Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Opens Two-Game Homestand Against Illinois
10/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Oct. 9, 2004
DATE: Oct. 9, 2004
SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027/natural grass), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,027 (sellout expected)
LAST WEEK: Michigan State lost at Iowa, 38-16; Illinois lost at No. 20 Wisconsin, 24-7.
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 35 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-Illinois game live on a regional basis, with Joe Tessitore handling the play-by-play and Mike Tomczak providing color commentary.
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 10-8 (.556) in his second year with the Spartans and 120-68 (.638) in 16 seasons as a college head coach. Smith ranks No. 14 among active NCAA I-A football coaches in career victories and No. 19 in career winning percentage. Twelve of his teams have participated in postseason play, including seven-straight bowl appearances. He 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. Smith 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.
Illinois' Ron Turner (Pacific 1977) is 34-52 (.395) in his eighth year with the Fighting Illini and 41-56 (.423) in nine seasons as a college head coach. Turner previously spent four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the NFL's Chicago Bears (1993-96). He produced a 7-4 mark (.636) in one season as head coach at San Jose State (1992). His college coaching credits also include stops as an assistant at Stanford (1989-91), Texas A&M (1988), Southern Cal (1985-87), Pittsburgh (1983-84), Northwestern (1981-82), Arizona (1978-80) and Pacific (1977).
2004 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 4 at Rutgers (ABC) L, 14-19 Sept. 11 CENTRAL MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) W, 24-7 Sept. 18 NOTRE DAME (ESPN) L, 24-31 Sept. 25 at Indiana (ESPN Plus) W, 30-20 Oct. 2 at Iowa (ESPN Plus) L, 16-38 Oct. 9 ILLINOIS (ESPN Plus) 12:10 p.m. EDT Oct. 16 MINNESOTA (TBD) 12:00 p.m. EDT Oct. 30 at Michigan TBA Nov. 6 OHIO STATE TBA Nov. 13 WISCONSIN TBA Nov. 20 at Penn State TBA Dec. 4 at Hawaii TBA
ILLINOIS (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 4 FLORIDA A&M W, 52-13 Sept. 11 UCLA L, 17-35 Sept. 18 WESTERN MICHIGAN W, 30-27 Sept. 25 PURDUE L, 30-38 Oct. 2 at Wisconsin L, 7-24 Oct. 9 at Michigan State 12:10 p.m. EDT Oct. 16 MICHIGAN 11:00 a.m. CDT Oct. 23 at Minnesota TBA Oct. 30 IOWA TBA Nov. 6 INDIANA TBA Nov. 20 at Northwestern TBA
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State IllinoisBasic Offense Spread Pro-Style Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 Multiple 4-3 Offensive Starters Returning 7 8 Defensive Starters Returning 6 6 Specialists Returning 2 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State IllinoisOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 300 6-5, 288 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 206 6-1, 199 Defensive Line 6-3, 290 6-5, 264 Linebackers 6-0, 231 6-2, 230 Defensive Backs 5-11, 193 6-0, 188
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 3 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores
Michigan State Defense: 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores
Illinois Offense: 4 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 1 freshman
Illinois Defense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore, 2 freshmen
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after five games):
Rushing - Drew Stanton (37 carries for 315 yards, 8.5 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing - Drew Stanton (53 of 92 for 536 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving - Matt Trannon (17 catches for 243 yards, 14.3 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Eric Smith (60 tackles, 30 solos, 30 assists)
Illinois (after five games):
Rushing - E.B. Halsey (80 carries for 377 yards, 4.7 avg., 5 TDs)
Passing - Jon Beutjer (62 of 104 for 674 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving - Kendrick Jones (20 catches for 397 yards, 19.9 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Matt Sinclair (48 tackles, 24 solos, 24 assists, 3 for losses)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State IllinoisScoring 21.6 27.2 First Downs 19.6 22.6 Total Offense 393.6 391.8 Rushing Yards 182.6 179.4 Passing Yards 211.0 212.4 Time of Possession 27:24 28:39 Third Down Conversions .292 .465 Points Allowed 23.0 27.4 Total Offense Allowed 370.8 423.4 Rushing Yards Allowed 162.4 176.8 Passing Yards Allowed 208.4 246.6
MSU/ILLINOIS SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 40th meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series 21-16-2, including an 11-7-1 record in games played in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State has won seven in a row and eight of the last nine meetings. The Illini's last win in the series came on Nov. 21, 1992, 14-10, in Memorial Stadium. The last time Illinois posted a win in Spartan Stadium came on Oct. 21, 1989, 14-10. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 172 in the 2004 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Oct. 11, 2003, in Champaign, Ill.: Jeff Smoker completed 23-of-31 throws for 317 yards and two touchdowns while Tyrell Dortch ran for two scores as No. 21 Michigan State won its fourth straight game and improved to 3-0 in the Big Ten with a 49-14 victory at Illinois. It marked Michigan State's seventh consecutive win over the Fighting Illini. After the Illini's John Gockman missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt wide right, the Spartans responded with a six-play, 69-yard drive and took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard TD run by Jaren Hayes around right end with 8:15 left in the first quarter. Illinois managed to tie the game at 7 as Jon Beutjer capped a 15-play, 84-yard drive with a 10-yard TD toss to Mark Kornfeld on the first play of the second quarter. The complexion of the game changed when Eric Smith intercepted Beutjer and returned it 24 yards to the Illini 2. On fourth-and-goal, Dortch scored the first touchdown of his career on a 1-yard run over left tackle as the Spartans took the lead for good at 14-7 with 9:52 remaining in the second quarter. Following Smith's interception, Michigan State scored 42 unanswered points to take control of the game. The Spartans put together an eight-play, 68-yard drive and built a 21-7 advantage on Smoker's 15-yard TD strike to Jerramy Scott with 5:30 left in the first half. Michigan State scored on its first possession of the second half and moved out to a 28-7 lead as Dortch finished off an eight-play, 93-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run. Jason Harmon's 21-yard interception return to the Illini 12 set up MSU's fifth touchdown. After a holding penalty, Smoker completed his second TD pass, a 21-yarder to Aaron Alexander in the right corner of the end zone with 14:27 left in the fourth quarter. Michigan State increased its lead to 42-7 on Smoker's 1-yard sneak with 8:25 on the clock. Two minutes later, the Spartans scored a defensive touchdown as Harmon returned a fumble 52 yards. Illinois' scoring drought ended when Chris Pazan hooked up with E.B. Halsey for a 6-yard scoring pass with 1:05 left in the game. Michigan State scored 21 points off three Illinois turnovers.
THE LAST MEETING IN SPARTAN STADIUM -
Oct. 28, 2000, in East Lansing, Mich.: Dawan Moss, who started at tailback for the injured T.J. Duckett, rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 14-10 triumph over Illinois in East Lansing, Mich., as the Spartans posted their first Big Ten win of the season. Michigan State took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards in eight plays but the drive ended on a fumble inside the Illini 10. After Illinois went three and out on its first series, Ziehl Kavanaght's 11-yard punt return to the Illini 35 set up MSU's first score. Moss capped the nine-play, 35-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run off left tackle to put the Spartans on top 7-0 with 6:19 left in the first quarter. Michigan State failed to capitalize on an Illini miscue late in the first quarter as Cedric Henry's 33-yard interception return gave the Spartans a first-and-goal at the Illini 10 but three plays later, Ryan Van Dyke's pass, intended for Lavaile Richardson, was picked off in the end zone by Bobie Singleton. The Illini's offense came to life in the third quarter. Illinois took the second-half kickoff and drove to the Spartan 20 but came up empty as Kurt Kittner's third-down pass was intercepted by Renaldo Hill in the left corner of the end zone. Three plays later, the Illini defense produced a score as Bobby Jackson intercepted Van Dyke and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter. The Spartans dodged a bullet late in the third quarter when Kittner misfired on a fourth-down pass to Brian Hodges in the end zone. Illinois took a 10-7 lead early in the fourth quarter as a seven-play, 64-yard drive resulted in a 22-yard field goal by JJ Tubbs. Michigan State answered with an 11-play, 82-yard drive to regain the lead at 14-10 on a 1-yard plunge by Moss with 8:04 left in the game. Jeff Smoker completed five-of-seven throws for 64 yards on the game-winning drive and scrambled 9 yards for a key third-down conversion. The Spartans iced the game with an 11-play, 49-yard drive that consumed the final 4:51. With Duckett limited to only one carry with his shoulder injury, Moss shared time at tailback with Little John Flowers and Tyrell Dortch. That trio combined for 191 yards on 36 rushes.
MSU/ILLINOIS COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Illinois head coach Ron Turner and Michigan State director of player development Dino Folino spent two years together at Pittsburgh (1983-84) under Foge Fazio. Turner coached the Panther quarterbacks, while Folino worked with the secondary.
• Illinois quarterbacks coach Dan O'Dell played for Michigan State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin at San Jose State in 1997. O'Dell started six games at quarterback for Baldwin, who was in his first season as the Spartans' head coach.
• Michigan State defensive line coach Steve Stripling and Illinois defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Mallory spent two seasons together at Indiana. Stripling coached Indiana's offensive line in 1986-87, while Mallory served as a graduate assistant under his father Bill.
• Michigan State director of player development Dino Folino and Illinois defensive line coach Donnie Thompson worked together for four years at Pittsburgh under Jackie Sherrill (1981) and Foge Fazio (1982-84). Folino coached the defensive backs while Thompson tutored the defensive line.
SPARTANS FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN -
Michigan State's 2004 roster features four players from Illinois, including freshman linebacker Eric Andino (Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove), sophomore linebacker Steve Kielp (Riverside/Riverside-Brookfield HS), red-shirt freshman wide receiver Terry Love (Bellwood/Proviso East HS) and freshman offensive guard Roland Martin (Chicago/Harper).
THE LAST TIME OUT -
Iowa 38, MSU 16: Drew Tate completed 25-of-36 throws for 340 yards and a touchdown to lead Iowa to a 38-16 victory over Michigan State in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in seven plays, with Jermelle Lewis scoring on a 47-yard run off left tackle. Tate capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 15-yard TD toss to Ed Hinkel as Iowa jumped out to a 14-0 lead with 3:11 left in the first quarter. The Spartans put together a 15-play, 91-yard drive and pulled to within 14-3 on Dave Rayner's 25-yard field goal with 7:39 remaining in the second quarter. Drew Stanton's 25-yard completion to Terry Love set up Rayner's 23-yard field goal as Michigan State cut its deficit to 14-6 with 38 seconds left in the first half. Champ Davis returned the ensuing squib kick 32 yards to the MSU 45. Two plays later, Tate fired a 36-yard strike down the middle to Clinton Solomon that led to Kyle Schlicher's 23-yard field goal as the Hawkeyes built a 17-6 halftime advantage. Iowa scored on its first possession of the second half as Tate's 43-yard bomb to Hinkel set up Tom Busch's 3-yard TD run as the Hawkeyes moved out to a 24-6 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Iowa extended its lead to 31-6 on a 1-yard TD run by Marques Simmons. Michigan State answered with a 14-play, 37-yard drive and closed the margin to 31-9 on Rayner's third field goal, a 42-yarder, with 8:35 to play. Midway through the fourth quarter, a 36-yard punt by Iowa's David Bradley bounced off the back of David Herron Jr. and Charles Godfrey recovered the free ball for the Hawkeyes at the MSU 2. Two plays later, Simmons scored on a 2-yard run over left tackle as Iowa took a 38-9 lead with 6:48 on the clock. Michigan State responded with a 12-play, 92-yard drive and scored its only touchdown on Stanton's 1-yard keeper with 4:24 left. Stanton set personal bests for pass attempts (54), completions (29), passing yards (245) and total yards (334). Iowa outgained the Spartans in total yards, 464-449.
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. 2 game vs. Iowa:
Offense - QB Brian Hoyer
Defense - S Kyle Rowley
Special Teams - Barre Mackie
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2004:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Offense 182.6 2nd 34thPassing Offense 211.0 8th 60thTotal Offense 393.6 4th 45thScoring Offense 21.6 9th 80thRushing Defense 162.4 9th 73rdPassing Defense 208.4 4th 63rdTotal Defense 370.8 8th 66thScoring Defense 23.0 8th t-53rdPassing Efficiency 103.2 10th 101stPass Efficiency Defense 112.5 5th 47thTurnover Margin -1.0 10th t-93rdNet Punting 40.9 1st 7thPunt Returns 7.2 11th 87thKickoff Returns 22.4 7th 33rd
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2004:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (40th at 212.8 yards per game)
Punting: Brandon Fields (1st at 48.8 yards per punt)
Interceptions: Jason Harmon (t-15th at 0.6 interceptions per game)
Kickoff Returns: DeAndra Cobb (36th at 22.8 yards per return)
Field Goals: Dave Rayner (18th at 1.6 made per game)
SPARTANS FEATURE IMPROVED GROUND ATTACK -
Michigan State has displayed an improved running attack in 2004. Through five games, the Spartans rank second in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 182.6 yards per game. That's an improvement of 85 yards per game over last season.
The Spartans gained 204 yards on the ground vs. Iowa, which entered the game ranked third in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing 55.5 yards per game. Michigan State rushed for 241 yards vs. Indiana - its best single-game total during John L. Smith's tenure. The Spartans produced 165 yards (4.7 yards per carry ) vs. Notre Dame, which entered the game ranked sixth in the nation in rushing defense, surrendering just 39.0 yards per game. Michigan State picked up 231 yards on the ground in the home opener vs. Central Michigan.
The Spartans feature a well-balanced ground attack with three players gaining more than 200 yards. Quarterback Drew Stanton leads the team in rushing with 315 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries. He rushed for 89 yards on 15 attempts vs. Iowa, including a 1-yard TD run. Stanton gained 134 yards on 12 rushes vs. Indiana to become the first Spartan QB to record a 100-yard game since Charlie Baggett picked up 120 yards vs. Northwestern in 1975.
Running backs Jason Teague and Jehuu Caulcrick have combined to rush for 492 yards and three scores on 116 attempts.
By contrast, Michigan State finished last in the Big Ten and No. 111 nationally in rushing in 2003, averaging just 97.4 yards per game. It marked MSU's lowest rushing production in the last 57 years.
TURNOVERS PLAGUE SPARTANS -
Through five games, the Spartans rank near the bottom of the Big Ten and NCAA in turnover margin (-5 overall). Michigan State has scored only three points off seven takeaways in 2004, while its opponents have converted 12 Spartan miscues into 34 points.
By comparison in 2003, Michigan State had a +8 turnover margin after five games. The Spartans had parlayed 16 takeaways into 38 points at this point last season.
Here's a game-by-game look at MSU's takeaways and giveaways in 2004:
Michigan State Takeaways Points@ Rutgers 1 (interception) 0Central Michigan - -Notre Dame 3 (interception, 2 fumbles) 0@ Indiana 2 (2 interceptions) 0@ Iowa 1(interception) 3Totals 7 (5 interceptions, 2 fumbles) 3
Opponent Takeaways Points@ Rutgers 3 (2 fumbles, interception) 7Central Michigan - -Notre Dame 6 (3 interceptions, 3 fumbles) 17@ Indiana 2 (2 interceptions) 3@ Iowa 1 (fumble) 7Totals 12 (6 interceptions, 6 fumbles) 34
BALL SECURITY, PART II -
Michigan State has committed 12 turnovers (six interceptions, six fumbles) in the first five games of the 2004 season. By contrast, the Spartans turned the ball over just 18 times in 13 games in 2003 - the Big Ten's fourth-lowest total (No. 15 in the NCAA). In 2003, Michigan State lost just three fumbles - the NCAA's best mark.
STANTON ADDS RUNNING DIMENSION TO SPREAD OFFENSE -
Sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton ranks third in the Big Ten in total offense (212.8 yards per game) and sixth in rushing (78.8 ypg.). In Big Ten games, Stanton ranks second in rushing (111.5 ypg.) and total offense (320.0 ypg.), and fifth in passing (208.5 ypg.).
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Stanton leads the Spartans in rushing (315 yards on 37 carries) and rushing touchdowns (4). He also has completed 53-of-92 throws (.576) for 536 yards and two interceptions.
Stanton set personal bests for pass attempts (54), completions (29), passing yards (245) and total yards (334) vs. Iowa. He also picked up 89 yards on 15 carries, including a 1-yard TD run, against the Hawkeyes, who entered the game ranked third in the NCAA in rushing defense (allowing 55.5 ypg.).
He accounted for 306 total yards and two scores in his first collegiate start at Indiana as the Spartans rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to post a 30-20 victory in the Big Ten opener. Stanton rushed for 134 yards on 12 carries vs. Indiana to become the first Spartan quarterback to record a 100-yard rushing game since Charlie Baggett gained 120 yards vs. Northwestern in 1975. He scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards against the Hoosiers.
Stanton came off the bench to account for 159 total yards (110 passing, 49 rushing) in the second half vs. Notre Dame, including a 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native provided a spark off the bench in the home opener vs. Central Michigan, orchestrating a 13-play, 96-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter that iced the game. His 38-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play from the CMU 40 set up MSU's final TD.
COBB RACES TOWARD THE RECORD BOOKS -
DeAndra Cobb returned five kickoffs for 152 yards (30.4 avg.) vs. Notre Dame, including an 89-yard runback for a touchdown in the third quarter. It marked Cobb's fourth career kickoff return for a score, one shy of the Big Ten record held by Purdue's Stan Brown (1968-70). The NCAA career mark belongs to Southern Cal's Anthony Davis (1972-74), who returned six kickoffs for TDs.
The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Cobb currently ranks seventh in the Big Ten and No. 36 in the NCAA in kickoff returns with his 22.8-yard average.
His career 25.5-yard kickoff return average ranks sixth on the Big Ten's all-time list. Cobb also stands fifth on MSU's all-time chart with 1,174 career kickoff return yards.
YOUTH IS SERVED -
Twenty-one true and red-shirt freshmen have seen action for Michigan State in the first five games of the 2004 season (Sept. 4 at Rutgers, Sept. 11 vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 18 vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 25 at Indiana and Oct. 2 at Iowa). Here's a complete breakdown of true and red-shirt freshmen that have made their Spartan debuts thus far in 2004:
True Freshmen (11): SP Sir Darean Adams, SP Eric Andino, SP Mike Bell, SP Tom Dance, SP Kellen Davis, SP Hugh D'Imperio, WR Carl Grimes, SP Tyrone McKenzie, DE Nick Smith, SP Rob Tabatchnick and SP Miles Williams.
Red-shirt Freshmen (10): WR Irving Campbell, RB Jehuu Caulcrick, RG Pete Clifford, SP Cole Corey, RT Mike Gyetvai, WR Terry Love, QB Stephen Reaves, SP Kyle Sackrider, LB Kaleb Thornhill and NG Joe Toth.
Note: SP = special teams appearance.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS IMPACT SPARTAN DEPTH CHART -
No fewer than six first-year players are currently listed on Michigan State's depth chart, including five on defense and one specialist. Here's a complete breakdown of true freshmen and junior college transfers included on the depth chart:
True Freshmen (4): BANDIT Sir Darean Adams, LB Eric Andino, RCB Eric Hines and DE Nick Smith.
Junior College Transfers (2): PK/P John Goss and DT Domata Peko.
THE COMEBACK KIDS -
Michigan State erased a 13-point halftime deficit by scoring 23 unanswered points en route to a 30-20 victory at Indiana in the 2004 Big Ten opener. It marked Michigan State's biggest comeback from a halftime deficit since posting a 34-16 victory over Wyoming in 1977 after trailing 16-0 at the intermission.
Spartan tailback Leroy McGee keyed the rally against the Cowboys, scoring three second-half touchdowns. His 1-yard TD run with 1:06 left in the third quarter gave Michigan State the lead for good at 20-16. The Spartans broke the game open early in the fourth quarter as Ed Smith hooked up with Kirk Gibson for an 82-yard scoring pass.
In 1998, Michigan State staged perhaps its greatest comeback, rallying from a 24-9 third-quarter deficit to upset top-ranked Ohio State, 28-24, in Columbus. Spartan placekicker Paul Edinger provided five field goals, including a 49-yarder in the third quarter. Sedrick Irvin capped an eight-play, 92-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter as Michigan State took the lead for good at 25-24. The Spartans trailed the Buckeyes, 17-9, at halftime.
MANY HAPPY SPARTAN RETURNS -
Michigan State's special teams produced two touchdowns in a 31-24 loss to Notre Dame. Early in the first quarter, Marshall Campbell blocked D.J. Fitzpatrick's punt that Jerramy Scott recovered in the back of the end zone for a score. Late in the third quarter, DeAndra Cobb returned his fourth career kickoff for a TD, an 89-yarder.
In 2003, Michigan State scored seven non-offensive touchdowns, including three kickoff, two fumble and two interception returns.
SPARTAN COACHING STAFF APPOINTS 2004 CAPTAINS -
Michigan State second-year head coach John L. Smith and his coaching staff have appointed four captains for the 2004 season: junior wide receiver Kyle Brown, senior BANDIT Tyrell Dortch, senior free safety Jason Harmon and senior MIKE linebacker Ronald Stanley.
Stanley, who served in the same capacity in 2003, becomes just the sixth multi-year captain in Spartan football history, joining center Robert McCurry (1946-47-48), quarterback John Leister (1981-82), linebacker Carl Banks (1982-83), linebacker Ike Reese (1996-97) and linebacker Josh Thornhill (2000-01).
REAVES, STANTON PRODUCE WINS IN DEBUTS AS STARTING QB -
For the first time since 1996, Michigan State has utilized three different starting quarterbacks in the same season. Senior Damon Dowdell earned his seventh career start in the 2004 season opener at Rutgers. Red-shirt freshman Stephen Reaves started back-to-back games vs. Central Michigan and Notre Dame, while sophomore Drew Stanton assumed the starting role for the Big Ten opener at Indiana.
In 1996, Todd Schultz, Gus Ornstein and Bill Burke each took turns under center as the starting signal caller.
Reaves and Stanton each produced wins in their first career starts. Here's how Michigan State's last 15 quarterbacks fared in their first college starts:
• Drew Stanton - Sept. 25, 2004 vs. Indiana (W 30-20)
Stanton accounted for 306 total yards and two touchdowns as the Spartans rallied from a 20-7 halftime deficit. He rushed for 134 yards on 12 carries, including TD runs of 1 and 2 yards, and completed 15-of-23 throws for 172 yards and two interceptions.
• Stephen Reaves - Sept. 11, 2004 vs. Central Michigan (W 24-7)
Reaves hit 9-of-19 passes for 183 yards vs. Central Michigan, including a 44-yard TD strike to Kyle Brown.
• Damon Dowdell - Nov. 17, 2001 vs. Purdue (L 14-24)
Dowdell completed 24-of-45 throws for 304 yards vs. Purdue, including a 7-yard TD toss to Charles Rogers.
• Jeff Smoker - Sept. 16, 2000 vs. Missouri (W 13-10)
Smoker connected on 10-of-24 throws for 157 yards with one interception as the Spartans rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit.
• Ryan Van Dyke - Sept. 9, 2000 vs. Marshall (W 34-24)
Van Dyke completed 5-of-7 passes for 74 yards, including a 37-yard TD strike to Chris Baker, before leaving the game with a bruised right thumb late in the first quarter.
• Bill Burke - Sept. 28, 1996 vs. Eastern Michigan (W 47-0)
Burke completed 8-of-22 passes for 166 yards, including TD tosses of 49 and 5 yards to Nigea Carter.
• Gus Ornstein - Sept. 21, 1996 vs. Louisville (L 20-30)
Ornstein hit 21-of-37 passes for 237 yards, including a 17-yard TD strike to Derrick Mason.
• Todd Schultz - Sept. 30, 1995 vs. Boston College (W 25-21)
Schultz completed 20-of-28 passes for 210 yards as the Spartans rallied from a 21-9 third-quarter deficit to win 25-21.
• Tony Banks - Sept. 10, 1994 at Kansas (L 10-17)
Banks connected on 8-of-22 throws for 71 yards with two interceptions.
• Mill Coleman - Nov. 14, 1992 vs. Purdue (W 35-13)
Coleman completed 4-of-10 passes for 54 yards with one interception. He also added a 2-yard TD run.
• John Gieselman - Oct. 31, 1992 at Northwestern (W 27-26)
Gieselman hit 4-of-7 pass attempts for 27 yards.
• Jim Miller - Oct. 5, 1991 at Indiana (L 0-31)
Miller completed 10-of-19 throws for 105 yards with one interception.
• Bret Johnson - Sept. 14, 1991 vs. Central Michigan (L 3-20)
Johnson connected on 6-of-11 passes for 29 yards.
• Dan Enos - Sept. 16, 1989 vs. Miami-Ohio (W 49-0)
Enos hit 5-of-7 throws for 78 yards and scored on an 8-yard run.
• Bobby McAllister - Sept. 7, 1987 vs. Southern Cal (W 27-13)
McAllister completed 10-of-15 passes for 103 yards and rushed 15 times for 63 yards, including a 9-yard TD run.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE -
Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 43 of its last 48 home games, including the last 35 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 48 years, including 20th in 2003, averaging 72,830 fans per game.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 81st season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 297-127-13 record (.695) 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 74-17-1 (.810) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-63-1 (.175) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 15-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 87-80-2 (.521).
SPARTAN SINGLE-GAME BESTS UNDER SMITH -
Here's a look at the top single-game totals produced by Michigan State during head coach John L. Smith's tenure (2003-04; 18 games):
Rushing Yards: 241 vs. Indiana, 2004
Passing Yards: 382 vs. Indiana, 2003
Total Yards: 486 vs. Indiana, 2003
First Downs: 30 vs. Indiana, 2003
Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: minus 2 by Rutgers, 2003
Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 93 by Central Michigan, 2004
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 238 by Penn State, 2003
Fewest First Downs Allowed: 12 by Indiana, 2004 and Rutgers, 2003
Sacks By: 6 vs. Indiana and Western Michigan, 2003
Turnovers Forced: 5 vs. Louisiana Tech, 2003
Points (Game): 49 vs. Illinois, 2003
Points (Half): 34 (1st) vs. Minnesota, 2003
Points (Quarter): 24 (2nd) vs. Rutgers, 2003
Victory Margin: 35 vs. Illinois, 2003
