Michigan State University Athletics
Homecoming 2003: Spartan Football Entertains Indiana
10/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2003
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DATE: Oct. 4, 2003
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027/natural grass)
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sellout expected)
LAST WEEK: Michigan State defeated No. 13 Iowa, 20-10; Indiana lost at No. 11 Michigan, 31-17.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Bill Burke, sideline reporter Will Tieman and broadcast host Mike Kamin, will broadcast the game to 34 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5). Television - ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Indiana game live on a regional basis, with Wayne Larrivee handling the play-by-play, Randy Wright providing color commentary and Beth Mowins serving as the sideline reporter.
2003 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultAug. 30 WESTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) W, 26-21Sept. 6 RUTGERS (ESPN Plus) W, 44-28Sept. 13 LOUISIANA TECH (ESPN Plus) L, 19-20Sept. 20 at Notre Dame (NBC) W, 22-16Sept. 27 IOWA (ESPN Plus) W, 20-10Oct. 4 INDIANA (ESPN Plus) 12:10 p.m. EDTOct. 11 at Illinois (ESPN or ESPN2) 12:00 p.m. EDTOct. 18 at Minnesota TBANov. 1 MICHIGAN TBANov. 8 at Ohio State TBANov. 15 at Wisconsin TBANov. 22 PENN STATE TBA
INDIANA (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultAug. 30 at Connecticut L, 10-34Sept. 6 at Washington L, 13-38Sept. 13 INDIANA STATE W, 33-3Sept. 20 KENTUCKY L, 17-34Sept. 27 at Michigan L, 17-31Oct. 4 at Michigan State 11:10 a.m. CDTOct. 11 NORTHWESTERN 1:00 p.m. CDTOct. 25 OHIO STATE TBANov. 1 at Minnesota TBANov. 8 ILLINOIS TBANov. 15 at Penn State TBANov. 22 PURDUE TBA
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 4-1 (.800) in his first year with the Spartans and 114-61 (.651) in 15 seasons as a college head coach. He ranks No. 13 among active NCAA I-A football coaches with 113 career wins. Smith came to Michigan State following five seasons at Louisville (1998-2002) where he put together a 41-21 worksheet (.661), including five-straight bowl appearances and back-to-back C-USA titles in 2000-01. He posted a 16-18 ledger (.471) in three seasons at Utah State (1995-97) while leading the Aggies to consecutive Big West Conference crowns in 1996-97. His six-year mark of 53-21 (.716) at Idaho (1989-94) included five NCAA I-AA playoff appearances and five Top 20 finishes.
Indiana's Gerry DiNardo (Notre Dame 1975) is 4-13 (.235) in his second year with the Hoosiers and 55-62-1 (.470) in 11 seasons as a college head coach. DiNardo compiled a 32-24-1 record (.570) in five seasons at Louisiana State (1995-99), including three straight bowl victories from 1995-97. He produced a 19-25 worksheet (.432) in four years at Vanderbilt (1991-94). His full-time coaching credits also include stints at Colorado (1982-90), Eastern Michigan (1978-81) and Maine (1975-77).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State IndianaBasic Offense Spread West CoastBasic Defense Multiple 4-3 4-3Offensive Starters Returning 6 6Defensive Starters Returning 8 7Specialists Returning 2 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State IndianaOffensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 296 6-3, 293Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-0, 197 5-11, 207Defensive Line 6-4, 273 6-2, 265Linebackers 6-0, 230 6-1, 224Defensive Backs 6-0, 194 5-10, 191
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 1 junior, 5 sophomores
Michigan State Defense: 3 seniors, 6 juniors, 2 sophomores
Indiana Offense: 2 seniors, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores, 2 freshmen
Indiana Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after five games):
Rushing - Jaren Hayes (84 carries for 387 yards, 4.6 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing - Jeff Smoker (95 of 156 for 1150 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving - Agim Shabaj (29 catches for 376 yards, 13.0 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles - Mike Labinjo (40 tackles, 26 solos, 14 assists, 6 for losses, 3 interceptions)
Indiana (after five games):
Rushing - Brian Lewis (60 carries for 250 yards, 4.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing - Matt LoVecchio (74 of 143 for 929 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving - Courtney Roby (16 catches for 190 yards, 11.9 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles - Kyle Killion (43 tackles, 22 solos, 21 assists, 3 for losses) and Josh Moore (43 tackles, 24 solos, 19 assists, 3 for losses)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State IndianaScoring 26.2 18.0First Downs 18.4 18.2Total Offense 366.0 321.0Rushing Yards 125.2 135.2Passing Yards 240.8 185.8Time of Possession 30:31 29:51Third Down Conversions .317 .350Points Allowed 19.0 28.0Total Offense Allowed 333.4 396.6Rushing Yards Allowed 54.4 167.0Passing Yards Allowed 279.0 229.6
MSU/INDIANA SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 52nd meeting between Michigan State and Indiana. The Spartans lead the all-time series 35-14-2, including an 18-6-1 record in games played in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State has won six of the last seven games and 11 of the last 14 meetings overall (Note: Streaks do not include MSU's forfeited win in 1994). Indiana's last win in the series came on Nov. 10, 2001, 37-28, in Spartan Stadium. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to pages 186-187 in the 2003 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Nov. 9, 2002, in Bloomington, Ind.: Damon Dowdell completed 17-of-25 throws for 203 yards and a school-record tying four touchdowns as Michigan State ended its four-game losing streak with a 56-21 victory over Indiana. The game also marked the head coaching debut of Michigan State's Morris Watts, who took over the program on an interim basis Nov. 4. The Spartan defense forced a turnover on Indiana's first possession as DeMario Suggs stripped the ball from Courtney Roby after a 10-yard completion. Dowdell capped an eight-play, 54-yard drive with an 8-yard TD run with 6:55 left in the first quarter as Michigan State jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Indiana responded on its next series as Chris Taylor finished off a 14-play, 85-yard march with a 7-yard TD run to tie the game at 7 with 1:19 remaining in the first quarter. Michigan State scored TDs on its next five possessions to break the game open. Charles Rogers' 41-yard run and Dowdell's 20-yard completion to Jason Randall to the Hoosier 2 set up Michigan State's go-ahead score. Three plays later, Dowdell hit Eric Knott with a 1-yard TD toss as the Spartans took a 14-7 lead with 10:17 left in the second quarter. Michigan State extended its lead to 21-7 on Dowdell's 36-yard TD strike to Rogers with 7:57 remaining in the first half. David Richard's 48-yard run preceded an 8-yard TD run by Jaren Hayes with 6:31 to play in the second quarter as the Spartans moved out to a 28-7 advantage. Michigan State's defense got the ball back at the Indiana 41 as Ronald Stanley stuffed Yamar Washington on a fourth-and-1 carry. On the next play, Rogers raced 25 yards on a reverse to the Hoosier 16. Richard carried the ball on five-straight plays, scoring on a 1-yard run with 2:46 left in the first half as Michigan State increased its lead to 35-7. Mike Labinjo's 18-yard interception return to the Indiana 23 set up the Spartans' fifth TD of the second quarter. Two plays later, Hayes scored his second TD on a 6-yard run as Michigan State took a 42-7 lead to the locker room. Early in the third quarter, Dowdell hooked up with Rogers for a 21-yard scoring pass to give the Spartans a 49-7 lead. On its next series, Indiana failed to convert on a fourth-and-5 play from its own 49. Four plays later, Randall scored on a 3-yard flip from Dowdell as Michigan State pushed its lead to 56-7 with 5:14 left in the third quarter. Rogers accounted for 168 all-purpose yards, including five receptions for 102 yards. Richard rushed for a season-high 136 yards on 20 carries.
THE LAST MEETING IN SPARTAN STADIUM -
Nov. 10, 2001, in East Lansing, Mich.: Levron Williams rushed for 251 yards and three touchdowns to lead Indiana to a 37-28 upset win over No. 22 Michigan State. Indiana jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Antwaan Randle El's 57-yard TD run around right end with 11:20 left in the first quarter. Michigan State responded on its next series as T.J. Duckett capped the five-play, 65-yard drive with a 17-yard TD run around right end to tie the score at 7 with 9:39 remaining in the first quarter. Ziehl Kavanaght's 36-yard punt return set up Michigan State's second touchdown, an 18-yard strike from Jeff Smoker to Herb Haygood with 7:17 left in the first quarter. A muffed punt inside the Spartan 20-yard line led to Indiana's second score. Indiana pulled even at 14 on a 1-yard run by Williams with 9:32 remaining in the second quarter. The Spartans put together a seven-play, 65-yard drive and took a 21-14 lead on Smoker's 19-yard TD toss to Charles Rogers with 7:05 left in the first half. The Hoosiers answered on their next possession as Jeremi Johnson finished off a seven-play, 60-yard drive with a 19-yard TD run off left tackle to tie the score at 21 with 4:30 left in the second quarter. Indiana took the lead for good at 28-21 on Williams' second TD run, an 80-yarder around left end with 2:11 remaining in the first half. The Hoosiers opened the second half with an eight-play, 66-yard drive and extended their lead to 31-21 on Adam Braucher's 31-yard field goal. Michigan State also scored on its first possession in the third quarter to pull to within 31-28 on Smoker's third TD pass, a 13-yard completion to Haygood with 8:34 on the clock. Indiana's defense helped ice the game with two interceptions in the closing minutes. A 15-yard interception return by Herana-Daze Jones set up Williams' third TD run, a 22-yarder with 2:02 left in the game. Indiana amassed 489 yards on the ground, including 149 by Randle El, who became the top rushing quarterback in NCAA history with 3,645 career yards. Williams' 251 yards marked the third-best single-game rushing effort ever against the Spartans.
BATTLE FOR THE OLD BRASS SPITTOON -
Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon. The trophy was initiated by the junior and senior classes and the MSU student council at Michigan State, and soon accepted by the IU Student Senate. The brass spittoon came from one of Michigan's earliest trading posts and is widely believed to be nearly 150 years old. Legend has it that the spittoon was around when both institutions were founded - Indiana in 1820 and MAC in 1855. Since '50, Michigan State leads the series 35-11-1.
SPARTAN HOMECOMING GAMES -
Michigan State is 56-28-3 (.661) in 87 Homecoming games, including an 8-1-1 record vs. Indiana. The Spartans have won the last four Homecoming contests against the Hoosiers. Indiana's last trip to East Lansing, Mich., for Homecoming resulted in a 38-31 Spartan victory in double overtime on Oct. 10, 1998.
The Spartans have won five of their last seven and nine of the last 13 Homecoming games. MSU has a 42-20-2 record (.672) in Homecoming contests played in October. (Note: For a complete list of Homecoming results, please refer to page 194 in the 2003 MSU Football Media Guide.)
Here's a look at Michigan State's Homecoming results vs. Indiana:
Date ResultOct. 10, 1998 MSU 38, Indiana 31 (2OT)Oct. 3, 1992 MSU 42, Indiana 31Oct. 31, 1984 MSU 13, Indiana 6Oct. 21, 1978 MSU 49, Indiana 14Nov. 1, 1969 Indiana 16, MSU 0Oct. 28, 1961 MSU 35, Indiana 0Oct. 24, 1959 MSU 14, Indiana 6Oct. 13, 1956 MSU 53, Indiana 6Oct. 17, 1953 MSU 47, Indiana 18Nov. 18, 1939 MSU 7, Indiana 7
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 Oct. 4 game vs. Indiana:
Offense - RB Derrick Johnson
Defense - CB Kiel Beltinck
Special Teams - Eze Ejelonu
Beltinck and Ejelonu are listed among the 70 players dressed for today's game vs. Indiana.
INJURY REPORT -
OUT: WR Samuel Champagne (shoulder vs. Louisiana Tech; DNP vs. Notre Dame and Iowa); P Jason Daily (ankle in Aug. 19 practice; DNP vs. Western Michigan, Rutgers, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame and Iowa); LB Mitch Herrema (knee vs. Iowa; out for the season); DT Brandon McKinney (foot - stress reaction; DNP vs. Rutgers, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame and Iowa). DOUBTFUL: LB Ronald Stanley (hamstring vs. Iowa). PROBABLE: RB Tyrell Dortch (sprained ankle vs. Notre Dame; DNP vs. Iowa); OT Stefon Wheeler (wrist vs. Iowa).
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2003:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Offense 125.2 10th 81stPassing Offense 240.8 2nd 39thTotal Offense 366.0 7th 69thScoring Offense 26.2 7th t-59thRushing Defense 54.4 2nd 2ndPassing Defense 279.0 11th 105thPass Efficiency Defense 111.9 8th 43rdTotal Defense 333.4 8th 49thScoring Defense 19.0 7th t-35thTurnover Margin +1.6 1st t-7thNet Punting 41.6 1st 10thPunt Returns 7.0 8th 85thKickoff Returns 23.2 3rd 31st
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA stat leaders in 2003:
Team Statistics
Rushing Offense: 81st at 125.2 yards per game
Passing Offense: 39th at 240.8 yards per game
Passing Efficiency: 53rd at 128.7 rating
Total Offense: 69th at 366.0 yards per game
Scoring Offense: t-59th at 26.2 points per game
Rushing Defense: 2nd at 54.4 yards per game
Passing Defense: 105th at 279.0 yards per game
Pass Efficiency Defense: 43rd at 111.9 rating
Total Defense: 49th at 333.4 yards per game
Scoring Defense: t-35th at 19.0 points per game
Turnover Margin: t-7th at +1.6 turnovers per game
Net Punting: 10th at 41.6 yards per punt
Punt Returns: 85th at 7.0 yards per return
Kickoff Returns: 31st at 23.2 yards per return
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Jeff Smoker (44th at 133.3 rating)
Total Offense: Jeff Smoker (38th at 226.2 yards per game)
Receptions: Agim Shabaj (t-39th at 5.8 catches per game)
Interceptions: Mike Labinjo (t-21st at 0.6 interceptions per game)
Punting: Brandon Fields (3rd at 47.3 yards per punt)
Kickoff Returns: DeAndra Cobb (17th at 27.9 yards per return)
Field Goals: Dave Rayner (4th at 2.8 made per game)
Scoring: Dave Rayner (9th at 10.6 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Jaren Hayes (t-42nd at 123.4 yards per game)
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES -
After five games in 2003, Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and NCAA in rushing defense, allowing only 54.4 yards per game. Opposing ball carriers are averaging just 1.8 yards per rush. In addition, the Spartans have permitted only two rushing touchdowns.
Only two opponents have reached the century mark against the Spartans, with Iowa gaining 107 yards on 39 rushes and Notre Dame 100 yards on 37 attempts.
The Spartans held each of their first three opponents under 100 yards rushing. It marked the first time Michigan State's defense put together that kind of streak since 1999, when the Spartans yielded less than 100 yards rushing in four-straight games (Illinois 42 yards, Iowa 7, Michigan 6 and Purdue 59).
The Spartans surrendered 61 yards on 19 carries vs. Louisiana Tech. Michigan State held Rutgers to minus 2 yards rushing (36 attempts). It marked the Spartans' best defensive effort since limiting Purdue to minus 18 yards on 14 rushes on Nov. 7, 1987. In the second half, Rutgers lost 23 yards on 15 carries. In the 2003 season opener vs. Western Michigan, the Spartans permitted only 6 yards rushing on 24 carries.
By contrast, Michigan State ranked ninth in the Big Ten and No. 110 nationally (out of 117) in rushing defense in 2002, permitting 213.8 yards per game. Last year, opponents gained 2,566 yards on the ground against the Spartans, the fourth-highest total allowed in school history, and scored 26 rushing TDs.
 Through five games in 2003, Michigan State has produced a Big Ten-best 22 sacks for 162 yards, including five takedowns by defensive tackle Matthias Askew.  | |
SURPRISE: SPARTANS LEAD BIG TEN IN SACKS -
Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and nation in rushing defense (54.4 yards allowed per game), thanks largely to its relentless pass rush. Through five games in 2003, the Spartans have produced a Big Ten-best 22 sacks for 162 yards. By comparison, Michigan State finished ninth in the league in sacks in 2002, compiling only 19 (113 yards).
The Spartans sacked Western Michigan's Chad Munson six times for 45 yards in the 2003 season opener, including four (28 yards) by junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew. He equaled the second-best single-game sack total in Spartan history, falling just one short of the record held by Travis Davis (five for 37 yards vs. Ohio State, 1987). In 22 previous games, the 6-foot-6, 294-pound Askew had produced only one sack (4 yards).
Michigan State produced five sacks each vs. Iowa (42 yards) and Rutgers (39). The Spartans recorded three sacks each vs. Notre Dame (18 yards) and Louisiana Tech (18).
SMOKER REWRITES THE SPARTAN RECORD BOOK -
Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing (second at 230.0 yards), total offense (third at 226.2 yards per game) and passing efficiency (fifth with 133.3 rating).
Last week, Smoker completed 28-of-44 throws for 218 yards and two scores to lead Michigan State to a 20-10 victory over No. 13 Iowa in the Big Ten opener. He connected on 11 of his first 12 attempts for 89 yards as the Spartans jumped out to a 14-0 lead. With his 17-yard touchdown strike to Ziehl Kavanaght at the 10:56 mark of the first quarter, Smoker became MSU's career leader with 47 TD passes, breaking the record he previously shared with Bill Burke (1996-99). He added his 48th career TD pass on the next series, a 7-yard toss to Eric Knott. With a career-best 28 completions against the Hawkeyes, Smoker became the Spartans' all-time leader with 478 career completions, breaking the mark previously held by Jim Miller (1990-93). With a career-high 44 attempts, he also moved to the top of the all-time charts with 818 career pass attempts, surpassing the record previously held by Ed Smith (1976-78).
He recorded his third win in four career starts vs. Notre Dame, hitting 13-of-27 passes for 119 yards in a 22-16 victory.
He completed 12-of-19 throws for 138 yards vs. Louisiana Tech before leaving the game midway through the second quarter with a toe injury.
He hit 21-of-32 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a 44-28 win over Rutgers. It marked Smoker's second straight 300-yard passing game and the sixth of his career. He equaled his career high with three TD passes vs. Rutgers, including scoring strikes of 51 and 27 yards to Jaren Hayes and 62 yards to Agim Shabaj - all in the first half.
Smoker completed 21-of-34 throws for 324 yards and three scores to lead Michigan State to a 26-21 victory over Western Michigan in the 2003 season opener. His three touchdown passes matched his career best, throwing scoring tosses of 50 and 21 yards to Shabaj and 59 yards to Kyle Brown in the first half. It marked Smoker's first start in a Spartan uniform since being suspended for the final five games of the 2002 season after admitting a substance abuse problem.
In the 2003 season opener, Smoker became MSU's career leader in total offense and passing yards. With his 59-yard TD strike to Brown in the second quarter vs. Western Michigan, he broke the record previously held by Ed Smith, who produced 5,556 total yards from 1976-78. With his 53-yard completion to Aaron Alexander on the first play of the fourth quarter against the Broncos, Smoker shattered the passing mark previously held by Dave Yarema, who threw for 5,809 yards from 1982-86.
The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Smoker already ranks as MSU's all-time leader in total offense (6,566 yards), passing yards (6,475), pass completions (478), pass attempts (818) and TD passes (48). The Manheim, Pa., native also is listed among MSU's career leaders in completion percentage (sixth at .584). Smoker, who has 16 career 200-yard passing games, has compiled a 17-12 record (.586) in 29 career starts.
SHABAJ BECOMES KEY WEAPON IN SPARTAN OFFENSIVE PLAYBOOK -
Sophomore wide receiver Agim Shabaj leads the team in receptions with 29 for 376 yards and three touchdowns. Shabaj ranks third in the Big Ten in catches (5.8 per game; tied with Michigan's Braylon Edwards) and fourth in receiving yards (75.2 per game).
He has paced the Spartans in receptions in four of the first five games, including a career-best nine grabs for 62 yards vs. Iowa.
The 5-foot-10, 194-pound Shabaj had six receptions for 69 yards vs. Louisiana Tech.
He posted the first 100-yard receiving game of his career vs. Rutgers, with seven catches for a career-best 145 yards (20.7 avg.). Against the Scarlet Knights, Shabaj scored his third TD of the season on a 62-yard strike from Jeff Smoker in the first quarter.
He had six receptions for 89 yards in the 2003 season opener vs. Western Michigan, including TD grabs of 50 and 21 yards from Smoker.
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native appeared in only six games as a true freshman in 2002 and managed six catches for 45 yards.
 Running back Jaren Hayes contributed 107 all-purpose yards in Michigan State's 20-10 victory over No. 13 Iowa, including a career-best seven catches for 51 yards. | |
HAYES SHOWCASES ALL-PURPOSE SKILLS -
Sophomore Jaren Hayes leads the Spartans in rushing (387 yards on 84 carries) and all-purpose yards (617; fifth in the Big Ten at 123.4 yards per game). The 5-foot-9, 184-pound running back also has emerged as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, with 20 receptions for 223 yards (11.1 avg.) and two scores.
Hayes contributed 107 all-purpose yards in Michigan State's 20-10 victory over No. 13 Iowa, including a career-best seven catches for 51 yards.
He recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing game vs. Notre Dame, picking up 109 yards on 19 carries. His 71-yard touchdown run with 5:25 left in the third quarter against the Irish gave the Spartans the lead for good at 13-6.
He accounted for a career-high 198 all-purpose yards vs. Louisiana Tech. Hayes posted personal bests against the Bulldogs, with 140 yards on 30 attempts. Hayes scored Michigan State's first rushing touchdown of the 2003 season in the first quarter vs. Louisiana Tech, a 2-yard run off left tackle. He also had five catches for 58 yards.
He had six receptions for a career-high 96 yards and two touchdowns in MSU's 44-28 victory over Rutgers. It marked the most productive receiving game by a Spartan back since Scott Greene had eight catches for 93 yards vs. Penn State in 1994.
Hayes caught his first career TD pass in the first quarter vs. Rutgers, scoring on a 51-yard completion from Jeff Smoker on a wheel route. He also turned a screen pass from Smoker into a 27-yard scoring play in the second quarter as the Spartans took the lead for good at 28-21 over the Scarlet Knights.
In 12 games as a true freshman in 2002, Hayes had only four catches for 16 yards.
GOEBEL EARNS "GORDIE LOCKBAUM" LABEL -
Senior Mark Goebel, who saw action on offense, defense and special teams in Michigan State's 20-10 victory over No. 13 Iowa, has been nicknamed "Gordie Lockbaum" by the Spartan coaching staff. Lockbaum earned national recognition as a two-way player (wide receiver and defensive back) at Holy Cross, finishing third in balloting for the Heisman Trophy in 1987, behind Notre Dame's Tim Brown and Syracuse's Don McPherson.
The 6-foot-2, 228-pound linebacker was thrust into the lineup after Ronald Stanley suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter against Iowa. Goebel played a total of 76 snaps, including 47 on defense where he produced a career-high eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists), including his first sack (5 yards). He also played six downs on offense as the fullback in Michigan State's "Thunder" package and 23 snaps on special teams.
LABINJO NAMED BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK -
Senior linebacker Mike Labinjo earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording seven tackles, including three for losses of 21 yards, and an interception in Michigan State's 20-10 win over No. 13 Iowa. Labinjo's tackles for losses included a 14-yard sack and his interception at the MSU 43 with 54 seconds left iced the game. The Spartans held Iowa to 10 points and 265 total yards - 24.5 points and 73 yards below its season averages.
The Toronto native shared Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors with Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, who posted a career-best 13 tackles in the Buckeyes' 20-0 victory over Northwestern.
After five games, Labinjo leads the Spartans in tackles (40 total), tackles for losses (6 for 47 yards), interceptions (3) and production points (68). He contributed nine stops and an interception in MSU's 22-16 victory at Notre Dame. Labinjo produced a season-high 12 tackles, including a sack, and an interception in the 2003 season opener vs. Western Michigan.
FIELDS RANKS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS IN PUNTING -
Red-shirt freshman Brandon Fields leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 3 nationally in punting with his 47.3-yard average. Fields has hit 10 punts 50 or more yards and had 11 kicks downed inside the opponent's 20.
He averaged 48.6 yards on a season-best nine punts vs. Iowa, including a 71-yarder in the fourth quarter. Fields also pinned the Hawkeyes back inside their 20-yard line twice.
The 6-foot-5, 219-pound Fields has earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice in 2003 (vs. Notre Dame and Rutgers). He averaged 53.8 yards on five punts vs. Notre Dame, including three kicks downed inside the Irish 20. Fields produced the fifth longest punt in Spartan history vs. Notre Dame, a 79-yarder in the second quarter. He averaged 52.3 yards on six punts vs. Rutgers, including a 74-yarder in the second quarter. The Toledo, Ohio, native also pinned the Scarlet Knights back inside their 20-yard line three times.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE -
Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 38 of its last 43 home games, including the last 30 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 47 years, including 19th in 2002, averaging 73,942 fans per game.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 80th season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 294-125-13 (.696) 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).
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 68-16-1 (.806) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-57-1 (.221) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 14-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 81-73-2 (.526).
