Michigan State vs. Purdue Postgame Notes

Nov. 11, 2000

MICHIGAN STATE vs. PURDUE SPARTAN STADIUM November 11, 2000

ATTENDANCE - 74,624 (sellout). Today's sellout marks the 20th capacity crowd in the last 25 contests at Spartan Stadium, including the last 11 in a row.

SERIES - Michigan holds a 28-24-3 advantage in the all-time series after today's 30-10 victory, including a 17-10 all-time mark in games played in East Lansing. Purdue had won three straight meetings before MSU's victory today.

UPSET SPECIAL - Michigan State is now 7-1 in its last eight games against Top 25 teams in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans also have won six straight games at home over Top 25 teams. MSU's last lost to a Top 25 team at Spartan Stadium was Aug. 29, 1998, when No. 15 Colorado State beat No. 23 MSU, 23-16.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD - Michigan State's 30 points was the most for the Spartans since the Spartans put up 27 points against Notre Dame (Sept. 23). Prior to today, MSU had averaged just 11.7 points over the past six games.

DUCKETT'S DAY - Sophomore tailback T.J. Duckett picked up his first 100-yard rushing game since Iowa (Oct. 7). Duckett finished the game with 174 yards on 32 carries and one rushing touchdown. It was his sixth 100-yard rushing game of his career and the fifth of the 2000 season.

INTERCEPT THE BALL - The Spartans picked off three passes thrown by Purdue quarterback Drew Brees. Senior left corner DeMario Suggs picked off his first career pass late in the second quarter. Senior right corner Renaldo Hill and sophomore strong safety Thomas Wright also picked off Brees' passes in the second half.

CAREER DAY - Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Waters had a career day against the Boilermakers. Waters caught a career-high five passes for a career-high 98 yards. Waters, who missed the first two games of the season due to injury, breaks his previous best of three catches for 56 yards.

SMOKER ON FIRE - Freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker turned in a solid performance against Purdue. Smoker finished 12-of-23 for 195 yards and one touchdown. It was the second-best passing effort of his career. Smoker's best is 233 passing yards, set against Northwestern on Sept. 30.

Smoker also rushed for a career-best 46 yards on 11 carries.

BRING ON THE OFFENSE - Michigan State racked up 487 total yards against Purdue. It was MSU's top offensive performance of the season. Prior to today, MSU's previous best was 466 yards at Iowa (Oct. 7).

The Spartans out gained Purdue in: first downs (27-19), rushing yards (292-79) and total net yards (487-358). The Boilermakers held a 279 to 195 advantage in passing yardage.

MSU also rushed for a season-high 292 yards, led by T.J. Duckett with 174 yards.

PURDUE NOTES - With his first quarter field goal, Travis Dorsch became Purdue's career points lead with 257. He passed fullback Mike Alstott (1992-95) with 256 points.

Drew Brees moved from fifth place to fourth on the NCAA career total offense list, passing Doug Flutie (1981-84) of Boston College.

Stuart Schweigert had his team-high third interception of the year.

Shaun Phillips now has seven sacks on the season, the most for a Purdue freshman since Jeff Zgogmina had seven in 1989.