Michigan State - Missouri Post Game Notes
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 1, 2001
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ATTENDANCE - 72,823 (sellout). Today's sellout marks the 26th capacity crowd in the last 31 contests at Spartan Stadium, including the last 18 in a row.
SERIES - Today's game marked only the eighth meeting between Michigan State and Missouri. The Spartans lead the all-time series 5-3, including a 3-1 advantage in games played in East Lansing.
DECEMBER A RARITY - Today's MSU-MU game marked only the fourth December regular-season game played in the Spartans' 105-year football history. It also marks Michigan State's first-ever December home game. The last time MSU played a regular-season game in December came on Dec. 4, 1993, when the Spartans lost to Wisconsin, 41-20, in Tokyo, Japan.
THREW THE AIR - Sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker became only the eighth quarterback in Spartan history to throw for 2,000 yards in a season vs. Missouri. He now has 2,227 passing yards this season to rank fourth on MSU's single-season passing list.
Smoker finished the game 14-of-17 for 317 yards and two touchdowns.
He now has 18 touchdown tosses this season to rank tied for fourth with Dave Yarema (1986) on MSU's single-season chart. The school record for TD passes in a season is 20, set by Bill Burke (1999) and Ed Smith (1978).
ROGERS EQUALS TOUCHDOWN - Sophomore split end Charles Rogers caught his team-leading 11th touchdown reception in the first quarter, a 32-yard pass from Jeff Smoker. He then caught his 12th TD pass from Damon Dowdell in the fourth quarter. The 12 TDs tie the school record, set by Plaxico Burress (12) in 1999.
He finished the game with seven catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Rogers also became MSU's single-season receiving yards leader with 1,200 yards. Rogers surpassed Plaxico Burress (1999), who previously held the single-season record with 1,142 yards.
Rogers also posted his first career rushing touchdown on a 20-yard reverse play.
RUNNING FOR THE END ZONE - Junior tailback T.J. Duckett rushed for three touchdowns against Missouri. He now has 27 career rushing TDs, placing sixth on MSU's career rushing TDs chart. Duckett surpassed Craig Thomas (1990-93, 25) and Tico Duckett (1989-92, 26).
T.J. Duckett recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season against Missouri. Duckett finished the game with 25 carries for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
BAKER CONTINUES STREAK - Senior tight end Chris Baker, who has started 46 consecutive games, has now caught at least one pass in 23 straight games - the longest active streak by a tight end in the country.
SEVENTEEN SENIORS BID FAREWELL - Seventeen seniors made their final appearance in Spartan Stadium vs. Missouri. The class of 2001 includes: TE Chris Baker, CB Duron Bryan, LB Matt Dawes, TB Little John Flowers, SN Tony Grant, S Lorenzo Guess, WR Herb Haygood, P Craig Jarrett, LB Matt Kropf, WR Derrick Lee, TE Ivory McCoy, DE Nick Myers, K David Schaefer, DT Josh Shaw, CB DeMario Suggs, LB Josh Thornhill and QB Ryan Van Dyke.
INTERCEPT THAT BALL - MSU picked off a pair of passes against Missouri. Senior safety Lorenzo and junior safety Thomas Wright each recorded their second picks of the season. The Spartans now have 16 interceptions as the secondary has accounted for 14 of them.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION - MSU put up some impressive offensive numbers vs. Missouri. The 639 total yards of offense are fifth most in Spartan history. The Spartans' 375 passing yards are third on the all-time chart.
SPARTAN QUICK HITS -
Senior flanker Herb Haygood has now caught at least one pass in 22 straight games.
Senior tailback Little John Flowers caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Smoker in the third quarter. It was Flowers second receiving TD of the season and the longest of his career.
Junior tailback Tim James had his first carry as a Spartan in the fourth quarter.
MSU's 55 points are the most points scored under head coach Bobby Williams.
Today's game also marks MSU's final game on artificial turf in Spartan Stadium. Spartan Stadium will have a new look in 2002 as natural grass will be installed in June 2002.