MSU Falls To Wisconsin In Homecoming Contest
10/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
ATTENDANCE - 74,863 (sellout). Today's sellout marks the 18th capacity crowd in the last 23 contests at Spartan Stadium, including the last 10 in a row.
SERIES - Michigan State holds a 24-17 series advantage over Wisconsin following today's Badgers' win. Wisconsin has won two straight vs. MSU and five out of the last six.
Michigan State is 12-6 all-time vs. Wisconsin at Spartan Stadium following today's loss.
HOMECOMING - Michigan State is now 55-27-3 all-time in Homecoming Games following today's loss to Wisconsin. MSU is 41-19-2 all-time in Homecoming Games in October.
QUICK STARTS - Michigan State scored 10 points in the first quarter today after scoring just 17 points in the first quarter in five games this year. However, MSU has allowed 41 points in the first quarter in six games this year. MSU did not allow Wisconsin a point in the first quarter today.
IN BIG TEN PLAY - Following today's loss, the Spartans fall to 0-3 in Big Ten play and 3-3 overall. Wisconsin improves to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. MSU heads to Ann Arbor to face Michigan next Saturday (Oct. 21).
NEW FACES - Wisconsin freshman quarterback Jim Sorgi saw his first action of the season against MSU. Sorgi finished 7-of-15 for 96 yards (all of Wisconsin's passing yardage). UW QB Brooks Bollinger left the game with a concussion in the third quarter.
NOT T.J.'s DAY - MSU sophomore RB T.J. Duckett rushed for only 80 yards today. Duckett had rushed for 100+ yards in four of the last five games this season.
CAREER HIGHS - MSU senior wide receiver Lavaile Richardson tied his career high with 62 receiving yards today. Richardson also had 62 yards against Northwestern.
DEFENSE - MSU's pass defense showed why it is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten heading into the Wisconsin game. MSU, who was allowing 167.6 yards, allowed Wisconsin just 96 yards passing. UW's two quarterbacks (Brooks Bollinger and Jim Sorgi) combined to go 7-of-21 for the day.
DEFENSE II - MSU outgained Wisconsin 366-to-197 in total yardage today. The Spartans averaged 5.3 yards-per-play, while the Badgers averaged just 3.2 yards. However, MSU ran just 69 offensive plays compared to Wisconsin's 61.
GAME BREAKERS - Wisconsin finished 3-of-3 on fourth-down conversions, including a key one-yard run by Michael Bennett on a fourth and one on the Badgers game-winning touchdown drive.
MSU turned the ball over four times today, including three interceptions. The Spartans also had three fumbles, but only lost one.