Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Prepares For Road Test At Purdue
11/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2001
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MICHIGAN STATE
(5-3, 3-3 Big Ten)
vs.
PURDUE
(5-3, 3-3 Big Ten)
GAME 9: QUICK FACTS
DATE: Nov. 17, 2001
SITE: Ross-Ade Stadium (67,332), West Lafayette, Ind.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EST
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 60,000
LAST WEEK: No. 22 Michigan State lost to Indiana, 37-28, Purdue lost at Ohio State, 35-9.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Larry Bielat, sideline reporter Will Tieman and broadcast host Dan Gutowsky, will broadcast the game to 33 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5).
Television - ESPN2 will televise the Michigan State-Purdue game live, with Mark Jones handling the play-by-play, Chris Spielman providing color commentary and Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter.
MICHIGAN STATE-PURDUE
SERIES BREAKDOWN
SERIES RECORD: MSU leads 28-24-3
IN WEST LAFAYETTE: Purdue leads 14-11-3
LAST MEETING: MSU 30, Purdue 10 (Nov. 11, 2000)
LAST PURDUE WIN: Purdue 52, MSU 28 (Oct. 16, 1999)
FIRST MEETING: Purdue 14, MSU 6 (Nov. 9, 1918)
BOBBY WILLIAMS vs. PURDUE: 1-0
JOE TILLER vs. MSU: 3-1
CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 1 by MSU (2000)
LONGEST MSU STREAK: 6 (1985-90)
LONGEST PURDUE STREAK: 5 (1978-82)
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's Bobby Williams (Purdue 1982) is 11-9 (.550) in his second year as a college head coach. Williams, who served as the Spartans' running backs coach for 10 years (1990-99), made his head coaching debut on Jan. 1, 2000, as he led Michigan State to a 37-34 victory over No. 10 Florida in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Spartans finished the 1999 season with a 10-2 overall record and ranked No. 7 in the final polls. During his tenure as running backs coach, he tutored seven 1,000-yard rushers including Sedrick Irvin, who in 1998 became the first Spartan in school history to reach the rushing milestone in each of his first three seasons.
Purdue's Joe Tiller (Montana State 1965) is 38-19 (.667) in his fifth year with the Boilermakers and 77-49-1 (.610) in 11 seasons as a college head coach. Tiller has guided Purdue to four straight bowl appearances. He compiled a 39-30-1 record (.564) in six seasons at Wyoming (1991-96), including a 10-2 worksheet in 1996. His college coaching credits also include stops as an assistant at Washington State (1989-90 and 1971-73), Wyoming (1987-88), Purdue (1983-86) and Montana State (1964-70).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
| ? | MSU | Purdue |
| Basic Offense | Pro Set | One Back |
| Basic Defense | 4-3 | 4-3 |
| Offensive Starters Returning | 6 | 5 |
| Defensive Starters Returning | 5 | 10 |
| Specialists Returning | 2 | 2 |
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
| ? | MSU | Purdue |
| Offensive Line & Tight End | 6-5, 295 | 6-5, 289 |
| Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers | 6-1, 221 | 6-0, 188 |
| Defensive Line | 6-4, 270 | 6-3, 276 |
| Linebackers | 6-1, 242 | 6-2, 229 |
| Defensive Backs | 6-1, 191 | 6-2, 200 |
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 2 seniors, 3 juniors, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 3 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores, 3 freshmen
Purdue Offense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore, 3 freshmen
Purdue Defense: 3 seniors, 2 juniors, 5 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after eight games):
Rushing - T.J. Duckett (178 carries for 942 yards, 5.3 avg., 7 TDs)
Passing - Jeff Smoker (106 of 177 for 1554 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Herb Haygood (39 catches for 558 yards, 14.3 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles - Josh Thornhill (93 tackles, 69 solos, 24 assists, 9 for losses)
Purdue (after eight games):
Rushing - Montrell Lowe (121 carries for 410 yards, 3.4 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Brandon Hance (129 of 246 for 1464 yards, 8 TDs, 10 INTs)
Receiving - Taylor Stubblefield (49 catches for 533 yards, 10.9 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles - Stuart Schweigert (69 tackles, 45 solos, 24 assists, 5 interceptions)
STAT COMPARISON -
| ? | MSU | Purdue |
| Scoring | 28.0 | 21.8 |
| First Downs | 22.0 | 16.3 |
| Total Offense | 407.1 | 314.2 |
| Rushing Yards | 141.8 | 114.4 |
| Passing Yards | 265.4 | 199.9 |
| Time of Possession | 30:52 | 29:29 |
| Third Down Conversions | .391 | .368 |
| Points Allowed | 25.4 | 24.2 |
| Total Offense Allowed | 396.4 | 343.5 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed | 217.4 | 125.1 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 179.0 | 218.4 |
MSU/PURDUE SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 56th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue. The Spartans lead the all-time series 28-24-3, including an 11-14-3 record in games played in West Lafayette, Ind. Last year, Michigan State ended a three-game losing streak to Purdue with a 30-10 victory in Spartan Stadium. Purdue's last win in the series came on Oct. 16, 1999, 52-28, in Ross-Ade Stadium. The Spartans' last win in West Lafayette came on Nov. 13, 1993, 27-24.
THE LAST TIME MEETING -
Nov. 11, 2000, in East Lansing, Mich.: Jeff Smoker threw for 195 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to lead Michigan State to a 30-10 upset victory over No. 9 Purdue in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead as Smoker capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard run with 6:37 left in the first quarter. Purdue answered with a 10-play, 43-yard drive and cut its deficit to 6-3 on a 36-yard field goal by Travis Dorsch. T.J. Duckett's 30-yard run around left end helped set up David Schaefer's 32-yard field goal as Michigan State extended its lead to 9-3 early in the second quarter. The Spartans moved out to a 15-3 halftime lead as Smoker's 30-yard completion to Marcus Waters preceded his 18-yard TD toss over the middle to Chris Baker with 3:07 remaining in the first half. Purdue got back into the game midway through the third quarter on a 68-yard TD strike from Drew Brees to Vinny Sutherland. Michigan State regained the momentum on the final play of the third quarter as Renaldo Hill's interception ended Purdue's 54-yard drive inside the Spartan 40. Duckett finished off a nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard run around right end and Smoker's run for a two-point conversion gave Michigan State a 23-10 advantage with 10:34 on the clock. Little John Flowers iced the game with a 48-yard TD run with 7:44 left in the fourth quarter. Michigan State intercepted Brees three times while limiting Purdue to 10 points and 358 total yards - 24 points and 121 total yards below the Boilermakers' season averages. Duckett picked up 174 yards on 32 rushes as the Spartans rolled up 292 yards on the ground.
WILLIAMS FACES ALMA MATER -
Michigan State first-year head coach Bobby Williams was a four-year letterman for Jim Young at Purdue and served as a tri-captain as a senior in 1981. He helped the Boilermakers to a combined record of 38-19-1 (.664) during his five years with the program, including victories in the 1978 Peach, '79 Bluebonnet and '80 Liberty Bowls.
Williams began his college career as a running back and ranked as the team's second-leading rusher with 362 yards (99 attempts) as a freshman in '77 before becoming a three-year starter in the defensive secondary. An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 1980, he had eight career interceptions and 172 tackles.
He earned a bachelor's degree in general management from Purdue in 1982.
Williams served as a graduate assistant coach under Leon Burtnett at Purdue in 1982, working with the defensive backs.
SPARTANS FROM THE HOOSIER STATE -
Michigan State's 2001 roster features five players from Indiana, including red-shirt freshman offensive lineman Matt Hasbrook (Indianapolis), senior punter Craig Jarrett (Martinsville), sophomore guard DeMarco Monroe (Evansville), freshman wide receiver Ben Steckler (Huntingburg) and red-shirt freshman offensive guard William Whitticker (Marion).
INJURY REPORT -
OUT: CB Tyrell Dortch (broke right lower leg vs. Wisconsin, out for the season), OG Paul Harker (right shoulder/neck vs. Notre Dame, out indefinitely), CB Jason Harmon (broke right ankle in Oct. 3 practice, sidelined eight-to-10 weeks), DT Josh Shaw (MCL right knee vs. Michigan, out for the season), DB Eric Smith (underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair torn meniscus in his left knee, out for the season), CB DeMario Suggs (broke left ankle in Oct. 4 practice, sidelined eight-to-10 weeks), QB Ryan Van Dyke (fractured jaw vs. Minnesota, DNP vs. Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana), TE Ryan Woods (sprained left knee in Oct. 9 practice, sidelined three-to-four weeks, DNP vs. Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana). DOUBTFUL: LB Seth Mitchell (sprained MCL right knee in Aug. 18 practice and reinjured in Oct. 9 practice). QUESTIONABLE: QB Jeff Smoker (sprained left shoulder vs. Indiana).
SPARTANS OF THE WEEK -
The Michigan State coaching staff selected the following players as Spartans of the Week for their performances Nov. 10 vs. Indiana:
Offense - FL Herb Haygood (eight catches for a career-high 132 yards and two touchdowns).
Defense - None.
Special Teams - PK Dave Rayner (scored four points).
SPARTAN SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS OF THE WEEK -
The Michigan State coaching staff selected the following Scout Team Players of the Week for their contributions in practice prior to the Nov. 10 game vs. Indiana:
Offense - QB Stephen Ratliff
Defense - DB Marc Wilson
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2001:
| Category | Stat Avg. | Big Ten | NCAA |
| Rushing Offense | 141.8 | 9th | 69th |
| Passing Offense | 265.4 | 1st | 26th |
| Total Offense | 407.1 | 5th | 40th |
| Scoring Offense | 28.0 | 5th | 47th |
| Rushing Defense | 217.4 | 11th | 104th |
| Passing Defense | 179.0 | 2nd | 16th |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 108.3 | 3rd | 27th |
| Total Defense | 396.4 | 7th | 71st |
| Scoring Defense | 25.4 | 7th | 58th |
| Turnover Margin | 0.0 | t-8th | t-57th |
| Net Punting | 32.7 | 10th | 96th |
| Punt Returns | 9.7 | 9th | 55th |
| Kickoff Returns | 24.3 | 1st | 12th |
NCAA Stat Leaders -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA stat leaders in 2001:
Team Statistics
Rushing Offense: 69th at 141.8 yards per game
Passing Offense: 26th at 265.4 yards per game
Passing Efficiency: 11th at 147.1 rating
Total Offense: 40th at 407.1 yards per game
Scoring Offense: 47th at 28.0 points per game
Rushing Defense: 104th at 217.4 yards per game
Passing Defense: 16th at 179.0 yards per game
Pass Efficiency Defense: 27th at 108.3 rating
Total Defense: 71st at 396.4 yards per game
Scoring Defense: 58th at 25.4 points per game
Turnover Margin: t-57th at 0.0 turnovers per game
Net Punting: 96th at 32.7 yards per punt
Punt Returns: 55th at 9.7 yards per return
Kickoff Returns: 12th at 24.3 yards per return
Individual Statistics
Rushing Yards: T.J. Duckett (17th at 117.8 yards per game)
Receptions: Herb Haygood (t-61st at 4.88 catches per game)
Receiving Yards: Charles Rogers (22nd at 91.6 yards per game), Herb Haygood (55th at 69.8 ypg.)
Passing Efficiency: Jeff Smoker (12th at 151.1 rating)
Total Offense: Jeff Smoker (67th at 186.5 yards per game)
Interceptions: Broderick Nelson (t-5th at 0.63 interceptions per game), Duron Bryan (t-47th at 0.38 per game)
Punting: Craig Jarrett (21st at 43.6 yards per punt)
Kickoff Returns: Herb Haygood (2nd at 34.0 yards per return)
All-Purpose Yards: T.J. Duckett (40th at 122.0 yards per game), Herb Haygood (50th at 117.3 ypg.)
FOUR SPARTANS LISTED ON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA BALLOT -
Four Michigan State players - senior linebacker Josh Thornhill, senior snapper Tony Grant, senior placekicker David Schaefer and sophomore defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen - have been nominated for the Verizon Academic All-District IV Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of American (CoSIDA).
To be nominated for the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career. He also must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing.
District IV includes all schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Players named to the Academic All-District Team will have their names appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors.
Spartan Academic All-America Candidates
| Name | Major (GPA) |
| Josh Thornhill* | kinesiology (3.53) |
| Tony Grant | electrical engineering (3.39) |
| David Schaefer | economics (3.41) |
| Kyle Rasmussen | physiology (3.60) |
*2000 Academic All-American (second team)
MANY HAPPY SPARTAN RETURNS -
Michigan State's special teams have produced three touchdowns in 2001, including two kickoff returns and one punt return. It marks the best point production by the Spartans' return game since 1995 when it accounted for a school-record four scores (two kickoff and two punt returns).
Herb Haygood currently leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA in kickoff returns with his 34.0-yard average. Haygood has returned two kickoffs for TDs this season, including an 84-yarder vs. Northwestern and a 100-yarder vs. Iowa, and joins Derrick Mason (1995) and Derek Hughes (1979) as the only Spartan players to return two kickoffs for scores in the same season. He also could become only the third player in MSU history to average 30.0 or more yards per kickoff return in a season, joining Hughes (31.1-yard average in '79) and Bud Crane (30.0 avg. in '48).
Charles Rogers currently leads the Big Ten in punt returns with his 11.4-yard average (tied with Penn State's Bruce Branch). Rogers returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter vs. Northwestern.
SMOKER RIGHT ON TARGET -
Jeff Smoker leads the Big Ten and ranks 12th nationally in passing efficiency with his 151.1 rating. Over his last five games, Smoker has completed 60 percent (83-138) of his throws for 1,234 yards (246.8 per game), 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The 6-foot-3, 207-pound sophomore connected on 20-of-30 passes for 288 yards and three scores vs. Indiana. It marked his third 200-yard passing game in 2001.
Smoker directed his fourth game-winning fourth-quarter drive of his career against sixth-ranked Michigan, helping the Spartans overcome a 24-20 deficit in the final 2:09. He managed a 15-play, 44-yard drive and his 2-yard TD toss to T.J. Duckett as time expired gave Michigan State a 26-24 victory. His 17-yard strike to Herb Haygood on third-and-10 from the Michigan 35 and his 8-yard completion to Duckett on fourth-and-3 from the Wolverine 11 kept the drive alive in the final minute. Smoker threw for 183 yards (15-35) and two scores in his first career start vs. Michigan.
Smoker completed 13-of-20 passes for a career-high 326 yards and three TDs in MSU's 42-28 win at Wisconsin. His 326 yards marked the seventh-best single-game passing total in Spartan history. And his 271.4 QB rating vs. Wisconsin marked the fourth-highest grade recorded in NCAA I-A football thus far in 2001.
He threw for 258 yards (21-33) and two scores vs. Minnesota. Smoker hit 14-of-20 passes for 179 yards and two TDs vs. Iowa. He connected on 15-of-23 throws for 196 yards and a score in the season opener vs. Central Michigan.
Smoker, who has compiled an 8-6 record in 14 career starts, already ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in completions (ninth at 209), completion percentage (seventh at .559), passing yards (10th at 2,895) and passing TDs (ninth at 19).
HAYGOOD NAMED CNNSI MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN -
Herb Haygood, who leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA in kickoff returns with his 34.0-yard average, has been named to CNNSI.com's Midseason All-America Team as a kick returner. Haygood has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season, an 84-yarder vs. Northwestern and a 100-yarder vs. Iowa. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior became the first player in Michigan State's 105-year football history to return kickoffs for scores in back-to-back games and his 100-yard runback against Iowa tied the Spartan record for longest return.
Haygood currently ranks third on MSU's all-time list with 1,512 career kickoff return yards.
He currently ranks 10th in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards, averaging 117.2 yards per game. Haygood accounted for a career-high 240 all-purpose yards and two scores vs. Iowa.
HAY, HE'S A GOOD RECEIVER TOO -
Senior flanker Herb Haygood leads the team in receptions with 39 for 558 yards (14.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. His receptions, receiving yards and TD catches in 2001 all represent career highs.
In his last five games, Haygood has 34 catches for 484 yards, including three 100-yard receiving games - vs. Indiana, Minnesota and Iowa - the first of his career. He caught eight passes for a career-high 132 yards and two TDs vs. Indiana. Haygood scored on TD catches of 18 and 13 yards from Jeff Smoker against the Hoosiers. He had eight receptions for 117 yards against Minnesota. Haygood hauled in a career-high nine passes for 119 yards against Iowa, including a 15-yard touchdown grab from Smoker in the second quarter.
Haygood has caught at least one pass in 19 consecutive games.
THORNHILL NAMED BUTKUS AWARD SEMIFINALIST -
Senior middle linebacker Josh Thornhill, who leads the Spartans in tackles with 93 (69 solos, 24 assists) in 2001, has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando. Three finalists for the Butkus Award will be selected Thursday, Nov. 15 and the winner announced Friday, Dec. 7 in Orlando, Fla.
Thornhill currently ranks sixth on Michigan State's all-time tackles chart with 360 career stops. Earlier this season, he became only the 12th player in Spartan history to reach the 300-tackle milestone.
Thornhill, who recorded his 20th career double-figure game in tackles vs. Indiana (14), has posted double figures in his last six starts - vs. Michigan (12), Wisconsin (11), Minnesota (10), Iowa (game-high 16 stops) and Northwestern (13). He leads the Spartan defense in production points with 153 and ranks second in tackles for losses with nine for 16 yards.
The 6-foot-2, 239-pounder from Lansing, Mich., has started 36 consecutive games. Thornhill has been nominated for several other national awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year) and Lombardi Award (top lineman).
BAKER REWRITES SPARTAN RECORD BOOK -
Chris Baker, Michigan State's career record-holder for receptions by a tight end with 116, ranks third on the team in catches with 23 for 352 yards (15.3 avg.) and three touchdowns in 2001. Baker, who has started 43 consecutive games at tight end, has caught at least one pass in 20 straight games.
With a season-high six catches for 76 yards vs. Minnesota, he broke the tight end mark previously held by Mark Brammer, who had 107 catches from 1976-79. Baker also caught his 12th career touchdown pass vs. Minnesota, a 5-yard toss from Jeff Smoker in the first quarter, good for 10th place on MSU's all-time TD receptions list.
His 1,485 career receiving yards rank 13th on the Spartans' all-time chart.
The 6-foot-3, 263-pound senior from Saline, Mich., Baker caught five passes for a career-best 99 yards vs. Northwestern. He had a TD catch in each of the first two games - a 9-yarder from Jeff Smoker vs. Central Michigan and a 6-yarder from Ryan Van Dyke vs. Notre Dame.
LABINJO ON A RAMPAGE -
Sophomore linebacker Mike Labinjo, a 6-foot-1, 268-pound converted fullback, leads the team in tackles for losses (13 for 57 yards), sacks (5 for 34) and quarterback hits (7). He ranks fourth overall in tackles with 46 (33 solos, 13 assists) and fifth in production points (73).
Labinjo contributed nine stops (7-2) vs. Wisconsin, including four for losses (25 yards). He earned Spartan Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season after registering a career-high three sacks (23 yards) against the Badgers.
He recorded a career-high 16 tackles (11-5) vs. Northwestern with three going for losses (10 yards), including a 7-yard sack. He shared Spartan Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. Notre Dame after producing six tackles (3-3), including three behind the line of scrimmage (9 yards). Labinjo helped ice Michigan State's 17-10 victory at Notre Dame, dropping Irish placekicker Nicholas Setta for a 3-yard loss on a fake field-goal attempt with 4:09 left in the game.
DUCKETT APPROACHES SEASON AND CAREER RUSHING MILESTONES -
T.J. Duckett currently ranks third in the Big Ten and 17th in the NCAA in rushing, averaging 117.8 yards per game. Duckett needs only 58 yards to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second-straight year. He also needs only 99 yards to become only the fifth running back in Michigan State history to reach the 3,000-yard career rushing milestone.
Duckett earned USAToday.com National Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after producing a season-high 211 yards on 27 rushes in MSU's 26-24 upset victory over No. 6 Michigan. He became the first running back this season to gain 100 yards against Michigan, which entered the game ranked first in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing only 54.4 yards per game. Duckett also became the first back in Spartan history to record a 200-yard rushing game in the MSU-Michigan series. His 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter vs. Michigan gave the Spartans a 14-10 lead. Duckett also caught three passes for 19 yards vs. Michigan including the game winner, a 2-yard TD toss from Jeff Smoker as time expired.
Duckett rushed for 186 yards on 23 carries and two scores vs. Wisconsin. He gained 169 yards in the second half against the Badgers and his second touchdown run, a 43-yarder in the third quarter, gave Michigan State the lead for good at 21-14. Duckett's 68-yard run late in the third quarter set up another Spartan TD.
Duckett gained 104 yards on 22 rushes vs. Northwestern, including a 1-yard TD run. He won the head-to-head matchup vs. Northwestern's Damien Anderson, who managed only 75 yards on 28 rushes.
He became only the 12th running back in Michigan State history to reach the 2,000-yard career rushing plateau in the 2001 season opener vs. Central Michigan, picking up 120 yards on 22 attempts. It marked Duckett's third-straight 100-yard game, dating back to Game 10 vs. Purdue last season, and the eighth of his career. His 31-yard touchdown run around right end gave the Spartans a 35-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The 6-foot-1, 249-pound junior tailback has 11 career 100-yard rushing games, including four in 2001. Duckett already ranks among the Spartans' career leaders in rushing yards (fifth with 2,901), rushing touchdowns (eighth with 24) and rushing attempts (sixth with 536).
DUCKETTS RANK AMONG NATION'S TOP BROTHER ACTS -
Michigan State junior tailback T.J. Duckett and his brother Tico (1989-92), the Spartans' second-leading all-time rusher, rank third among the NCAA's top brother rushing tandems. Here's a glance at the three brother acts that have accounted for at least 7,000 combined rushing yards.
FLOWERS NAMED FOURTH CAPTAIN -
Following preseason two-a-days, Michigan State head football coach Bobby Williams appointed a fourth captain for the 2001 season, in senior tailback Little John Flowers. The team elected tri-captains last spring, including senior linebackers Josh Thornhill and Ivory McCoy and senior wide receiver Herb Haygood.
"Little John Flowers was the team's fourth-leading vote getter last spring and with the leadership he's provided throughout the summer and during preseason camp, he's worthy of being named captain," Williams said. "I really appreciate what Little John has done to help develop the young players on the roster, especially the freshmen. I also like the way he has rallied the players during times of adversity.
"I admire the way Little John has accepted his playing role on this team. He has done everything we've asked him to do and he's worked himself into the best shape of his career. Little John knows T.J. Duckett is the featured running back on this team but he has pushed T.J. every day in practice. There's no question, Little John has helped make T.J. a better player."
UPSET SPECIALS -
Michigan State is 12-8 (.600) in its last 20 games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, including a 9-5 record (.643) over the last three seasons. The Spartans are 2-1 vs. Top 25 teams in 2001, including victories over No. 6 Michigan (26-24) and No. 23 Notre Dame (17-10) and a last-second loss at No. 16 Northwestern (27-26). Ten of those 12 wins over ranked teams have come while Michigan State was unranked or ranked below its opponent, including its 28-24 upset victory over No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus in 1998. Michigan State is 8-1 in its last nine games against Top 25 teams in Spartan Stadium.
The Spartans had been 3-22 (.120) in their previous 25 games against ranked teams before their current 12-8 run.
Here's a look at Michigan State's last 20 games against Top 25 teams:
| Date | Result (Associated Press Ranking) | Site |
| Nov. 3, 2001 | MSU 26, No. 6 Michigan 24 | East Lansing |
| Sept. 29, 2001 | No. 16 Northwestern 27, No. 23 MSU 26 | Evanston |
| Sept. 22, 2001 | MSU 17, No. 23 Notre Dame 10 | South Bend |
| Nov. 11, 2000 | MSU 30, No. 9 Purdue 10 | East Lansing |
| Nov. 4, 2000 | No. 16 Ohio State 27, MSU 13 | Columbus |
| Oct. 21, 2000 | No. 16 Michigan 14, MSU 0 | Ann Arbor |
| Sept. 23, 2000 | No. 23 MSU 27, No. 16 Notre Dame 21 | East Lansing |
| Jan. 1, 2000 | No. 9 MSU 37, No. 10 Florida 34 | Citrus Bowl |
| Nov. 20, 1999 | No. 15 MSU 35, No. 13 Penn State 28 | East Lansing |
| Nov. 6, 1999 | No. 19 MSU 23, No. 20 Ohio State 7 | East Lansing |
| Oct. 23, 1999 | No. 17 Wisconsin 40, No. 11 MSU 10 | Madison |
| Oct. 16, 1999 | No. 20 Purdue 52, No. 5 MSU 28 | West Lafayette |
| Oct. 9, 1999 | No. 11 MSU 34, No. 3 Michigan 31 | East Lansing |
| Sept. 18, 1999 | MSU 23, No. 24 Notre Dame 13 | South Bend |
| Nov. 28, 1998 | No. 23 Penn State 51, MSU 28 | University Park |
| Nov. 7, 1998 | MSU 28, No. 1 Ohio State 24 | Columbus |
| Sept. 12, 1998 | MSU 45, No. 10 Notre Dame 23 | East Lansing |
| Aug. 29, 1998 | No. 15 Colorado State 23, No. 23 MSU 16 | East Lansing |
| Dec. 25, 1997 | No. 21 Washington 51, No. 25 MSU 23 | Aloha Bowl |
| Nov. 29, 1997 | MSU 49, No. 4 Penn State 14 | East Lansing |
SPARTAN'S OPENING-DAY LINEUP FEATURED SIX NEW FACES -
Michigan State's starting lineup for the 2001 season opener vs. Central Michigan featured five first-time starters, including two on offense and four on defense. On offense, split end Charles Rogers (So.) and right guard William Whitticker (R-Fr.) made their first collegiate starts. On defense, defensive end Clifford Dukes (R-Fr.) SAM linebacker Mike Labinjo (So.), WILL linebacker Ronald Stanley (Fr.) and cornerback Broderick Nelson (Jr.) also made their debuts in the starting lineup.
YOUTH IS SERVED -
No fewer than 17 freshmen are listed on Michigan State's current depth chart, including seven on offense, nine on defense and one specialist. Here's a complete breakdown of red-shirt and true freshmen included on the current depth chart:
Red-shirt freshmen (8): FB Jason Bradley, FB Brian Burns, QB Damon Dowdell, DE Clifford Dukes, CB Roderick Maples, RT Sean Poole, DT Lonnie Simmons, RG William Whitticker.
True freshmen (9): DT Matthias Askew, FS Robert Flagg, CB Damien Fortson, DE Eric Knott, C Chris Morris, PK Dave Rayner, LB Ronald Stanley, DT Kevin Vickerson, LT Stefon Wheeler.
WALK-ONS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS -
Michigan State head football coach Bobby Williams has awarded scholarships to three walk-ons for the 2001 season, including offensive guard Joe Brooks (6-3, 285, So.), tight end Eric Easter (6-4, 230, Jr.) and wide receiver Derrick Lee (6-2, 206, Sr.).
"RED ZONE" UPDATE -
Michigan State has scored on 26 of its 31 possessions (.839) that have penetrated the opponent's 20-yard line in 2001. The Spartans' scoring drives have produced 21 touchdowns (eight rushing TDs and 13 passing TDs) and five field goals. Here's a look at MSU's and its opponents' trips inside the "red zone" in 2001
SPARTANS SET SEASON-TICKET SALES RECORD -
Michigan State fans purchased an all-time record 61,990 football season tickets for 2001, according to totals released by the MSU Athletics Department. It marks the third-straight year Michigan State has established a football season-ticket sales record.
The previous record for season tickets sold was 61,479 in 2000. Michigan State football season-ticket sales have topped the 60,000 mark four of the last five years.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE -
Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 24 of its last 29 home games, including the last 16 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 46 years, including 19th in 2000, averaging 74,023 fans per game.
Approximately 3,000 tickets, priced at $38, are available for MSU's Nov. 24 game vs. Penn State. The Jenison Field House Ticket Office is open weekdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Credit card ticket orders may be placed by calling either 1-800-GO-STATE or (517) 355-1610.
VAN PELT ELECTED TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME -
Former Michigan State two-time All-American Brad Van Pelt will be honored in a special halftime ceremony during MSU's Nov. 24 game against Penn State in Spartan Stadium. Van Pelt is one of 15 players and three coaches named to the College Football Hall of Fame. National Football Foundation Chairman Jon Hanson and Honors Court Chairman Gene Corrigan announced the 2001 Class last April.
Van Pelt will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Foundation's 44th annual banquet Dec. 11 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and later enshrined in South Bend, Ind., in August of 2002.
A three-year starter for Coach Duffy Daugherty, Van Pelt earned first-team All-America honors as both a junior and senior. As a sophomore in 1970, he had 80 tackles (42 solos, 38 assists) and a career-high six interceptions. As a junior, Van Pelt recorded 92 stops (51-41) and picked off four passes. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Oregon State in 1971, with returns covering 40 and 47 yards. As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 221-pound safety produced 84 tackles (42-42) and four interceptions. In 1972, he became the first defensive back ever to receive the Maxwell Award as the nation's top collegiate player.
A native of Owosso, Mich., Van Pelt finished his collegiate career with 256 tackles and 14 interceptions. He was named to the Lansing State Journal's MSU Centennial Super Squad in 1996 and MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
A second-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1973, he spent 14 years in the National Football League and earned All-Pro honors five times (1976-80).
The 2001 Class also features former Southern Cal halfback Jon Arnett, Georgia placekicker Kevin Butler, Michigan wide receiver Anthony Carter, Navy end Dick Duden, Syracuse defensive tackle Tim Green, Notre Dame quarterback Ralph Guglielmi, Ohio State tackle John Hicks, Oklahoma tight end Keith Jackson, Clemson defensive back Terry Kinard, Mississippi State linebacker D.D. Lewis, North Carolina running back Don McCauley, Kansas and Pennsylvania tackle John Outland, Penn State lineman Glenn Ressler and Brigham Young quarterback Steve Young plus former head coaches Barry Switzer (Oklahoma), Grant Teaff (McMurry, Angelo State and Baylor) and Bill Yeoman (Houston).
Van Pelt becomes the fifth former Michigan State player to be selected for the College Football Hall of Fame, joining tackle Don Coleman (inducted in 1975), halfback John Pingel (1968), defensive end Bubba Smith (1988) and linebacker George Webster (1987).
SPARTANS IN THE NFL -
Michigan State had 25 former players listed on opening-day rosters for National Football League teams in 2001. Here's a complete list of Spartans currently playing in the NFL (opening-day rosters as of Sept. 7):
Arizona Cardinals - CB Renaldo Hill, LB Rob Fredrickson
Carolina Panthers - WR Muhsin Muhammad
Chicago Bears - K Paul Edinger, QB Jim Miller, DT Robert Newkirk
Dallas Cowboys - OT Flozell Adams, DL Dimitrius Underwood
Detroit Lions - RB Sedrick Irvin (injured reserve)
New England Patriots - OT Greg Robinson-Randall, DL Jace Sayler, LB T.J. Turner
New Orleans Saints - S Richard Newsome
New York Giants - K Morten Andersen, RB Lloyd Clemons (injured reserve)
New York Jets - LB Courtney Ledyard
Philadelphia Eagles - LB Ike Reese, WR Gari Scott
Pittsburgh Steelers - S Myron Bell, WR Plaxico Burress
San Francisco 49ers - LB Julian Peterson
Tennessee Titans - WR Derrick Mason, S Aric Morris, DE Robaire Smith
Washington Redskins - QB Tony Banks
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 78th season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 287-118-13 (.702) since taking up residency in Spartan Stadium in 1923. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 16 times since the stadium opened, including a perfect 6-0 mark in 1999. It marked Michigan State's first undefeated home record since 1966 (5-0-1) and its first unbeaten and untied home slate since 1965 (5-0-0).
The Spartans had their nine-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium snapped by Northwestern, 37-17, in the 2000 Big Ten opener Sept. 30. It marked Michigan State's longest home winning streak since the Spartans had their 12-game run ended by the 10-10 tie with Notre Dame on Nov. 19, 1966.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 60-13-1 (.818) when it scores at least 24 points and 11-49-1 (.189) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 12-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 71-62-2 (.533).
"MAD DOG" THORNHILL TO BE HONORED AT MSU FOOTBALL BUST -
The annual Michigan State Football Bust is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Holiday Inn South Convention Center in Lansing. The reception begins at 3 p.m. with the dinner and awards program to follow at 4 p.m. Football Bust tickets are priced at $50 each, with $15 going as a tax-deductible contribution to the Ralph Young Fund to support the MSU football program.
Former Spartan linebacker Charles "Mad Dog" Thornill will be presented the Duffy Daugherty Award at the 2001 MSU Football Bust. The award, named in honor of MSU's legendary head coach, has been presented annually since 1975 to a Spartan football alumnus who has distinguished himself both on and off the field following his graduation. Thornhill currently serves as the assistant sergeant-at-arms in the Michigan Senate.
During his career as a linebacker for Michigan State from 1964-66, Thornhill helped the Spartans to a combined record of 19-1-1, including back-to-back Big Ten and national championships in 1965 and '66. As a senior, Thornhill led the team in tackles with 102 (35 solos, 67 assists) . Legend has it that during the '66 season, "Mad Dog" was unofficially credited with 55 tackles in one game.
Reservations for the MSU Football Bust can be made through the Ralph Young Fund by calling (517) 355-8257.
