Football Aims For Eighth Win At Northwestern
11/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 8, 1999
DATE: Nov. 13, 1999
SITE: Ryan Field (47,130), Evanston, Ill.
KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. EST
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 35,000
LAST SATURDAY: Michigan State defeated Ohio State, 23-7, Northwestern lost at Michigan, 37-3.
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 ? None.
THE COACHES ?
Michigan State?s Nick Saban (Kent State ?73) is 32-24-1 (.570) in his fifth season with the Spartans and 41-26-1 (.610) 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.
Northwestern?s Randy Walker (Miami-Ohio ?76) is 3-6 (.333) in his first year with the Wildcats and 62-41-5 (.597) in 10 seasons as a college head coach. Walker compiled a 59-35-5 record (.621) in nine seasons as head coach at Miami-Ohio (1990-98), leading the Redhawks to a share of the Mid-American Conference title in 1998 (10-1 overall, 7-1 MAC). His other coach credits include stops as an assistant coach at Northwestern (1988-89), North Carolina (1978-87) and Miami-Ohio (1977).
SERIES RECORD: MSU leads, 29-12
IN EVANSTON: MSU leads, 13-9
LAST 10 MEETINGS: MSU leads, 7-3
LAST MEETING: MSU 25, NU 5 (Oct. 31, 1998, in East Lansing)
LAST NU WIN: NU 19, MSU 17 (Oct. 18, 1997, in Evanston)
FIRST MEETING: NU 37, MSU 11 (Nov. 18, 1905, in Evanston)
NICK SABAN vs. NORTHWESTERN: 1-1
RANDY WALKER vs. MICHIGAN STATE: 1-0 (by forfeit)
CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 1 by MSU (1998)
LONGEST MSU STREAK: 11 (1959-69)
LONGEST NU STREAK: 3 (1905-24)
TEAM COMPARISONS ?
Michigan State NorthwesternBasic Offense Pro Set Multiple IBasic Defense 4-3 Multiple 4-3Offensive Starters Returning 8 6Defensive Starters Returning 7 7Specialists Returning 2 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State NorthwesternOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 286 6-5, 283Offensive Backs & WRs 6-2, 213 6-0, 208Defensive Line 6-3, 281 6-5, 280Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-2, 233Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 5-11, 200
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
Northwestern Offense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Northwestern Defense: 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores
STAT LEADERS ?
Michigan State (1999 statistics): Rushing ? Lloyd Clemons (140 carries for 739 yards, 5.3 avg., 0 TD)
Passing ? Bill Burke (141 of 246 for 1845 yards, 16 TDs, 13 INTs)
Receiving ? Plaxico Burress (48 catches for 793 yards, 16.5 avg., 6 TDs)
Tackles ? Aric Morris (99 tackles, 58 solos, 41 assists, 10 for losses, 4 sacks, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs)
Northwestern (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Damien Anderson (258 carries for 927 yards, 3.6 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing ? Nick Kreinbrink (59 of 152 for 768 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving ? Teddy Johnson (18 catches for 301 yards, 16.7 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles ? Kevin Bentley (114 tackles, 75 solos, 39 assists, 7 for losses, 2 sacks, 2 INTs)
STAT COMPARISON (1999 statistics) ?
Michigan State NorthwesternScoring 30.2 14.9First Downs 19.3 16.0Total Offense 380.2 289.2Rushing Yards 143.4 138.6 Passing Yards 236.8 150.7Time of Possession 30:33 30:50Third Down Conversions .378 .319Points Allowed 20.3 26.4Total Offense Allowed 303.9 385.9Rushing Yards Allowed 64.4 183.6Passing Yards Allowed 239.4 202.3
THE LAST MEETING ? Oct. 31, 1998, in East Lansing: Sedrick Irvin rushed for a season-high 140 yards and two touchdowns, Paul Edinger kicked a school record-tying five field goals and Michigan State?s defense turned in its best performance in 15 seasons as the Spartans dominated Northwestern, 29-5. Michigan State allowed 115 total yards -- its best defensive effort since giving up 55 total yards to the Wildcats in 1983. The Spartans held Northwestern to just 6 yards rushing -- the fewest rushing yards surrendered since 1990 vs. Purdue. It also marked the 400th game played in the 75-year history of Spartan Stadium. Michigan State scored on its first possession as Irvin finished off a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard dive over right tackle. Renaldo Hill?s first career interception set up Irvin?s second TD run, a 13-yarder off left tackle, with 7:14 left in the first half. Michigan State increased its lead to 17-0 as an eight-play, 51-yard drive produced a 39-yard field goal by Edinger with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter. Gari Scott?s 35-yard punt return led to Edinger?s second field goal, a 46-yarder, with 2:26 to play in the first half. The Spartans took the second-half kickoff and a 10-play, 59-yard drive ended with Edinger?s 38-yard field goal. Late in the third quarter, Northwestern crossed midfield for only the second time in the game and got a 48-yard field goal from Brian Gowins. The Wildcats? final points came on a safety early in the fourth quarter when Conrad Emmerich tackled Irvin for a 1-yard loss in the end zone. A 32-yard punt return by Scott resulted in Edinger?s fourth field goal, a 21-yarder, with 6:49 left. Hill returned his second interception 19 yards to set up Edinger?s record-tying fifth field goal, from 30 yards out with 2:00 on the clock.
THE LAST TIME OUT: MICHIGAN STATE 23, OHIO STATE 7 ? Bill Burke threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns while Michigan State?s defense held Ohio State to zero yards rushing in the Spartans? 23-7 victory over the 20th-ranked Buckeyes Nov. 6 in East Lansing. It marked the first time since 1987-88 that Michigan State had recorded back-to-back wins over the Buckeyes. The Spartans jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter thanks to Paul Edinger?s 35-yard field goal and Burke?s TD tosses of 17 yards to Plaxico Burress and 1 yard to Chris Baker. Ohio State?s only score came off a turnover in the third quarter as Ahmed Plummer?s 37-yard interception return set up Steve Bellisari?s 4-yard TD pass to Michael Wiley. Michigan State answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive to push its lead to 20-7 on Edinger?s 33-yard field goal. Richard Newsome?s first career interception led to Edinger?s third field goal, a 33-yarder early in the fourth quarter. Lloyd Clemons paced the Spartans? ground attack with 91 yards on 20 carries while Burress caught seven passes for 81 yards. Michigan State?s defense allowed only one first down in the second half (10:20 mark of the fourth quarter) while limiting Ohio State to 18 total yards. Ohio State?s zero yards rushing marked its lowest single-game rushing total since 1965 (minus-22 yards vs. Michigan State).
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Offense: TB Lloyd Clemons (20 rushes for 91 yards)
Defense: DE Hubert Thompson (seven total tackles, three for losses including two sacks, 20 production points) and FS Richard Newsome (eight total tackles including a sack, interception and PBU, 16 production points)
Special Teams: Shawn Wright (two tackles)
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). DOUBTFUL: OT Siitupe Peko (sprained right knee vs. Ohio State). QUESTIONABLE: DE Nick Myers (shoulder stinger vs. Wisconsin, played only five snaps vs. Ohio State). PROBABLE: TE Brad Rainko (mild concussion vs. Wisconsin, DNP vs. Ohio State), 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, Wisconsin and Ohio State).
QUOTING NICK SABAN ? On beating Ohio State: "I?m proud of our football team for bouncing back from the loss at Wisconsin two weeks ago. It was a boring game to watch, but that was our game plan. It was important for us to win this game on the line of scrimmage, on both sides of the football. I wanted Ohio State to have to tackle T.J. Duckett for four quarters and we wanted to put Bill Burke in a position where he could be a game manager and not be called on to make more plays. We moved the ball when we had to, both on the ground and through the air. We had only one turnover and we got that one back. Defensively, we controlled things up front and affected Ohio State?s quarterbacks.
"This game was a defining moment for our season. It was gut-check time for our team and the players responded."
On the Northwestern game: "Randy Walker is doing a very good job in his first year at Northwestern. Northwestern is a sound fundamental football team, so it won?t make a lot of mistakes. Offensively, our execution has to be better than it was against Purdue and Wisconsin. We can?t afford to make many mistakes on the road.
"We have a great deal of respect for Northwestern?s football program. Our players need to focus and execute, so we can go there and take care of business."
SPARTAN-WILDCAT SERIES NOTES ?
? MSU has won 10 out of the last 14 meetings.
? Five of the last seven games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
? MSU?s last win in Evanston came on Nov. 5, 1994, 35-17. (Note: That victory was forfeited in 1996 as part of MSU?s self-imposed sanctions.)
SPARTAN-WILDCAT COACHING CONNECTIONS ?
? Nick Saban is 1-0 lifetime vs. Randy Walker. Saban?s 1990 Toledo team defeated Miami-Ohio, 20-14, in Walker?s first year as the Redhawks? head coach.
? Michigan State defensive secondary coach Mark Dantonio and Northwestern defensive line coach Jack Glowik worked together at Youngstown State (1987).
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.
SPARTANS SEEK EIGHTH REGULAR-SEASON WIN ? A victory at Northwestern would give Michigan State its first eight-win regular season since 1987. In fact, the Spartans have produced eight regular-season victories only four times since 1965 (1965, ?66, ?78 and ?87). Overall, Michigan State has won eight or more games 15 times in its 102-year football history.
ILLINOIS NATIVES DOT SPARTAN ROSTER ? Michigan State?s two-deep features four natives of the state of Illinois, including TE Ivory McCoy (Chicago/Simeon), DT Jace Sayler (McHenry/McHenry), C Josh Smith (O?Fallon/O?Fallon Township) and DE Hubert Thompson (Hillside/Proviso West).
GROUNDING GROUND GAMES ? Michigan State leads the Big Ten and stands second in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing just 64.4 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 64.4 (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 SABANDate Opponent Yds. Att. Avg. TDs ResultNov. 6, 1999 Ohio State 0 22 0.00 0 W, 23-7Oct. 9, 1999 Michigan 6 21 0.29 1 W, 34-31Oct. 31, 1998 Northwestern 6 30 0.20 0 W, 29-5Oct. 2, 1999 Iowa 7 26 0.27 0 W, 49-3Sept. 28, 1996 Eastern Mich. 25 39 0.64 0 W, 47-0Sept. 2, 1999 Oregon 28 29 0.97 0 W, 27-20Sept. 11, 1999 Eastern Mich. 29 24 1.21 0 W, 51-7Sept. 6, 1997 Western Mich. 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 17th 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.
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 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 8/19 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, and is ranked fifth 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 five games, he has averaged 6.4 catches for 112.8 yards and 1.2 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-four of his 48 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 16 TD passes on the year, including a share of the school single-game record with four against Iowa. He has 42 TD passes for his career and needs just two 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 13 games. MSU is 8-3 all-time when Burke throws for 200 yards. With his 174 yards passing vs. Ohio State, Burke became 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 35 (362 yards and four touchdowns). Baker?s 3.89 catches per game stands 10th in the Big Ten, while he has 40.2 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 (sixth) and receiving yards (ninth) and has a TD catch in four of the last eight 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. 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 99 (58 solos, 41 assisted).
HERE?S THE KICKER ? Senior PK Paul Edinger has been one of the nation?s best in 1999, converting on 16-of-19 field goals and 29-of-30 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 1.78 field goals made per game. Edinger also sports the league?s best field-goal percentage at .842.
Edinger, ranked second 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). Eleven of Edinger?s 16 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 tied for third on the team and shares the lead among defensive linemen in tackles (33-23-56). He ranks second on the team in tackles for losses (12 for 78 yards) and sacks (seven for 69), behind LB Julian Peterson.
PETERSON BUILDS ON RECORD-SETTING GAME VS. OSU LAST YEAR ? Senior LB Julian Peterson recorded two sacks last week vs. Ohio State to bring his season total of tackles for losses to 20 and 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 stands tied for third on the team in tackles with 56. 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 nine 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 82.1 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 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 939 career punt return yards, 319 more yards than Derrick Mason, who stands No. 2 on the MSU career list.
Offensively, Scott is tied with Plaxico Burress for the team lead with six touchdown catches and has at least one TD catch in five of his eight 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).
With three catches for 50 yards vs. Ohio State last week, Scott moved into third place on MSU?s career chart with 128 receptions and became only the fifth receiver in school history to reach the 2,000-yard milestone.
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?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.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 ? Since 1990, Michigan State is 50-11-1 (.815) 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 58-53-2 (.522).
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 33-20 (.623) in its last 53 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. 17), 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 380.2 8th 51stRushing Offense 143.4 7th t-58thPassing Offense 236.8 3rd 37thScoring Offense 30.2 5th 27thTotal Defense 303.9 2nd 16thRushing Defense 64.4 1st 2ndPassing Defense 239.4 11th ?Pass Efficiency Defense 118.4 6th 51stScoring Defense 20.3 5th 29thTurnover Margin -0.67 11th t-96thNet Punting 40.1 1st 9thPunt Returns 12.0 4th 19thKickoff Returns 15.8 11th 114thCategory ? Individual Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Yards ? Clemons 82.1 5th 45thPassing Efficiency ? Burke 131.2 6th 32ndPassing Yards ? Burke 205.0 3rd ?Total Offense ? Burke 190.1 6th 50thReceptions ? Burress 5.33 4th 46thReceptions ? Baker 3.89 10th ?Receiving Yards ? Burress 88.1 2nd 26thAll-Purpose Yards ? Scott 110.8 7th ?Scoring (Overall) ? Edinger 8.6 5th 23rdPunting ? Jarrett 43.7 2nd 12thPunt Returns ? Scott 12.6 4th 22ndKickoff Returns ? Haygood 17.8 6th ?Field Goal Pct. ? Edinger 84.2 1st ?Field Goals Per Game ? Edinger 1.78 1st t-4thTackles ? Morris 11.0 2nd ?Tackles for Losses ? Peterson 20 (total) 2nd ?Pass Breakups ? Campbell 17 (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 D. Bryan/S. WrightMichigan P. Burress/B. Burke Renaldo Hill Herb HaygoodPurdue Casey Jensen T.J. Turner Duron BryanWisconsin T.J. Duckett Josh Thornhill Paul EdingerOhio State Lloyd Clemons H. Thompson/R. Newsome Shawn Wright
1999 OPPONENTS UPDATE ?
Date vs.MSU Opponent This Week Last Week Sept. 2 Oregon (6-3) at California W vs. Washington St., 52-10Sept. 11 Eastern Mich. (4-5) at Central Mich. W vs. Ball State, 31-21Sept. 18 at Notre Dame (5-4) at Pittsburgh L at Tennessee, 38-14Sept. 25 at Illinois (5-4) at Ohio State W at Iowa, 40-24Oct. 2 Iowa (1-8) at Wisconsin L vs. Illinois, 40-24Oct. 9 Michigan (7-2) at Penn State W vs. Northwestern, 37-3 Oct. 16 at Purdue (6-4) at Indiana L vs. Wisconsin, 28-21Oct. 23 at Wisconsin (8-2) vs. Iowa W at Purdue, 28-21Nov. 6 Ohio State (6-4) vs. Illinois L at Michigan State, 23-7Nov. 13 at Northwestern (3-6) vs. Michigan St L at Michigan, 37-3Nov. 20 Penn State (9-1) vs. Michigan L vs. Minnesota, 24-23*MSU opponents have a cumulative record of 58-36 (.617), 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: 5-0 22-8Games 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: 1-0 8-7December 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: 6-1 26-11-1When 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: 4-0 6-7When leading at halftime: 5-0 28-8When trailing at halftime: 1-2 3-15-1When tied at halftime 1-0 1-1When leading after three quarters: 5-0 27-3-1When trailing after three quarters: 0-2 3-18When tied after three quarters: 2-0 2-3
When gaining more first downs than opp.: 5-0 26-6When gaining fewer first downs than opp.: 2-2 6-14-1When gaining same number of 1st downs as opp.: 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: 7-0 28-5-1When 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: 5-0 28-6When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 2-2 4-18-1When leading in time of possession: 6-0 23-12-1When 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
? 34 of his 48 catches have been for first downs
? has six TDs, all in the last five 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
? MSU?s second-leading rusher overall (74 carries, 354 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
? had MSU-record-tying four TD passes vs. Iowa
? has thrown for 200 yards in eight of his last 13 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 700), completions (fourth at 384), completion percentage (seventh at .549), yards (third at 5,094) and TD passes (second at 42)
? needs two 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 21 straight games
22 ? SHAWN FOSTER ? TB
? team?s third-leading rusher with 159 yards (4.5 avg.)
? led MSU vs. Iowa with 67 rushing yards
23 ? LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS ? TB
? fourth on team in rushing (22 carries for 98 yards)
36 ? LLOYD CLEMONS ? TB
? owns three 100-yard rushing games this year, including a career-best 141 yards at Illinois
? in 140 carries has only been stopped for a loss six times (all -1 or -2 yards)
? has 739 yards on 140 carries (5.3 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 ? 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 17 straight games at right tackle
? graded out 82 percent vs. Michigan with 12 production points
83 ? CHRIS BAKER ? TE
? second on team with 35 receptions and third in receiving yards with 362
? 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 eight 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 (939 yards)
? 34 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 (17 this year) and career records for pass break-ups (47)
? presented the Biggie Munn Award last year as the team?s most inspirational player
? has 35 games (and 34 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
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 six of nine 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
? 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 44-30-74
? 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 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 third on team with 25-31-56 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 nine 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 13-14-27 tackles,four sacks and two pass breakups in seven games played
? 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 (12) and sacks (7)
? third on team and tied for first among defensive linemen with 33-23-56 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 20-28-48 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
? tied for third on team with 35-21-56 tackles
? had two sacks vs. Ohio State to bring season total to 20 TFLs (MSU single-season record)
? 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
? 16-for-19 in FGs and 29-for-30 in PATs in ?99
? ranked No. 2 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)
? 15 of 55 KOs have been touchbacks in ?99
12 ? CRAIG JARRETT ? P
? ranks second in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 43.7 punting average
? has hit 11 punts 50-plus yards and had eight downed inside the 20-yard line in 1999
? second-team All-Big Ten (media) in ?98
