Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Battles Illinois
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
November 21, 1998
MICHIGAN STATE (5-5, 3-3 Big Ten) vs. ILLINOIS (3-7, 2-5 Big Ten)
GAME 11: QUICK FACTS
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's Nick Saban (Kent State '73) is 24-21-1 (.533) in his fourth year with the Spartans and 33-23-1 (.588) in his fifth season as a college head coach. Saban came to Michigan State following four seasons as the Cleveland Brownsi 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.
Illinoisi Ron Turner (Pacific '77) is 3-18 (.143) in his second year with the Fighting Illini and 10-22 (.313) in three seasons as a college head coach. Turner previously spent four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the NFLis Chicago Bears (1993-96). He produced a 7-4 mark (.636) in one season as head coach at San Jose State (1992). His college coaching credits also include stops as an assistant at Stanford (1989-91), Texas A&M (1988), Southern California (1985-87), Pittsburgh (1983-84), Northwestern (1981-82), Arizona (1978-80) and Pacific (1977).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
MSU Illinois
Basic Offense Pro Set Pro Style
Basic Defense 4-3 4-3
Offensive Starters Returning 5 7
Defensive Starters Returning 9 8
Specialists Returning 1 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) n
MSU Illinois
Offensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 290 6-5, 296
Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-3, 220 6-0, 198
Defensive Line 6-4, 273 6-3, 277
Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-2, 234
Defensive Backs 6-0, 194 6-0, 192
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen
Michigan State Defense: 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
Illinois Offense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Illinois Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (After 10 Games):
Rushing n Sedrick Irvin (234 carries for 997 yards, 4.3 avg., 7 TDs)
Passing n Bill Burke (161 of 286 for 2046 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving n Plaxico Burress (55 catches for 825 yards, 15.0 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles n Sorie Kanu (98 tackles, 56 solos, 42 assists, 6 PBUs)
Illinois (After 10 Games):
Rushing n Rocky Harvey (127 carries for 586 yards, 4.6 avg. 5 TDs)
Passing n Kurt Kittner (69 of 152 for 730 yards, 1 TD, 6 INTs)
Receiving n Lenny Willis (25 catches for 288 yards, 11.5 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles n Danny Clark (104 tackles, 76 solos, 28 assists, 10 for losses)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State Illinois
Scoring 26.7 14.0
First Downs 20.5 15.0
Total Offense 370.4 287.7
Rushing Yards 131.8 141.8
Passing Yards 238.6 145.9
Time of Possession 30:19 27:49
Third Down Conversions .265 .298
Points Allowed 23.4 28.5
Total Yards Allowed 362.1 362.9
Rushing Yards Allowed 160.8 152.6
Passing Yards Allowed 201.3 210.3
MICHIGAN STATE/ILLINOIS SERIES NOTES
Michigan State leads it 17-16-2, including a 9-7-1 record in games played in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans have won three in a row and four out of the last five meetings. The Fighting Illiniis last win in East Lansing came on Oct. 21, 1989, 14-10. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores please refer to page 178 in the 1998 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Todd Schultz threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 27-17 victory at Illinois last November. Michigan State scored on three of its first four possessions. The Spartans took the opening kickoff and marched 91 yards in 14 plays with Sedrick Irvin scoring on a 3-yard pass from Schultz. Irvin carried the ball eight times for 63 yards on the opening series. Michigan State increased its lead to 10-0 as a 14-play, 55-yard drive produced a 25-yard field goal by Paul Edinger with 57 seconds left in the first quarter. Illinois answered with a score 20 seconds later as Robert Holcombe caught a 63-yard pass from Mark Hoekstra. Schultz capped a 10-play, 87-yard drive with a 9-yard TD strike to Octavis Long. The Fighting Illini pulled to within 17-10 at halftime thanks to Neil Rackersi 40-yard field goal. Ike Reeseis interception at the Illinois 46 early in the third quarter set up another Edinger field goal, this time from 30 yards out, as Michigan State moved out to a 20-10 lead. Hoekstrais 32-yard TD toss to Rob Majoy kept Illinois within striking distance at 20-17 with 4:45 remaining in the third period. Michigan Stateis defense put the final points on the scoreboard as Lemar Marshall returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown eight seconds into the fourth quarter. The Spartans limited Holcombe to 85 yards (23 carries), 32 below his season average. (Note: For a complete summary of last yearis game please refer to page 131 in the 1998 MSU Football Media Guide.)
MSU/ILLINOIS CONNECTION -
Michigan State defensive coordinator Chris Cosh spent five seasons at Illinois (1992-96) where he coached under Lou Tepper. He served as the Fighting Illiniis defensive coordinator in 1996. During his tenure as inside linebackers coach, Cosh tutored i94 Butkus Award winner Dana Howard.
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK
The Michigan State coaching staff selected the following players as Spartans of the Week for their performances Nov. 14 vs. Purdue:
Offense n WR Plaxico Burress (season-high 10 receptions for 150 yards, including a 22-yard TD pass from Bill Burke)
Defense n CB Lemar Marshall (career-high 15 tackles and two pass break-ups; 32 production points)
Special Teams n Billy Greene (2 solo tackles; 5 production points)
SENIORS BID FAREWELL
Thirteen seniors will make their final appearance in Spartan Stadium Nov. 21 vs. Illinois. This senior class has helped Michigan State to a combined record of 24-21-1 (.533) since 1995, including three-straight postseason bowl appearances ('95 Independence, '96 Sun and '97 Aloha). The Spartans need to close out the i98 regular season with back-to-back wins over Illinois and Penn State to become bowl eligible.
The Class of '98 includes fullback Jud Ayers (Brighton, Mich.), fullback Julner Bernadel (Stamford, Conn.), linebacker Chad Bisseger (Naperville, Ill.), cornerback Amp Campbell (Sarasota, Fla.), tailback Lloyd Clemons (Detroit), safety Scott Ernsberger (Portage, Mich.), fullback Garett Gould (Troy, Mich.), safety Sorie Kanu (Alexandria, Va.), linebacker Courtney Ledyard (Shaker Heights, Ohio), cornerback Lemar Marshall (Cincinnati), center Jason Strayhorn (Indianapolis), quarterback Ralph Truitt (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and cornerback Peter Quaweay (Cranston, R.I.).
SPARTANS ON POSTSEASON ALL-STAR GAME ROSTER
Two Michigan State seniors n free safety Sorie Kanu and outside linebacker Courtney Ledyard n have accepted invitations to play in the Hula Bowl all-star classic Jan. 24, 1999, in Maui, Hawaii.
INJURY REPORT
OUT: LB Mike Austin (chip fracture left ankle in practice Oct. 7; out indefinitely); CB Amp Campbell (cervic-spinal injury vs. Oregon; out for the season after undergoing spinal-fusion surgery Sept. 5); OG Shaun Mason (ACL/MCL right knee vs. Oregon; out for the season); OG Mike Schutz (sprained left knee vs. Central Michigan; out indefinitely); DE Robaire Smith (broken right fibula vs. Ohio State; out for the season); DE Dimitrius Underwood (sprained right ankle; out indefinitely). QUESTIONABLE: WR Herb Haygood (sprained left ankle vs. Purdue). PROBABLE: QB Bill Burke (mild concussion vs. Purdue); TB Sedrick Irvin (bruised shoulder vs. Purdue); TE Brad Rainko (bruised shoulder; DNP vs. Purdue); WR Lavaile Richardson (bruised shoulder vs. Purdue); OT Greg Robinson-Randall (sprained left ankle; played only the first quarter vs. Purdue).
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS
Hereis a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 1998:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA Rushing Offense 139.4 6th 66th Passing Offense 221.1 3rd 45th Total Offense 360.6 4th 53rd Scoring Offense 27.0 4th 43rd Rushing Defense 159.7 9th 69th Passing Defense 201.9 t-6th n Pass Efficiency D 105.5 5th 21st Total Defense 361.6 6th 52nd Scoring Defense 23.2 7th 46th Turnover Margin +0.11 5th t-46th Net Punting 38.8 3rd 15th Punt Returns 14.8 2nd 7th Kickoff Returns 19.5 10th 81st
NCAA INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS
Hereis a brief look at how Michigan Stateis players rank among the NCAA stat leaders in 1998:
Individual Category
Rushing: Sedrick Irvin (24th at 99.7 yards per game)
Passing Efficiency: Bill Burke (36th at 130.0 rating)
Pass Receptions: Plaxico Burress (t-38th at 5.5 catches per game)
Receiving Yards: Plaxico Burress (39th at 82.5 yards per game)
Punting: Craig Jarrett (8th at 44.5 avg.)
Punt Returns: Gari Scott (9th at 13.8 avg.)
Scoring: Paul Edinger (t-13th at 9.0 points per game)
Field Goals: Paul Edinger (1st at 2.22 made per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Gari Scott (42nd at 128.0 yards per game); Sedrick Irvin (45th at 125.4 ypg)
SPARTANS IMPROVE DOWN THE STRETCH
Down the stretch, Michigan State has displayed dramatic improvement on both sides of the football. Consider these stats:
Over its last six games, Michigan State has averaged nearly 30 points. The Spartans averaged only 23 points in their first four games while getting off to a 1-3 start.
Michigan Stateis defense has allowed only 18.5 points per game over the last six contests. In the first four games of 1998, opponents put nearly 31 points per game on the scoreboard.
Thanks largely to the rapid development of quarterback Bill Burke, Michigan Stateis passing game has kicked into high gear, with the Spartans averaging nearly 290 yards through the air in the last six games. By comparison, the Spartans averaged only 162 yards passing in the first four games.
The Spartan defensive unit has played well against the run over the last six games, allowing less than 138 yards rushing per game. In the first four games, Michigan State surrendered nearly 196 yards per game on the ground.
In the last six games, Michigan State has averaged almost 405 yards total offense. A youthful offensive unit struggled out of the gate, producing less than 320 total yards per game in the first four outings.
Michigan Stateis defense has had an impressive late-season run, permitting 323 total yards in its last six games. Thatis an improvement of nearly 100 yards per game. Opponents averaged better than 420 yards per game in the first four contests.
BIG PLAYS A DECIDING FACTOR -
In its first 10 games, Michigan Stateis offense has been plagued by inconsistency.
The Spartan offense generated 459 yards total offense in a 25-24 loss to Purdue, with a season-high 396 yards coming through the air. The passing game delivered five big plays (+20 yards) vs. Purdue, including a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bill Burke to Plaxico Burress in the third quarter.
Michigan State produced a season-high eight big plays that totaled 239 yards in its 28-24 upset win over top-ranked Ohio State. Those eight pass completions accounted for 63 percent of MSUis total offense (377 total yards), including Burkeis 23-yard TD pass to Lavaile Richardson in the third quarter.
Michigan State featured a balanced attack in its 29-5 triumph over Northwestern, picking up 217 yards rushing and 222 yards passing. The Spartans broke five big plays against the Wildcats, with four coming from the passing game.
In its 19-18 loss at Minnesota, MSU was held to 248 total yards n its lowest offensive output since the 1998 season opener. The Spartans had only three big plays vs. Minnesota, including Ryan Van Dykeis 20-yard touchdown toss to Chris Baker late in the second quarter.
In back-to-back wins over Indiana and Central Michigan, Michigan State produced 76 points and 903 total yards. The Spartans delivered seven big plays vs. Indiana, including two scoring plays, a 25-yard touchdown pass from Burke to Burress in the first overtime and a 25-yard TD run by Sedrick Irvin on the first play of the second overtime. The Spartans generated a season-high 500 yards total offense in their 38-7 victory over Central Michigan. Michigan State had five big plays vs. Central Michigan, including two scoring plays, a 62-yard touchdown pass from Burke to Leroy McFadden and a 79-yard TD run by Shawn Foster.
In a 29-17 loss at Michigan, the Spartans broke two long runs, including a 40-yard run by Irvin on MSUis first touchdown drive and a 21-yard run by Aric Morris off a fake punt in the fourth quarter.
In its 45-23 victory over 10th-ranked Notre Dame, Michigan State had 451 yards total offense. The Spartans hit three big plays vs. the Irish, including an 86-yard touchdown pass from Burke to Burress. The other two big plays also figured into the scoring, with Burkeis 31-yard pass to Gari Scott setting up Sedrick Irvinis 3-yard TD run in the first quarter and Irvinis 29-yard run leading to Paul Edingeris 37-yard field goal.
The Spartans produced four big plays in a 48-14 loss at Oregon, including a 28-yard TD run by Lloyd Clemons in the fourth quarter. Michigan Stateis offense failed to produce any big plays (+20 yards) in its 23-16 season-opening loss to No. 15 Colorado State.
Overall, the Spartans have managed 42 plays from scrimmage (759 snaps) which have totaled more than 20 yards, including nine running plays and 33 pass completions. That means Michigan Stateis offense breaks a long gain (+20 yards) once every 18 snaps. MSU has been held to three plays and a punt 29 times in its first 10 games.
The Spartans turned in arguably their best defensive effort of the season against Purdue by not allowing a single big play (+20 yards). Michigan State held the Big Tenis No. 1- and nationis No.6-ranked passing offense 155 yards below its season average.
Michigan Stateis defense held Ohio State, the Big Ten's top-ranked offense, 159 yards below its season average. The Buckeyes had seven big plays against the Spartans but put only 17 points on the scoreboard. Ohio State gained 53 percent (188 yards) of its total yards on those seven plays, with six coming from the passing game, including a 41-yard TD pass from Joe Germaine to John Lumpkin in the first quarter.
Michigan State allowed 115 total yards in a 29-5 win over Northwestern n its best effort since giving up 55 total yards to the Wildcats in 1983. The Spartans held Northwestern to just 6 yards rushing n the fewest rushing yards surrendered since 1990 vs. Purdue. DiWayne Bates had three 20-yard receptions against the Spartans to account for Northwesternis only big plays.
Minnesota delivered six big plays in its come-from-behind win. The Gophers picked up 103 of their 378 total yards in the final three minutes, including three 20-yard plays. Back-up quarterback Billy Cockerham threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Luke Leverson with 1:47 left then scrambled 25 yards to set up the game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. Despite gaining 422 total yards against Michigan State, Indianais offense had only three big plays. The Spartan defense permitted only two big plays vs. Central Michigan, including Eric Floweris 28-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Michigan produced five big plays, including a 69-yard TD run by Anthony Thomas late in the first quarter and four pass plays. Notre Dame hit five long passes good for 139 yards. Oregon had five big plays that totaled 231 yards, including a 53-yard TD strike from Akili Smith to Tony Hartley and a 75-yard TD jaunt by Reuben Droughns. In the i98 season opener, Colorado State generated four big plays that totaled 161 yards, including two scoring plays, a 57-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Eslinger to Darran Hall and a 32-yard TD run by Kevin McDougal. Those four plays accounted for 45 percent of Colorado Stateis total offense (356 yards).
In 1998, Spartan opponents have produced 40 plays from scrimmage (735 snaps) which have totaled more than 20 yards, including nine running plays and 31 pass completions. That means the Spartans surrender a big play (+20 yards) once every 18 snaps. By contrast, Michigan State allowed only 36 big plays from scrimmage last year (789 snaps).
COLOR THE SPARTAN OFFENSE GREEN -
Michigan State's starting offensive lineup has featured seven first-time starters in 1998. True freshman Paul Harker (left guard) and junior college transfer Greg Robinson-Randall (right tackle) made their first career starts against No. 10 Notre Dame. In the i98 season opener against No. 15 Colorado State, five first-time starters were in the lineup, including left tackle Dave Sucura, left guard Casey Jensen, right tackle Matt Bonito, split end Plaxico Burress and tight end Chris Baker. Sucura, Jensen and Bonito were replacing veteran offensive linemen Flozell Adams, Scott Shaw and Dave Mudge, who were responsible for 83 combined starting assignments. In addition, quarterback Bill Burke made only his third career start vs. Colorado State.
PLAX FUELS PASSING ATTACK
Sophomore split end Plaxico Burress leads the Spartans in receptions (55), receiving yards (825) and touchdown receptions (seven). He ranks fourth in the Big Ten in both receptions (5.5 per game) and receiving yards (82.5 per game).
Burress needs only six more catches to break Michigan Stateis single-season record of 60 held by Courtney Hawkins (1989). The 6-foot-6, 224-pound wide out also ranks among MSUis single-season leaders in receiving yards (sixth) and TD receptions (tied for third). He caught a touchdown pass in five-straight games earlier this season.
He has four 100-yard receiving games in 1998, including a season-high 10 catches for 150 yards and a score vs. Purdue. Burress had four receptions for 125 yards (31.5 avg.) vs. top-ranked Ohio State. He hauled in seven passes for 113 yards vs. Indiana, including a 25-yard TD toss from Bill Burke to force a second overtime. Burress caught three passes for 109 yards (36.3 avg.) vs. No. 10 Notre Dame, including an 86-yarder from Burke for a touchdown.
PETERSON TO THE RESCUE - Junior defensive end Julian Peterson leads the Spartans in tackles for losses (15 for 64) and sacks (nine for 49). He is listed among the Big Ten leaders in both categories n fourth in sacks and sixth in tackles for losses.
Peterson has played his best in the big games this season. He was thrust into the lineup against top-ranked Ohio State when preseason All-American Robaire Smith suffered a broken leg in the first quarter. Peterson earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles vs. Ohio State, including a school-record seven for losses (42 yards) and four sacks (30). He also forced three fumbles against the Buckeyes.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior college transfer produced six stops each vs. Purdue (3 solos, 3 assists), Northwestern (5-1) and Minnesota (3-3). Peterson had two sacks vs. Minnesota (6 yards) and caused a fumble that led to a safety.
He burst onto the national scene with an outstanding prime-time performance vs. Notre Dame. Peterson returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown against the Irish and registered a sack (5 yards).
JARRETT EARNS iBOOM BOOMi NICKNAME
Freshman punter Craig Jarrett has helped Michigan State win its share of battles for field position this season. Jarrett leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 8 nationally in punting with his 44.5-yard average. It marks the highest season average for a Michigan State punter since Greg Montgomery averaged 45.0 yards in 1987.
Jarrett has hit 17 punts 50-plus yards and 15 of his punts have been downed inside the opponentis 20-yard line.
He averaged 43.4 yards on 10 punts vs. Minnesota, including four 50-yarders, and pinned the Gophers inside the 20-yard line three times. Jarrett averaged 46.4 yards on seven punts vs. Indiana and had three kicks downed inside the Hoosier 15. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound rookie averaged 52.3 yards on three punts vs. Central Michigan. He averaged 47.3 yards on seven kicks vs. Michigan, including a 60-yarder, and backed the Wolverines inside the 20 three times. Jarrett produced a 50.3-yard average on six punts vs. Oregon and had two kicks downed inside the 15. He received a standing ovation in Spartan Stadium after his first collegiate punt traveled 65 yards vs. Colorado State in the season opener. His second career punt was knocked out of bounds at the Colorado State 1.
GREAT SCOTT: THE RETURN MAN
Gari Scott ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally in punt returns with his 13.8-yard average. Scott already has set a Michigan State single-season record with 415 yards in punt returns. His 13.8-yard return average ranks as the third-best single-season mark in Spartan history.
The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder from Lake Park, Fla., returned four punts for 89 yards (22.3 avg.) vs. Northwestern. He had five punt returns for 86 yards (17.2 avg.) vs. Central Michigan, including a career-long 39-yarder. Smith was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after accounting for 140 return yards vs. Colorado State (five punt returns for 83 yards and three kickoff returns for 57) in the 1998 season opener.
Scott stands fourth in the Big Ten and No. 42 nationally in all-purpose yards at 128.0 per game. He has 43 receptions (second on the team) for 553 yards and three touchdowns.
EDINGER BECOMES KEY OFFENSIVE WEAPON
Junior placekicker Paul Edinger leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in field goals at 2.22 made per game. Edinger leads the league and stands No. 13 nationally in scoring at 9.0 points per game (81 total points scored).
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Edinger has connected on a school single-season record 20-of-23 field goal attempts (.870) in 1998. He has converted a Spartan-record 11-consecutive field goals. The Lakeland, Fla., native has converted eight-of-nine field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards.
He again tied the MSU single-game record with five field goals vs. Ohio State, including a career-long 49-yarder, to earn Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the second-straight week.
Edinger was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after tying MSUis single-game record with five field goals vs. Northwestern. He was perfect on five field-goal attempts, hitting from 39, 46, 38, 21 and 30 yards.
BURKE HAS THE HOT HAND
First-year starter Bill Burke has completed nearly 60 percent (134 of 229) of his passes for 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns over the last eight games, including five Michigan State wins. Burke currently ranks among the NCAA leaders (No. 36) in passing efficiency with a 130.0 rating. (Note: He has been knocked out of two games with a mild concussion n late in the first quarter vs. Minnesota and late in the fourth quarter vs. Purdue n games the Spartans went on to lose.)
He completed 28-of-40 passes for a career-high 345 yards and three touchdowns in Michigan Stateis 25-24 loss to Purdue. His 28 pass completions also marked a career best and his 345 passing yards was the fifth-best single-game total in MSU history. Burke has TD tosses of 9 yards to Gari Scott, 22 to Plaxico Burress and 8 to Chris Baker.
Burke threw for 323 yards and a score in Michigan Stateis stunning 28-24 victory over top-ranked Ohio State in Columbus. With MSU trailing 24-9 early in the third quarter, he directed TD drives of 51 and 92 yards. His 23-yard TD toss to Lavaile Richardson pulled the Spartans to within 24-15 with 6:02 left in the third quarter. On the Spartansi game-winning TD drive, Burke went four-for-four for 78 yards.
Burke earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing 24-of-37 passes for 324 yards and two TDs in leading Michigan State to a 38-31 double-overtime victory over Indiana. With MSU trailing Indiana 24-16 late in the fourth quarter, Burke capped a five-play, 87-yard drive with a 12-yard TD strike to Gari Scott. Burke then scrambled up the middle for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with 5:28 left. Down 31-24 in the first overtime, he hit Plaxico Burress on the first play from scrimmage with a 25-yard TD pass in the right corner of the end zone to again tie the score and force a second OT session.
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound junior hit 17-of-21 passes for 259 yards vs. Central Michigan and tied the school single-game record with four TD tosses.
Burke picked up Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against No. 10 Notre Dame. He completed 12-of-19 pass attempts for 209 yards and three scores in MSUis 45-23 victory over the Irish. Burke directed four-straight first-half scoring drives against Notre Dame as the Spartans jumped out to a 42-3 halftime lead.
Here's a closer look at Burke's passing totals in 1998:
Att. Comp. Int. Pct. Yds. YPG TD
First 2 Games 57 27 2 .474 246 123.0 2
Last 8 Games 229 134 5 .585 1800 225.0 14
Season Totals 286 161 7 .563 2046 204.6 16
IRVIN CLOSES IN ON THIRD 1,000-YARD SEASON
All-America and Doak Walker Award candidate Sedrick Irvin has 15 career 100-yard games and currently ranks fourth on MSUis all-time rushing list with 3,334 yards. He needs 3 more rushing yards to become only the second player in school history to record three-straight 1,000-yard seasons (Tico Duckett hit the 1,000-yard plateau from 1990-92). With 997 yards in 1998, Irvin has accounted for 76 percent of MSUis ground attack.
He also is listed among Michigan Stateis all-time leaders in rushing touchdowns (third at 32), total touchdowns (second at 39), scoring (fifth at 234 points) and all-purpose yards (third at 4,645 yards). Irvin currently ranks No. 13 among the NCAA's top active rushers. The Spartans are undefeated in his 11 career multi-TD games.
Last year, Irvin became the first player in Spartan history to rush for 1,000 yards as both a true freshman and a sophomore. He rushed for 1,270 yards in 1997, the seventh-best single-season total in school history. The 6-foot, 225-pound Miami native ranked among the Big Ten leaders in rushing (fifth at 105.8 yards per game), all-purpose yards (second at 160.8), punt returns (second at 13.6 avg.) and scoring (fifth at 7.0 points).
NCAA's Top Active Rushing Leaders
(Note: NCAA totals donit include bowl games.)
Rushing
Player, Team Class Att. Yards TDs
1. Ricky Williams, Texas Sr. 967 6,020 71
2. Denvis Manns, New Mexico St Sr. 867 4,561 23
3. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin Jr. 789 4,468 47
4. Kevin Faulk, LSU Sr. 804 4,355 48
5. Autry Denson, Notre Dame Sr. 812 4,192 42
6. Wasean Tait, Toledo Sr. 783 4,029 33
7. Joel Thomas, Idaho Sr. 721 3,810 48
8. Steve Hoofkin, Ohio Sr. 731 3,770 27
9. Amos Zereoue, West Virginia Jr. 674 3,654 38
10. Kareem Wilson, Ohio Sr. 860 3,503 47
11. Damon Washington, Colo. St Sr. 593 3,431 23
12. DeMond Parker, Oklahoma Jr. 574 3,393 21
13. Sedrick Irvin, Michigan State Jr. 693 3,277 32
