39 | 0.64 | 0 | W, 47-0 |
| Sept. 2, 1999 | Oregon | 28 | 29 | 0.97 | 0 | W, 27-20 |
| Sept. 11, 1999 | Eastern Michigan | 29 | 24 | 1.21 | 0 | W, 51-7 |
| Sept. 6, 1997 | Western Michigan | 29 | 21 | 1.38 | 0 | W, 42-10 |
| Sept. 25, 1999 | Illinois | 42 | 34 | 1.24 | 0 | W, 27-10 |
| Oct. 12, 1996 | Illinois | 49 | 32 | 1.53 | 2 | W, 42-14 |
| Sept. 16, 1995 | Louisville | 50 | 37 | 1.35 | 0 | W, 30-7 |
POLL CATS ? Michigan State stands 15th and 14th in this week?s Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches polls, respectively. 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.
SURPRISE GUYS ? MSU?s rise to fifth in the Oct. 10 Associated Press poll was the highest ranking at any point this season for a team which was not ranked in the AP preseason poll. In the current poll, only Marshall (No. 11 at 10-0) and Mississippi State (No. 12 at 8-1) are ranked higher than MSU among teams which were not ranked in the preseason.
UPSET SPECIALS ? Michigan State is 6-5 in its last 11 games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, including this year?s wins over 24th-ranked Notre Dame, third-ranked Michigan and 20th-ranked Ohio State. 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 12-37 (.245) against Top 25 teams since 1988.
SPARTAN AIR RAID ? 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 | 1989 | |
| Rush TDs/Pass TDs | 8/22 | 14/21 | 18/21 | 27/15 | 21/11 | 20/11 | 25/9 | 24/4 | 10/7 | 35/4 | 37/9 |
BURRESS FOR THE BILETNIKOFF ? 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, and is ranked fourth among candidates for the award by ESPN.com this week.
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 six games, he has averaged 6.2 catches for 121.3 yards and 1.5 TDs per game, including a pair of three-TD games, tying the MSU single-game school record. 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-seven of his 53 catches have been good for first downs.
ONE TD GIVES BURKE RECORD ALL TO HIMSELF ? Senior QB Bill Burke has had at least one touchdown pass in 13 of his last 14 games, and needs just one to hold the MSU career record for TD passes all to himself. He has 43 TD passes for his career and is currently tied with Dave Yarema (1982-86) and Ed Smith (1976-78) for the school record. One of 25 candidates for the 1999 Davey O?Brien National Quarterback Award, he threw four TD passes vs. Iowa this year, equaling the single-game school-record.
BAKER A FAVORITE TARGET ? Sophomore TE Chris Baker is second on the team in receptions with 36 (370 yards and four touchdowns). Baker has 3.6 catches per game and 37.0 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).
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. At Wisconsin, Morris equaled his career-high with 19 tackles (12 solo, seven assists).
Morris, who has 14 career double-figure tackle games including seven in nine games this year, leads the Spartans in tackles with 113 (67 solos, 46 assisted).
HERE?S THE KICKER ? Senior PK Paul Edinger has been one of the nation?s best in 1999, converting on 18-of-21 field goals and 33-of-34 PATs, including a career-long 55-yard field goal at Wisconsin. Edinger has made three field goals of 50-plus yards this season. He leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally at 1.80 field goals made per game. Edinger also sports the league?s best field-goal percentage at .857.
He has made 16-of-21 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in his career (seven-of-10 this year). Eleven of Edinger?s 18 field goals in 1999 have come in the second half.
WHEN BEARS ATTACK ? Senior DE Robaire Smith leads MSU defensive linemen and stands fifth on the team in tackles (35-24-59). He had a career-high 12 tackles at Wisconsin. He ranks second on the team in tackles for losses (13 for 79 yards) and sacks (seven for 69), behind LB Julian Peterson, and has produced two interceptions.
PETERSON REWRITES TFL RECORD BOOK ? Senior LB Julian Peterson has made 22 tackles for losses this season (96 yards) to set an MSU single-season mark. In last year?s upset win over top-ranked Ohio State, Peterson established an MSU single-game record with seven tackles for losses.
Peterson, who stands tied for third on the team in tackles with 56, has been named one of 15 semifinalists for Defensive Player of the Year by the Football News. 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 38) and sacks (fifth with 19).
HURRICANE LLOYD CONTINUES TO INFLICT DAMAGE ? Senior TB Lloyd Clemons has enjoyed three 100-yard rushing games in the first four games of the season, and built upon his single-game career-high in each of those games. Clemons, who Coach Nick Saban called the most consistent offensive player for the Spartans this season, leads MSU and stands fifth in the Big Ten with 82.4 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. Duckett had a season-high 19 carries vs. Ohio State and picked up 49 yards. 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 and now has 968 career punt return yards, 348 more yards than Derrick Mason, who stands No. 2 on the MSU career list. Scott needs only 32 more yards in punt returns to become only the fourth player in Big Ten Conference history to hit the 1,000-yard mark.
Offensively, Scott has at least one TD catch in five of his nine games and six on the season. With three catches for 50 yards vs. Ohio State, Scott moved into third place on MSU?s career chart with 128 receptions and became only the fifth Spartan ever to reach the 2,000-yard milestone.
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?s single-season (17 in 1999) and career records for pass break-ups (47).
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.
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.
TALKIN? ?BOUT AN ABBERATION ? Michigan State?s two losses this season were dramatically different statistically from the seven wins. Here?s a look at Michigan State?s statistics comparing wins and losses, with totals and per-game averages listed:
| EIGHT WINS | TWO LOSSES | Difference | |
| Total (Avg.) | Total (Avg.) | between averages | |
| Points For | 268 (33.5) | 38 (19.0) | -14.5 |
| Total Offense | 3249 (406.1) | 516 (258.0) | -148.1 |
| Rushing Yards | 1288 (161.0) | 154 (77.0) | -84.0 |
| Passing Yards | 1961 (245.1) | 362 (181.0) | -64.1 |
| Points Against | 91 (11.4) | 92 (46.0) | 34.6 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 1958 (244.8) | 928 (464.0) | 219.2 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed | 330 (41.3) | 360 (180.0) | 138.7 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 1628 (203.5) | 568 (284.0) | 80.5 |
| Turnovers | 12 (1.5) | 11 (5.5) | 4.0 |
| Opponent Turnovers | 15 (1.9) | 4 (2.0) | 0.1 |
BENCHMARK WINS IN 1999 ? Michigan State has recorded wins over Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State in the same season for the first time since 1965. The Spartans finished the ?65 campaign 10-1 while winning the Big Ten title and the national championship.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 ? Since 1990, Michigan State is 51-11-1 (.817) when it scores at least 24 points and 9-42-1 (.183) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that nine-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 59-53-2 (.526).
SPARTANS PREFER ARTIFICIAL TURF ? Michigan State?s 34-0 victory over Northwestern marked the Spartans? fourth win on natural grass since 1993 (the others coming at Notre Dame Stadium in 1997, Ohio Stadium in 1998 and Notre Dame Stadium in 1999). The Spartans are just 4-13-1 (.250) in their last 18 games played on natural grass. By contrast, Michigan State is 33-20 (.623) in its last 53 games on artificial turf.
FULL HOUSE ? All six MSU 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 (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. 15), hockey team (No. 4) and men?s basketball team (USA Today/ESPN preseason No. 2) are all in the top 15 nationally.
BIG TEN STAT LEADERS ?
| Category | Stat Avg. | Big Ten | NCAA | |
| Total Offense | 376.5 | 8th | 54th | |
| Rushing Offense | 144.2 | 7th | 64th | |
| Passing Offense | 232.3 | 4th | 41st | |
| Scoring Offense | 30.6 | 5th | 25th | |
| Total Defense | 288.6 | 1st | 8th | |
| Rushing Defense | 69.0 | 1st | 2nd | |
| Passing Defense | 219.6 | 7th | ? | |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 113.8 | 4th | 37th | |
| Scoring Defense | 18.3 | 4th | t-19th | |
| Turnover Margin | -0.40 | 10th | t-85th | |
| Net Punting | 40.9 | 1st | 3rd | |
| Punt Returns | 11.6 | 5th | 23rd | |
| Kickoff Returns | 15.8 | 11th | 114th |
| Category ? Individual | Stat Avg. | Big Ten | NCAA |
| Rushing Yards ? Clemons | 82.4 | 5th | 41st |
| Passing Efficiency ? Burke | 130.6 | 6th | 31st |
| Passing Yards ? Burke | 188.4 | 5th | ? |
| Total Offense ? Burke | 174.5 | 6th | ? |
| Receptions ? Burress | 5.30 | 4th | t-42nd |
| Receiving Yards ? Burress | 95.7 | 2nd | 16th |
| All-Purpose Yards ? Scott | 101.7 | 8th | ? |
| Scoring (Overall) ? Edinger | 8.7 | 5th | 19th |
| Punting ? Jarrett | 44.2 | 2nd | 10th |
| Punt Returns ? Scott | 11.9 | 5th | 23rd |
| Kickoff Returns ? Haygood | 17.8 | 5th | ? |
| Field Goal Pct. ? Edinger | 85.7 | 1st | ? |
| Field Goals Per Game ? Edinger | 1.80 | 1st | 4th |
| Tackles ? Morris | 10.1 | 5th | ? |
| Tackles for Losses ? Peterson | 22 (total) | 2nd | ? |
| Pass Breakups ? Campbell | 22 (total) | 1st | ? |
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
| Opponent | Offense | Defense | Special Teams |
| Oregon | Lloyd Clemons | Julian Peterson | Gari Scott |
| Eastern Michigan | Shaun Mason | Josh Shaw | Paul Edinger |
| Notre Dame | Bill Burke | Renaldo Hill | Shawn Wright |
| Illinois | Chris Baker | Robaire Smith | Duron Bryan |
| Iowa | Plaxico Burress | Mike Austin | D. Bryan/S. Wright |
| Michigan | P. Burress/B. Burke | Renaldo Hill | Herb Haygood |
| Purdue | Casey Jensen | T.J. Turner | Duron Bryan |
| Wisconsin | T.J. Duckett | Josh Thornhill | Paul Edinger |
| Ohio State | Lloyd Clemons | H. Thompson/R. Newsome | Shawn Wright |
| Penn State | Dawan Moss | T.J. Turner | DeMario Suggs |
1999 OPPONENTS UPDATE ?
| Date | Opponent | This Week | Last Week | |
| Sept. 2 | Oregon (7-3) | vs. Oregon State | W at California, 24-19 | |
| Sept. 11 | Eastern Michigan (4-6) | at Northern Illinois | L at Central Michigan, 29-26 | |
| Sept. 18 | at Notre Dame (5-5) | vs. Boston College | L at Pittsburgh, 37-27 | |
| Sept. 25 | at Illinois (6-4) | vs. Northwestern | W at Ohio State, 46-20 | |
| Oct. 2 | Iowa (1-9) | vs. Minnesota | L at Wisconsin, 41-3 | |
| Oct. 9 | Michigan (8-2) | vs. Ohio State | W at Penn State, 31-27 | |
| Oct. 16 | at Purdue (6-4) | at Indiana | ? | |
| Oct. 23 | at Wisconsin (9-2) | ? | W vs. Iowa, 41-3 | |
| Nov. 6 | Ohio State (6-5) | at Michigan | L vs. Illinois, 46-20 | |
| Nov. 13 | at Northwestern (3-7) | at Illinois | L vs. Michigan State, 34-0 | |
| Nov. 20 | Penn State (9-2) | at Michigan State | L vs. Michigan, 31-27 |
SPARTAN TRENDS ?
Here?s how Michigan State has fared this year and during Nick Saban?s tenure (1995-99):
| 1999 | Under Saban | |
| Games played in Spartan Stadium: | 5-0 | 22-8 |
| Games played on the road/neutral site: | 3-2 | 11-16-1 |
| August games: | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| September games: | 3-0 | 10-5-1 |
| October games: | 2-2 | 12-8 |
| November games: | 2-0 | 9-7 |
| December games: | 0-0 | 0-3 |
| Games decided by a TD or less: | 2-0 | 8-8 |
| Games decided by a FG or less: | 1-0 | 3-5 |
| When scoring first: | 7-1 | 27-11-1 |
| When opponent scores first: | 1-1 | 6-13 |
| When leading after first quarter: | 3-0 | 22-5-1 |
| When trailing after first quarter: | 0-2 | 4-12 |
| When tied after first quarter: | 5-0 | 7-7 |
| When leading at halftime: | 6-0 | 29-8 |
| When trailing at halftime: | 1-2 | 3-15-1 |
| When tied at halftime | 1-0 | 1-1 |
| When leading after three quarters: | 6-0 | 28-3-1 |
| When trailing after three quarters: | 0-2 | 3-18 |
| When tied after three quarters: | 2-0 | 2-3 |
| When gaining more first downs than opponent: | 6-0 | 27-6 |
| When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: | 2-2 | 6-14-1 |
| When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: | 0-0 | 0-4 |
| When gaining 200+ yards rushing: | 2-0 | 19-3-1 |
| When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: | 0-1 | 3-12-1 |
| When an MSU player rushes for 100+ yards: | 3-0 | 20-6-1 |
| When an opponent rushes for 100+ yards: | 0-1 | 9-13-1 |
| When outrushing opponent: | 8-0 | 29-5-1 |
| When being outrushed by opponent: | 0-2 | 4-19 |
| When gaining 200+ yards passing: | 5-1 | 20-13-1 |
| When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: | 4-1 | 12-13-1 |
| When gaining more total yards than opponent: | 6-0 | 29-6 |
| When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: | 2-2 | 4-18-1 |
| When leading in time of possession: | 6-0 | 23-12-1 |
| When trailing in time of possession: | 2-2 | 10-12 |
SABAN?S RECORD BREAKDOWN (MSU and TOLEDO)?
All Games: 42-26-1 (.616)Home Games: 27-9 (.750)Road Games: 15-17-1 (.470)August Games: 1-1 (.500)September Games: 15-5-1 (.738)October Games: 15-9 (.625)November Games: 11-8 (.579)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 11 catches for 145 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 vs. Northwestern, and set single-game record with 255 yards receiving vs. Michigan ? 37 of his 53 catches have been for first downs ? has nine TDs, an MSU single-season record, all in the last six games ? second-team All-Big Ten selection in ?98 (media, honorable mention by the coaches) ? ranked No. 4 WR in the nation by ESPN.com
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
? MSU?s second-leading rusher overall (82 carries, 370 yards, six TDs) ? had a season-high 19 rushes vs. Ohio State (49 yards) ? 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
? shares MSU career record with 43 TD passes ? has thrown for 200 yards in eight of his last 14 games, including MSU single-game record 400 vs. UM ? one of four MSU QBs with over 5,000 career passing yards ? already among MSU career passing leaders in attempts (fourth at 707), completions (fourth at 387), completion percentage (seventh at .547), yards (third at 5,133) and TD passes (tied-first at 43) ? MSU is 8-3 when he throws for 200-plus yards ? has started 22 straight games
22 ? SHAWN FOSTER ? TB
? team?s third-leading rusher with 197 yards (5.1 avg.) ? led MSU vs. Iowa with 67 rushing yards
23 ? LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS ? TB
? fourth on team in rushing (25 carries for 135 yards)
36 ? LLOYD CLEMONS ? TB
? owns three 100-yard rushing games this year, including a career-best 141 yards at Illinois ? has 824 yards on 156 carries (5.3 avg.) in 1999 ? fifth in the Big Ten with 82.4 yards per game ? called MSU?s most consistent offensive player this year by Coach Saban ? 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) ? Northwestern game Spartan of the Week
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 ? SIITUPE 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 18 straight games at right tackle ? career-best 86 percent grade vs. Ohio State (10 production points) ? 82 percent vs. Michigan with 12 production points
83 ? CHRIS BAKER ? TE
? second on team with 36 receptions and third in receiving yards with 370 ? top five in nation among TEs in catches (sixth) and yards (ninth) ? 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 24 catches this year have gone for TDs and 10 of 24 have come on third down ? second on team with 418 receiving yards and has at least one TD catch in five of his nine games ? owns the MSU record for career punt return yardage (968 yards) ? 35 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?s single-season (22 this year) and career records for pass break-ups (52) ? presented the Biggie Munn Award last year as the team?s most inspirational player ? has 36 games (and 35 starts) under his belt ? has seven career INTs (including two this season)
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
9 ? ARIC MORRIS ? SS
? one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award ? two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week ? has double figures in tackles in seven of 10 games and in 14 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 ? MSU?s co-captain, along with Gari Scott
15 ? RENALDO HILL ? CB
? tied career high with 10 tackles vs. Michigan ? 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 45-31-76 ? Spartan Co-Defensive Player of the Week vs. Ohio State with eight tackles, including a sack, and first career interception ? 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 (two INTs, including one returned for a TD) and vs. Northwestern (8 tackles, INT, fumble return 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 ? third on team with 27-36-63 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 10 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 ? made his first start of the ?99 season vs. Ohio State and recorded seven tackles including a sack ? missed start of preseason camp with mono
89 ? HUBERT THOMPSON ? DE
? has 19-17-36 tackles,seven sacks and two pass breakups in eight games played ? tied for second on team with seven sacks ? made his first career start vs. Ohio State and earned Spartan Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors (seven tackles including three for losses)
91 ? ROBAIRE SMITH ? DE
? ranks second on the team in TFLs (13) and sacks (7) ? fifth on team and first among defensive linemen with 35-23-58 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 (fourth 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
? seventh on team with 21-29-50 tackles ? starting LT led MSU in tackles vs. EMU with 4-5-9, including one for loss and one pass breakup
98 ? JULIAN PETERSON ? LB
? fourth on team with 40-22-62 tackles ? has a single-season MSU record 22 tackles for losses ? 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
SPECIALISTS
1 ? PAUL EDINGER ? PK
? 18-for-21 in FGs and 33-for-34 in PATs in ?99 ? has top two FG seasons in MSU history ? ranked among nation?s top 10 kickers by Lindy?s (No. 5) and The Sporting News (No. 7) ? has hit 16-of-21 attempts from 40-plus yards in his career (7-of-10 in 1999) ? second-team All-Big Ten selection in 1998, when he set an MSU record for field goal percentage (.846, 22 of 26) ? 20 of 62 KOs have been touchbacks in ?99
12 ? CRAIG JARRETT ? P
? ranks second in the Big Ten and 10th nationally with 44.2 punting average ? has hit 14 punts 50-plus yards and had 10 downed inside the 20-yard line in 1999 ? second-team All-Big Ten (media) in ?98