From The Press Box

Michigan State vs. Louisiana Tech
Spartan Stadium - East Lansing, Mich.
September 13, 2003

MSU Game Notes
Attendance: 72,387. Today's game marked the 29th-consecutive sellout in Spartan Stadium and the 37th sellout in the last 42 games.

Sophomore running back Jaren Hayes had a career-high 140 yards rushing on 30 attempts, and added 58 yards receiving on five catches. It marked Hayes' second 100-yard rushing game of his career - his previous career high was a 113-yard effort at Penn State in 2002.

Hayes scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. It was MSU's first rushing touchdown of the season, having previously scored six touchdowns via the pass, one on a kickoff return and one on an interception return.

Michigan State had 115 yards rushing in the first quarter alone, including 85 yards by Hayes. The Spartans averaged 115.5 yards on the ground in their first two games this season. The Spartans finished the game with 169 yards rushing.

Junior kicker Dave Rayner matched a career-high with four field goals, equaling a mark he set last year vs. Northwestern. The four field goals is tied for fourth-best in a single-game in MSU history. Rayner booted a season-long 51-yard field goal in the second quarter, which was the third field goal of 50 or more yards of his career.

Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker completed 12 passes in today's game, and now has 437 for his career. Smoker is 30 completions shy of the school record of 467, held by Jim Miller (1990-93).

Michigan State held Louisiana Tech to just 61 yards rushing, although it was the most yards rushing allowed by the Spartans this season. Michigan State had allowed just four total yards rushing through the first two games.

Quick Hitters ? Michigan State's 89-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter was the Spartans' longest drive of the season.
? Quarterback Damon Dowdell completed 7-of-11 throws for 54 yards.
? Freshman Greg Cooper had his first career interception in the second quarter

Louisiana Tech Notes
? Captains for today's game for Louisiana Tech are quarterback Luke McCown, linebacker Antonio Crow, linebacker John Nash and wide receiver Chris Norwood.

? Louisiana Tech won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. Michigan State elected to receive in the first half.

? Cornerback Corey Brazil made his first start of the season and 14th of his career today in place of junior Jerron Wishom at boundary corner. Brazil had missed the season opener against Miami due to an injury and played as a backup in last week's game against UL-Lafayette. Brazil started all 12 games last year.

? Linebacker John Nash returned to the starting lineup today at middle linebacker after missing last week's game with an injury. The start was the fifth of his career.

? Senior defensive lineman Jemelle Cage recorded his second sack of the season and of his career in the first quarter.

?The 76-yard touchdown reception by senior Shawn Piper in the first quarter was the first of his career and a career-long. It was the longest pass play by Louisiana Tech since Luke McCown's 80-yard completion to Tramissian Davis against SMU on Oct. 19, 2002.

? For the second straight game senior wide receiver Shawn Piper registered a career day, registering 10 receptions for 171 yards and his first career touchdown.

? Linebacker Jeremy Hamilton recorded his first sack of the season and of his career early in the second quarter.

? With his 6-yard completion to DJ Curry in the second quarter, Luke McCown became only the 22nd quarterback in NCAA Division I history to pass for more than 10,000 yards.

? Senior linebacker Antonio Crow recorded his first sack of the season and the third of his career in third quarter.

? Receiver Julius Cosby hauled in his first career touchdown reception on a four-yard catch from Luke McCown with 1:09 remaining in the game.

?Luke McCown in the NCAA Record Books
o PASSING YARDS - No. 20 - 10,291 yards
o TOTAL YARDS - No. 20 - 10,446
o PASSING TDs - No. 25 - 73