Michigan State University Athletics
Football Welcomes Iowa To Town For Homecoming
9/27/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 1999
No. 14/14 MICHIGAN STATE (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
vs.
IOWA (1-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
DATE: Oct. 2, 1999
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sellout)
LAST SATURDAY: Michigan State defeated Illinois, 27-10, Iowa had the week off after defeating Northern Illinois, 24-0, Sept. 18.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio ? The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Larry Bielat, sideline reporter Harlon Barnett and broadcast host Scott Anderson, will broadcast the game to 31 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5). Television ? ESPN Regional will broadcast the MSU-Iowa game live, with Wayne Larrivee calling the play-by-play and Randy Wright serving as color commentator. Jim Barbar is the sideline reporter. WLAJ-TV 53 (Lansing) WXYZ-TV 7 (Detroit), WXMI-TV 7 (Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek), WJRT-TV 12 (Flint/Saginaw/Bay City) and WGKI-TV (Traverse City/Cadillac) will carry the game live in Michigan.
THE COACHES ?
Michigan State?s Nick Saban (Kent State ?73) is 29-22-1 (.567) in his fifth season with the Spartans and 38-24-1 (.611) 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.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz (Connecticut ?78) is 1-2 (.333) in his first season guiding the Hawkeyes and 13-23 (.361) in four years as a college head coach, including three at Maine (1990-92). Ferentz spent nine years at Iowa as offensive line coach (1981-89) prior to assuming the head coaching job at Maine. He was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens of the NFL for six years prior to this season.
THE SERIES -
SERIES RECORD: Iowa leads, 16-14-2
IN EAST LANSING: Iowa leads, 8-6-1
LAST MEETING: Iowa 37, MSU 30 (Oct. 5, 1996 in Iowa City)
LAST MSU WIN: MSU 24, Iowa 10 (Oct. 23, 1993 in East Lansing)
FIRST MEETING: MSU 21, Iowa 7 (Sept. 26, 1953 in Iowa City)
NICK SABAN vs. IOWA: 0-2
KIRK FERENTZ vs. MICHIGAN STATE: 0-0
CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 3 by Iowa (1994-96)
LONGEST MSU STREAK: 3 (1973-75)
LONGEST IOWA STREAK: 5 (1979-83)
TEAM COMPARISONS ?
Michigan State IowaBasic Offense Pro Set MultipleBasic Defense 4-3 4-3Offensive Starters Returning 8 7Defensive Starters Returning 7 6Specialists Returning 2 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) ?
Michigan State IowaOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 286 6-4, 276Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-2, 213 6-2, 204Defensive Line 6-3, 281 6-4, 279Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-3, 240Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 6-1, 193
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
Iowa Offense: 6 seniors, 0 juniors, 3 sophomores, 2 freshmen
Iowa Defense: 4 seniors, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores, 0 freshmen
STAT LEADERS ?
Michigan State (1999 statistics):
Rushing ? Lloyd Clemons (69 carries for 415 yards, 6.0 avg., 0 TD)
Passing ? Bill Burke (59 of 111 for 759 yards, 7 TDs, 5 INT)
Receiving ? Chris Baker (17 catches for 192 yards, 11.3 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles ? Aric Morris (50 tackles, 26 solos, 24 assists, 5 for losses, 4 PBUs)
Iowa (1999 statistics): Rushing ? Ladell Betts (65 carries for 311 yards, 4.8 avg. 1 TD)
Passing ? Kyle McCann (25 of 55 for 280 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving ? Zeron Fleminster (7 catches for 78 yards, 11.1 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles ? Matt Bowen (36 tackles, 28 solos, 8 assists, 3 for losses, 2 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON (1999 statistics) ?
Michigan State IowaScoring 32.0 13.7First Downs 19.0 13.7Total Offense 401.0 245.3Rushing Yards 178.3 103.7 Passing Yards 222.8 141.7Time of Possession 21:15 25:32Third Down Conversions .345 .158Points Allowed 12.5 19.7Total Offense Allowed 304.8 436.0Rushing Yards Allowed 51.8 254.7Passing Yards Allowed 253.0 181.3
THE LAST MEETING ? Oct. 5, 1996 in Iowa City: Michigan State won the statistical battle, but came up short on the scoreboard as the Hawkeyes rallied for a Homecoming victory. The Spartans were impressive in the first quarter, as Bill Burke, making his second start, led the team to scoring drives on each of MSU?s first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead. Iowa narrowed the gap to 17-10 midway through the second quarter, but the Spartans answered back with a 41-yard TD strike from Burke to WR Octavis Long before halftime. The Hawkeyes outscored MSU 27-7 in the second half, making the most of some Spartan miscues on special teams. After Iowa tied the game at 30-30 late in the third quarter, the Hawkeyes recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and went 34 yards in six plays to score the game-winning TD early in the fourth stanza. The Spartans mounted a late challenge and were on Iowa?s 20-yard line, but the Hawkeyes picked off a pass in the end zone on the last play of the game. MSU had two 100-yard rushers in Sedrick Irvin (137 yards) and Duane Goulbourne (109), while Burke was 12-of-25 for 163 yards and two TDs.
THE LAST TIME OUT: MICHIGAN STATE 27, ILLINOIS 10 ? Michigan State?s defense held Illinois to 42 yards rushing and TB Lloyd Clemons carried for a career-best 141 yards as the Spartans won their 1999 Big Ten opener, 27-10 in Champaign. The Spartans overcame four turnovers in the victory, which included a pair of touchdown runs by T.J. Duckett. Duckett?s first score, 2:22 into the second quarter, gave MSU a 7-0 lead over the previously undefeated Illini. While the home team responded with a field goal, Bill Burke and Ivory McCoy connected on a TD pass later in the quarter to give MSU a 14-3 halftime lead. Paul Edinger kicked two field goals ? including a career-long 54-yarder ? and Duckett added his second TD in the second half. Michigan State sacked Illini QB Kurt Kittner six times in the win.
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Offense: Chris Baker (three receptions for 54 yards)
Defense: Robaire Smith (five total tackles including two sacks for 19 yards, one interception, one fumble recovery, 20 production points)
Special Teams: Duron Bryan (one assisted tackle)
INJURY REPORT ?
OUT: OL Brian Ottney (underwent surgery on right shoulder Sept. 3, out for the season), C Josh Smith (underwent surgery Sept. 21 to repair torn tendon on the ring finger of his left hand, out four-to-six weeks). PROBABLE: CB Amp Campbell (hyperextended back vs. Illinois), DE Nick Myers (left shoulder stinger vs. Illinois), OT Tupe Peko (sprained right ankle vs. Illinois), DE Robaire Smith (sprained right ankle vs. Illinois), QB Ryan Van Dyke (sprained right foot Sept. 11 vs. EMU, DNP vs. Notre Dame and Illinois), S Drew Young (bruised right shoulder vs. Notre Dame, DNP vs. Illinois).
GROUNDING OPPOSING GROUND GAMES ? Michigan State leads the Big Ten and stands fourth in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing just 51.8 yards per game on the ground. That is the best figure at MSU since 1966 (51.4) and the third-best overall.
Michigan State has not allowed a rushing touchdown through four games, the first stretch of four games MSU has not allowed a rushing TD since Oct. 29 to Nov. 19, 1988. MSU has never 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 allowed per game) and had allowed eight rushing TDs through four games.
SPARTAN-HAWKEYE CONNECTIONS ?
? Michigan State head coach Nick Saban and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz worked together on the Cleveland Browns? staff from 1993-94. Saban was the Browns? defensive coordinator, while Ferentz coached the offensive line.
? Iowa defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Norm Parker was a defensive coach for Michigan State from 1983-94, including five years as defensive coordinator. Current Spartan coaches Nick Saban, Morris Watts and Bobby Williams all worked with Parker while he was at MSU.
? Iowa defensive backs coach Phil Parker was a four-year letterwinner and three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at defensive back for the Spartans (1982-85). He graduated from MSU in 1986. Parker was the 1984 Cherry Bowl MVP and also helped lead the team to the 1985 All-American Bowl. He later served as a graduate assistant on the 1987 Michigan State team which won the Big Ten championship and the 1988 Rose Bowl. Parker stands third in career interceptions at MSU (16) and eighth in career pass breakups (20), although current MSU CB Renaldo Hill trails him on that list by just one.
? Michigan State associate athletics director for administrative and compliance services John Hardt played football for the Hawkeyes and was a member of the 1982 Rose Bowl team.
QUICK START ? Michigan State has started the season 4-0 for just the second time since 1966. MSU went 5-0 to open the 1997 season and won the first nine games of 1966 before tying Notre Dame in the season finale.
COMIN? HOME ? Michigan State is 55-25-3 (.681) in 83 Homecoming games, including a 3-1 record vs. Iowa. The Spartans are 9-2-1 (.792) in Homecoming games since 1987. MSU is 3-0 in Homecoming games since losing to Iowa, 21-7, in 1995, and has won those three games by an average of 37.0-18.3. (For a complete list of Homecoming results, see p. 173 of the 1999 Michigan State Football Media Guide.)
GRAND MARSHALS ? Serving as Grand Marshals for this year?s Homecoming are former Michigan State All-Americans Art Brandstatter, Lynn Chandnois, Don Coleman, Everett Grandelius, Earl Morrall, Charles ?Bubba? Smith, Gene Washington and George Webster.
SOME SERIES NOTES ?
? Iowa is 11-4-1 in the last 16 meetings.
? The Hawkeyes have only lost once at Spartan Stadium since 1978. Iowa is 6-1-1 in East Lansing since then, with the only MSU win coming in 1993.
? The 30 points MSU scored in the 1996 game were the most for the Spartans vs. Iowa since a 35-31 loss in 1985 and the most scored in an MSU loss against any team since 1994.
? Iowa?s 37 points vs. MSU in 1996 were the most for the Hawkeyes against the Spartans since a 41-0 decision in 1981.
TARGET PRACTICE ? Three different players have led Michigan State in receptions in a game through four games this season. TE Chris Baker led the team in catches vs. Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame, while WR Gari Scott was the leader against Oregon and WR Plaxico Burress was the leader vs. Illinois.
POLL GAZING ? Michigan State broke into both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls last week, appearing in both for the first time since the 1998 preseason polls. The Spartans are ranked 14th by both AP and by the coaches. It is MSU?s highest AP ranking since holding the 12th spot Oct. 12, 1997, and its highest ranking in the coaches poll since holding the 14th position Oct. 19, 1997.
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 receiving yards.
Sophomore TE Chris Baker leads Michigan State in receptions with 17 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Baker?s 4.25 catches per game stands eighth in the Big Ten, while he has 48.0 yards receiving per game. Prior to this season, Michigan State?s most prolific pass-catching tight end of the 1980s or ?90s was Al Kimichik (3.55 catches per game, 34.8 yards per game in 1981).
Baker stands third in the nation among tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards, while junior TE Ivory McCoy has caught eight passes for 121 yards and two TDs on the year. He stands tied for 15th and 10th in receptions and yards, respectively, among the nation?s tight ends.
TOSSING TO THE TIGHT ENDS II ? Four of QB Bill Burke?s seven TD passes have gone to tight ends (two each to Chris Baker and Ivory McCoy). He threw three TD passes to tight ends all of last season (MSU tight ends combined for five TDs in 1998, including two from QB Ryan Van Dyke).
BURKE EYES TD RECORD ? Senior QB Bill Burke has at least one TD pass in each game this season, and one in each of the last eight games dating back to last year. Burke has seven TD passes on the year and 33 for his career. He needs 11 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, who had a season-high 291 yards passing vs. Notre Dame, has thrown for at least 200 yards in six of his last eight games. MSU is 7-2 all-time when Burke throws for 200 yards.
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 35. He matched his career high with 11 tackles (five solos, six assists) against Oregon, including six tackles for loss (seven yards). Through four games he already has 14 tackles for losses, just four shy of the single-season school record for tackles for losses (18), which he shares with Larry Bethea. Peterson has forced three fumbles in the first four games, while he climbs the MSU career charts in tackles for losses (fourth with 32) and sacks (fifth with 16).
HURRICANE LLOYD CONTINUES TO INFLICT DAMAGE ? Senior TB Lloyd Clemons has enjoyed three 100-yard rushing games in the first four games of the season, and has built upon his single-game career-high in each of those games. The only game in which Clemons did not reach the 100-yard mark was MSU?s 51-7 win over Eastern Michigan, when he played less than one half of the game.
Clemons, who leads MSU and stands third in the Big Ten with 103.8 rushing yards per game, carried 20 times for 141 yards against Illinois, a 7.1 yards-per-carry average.
HERE?S THE KICKER: PAUL?S PERFECT ? Senior PK Paul Edinger has been perfect thus far in 1999, converting on 10-of-10 field goals and 13-of-13 PATs, including a career-long 54-yard field goal at Illinois. Edinger made 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 13-of-15 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in his career, including four-of-four this year. Nine of Edinger?s 10 field goals in 1999 have come in the second half.
ARIC?S AWARD ? Senior SS Aric Morris has earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season through four weeks. He shared the award after the Notre Dame game after earning 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.
Morris, who has 10 career double-figure tackle games, leads the Spartans in tackles with 51 (28 solos, 23 assisted), 16 more than any other Spartan.
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 825 career punt return yards, 205 more yards than Derrick Mason, who stands No. 2 on the MSU career list.
Scott leads the Spartans in all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and all returns) with 139.0 yards per game, putting him second in the Big Ten and 25th 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 28 catches for 486 yards in four games. They have accounted for 41 percent of Michigan State?s receptions and 55 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).
TURN TO ROBAIRE FOR TUROVERS ? Senior DE Robaire Smith accounted for two turnovers against Illinois, recording his second career interception in the third quarter and recovering a fumble in the fourth. His interception marked the first pick of the season for Illinois QB Kurt Kittner. Smith also had two sacks for 19 yards among his five tackles at Illinois.
Smith is tied for second on the team in sacks (three) and is third on the team in tackles for losses (six). He is climbing the MSU career charts in both categories (fourth in sacks with 17, sixth in TFLs with 30).
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.
SPARTAN AIR RAID ? Michigan State has scored more touchdowns passing than running each of the last three years. That trend is a complete reversal from the previous eight seasons. MSU?s rushing and passing TD ratio for the last 11 seasons:
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989Rush TDs/Pass TDs 4/8 14/21 18/21 27/15 21/11 20/11 25/9 24/4 10/7 35/4 37/9
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.
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.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 ? Since 1990, Michigan State is 48-10-1 (.822) 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 55-51-2 (.519).
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 30-19 (.612) in its last 49 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 401.0 t-6th t-40thRushing Offense 178.3 6th 37thPassing Offense 222.8 6th 46thScoring Offense 32.0 t-5th t-28thTotal Defense 304.8 4th 28thRushing Defense 51.8 1st 4thPassing Defense 253.0 10th ?Pass Efficiency Def. 105.7 3rd 31stScoring Defense 12.5 2nd 11thTurnover Margin +0 t-8th t-50thNet Punting 38.8 4th 29thPunt Returns 13.4 5th 15thKickoff Returns 17.1 9th 95th
Category ? Individual Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Yards ? Clemons 103.8 3rd 24thPassing Efficiency ? Burke 122.4 9th ?Passing Yards ? Burke 185.8 3rd ?Total Offense ? Burke 181.3 5th ?Receptions ? Baker 4.25 8th ?Receptions ? Burress 4.00 9th ?Receiving Yards ? Scott 64.3 9th ?All-Purpose Yards ? Scott 139.0 2nd 25thScoring (Overall) ? Edinger 10.8 1st 9thPunting ? Jarrett 44.3 3rd 12thPunt Returns ? Scott 17.3 3rd 8thField Goal Pct. ? Edinger 100.0 t-1st ?Field Goals Per Gm ? Edinger 2.50 t-1st t-2ndTackles ? Morris 12.5 1st ?Tackles for loss ? Peterson 14 (total) 1st ?Sacks ? Peterson 5.0 (tot.) t-1st ?
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK ?
Opponent Offense Defense Special TeamsOregon Lloyd Clemons Julian Peterson Gari ScottE. Michigan Shaun Mason Josh Shaw Paul EdingerNotre Dame Bill Burke Renaldo Hill Shawn WrightIllinois Chris Baker Robaire Smith Duron Bryan
1999 OPPONENTS UPDATE ?
Date vs.MSU Opponent This Week Last Week Sept. 2 Oregon (3-1) at Washington W vs. USC, 33-30 OTSept. 11 E. Michigan (1-2) at Louisville W vs. Akron, 38-17Sept. 18 at Notre Dame (1-3) vs. Oklahoma ?Sept. 25 at Illinois (3-1) at Indiana L vs. Michigan St., 27-10Oct. 2 Iowa (1-2) at Michigan St. ?Oct. 9 Michigan (4-0) vs. Purdue W at Wisconsin, 21-16Oct. 16 at Purdue (4-0) at Michigan W vs. Northwestern, 31-23Oct. 23 at Wisconsin (2-2) at Ohio State L vs. Michigan, 21-16Nov. 6 Ohio State (3-1) vs. Wisconsin W vs. Cincinnati, 34-20Nov. 13 at Northwestern (2-2) vs. Minnesota L at Purdue, 31-23Nov. 20 Penn State (5-0) - W vs. Indiana, 45-24*MSU opponents have a cumulative record of 29-10 (.744), not including games vs. the Spartans
SABAN?S RECORD BREAKDOWN (MSU and TOLEDO)? All Games: 38-24-1 (.611)
Home Games: 24-9 (.727)
Road Games: 14-15-1 (.483)
August Games: 1-1 (.500)
September Games: 15-5-1 (.738)
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: 2-0 10-14-1
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: 3-0 23-10-1When 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: 3-0 5-7When leading at halftime: 2-0 25-8When trailing at halftime: 1-0 3-13-1When tied at halftime 1-0 1-1When leading after three quarters: 2-0 24-3-1When 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: 2-0 6-12-1When gaining same number of 1st downs as opp.: 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+ yds: 3-0 20-6-1When an opponent rushes for 100+ yds: 0-0 9-12-1When outrushing opponent: 4-0 25-5-1When being outrushed by opponent: 0-0 4-17
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 3-0 18-12-1When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 3-0 11-12-1
When gaining more total yards than opp.: 2-0 25-6When gaining fewer total yards than opp.: 2-0 4-16-1When leading in time of possession: 3-0 20-12-1When trailing in time of possession: 1-0 9-10
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 16 catches through four games (229 yards)
? 12 of his 16 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 (30 carries, 144 yards, two TDs)
? leads MSU with three 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
? has a TD pass in each of his last eight games
? surpassed 4,000 yards in career passing vs. Illinois (one of six MSU QBs over 4,000, now has 4,008)
? already among MSU career passing leaders in attempts (sixth at 565), completions (sixth at 302), completion percentage (seventh at .535), yards (sixth at 4,008) and TD passes (third at 33)
? needs 11 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 eight 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
22 ? SHAWN FOSTER ? TB
? carried 15 times for 82 yards vs. EMU
23 ? LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS ? TB
? fourth on team in rushing with 13 carries for 61 yards
36 ? LLOYD CLEMONS ? TB
? owns three 100-yard rushing games this year, including a career-best 141 yards at Illinois
? had career-long 42-yard gain vs. Notre Dame
? has 415 yards on 69 carries (6.0 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
? made first start of career at Illinois
? 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
? had a career-high grade (87 percent) vs. ND
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 17 receptions and third in receiving yards with 192
? third in nation among TEs in catches and yards
? best catches and yards per game of any MSU TE in the 1980s or ?90s
? 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
? 10th in the nation among TEs in receiving yards (121) on eight catches
? seven of eight catches have been for first down
? caught third career TD pass vs. Illinois
86 ? GARI SCOTT ? FL
? four of his 12 catches this year have gone for TDs and six of 12 have come on third down
? leads MSU with 257 receiving yards and has at least one TD catch in three of four games
? owns the MSU record for career punt return yardage (825 yards)
? has at least one catch in each of last 28 games
? leads all MSU players with 30 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 30 games (and 29 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 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 (28-23-51)
? in his third year as MSU?s starting SS
? has 10 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
? with one more pass break up, will tie Iowa DB coach Phil Parker for eighth all-time at MSU with 20
? 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 16-11-27
? made second career start vs. Oregon and had career-high 10 tackles (six solos, four assists)
35 ? T.J. TURNER ? LB
? 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
? second on the team in ?98 with 13 PBUs
50 ? JOSH THORNHILL ? LB
? career-best 18 tackles (eight solo, 10 assists) at Illinois
? 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 5-10-15 tackles, one sack and two pass breakups through four games
91 ? ROBAIRE SMITH ? DE
? had his second career INT, a fumble recovery and two sacks vs. Illinois
? equaled his career-high with 10 tackles vs. Oregon (five solo), including two TFLs and one sack
? already among MSU career leaders in sacks (fourth at 17) and TFLs (sixth at 30)
? 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 tied for fourth with 9-18-27 tackles
? starting LT led MSU in tackles vs. EMU with 4-5-9, including one for loss and one pass breakup
? played all 12 games in ?98 as a true freshman
98 ? JULIAN PETERSON ? LB
? second on the team with 19-16-35 tackles
? 14 of his tackles have been for losses, close to the MSU single-season record he set last year (18)
? has forced three 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
SPECIALIST QUICK BIOS
1 ? PAUL EDINGER ? PK
? perfect 10-for-10 in FGs and 13-for-13 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 13-of-15 attempts from 40-plus yards in his career (4-of-4 in 1999)
? eight of 27 KOs have been touchbacks in ?99
12 ? CRAIG JARRETT ? P
? second-team All-Big Ten (media) in 1998
? ranks third in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 44.3 punting average
? has hit six punts 50-plus yards and had five downed inside the 20-yard line in 1999
