Michigan State University Athletics
Football Puts 3-0 Mark To Test At Illinois
9/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 20, 1999
#19/21 MICHIGAN STATE (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
vs. ILLINOIS (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
DATE: Sept. 25, 1999
SITE: Memorial Stadium (70,904), Champaign, Ill.
KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. EDT (2:30 p.m. CDT)
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 45,000
LAST SATURDAY: Michigan State defeated Notre Dame, 23-13, Illinois defeated Louisville, 41-36.
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 ? There is no television for the Michigan State-Illinois game.
THE COACHES ?
Michigan State?s Nick Saban (Kent State ?73) is 28-22-1 (.559) in his fifth season with the Spartans and 37-24-1 (.605) 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.
Illinois head coach Ron Turner (Pacific ?77) is 6-19 (.240) in his third year with the Fighting Illini and 13-23 (.361) in four years as a college head coach. Turner spent four years as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach of the Chicago Bears prior to joining the Illini. Before coaching in the NFL, Turner ammassed 16 years of collegiate coaching experience, including a year as head coach at San Jose State (1992).
SERIES HISTORY
SERIES RECORD: Michigan State leads, 18-16-2IN CHAMPAIGN: Illinois leads, 9-8-1LAST MEETING: MSU 41, ILL 9 (Nov. 21, 1998 in East Lansing)LAST ILL WIN: ILL 14, MSU 10 (Nov. 21, 1992 in Champaign)FIRST MEETING: MSU 21, ILL 7 (Oct. 22, 1955 in East Lansing)NICK SABAN vs. ILLINOIS: 4-0RON TURNER vs. MICHIGAN STATE: 0-2CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 4 by MSU (1995-98)LONGEST MSU STREAK: 4 (1965-72, 1976-79, 1995-98)LONGEST ILL STREAK: 6 (1980-85)
TEAM COMPARISONS ?
Michigan State IllinoisBasic Offense Pro Set Pro StyleBasic Defense 4-3 4-3Offensive Starters Returning 8 7Defensive Starters Returning 7 9Specialists Returning 2 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State IllinoisOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 286 6-5, 292Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-2, 213 6-1, 198Defensive Line 6-3, 281 6-4, 273Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-2, 228Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 6-0, 188
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 0 freshmen
Illinois Offense: 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 2 freshmen
Illinois Defense: 7 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, 0 freshmen
STAT LEADERS ?
Michigan State (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Lloyd Clemons (49 carries for 274 yards, 5.6 avg., 0 TD)
Passing ? Bill Burke (47 of 86 for 607 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INT)
Receiving ? Chris Baker (14 catches for 138 yards, 9.9 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles ? Aric Morris (38 tackles, 20 solos, 18 assists, 4 for losses, 3 PBUs)
Illinois (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Steve Havard (54 carries for 274 yards, 5.1 avg. 3 TDs)
Passing ? Kurt Kittner (50 of 77 for 691 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving ? Michael Dean (11 catches for 164 yards, 14.9 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles ? Danny Clark (36 tackles, 19 solos, 17 assists, 2 for losses, 2 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON (1999 statistics) ?
Michigan State IllinoisScoring 33.7 40.0First Downs 19.7 21.0Total Offense 429.7 422.0Rushing Yards 183.3 185.0 Passing Yards 246.3 237.0Time of Possession 32:26 29:58Third Down Conversions .333 .390Points Allowed 13.3 16.3Total Offense Allowed 284.7 338.3Rushing Yards Allowed 55.0 79.0Passing Yards Allowed 229.7 259.3
THE LAST MEETING ?
Nov. 21, 1998 in East Lansing: Sedrick Irvin rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns to become the first Spartan in school history to reach the 1,000-yard milestone in each of his first three seasons as Michigan State defeated Illinois, 41-9, in MSU?s 1998 home finale. The Spartans parlayed five Illinois turnovers into 31 points. Touchdowns from Irvin and a Bill Burke to Gari Scott pass gave Michigan State a 17-3 halftime lead. Illinois turned the ball over on its first three possessions in the second half and the Spartans took control. Irvin and Lloyd Clemons both ran for scores to boost the lead to 31-3 before Renaldo Hill?s second interception of the third quarter set up Paul Edinger?s 20-yard field goal. Illinois scored its only touchdown on Rocky Harvey?s 26-yard run with 1:37 on the clock. Michigan State held Illinois to 290 total yards ? its second-best defensive effort of the season.
THE LAST TIME OUT: MICHIGAN STATE 23, NOTRE DAME 13 ?
Michigan State scored 16 fourth-quarter points to overcome a 10-7 deficit and defeat No. 24 Notre Dame for the third season in a row, 23-13 on Sept. 18. The two teams were locked in a defensive struggle in the first half, combining for 10 punts and four turnovers in the half. The Spartans struck first on an 8-yard pass play from Bill Burke to Chris Baker early in the second quarter. MSU forced and recovered two fumbles inside its own 20-yard line in the second quarter to preserve the 7-0 lead until Jarious Jackson hooked up with Bobby Brown for a 14-yard TD pass with just nine seconds to play in the half. After a scoreless third quarter, Jim Sanson?s 33-yard field goal gave Notre Dame a 10-7 lead before MSU outscored the Irish 16-3 in the game?s final 10 minutes. Paul Edinger hit three field goals in that stretch, while Gari Scott provided the crucial blow. Scott caught a pass from Burke on third-and-10, broke a tackle and streaked down the sideline for an 80-yard TD to give MSU a 20-13 lead. Lloyd Clemons gained a career-high 126 yards rushing on the day, while Burke threw for 291 yards on 22-of-37 passing.
QUOTING NICK SABAN ?
On the Notre Dame game: ?The key in the game was how well our players competed. We made a lot of big plays when we needed to offensively and defensively. I don?t think we played our best football, but the relentless, competitive approach is something you have to have to be a good football team. We came up with stops in the red area when we needed to, we made big plays offensively when we had to and we scored 16 fourth-quarter points. Those kinds of things show the character of your football team, and I thought that was the difference in the game for us.?
On the start of the Big Ten season: ?There are obviously lots of things that we need to improve on as a team. Illinois and every team in the Big Ten is a challenge for us, and we are going to have to be ready to play and continue to improve.?
On the Illinois game: ?Illinois has gotten off to its best start in years, and I?m not surprised after seeing the progress they had made last year under Coach Turner. They probably didn?t know how to win a year ago, but now their quarterback has improved to the point where he is one of the top passers in the country. They are making a lot of big plays and scoring a lot of points. Their defense is playing very well, too. This is one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten, but it doesn?t surprise me because of the leap they made last year in the quality of players they had. This is going to be a real challenge and a good test for us.?
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Offense: Bill Burke (22-of-37 passing for 291 yards and two TDs, 10-of-15 for 160 yards in the fourth quarter)
Defense: Renaldo Hill (four solo tackles, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, 2 PBUs, 22 production points)
Special Teams: Shawn Wright (one assisted tackle)
INJURY REPORT ?
OUT: OL Brian Ottney (underwent surgery on right shoulder Sept. 3, out for the season), QUESTIONABLE: CB Cedric Henry (lower back injury in Aug. 23 scrimmage, DNP vs. Oregon, Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame), PROBABLE: QB Ryan Van Dyke (sprained right ankle suffered Sept. 11 vs. EMU, DNP vs. Notre Dame).
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING ? Michigan State and Illinois both enter Saturday?s game with 3-0 records, the first time they have met when both teams are undefeated beyond either team?s season opener. Illinois was 1-0 entering the 1980 and ?82 game, both of which were Michigan State?s season opener. The 1972 meeting was the season opener for both teams.
COACHING CONNECTIONS ?
? Michigan State assistant head coach/offensive line coach Golden Pat Ruel has worked with a pair of Illinois staffers in the past: running backs coach Jim Helms at Texas A&M (1982-84) and receivers coach Robert Jackson at Northern Illinois (1985-87).
? Spartan defensive coordinator Bill Miller was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State while that staff included Illinois running backs coach Jim Helms (1979-80).
? MSU linebackers coach Bill Sheridan worked with two Illinois coaches at Cincinnati: offensive line coach Harry Hiestand (1989-91) and quarterbacks coach Craig Ver Steeg (1990-91).
QUICK START ? Michigan State has started the season 3-0 for just the second time since 1979. MSU went 5-0 to open the 1997 season. If the Spartans defeat Illinois, they would improve to 4-0 for just the second time since 1966, when they started 9-0 before tying Notre Dame in the season finale.
BIG TEN OPENER ? Michigan State opens its conference season against Illinois looking to build upon Nick Saban?s 2-1-1 record in Big Ten openers. The Spartans are 5-3-1 in Big Ten openers in the 1990s, including a 5-1-1 record the last seven years.
POLL GAZING ? Michigan State broke into both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls this week, appearing in both for the first time since the 1998 preseason polls. The Spartans are ranked 19th by AP and 21st by the coaches. It is MSU?s highest AP ranking since holding the 15th spot Oct. 19, 1997, and its highest ranking in the coaches poll since holding the 20th position Oct. 26, 1997.
GROUNDING OPPOSING GROUND GAMES ? Michigan State leads the Big Ten and stands seventh in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing just 55.0 yards per game on the ground, the best figure at MSU since 1966 (51.4). The Spartans have not allowed a rushing touchdown through three games after finishing 10th in the Big Ten in rushing defense a year ago (171.8 yards allowed per game).
Notre Dame gained 108 yards on the ground last Saturday, ending what would have been MSU?s first stretch of three straight opponents under 100 yards rushing since the start of the 1997 season (Western Michigan, Memphis, Notre Dame).
UPSET SPECIALS ? Michigan State is 4-3 in its last seven games against teams ranked in the Associate Press Top 25, including the upset win over 24th-ranked Notre Dame. All four of those wins have come while MSU was unranked and included the upset of No. 1 Ohio State last year in Columbus. The Spartans are 10-35 (.222) against Top 25 teams since 1988.
ARIC?S AWARD ? For the second time this season, senior SS Aric Morris has earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. He shared the award this week after earning it to himself after the Oregon game. He made 11 tackles against the Irish (six solo, five assists), his ninth career double-figure tackle game. The Spartans held Notre Dame to 108 yards rushing ? 90 yards below its season average.
Morris leads the Spartans in tackles with 38 (20 solos, 18 assisted).
BURKE EYES TD RECORD ? Senior QB Bill Burke has two TD passes in each game this season, giving him a total of six for the year and 32 for his career. After throwing 19 TDs last year, Burke needs 12 more this season to set the school career record, currently shared by Dave Yarema (1982-86) and Ed Smith (1976-78) with 43 career TDs each. Burke has thrown at least one TD pass in each of the last seven games.
Burke, who had 291 yards passing vs. the Irish, has thrown for at least 200 yards in six of his last seven games. MSU is 7-2 all-time when Burke throws for 200 yards.
Burke directed four fourth-quarter scoring drives against Notre Dame, completing 10-of-15 passes for 160 yards and a TD in the final quarter.
AGAINST THE IRISH ? Michigan State has won each of the last three meetings with Notre Dame, making MSU one of only two schools (USC) to win three in a row vs. the Irish since 1988. The Spartans last won three in a row against Notre Dame when they took eight straight from 1955-63.
GREAT SCOTT THE TOUCHDOWN MAN ? Senior WR Gari Scott?s 80-yard game-winning touchdown catch and run vs. Notre Dame was his fourth TD reception of the year. He has at least one TD catch in each of the first three games. Scott?s 22.0 yards per catch is just three yards shy of the MSU school record (25.0), held by Gene Washington (1966).
Four of Scott?s 11 catches this season have gone for touchdowns, and five of his 11 catches have come on third down.
PETERSON FOLLOWS IN SNOW?S FOOTSTEPS ? Senior LB Julian Peterson has been named one of 65 linebackers on the 1999 Butkus Award Watch List. The Butkus Award, given annually to the nation?s top linebacker, will trim that list to 10 semifinalists Oct. 21. Michigan State?s Percy Snow won the first Butkus Award in 1989.
Peterson stands second on the team in tackles with 26. He matched his career high with 11 tackles (five solos, six assists) against Oregon, including six tackles for loss (seven yards). He made eight stops at Notre Dame, including a sack and two TFLs, plus one forced fumble. Through three games he already has 11 tackles for losses, well ahead of pace to break the single-season school record for tackles for losses (18), which he shares with Larry Bethea.
HURRICANE LLOYD HIT SOUTH BEND ? Senior TB Lloyd Clemons had a career-high 126 yards rushing against Notre Dame, his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. His fourth-quarter 42-yard run was his career long.
HERE?S THE KICKER ? Senior PK Paul Edinger has been perfect thus far in 1999, converting on eight-of-eight field goals and 10-of-10 PATs, including three field goals and a PAT (10 points) in the fourth quarter alone at Notre Dame. Against Eastern Michigan, Edinger made a career-long 51-yard field goal, the longest for the Spartans since Oct. 11, 1997 (Chris Gardner, 51 yards vs. Indiana).
Edinger, ranked third among candidates for the Lou Groza Award by ESPN.com on Sunday, has made 11-of-13 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in his career.
TOSSING TO THE TIGHT ENDS ? Michigan State?s two tight ends are both ranked among the top 10 in the nation at the position in receptions and receiving yards.
Sophomore TE Chris Baker leads Michigan State in receptions with 14 for 138 yards and two touchdowns (one in each of the last two games). Baker?s 4.67 catches per game stands tied for fifth in the Big Ten and is the most catches per game by an MSU tight end in at least the 1990s.
Baker stands third in the nation among tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards.
Junior TE Ivory McCoy has started all three games opposite Baker in a two-tight end set. McCoy has caught seven passes for 99 yards and a TD on the year and stands tied for 10th and tied for seventh in receptions and yards among the nation?s tight ends.
MMM, MMM, GOOD ? 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. Against Notre Dame, he made an interception in the end zone and broke up three passes. Campbell holds the MSU career record for passes broken up (39) and leads the 1999 team with nine.
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. The injury required spinal-fusion surgery that night and five days later he said in an emotional press conference, ?I had a good career at Michigan State.?
His rehabilitation picked up speed around the midpoint of last season, however. 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 requirements, which he did this summer and earned a telecommunication degree.
GREAT SCOTT THE RETURN MAN ? Senior WR Gari Scott broke the Michigan State record for career punt return yards 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 754 career punt return yards.
Scott leads the Spartans in all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and all returns) with 156.7 yards per game, putting him third in the Big Ten and 20th nationally in that category.
RECEIVING VOTES ? Junior WR Plaxico Burress and senior WR Gari Scott combine to form one of the nation?s best receiving duos. They have combined for 23 catches for 421 yards in three games. They have accounted for 41 percent of Michigan State?s receptions and 57 percent of its receiving yards.
Burress and Scott are both among the 35 players listed on the 1999 Biletnikoff Award watch list, making Michigan State one of only three teams in the nation and the only team in the Big Ten with multiple honorees. Florida State (Ron Dugans and Peter Warrick) and Louisville (Ibn Green and Arnold Jackson) also have two candidates for the Biletnikoff, which is awarded annually to the top wide receiver in college football. Other Big Ten receivers included are Chafie Fields (Penn State), Kahill Hill (Iowa), Luke Leverson (Minnesota) and Dee Miller (Ohio State).
Lindy?s ranks both Burress and Scott among the top 14 wide receivers in the nation, with Burress at No. 5 and Scott at No. 14.
The two combined for 1,856 receiving yards last season ? the next-best returning pair on one team in the Big Ten, Purdue?s Randall Lane and Chris Daniels, combined for 1,413 yards.
SPARTAN AIR RAID ? Michigan State has scored more touchdowns passing than running each of the last two years, a trend which has continued this year and 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 2/7 14/21 18/21 27/15 21/11 20/11 25/9 24/4 10/7 35/4 37/9
MSU?S EXPERIENCE IS ON THE LINE ? Michigan State?s starting offensive linemen ? C Casey Jensen, RG Shaun Mason, LT Tupe Peko, RT Greg Robinson-Randall and LG Dave Sucura ? have combined for 63 career starts between them. That?almost triple the total number of career starts (24) that MSU?s offensive line had made prior to last year?s season-opener vs. Colorado State.
That experience has showed early on, as MSU has allowed 1.67 sacks per game after giving up an average of 3.8 sacks per game last year. The Spartans are also averaging 183.3 yards rushing per game after gaining just 129.3 yards on the ground per game last year.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 ? Since 1990, Michigan State is 47-10-1 (.819) when it scores at least 24 points and 8-41-1 (.170) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that nine-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 54-51-2 (.514).
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 1996 and Ohio Stadium in 1998). The Spartans are just 3-12-1 in their last 16 games played on natural grass. By contrast, Michigan State is 29-19 (.604) in its last 48 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.
BIG TEN STAT LEADERS ?
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA Total Offense 429.7 t-3rd t-28thRushing Offense 183.3 6th 34thPassing Offense 246.3 3rd 29thScoring Offense 33.7 6th t-31stTotal Defense 284.7 4th 24thRushing Defense 55.0 1st t-7thPassing Defense 229.7 8th ?Pass Efficiency Defense 105.5 5th 41stScoring Defense 13.3 4th t-17thTurnover Margin +0.67 4th 34thNet Punting 36.6 8th 51stPunt Returns 13.2 5th 17thKickoff Returns 19.5 7th 72nd
Category ? Individual Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Yards ? Clemons 91.3 t-8th t-45thPassing Efficiency ? Burke 132.3 7th 43rdPassing Yards ? Burke 202.3 3rd ?Total Offense ? Burke 193.7 5th 50thReceptions ? Baker 4.67 t-5th ?Receptions ? Scott 3.67 t-7th ?Receiving Yards ? Scott 80.7 5th t-45thAll-Purpose Yards ? Scott 156.7 3rd 20thScoring (Overall) ? Edinger 11.3 2nd 15thPunting ? Jarrett 43.2 t-4th ?Punt Returns ? Scott 19.3 4th 5thKickoff Returns ? Scott 20.5 10th ?Field Goal Pct. ? Edinger 100.0 t-1st ?Field Goals Per Game ? Edinger 2.67 2nd 4thTackles ? Morris 13.5 1st ?
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Opponent Offense Defense Special TeamsOregon Lloyd Clemons Julian Peterson Gari ScottEastern Michigan Shaun Mason Josh Shaw Paul EdingerNotre Dame Bill Burke Renaldo Hill Shawn Wright
1999 OPPONENTS UPDATE ?
Date vs.MSU Opponent This Week Last Week Sept. 2 Oregon (2-1) USC W vs. Nevada, 72-10Sept. 11 Eastern Michigan (0-2) Akron L at Miami (Ohio), 35-14Sept. 18 at Notre Dame (1-3) ? L vs. Michigan St., 23-13Sept. 25 at Illinois (3-0) Michigan State W at Louisville, 41-36Oct. 2 Iowa (1-2) ? W vs. N. Illinois, 24-0Oct. 9 Michigan (3-0) at Wisconsin W at Syracuse, 18-13Oct. 16 at Purdue (3-0) Northwestern W vs. Central Mich., 58-16Oct. 23 at Wisconsin (2-1) Michigan L at Cincinnati, 17-12Nov. 6 Ohio State (2-1) Cincinnati W vs. Ohio, 40-16Nov. 13 at Northwestern (2-1) at Purdue W at Duke, 15-12 OTNov. 20 Penn State (4-0) Indiana W at Miami (Fla.), 27-23*MSU opponents have a cumulative record of 23-8 (.742), not including games vs. the Spartans
SABAN'S RECORD BREAKDOWN (MSU and TOLEDO)?
All Games: 37-24-1 (.605)Home Games: 24-9 (.727)Road Games: 13-15-1 (.466)August Games: 1-1 (.500)September Games: 14-5-1 (.725)October Games: 13-7 (.650)November Games: 9-8 (.529)December Games: 0-3 (.000)Games decided by a TD or less: 10-10-1 (.500)Games decided by a FG or less: 2-6-1 (.278)
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: 2-0 19-8Games played on the road/neutral site: 1-0 9-14-1
August games 0-0 1-1September games 3-0 10-5-1October games 0-0 10-6November games 0-0 7-7December games 0-0 0-3
Games decided by a TD or less 1-0 7-8Games decided by a FG or less 0-0 2-5
When scoring first: 2-0 22-10-1When opponent scores first: 1-0 6-12
When leading after first quarter: 1-0 20-5-1When trailing after first quarter: 0-0 4-10When tied after first quarter: 2-0 4-7When leading at halftime: 1-0 24-8When trailing at halftime: 1-0 3-13-1When tied at halftime 1-0 1-1When leading after three quarters: 1-0 23-3-1When trailing after three quarters: 0-0 3-16When tied after three quarters: 2-0 2-3
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 2-0 23-6When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 1-0 5-12-1When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-0 0-4
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 1-0 18-3-1When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 0-0 3-11-1When an MSU player rushes for 100+ yards: 2-0 19-6-1When an opponent rushes for 100+ yards: 0-0 9-12-1When outrushing opponent: 3-0 24-5-1When being outrushed by opponent: 0-0 4-17
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 3-0 18-12-1When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 2-0 10-12-1
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 2-0 25-6When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 1-0 3-16-1When leading in time of possession: 3-0 20-12-1When trailing in time of possession: 0-0 8-10
OFFENSIVE QUICK BIOS
2 ? HERB HAYGOOD ? FL
? had two catches for 29 yards and a 29-yard run on an end around vs. Eastern Michigan
? Green team?s offensive MVP in the spring game (eight catches, 83 yards, 1 TD)
4 ? PLAXICO BURRESS ? SE
? second on the team with 12 catches through three games (179 yards)
? 10 of his 12 catches have been for first downs
? MSU?s leading receiver in 1998 with MSU record 65 catches for 1,013 yards and record-tying 8 TDs
? second-team All-Big Ten selection in ?98 (media, honorable mention by the coaches)
? consensus preseason first-team All-Big Ten pick
? ranked among the nation?s top five WRs by The Sporting News (No. 4) and Lindy?s (No. 5)
7 ? LAVAILE RICHARDSON ? SE
? third among Michigan State WRs in receptions (13) and fourth in receiving yards (145) in 1998
? caught at least one pass in nine games in ?98
8 ? T.J. DUCKETT ? TB/LB
? MSU?s leading rusher vs. EMU (eight carries, 83 yards, one TD) and second-leading rusher overall (20 carries, 115 yards, one TD)
? scored TD vs. EMU on his fourth career carry
? older brother, Tico, ranks as MSU?s second-leading all-time rusher (4,212 yards, 1989-92)
16 ? BILL BURKE ? QB
? has two TD passes in each game this year
? was 10-of-15 for 160 yards while leading MSU to four scoring drives in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame
? already among MSU career passing leaders in attempts (sixth at 540), completions (eighth at 290), completion percentage (seventh at .537), yards (seventh at 3,856) and TD passes (third at 32)
? needs 12 TD passes to set MSU career record, currently held by Dave Yarema and Ed Smith (43)
? has thrown for 200 yards in six of his last seven games, including 291 vs. Notre Dame
? MSU is 7-2 when he throws for 200-plus yards
? started all 12 games last year and set MSU record with 2,595 passing yards
? his TD-INT ratio (19-10) last year was the best at MSU since Dave Yarema in 1985 (10-3)
22 ? SHAWN FOSTER ? TB
? carried 15 times for 82 yards vs. EMU
23 ? LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS ? TB
? fourth on team in rushing with 11 carries for 57 yards
36 ? LLOYD CLEMONS ? TB
? owns two 100-yard rushing games this year, including a career-best 126 yards at Notre Dame
? had career-long 42-yard gain vs. Notre Dame
? has 276 yards on 49 carries (5.6 avg.) in 1999
? was granted a sixth-year waiver by the NCAA and earned his undergraduate degree this summer
? was MSU?s second-leading rusher last year behind Sedrick Irvin with 364 yards on 73 carries
49 ? DAWAN MOSS ? FB
? starting FB scored on his first career carry vs. EMU with a 42-yard TD run
? 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
? produced a career-high grade (87 percent) vs. Notre Dame
? started every game in ?98
70 ? DAVE SUCURA ? LG
? moves to left guard this year after starting every game at left tackle in 1998
? best performance of 1999 at Notre Dame, grading out at 80 percent with 20 production points
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)
? started the first two games of ?98 before suffering a season-ending injury (ACL/MCL right knee) in the second quarter vs. Oregon
74 ? TUPE PEKO ? LT
? a JUCO All-American at Cerritos College, he has won the starting job at left tackle
76 ? GREG ROBINSON-RANDALL ? RT
? started the last 10 games of ?98 at right tackle
83 ? CHRIS BAKER ? TE
? leads team with 14 receptions and third in receiving yards with 138
? third in nation among TEs in catches and yards
? best catches and yards per game of any MSU TE in the 1990s
? had career-best eight catches vs. Notre Dame
? caught 20 passes (289 yards) over the last seven games of ?98 after making only two catches (16) in the first five contests
85 ? IVORY McCOY ? TE
? tied for 10th in the nation among TEs in receptions (seven) and tied for seventh in yards (99)
? six of seven catches have been for first down
? caught second career TD pass vs. EMU
86 ? GARI SCOTT ? FL
? four of his 11 catches this year have gone for TDs and five of 11 have come on third down
? leads MSU with 242 receiving yards and has at least one TD catch in each game
? owns the MSU record for career punt return yardage (754 yards)
? has at least one catch in each of last 27 games
? leads all MSU players with 29 career starts
? rated among the nation?s top kick returners (No. 4) and wide receivers (No. 14) by Lindy?s
? preseason all-conference pick by Street & Smith?s (first team) and Lindy?s (second team)
? co-captain along with Aric Morris
DEFENSIVE QUICK BIOS
3 ? AMP CAMPBELL ? CB
? has made a courageous comeback from a cervic-spinal injury suffered last year at Oregon and capped it off with the game-winning TD vs. the Ducks this year on an 85-yard fumble return
? owns MSU career record for pass breakups (39), including team-leading nine this year
? granted a sixth-year waiver by the NCAA and earned his undergraduate degree this summer
? presented the Biggie Munn Award last year as the team?s most inspirational player
? has 29 games (and 28 starts) under his belt
? has six career INTs, all 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 four tackles vs. Oregon after making five stops last year in all 12 games
? plays guard for MSU?s Final Four basketball team
8 ? T.J. DUCKETT ? LB/TB
? has made eight tackles (five solo, three assists) at LB and on special teams
? one of the nation?s most highly touted freshmen
9 ? ARIC MORRIS ? SS
? two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
? made career-best 19 tackles (12 solo) vs. Oregon, including four for losses
? MSU?s leading tackler (20-18-38)
? in his third year as MSU?s starting SS
? has nine career double-figure tackle games
? hon. mention All-Big Ten pick (media) in ?98
? had three INTs last year, has four for his career
? MSU?s co-captain, along with Gari Scott
15 ? RENALDO HILL ? CB
? tied for lead among active Spartans with six career INTs, including one which clinched the win vs. Oregon
? 1998 ABC/BCS Online second-team All-American as selected by the announcers and crew
? WR Plaxico Burress calls him the best CB in the Big Ten
? 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
? fourth on the team in tackles with 11-9-20
? made second career start vs. Oregon and had career-high 10 tackles (six solos, four assists)
35 ? T.J. TURNER ? LB
? made nine stops (8-1-9) at Notre Dame
? in his second year as starter at MIKE LB
? had double-figures in tackles in four of the last five games of 1998 and eight tackles vs. Oregon
37 ? CEDRIC HENRY ? CB ? missed the first three games and is questionable vs. Illinois with a lower back injury
? second on the team in ?98 with 13 PBUs
50 ? JOSH THORNHILL ? LB
? second-team freshman All-America pick by The Sporting News in 1998
? started the last six games of ?98
66 ? DESMOND THOMAS ? DT
? has already surpassed last year?s sack total with one in each of the first two games
75 ? NICK MYERS ? DE
? called by defensive coordinator Bill Miller the biggest pleasant surprise of preseason camp
80 ? JACE SAYLER ? DT
? moved to DT after starting every game at end in ?98
? missed start of preseason camp with mono
89 ? HUBERT THOMPSON ? DE
? made his debut vs. Oregon after red-shirting last year and sitting out freshman season due to academics
? has 4-7-11 tackles, one sack and a pass breakup through three games
91 ? ROBAIRE SMITH ? DE
? equaled his career-high with 10 tackles vs. Oregon (five solo), including two TFLs and one sack
? had two TFLs and a pass breakup vs. EMU
? already among MSU career leaders in sacks (fourth at 15) and TFLs (eighth at 28)
? a Playboy All-America pick
? preseason first-team All-Big Ten pick by Street & Smith?s, Lindy?s and Athlon
? second-team All-Big Ten in 1997
95 ? JOSH SHAW ? DT
? starting LT led MSU in tackles vs. EMU with 4-5-9, including one for loss and one pass breakup
? played all 12 games in ?98 as a true freshman
98 ? JULIAN PETERSON ? LB
? second on the team with 13-13-26 tackles
? 11 of his tackles have been for losses, more than halfway to the MSU single-season record he set last year (18)
? has forced two fumbles this year
? 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 QUICK BIOS
1 ? PAUL EDINGER ? PK
? perfect 8-for-8 in FGs and 10-for-10 in PATs this year
? ranked No. 3 among nation?s PKs Sunday by ESPN.com
? ranked among nation?s top 10 kickers by Lindy?s (No. 5) and The Sporting News (No. 7)
? second-team All-Big Ten selection in 1998, when he set an MSU record for field goal percentage (.846, 22 of 26)
? has hit 11-of-13 attempts from 40-plus yards in his career
? six of 21 KOs have been touchbacks in ?99
12 ? CRAIG JARRETT ? P
? second-team All-Big Ten (media) in 1998
? ranks tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 43.2 punting average
? hit 20 punts 50-plus yards and had 17 downed inside the 20-yard line in 1998 (3 and 3 in ?99)
