Spartan Football Prepares For Final Big Ten Road Trip
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2005
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DATE: Nov. 12, 2005
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EST
SITE: H.H.H. Metrodome (64,172/FieldTurf), Minneapolis, Minn.
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 48,000
LAST WEEK: Michigan State lost at Purdue, 28-21; Minnesota won at Indiana, 42-21.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Sherm Lewis, sideline reporter Will Tieman and broadcast host Mike Kamin, will broadcast the game to 37 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240) and WMMQ (FM 94.9). Television - ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Minnesota game live on a regional basis, with Wayne Larrivee handling the play-by-play, Randy Wright providing color commentary and Quint Kessenich serving as the sideline reporter.
2005 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten)Sept. 3 KENT STATE (ESPN Plus) W, 49-14 Sept. 10 HAWAII (ESPNU/ESPN Plus) W, 42-14 Sept. 17 at Notre Dame (NBC) W, 44-41 (OT) Sept. 24 at Illinois (ESPNU/ESPN Plus) W, 61-14 Oct. 1 MICHIGAN (ABC) L, 31-34 (OT) Oct. 15 at Ohio State (ABC) L, 24-35 Oct. 22 NORTHWESTERN (ESPN2) L, 14-49 Oct. 29 INDIANA (ESPN Plus) W, 46-15 Nov. 5 at Purdue (ESPNU/ESPN Plus) L, 21-28 Nov. 12 at Minnesota (ESPN Plus) 12:10 p.m. EST Nov. 19 PENN STATE (ESPN) 4 p.m. EST
Date Opponent Time/Result
MINNESOTA (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/Result Sept. 1 at Tulsa W, 41-10 Sept. 10 COLORADO STATE W, 56-24 Sept. 17 FLORDIA ATLANTIC W, 46-7 Sept. 24 PURDUE W, 42-35 (OT) Oct. 1 at Penn State L, 14-44 Oct. 8 at Michigan W, 23-20 Oct. 15 WISCONSIN L, 34-38 Oct. 29 at Ohio State L, 31-45 Nov. 5 at Indiana W, 42-21 Nov. 12 MICHIGAN STATE 11:10 a.m. CST Nov. 19 at Iowa 11:10 a.m. CST
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 18-16 (.529) in his third year with the Spartans and 128-76 (.627) in 17 seasons as a college head coach. Smith ranks No. 12 among active NCAA I-A football coaches in career victories and No. 17 in career winning percentage. Twelve of his 16 teams have participated in postseason play, including seven-straight bowl appearances from 1997-2003. 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.
Minnesota's Glen Mason (Ohio State 1972) is 57-48 (.543) in his ninth year with the Golden Gophers and 116-112-1 (.509) in 20 seasons as a college head coach. Mason has guided Minnesota to postseason appearances five of the last six years, including trips to the Sun (1999), Micronpc.com (2000), Music City (2002, 2004) and Sun (2003) Bowls. He compiled a 47-54-1 record (.466) in nine seasons at Kansas (1988-96), including two trips to the Aloha Bowl (1992 and '95). Mason produced a 12-10 worksheet (.545) in two years at Kent State (1986-87).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State MinnesotaBasic Offense Spread Multiple Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 4-3 Offensive Starters Returning 8 8 Defensive Starters Returning 5 7 Specialists Returning 1 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State MinnesotaOffensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 301 6-4, 288 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 208 6-2, 212 Defensive Line 6-3, 303 6-4, 275 Linebackers 6-1, 243 6-1, 230 Defensive Backs 5-11, 195 5-11, 188
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 7 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore
Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores
Minnesota Offense: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 4 sophomores
Minnesota Defense: 4 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores, 2 freshmen
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after nine games):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (108 carries for 740 yards, 6.9 avg., 5 TDs)
Passing - Drew Stanton (184 of 273 for 2532 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving - Jerramy Scott (38 catches for 559 yards, 14.7 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles - Eric Smith (82 tackles, 58 solos, 24 assists, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs)
Minnesota (after nine games):
Rushing - Laurence Maroney (248 carries for 1345 yards, 5.4 avg., 10 TDs)
Passing - Bryan Cupito (124 of 210 for 1829 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Logan Payne (25 catches for 366 yards, 14.6 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - John Pawielski (67 tackles, 46 solos, 21 assists, 4 TFL, 4 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State MinnesotaScoring 36.9 36.6 First Downs 26.3 24.0 Total Offense 512.4 509.1 Rushing Yards 211.9 291.4 Passing Yards 300.6 217.7 Time of Possession 31:50 30:30 Third Down Conversions .458 .504 Points Allowed 27.1 27.1 Total Offense Allowed 418.0 379.3 Rushing Yards Allowed 144.0 153.7 Passing Yards Allowed 274.0 225.7
MSU/MINNESOTA SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 40th meeting between Michigan State and Minnesota. The Spartans lead the all-time series 25-14, including an 11-9 record in games played in Minneapolis. Michigan State is 7-2 in games played in the Metrodome, including a 44-38 victory over the Golden Gophers in 2003. The Spartans have won two in a row and 19 of the last 22 meetings overall. Minnesota's last win in the series came on Oct. 19, 2002, 28-7, in Spartan Stadium. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 134 in the 2005 MSU Football Media Guide.)
 Jerramy Scott had a game-high seven catches for 74 yards in MSU's 51-17 victory over Minnesota in 2004.  | |
THE LAST MEETING -
Oct. 16, 2004, in East Lansing, Mich.: Drew Stanton accounted for a school-record 410 yards to lead Michigan State to a 51-17 Homecoming victory over No. 19 Minnesota. Stanton became the first quarterback in Spartan history to throw for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game. MSU scored on its first two possessions to build a 14-0 lead. DeAndra Cobb returned the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Gopher 43 and six plays later, Jehuu Caulcrick scored on an 18-yard run. Stanton capped a nine-play, 83-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown toss to Eric Knott. Justin Fraley's 17-yard interception return set up Minnesota's first score, a 37-yard field goal by Rhys Lloyd. The Spartans answered on the next series as Jason Teague scored on a 43-yard jaunt. Late in the first quarter, the Gophers pulled to within 21-10 on Bryan Cupito's 58-yard TD pass to Ernest Wheelwright. MSU extended its lead to 31-10 on Stanton's 36-yard TD strike to Knott and Dave Rayner's 22-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The Spartans broke the game open in the third quarter, scoring on their first three possessions to take a 44-10 lead. Caulcrick scored his second TD on a 10-yard run and Rayner added field goals from 23 and 37 yards. Late in the third quarter, Cupito again hooked up with Wheelwright, this time for a 35-yard scoring play, as Minnesota cut its deficit to 44-17. Stanton punctuated his record-setting performance with a 56-yard TD throw to Terry Love midway through the fourth quarter. MSU produced 636 total yards, including 407 yards in the first half. The Spartan defense limited Minnesota to 102 yards rushing (29 attempts) - 199 yards below its season average. The Gophers entered the game with the NCAA's third-best rushing attack.
THE LAST MEETING IN THE METRODOME -
Oct. 18, 2003, in Minneapolis, Minn.: Jason Teague and Jaren Hayes combined to rush for 160 yards and three scores as No. 15 Michigan State posted its fifth-straight win and remained atop the Big Ten standings at 4-0, with its 44-38 victory at No. 25 Minnesota. The Spartans scored on their first three possessions to build a 17-0 lead. Michigan State got off to a quick start, thanks to its kickoff cover unit as Kiel Beltinck jarred the ball loose from Minnesota's Jared Posthumus and Mark Goebel recovered at the Gopher 36. Four plays later, Hayes scored on an 11-yard run as the Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Hayes capped an 11-play, 68-yard drive with a 6-yard TD run and a 10-play, 60-yard drive resulted in Dave Rayner's 46-yard field goal. Minnesota pulled to within 17-10 early in the second quarter on a 23-yard field goal from Rhys Lloyd and Asad Abdul-Khaliq's 13-yard touchdown pass to Tony Patterson. The Gophers' next possession ended in a fumble as Abdul-Khaliq lost the ball while being sacked by Seth Mitchell, and Mike Labinjo returned it 11 yards to the Minnesota 29. Six plays later, Jeff Smoker scored on a quarterback draw from 6 yards out to give the Spartans a 24-10 lead. Minnesota answered on its next series as Marion Barber III capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal to make it 24-17 with 48 seconds left in the first half. DeAndra Cobb returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown as MSU moved out to a 31-17 lead. The Spartan defense got the ball back 14 seconds later as Ronald Stanley recovered a fumble at the Minnesota 45. On the final play of the first half, Rayner connected on a 50-yard field goal to send the Spartans to the locker room with a 34-17 advantage. Late in the third quarter, Rayner produced his third field goal, a 52-yarder, as MSU extended its lead to 37-17. Abdul-Khaliq finished off a five-play, 78-yard drive with a 17-yard TD toss to Aaron Hosack as Minnesota closed the gap to 37-24 with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Teague appeared to ice the game with his 60-yard TD run with 6:47 to play. Abdul-Khaliq threw TD strikes of 23 yards to Jakari Wallace and 8 yards to Hosack as Minnesota rallied to within 44-38 with 2:02 left. Drew Stanton ended the Gophers' comeback by recovering the on-side kick. Michigan State held Minnesota to 148 yards rushing (39 attempts) - 150 yards below its season average. Barber III, who came into the game averaging 105 yards per game, managed only 19 yards on 14 rushes.
MSU/MINNESOTA COACHING CONNECTION -
• Minnesota guards and centers coach Gordon Shaw worked for Michigan State head coach John L. Smith at Idaho in 1989. Shaw served as defensive coordinator under Smith, who was in his first season as the Vandals' head coach.
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2005:
Rushing Offense 211.9 3rd 17th Passing Offense 300.6 2nd 14th Total Offense 512.4 1st 5th Scoring Offense 36.9 2nd 11th Rushing Defense 144.0 5th 55th Passing Defense 274.0 9th 102nd Total Defense 418.0 7th 90th Scoring Defense 27.1 t-6th t-70th Passing Efficiency 160.0 1st 5th Pass Efficiency Defense 137.6 9th 93rd Turnover Margin +0.22 4th t-47th Net Punting 36.8 6th 52nd (34.5) Punt Returns 10.1 8th 50th Kickoff Returns 23.1 4th 27th
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2005:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (5th with 162.4 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (12th at 303.8 yards per game)
Interceptions: SirDarean Adams (t-50th at 0.33 interceptions per game)
Punting: Brandon Fields (27th at 42.4 yards per punt)
Points Responsible For: Drew Stanton (10th at 16.4 points per game)
Tackles: Eric Smith (44th at 9.1 tackles per game)
SPARTANS FEATURE EXPLOSIVE OFFENSIVE ATTACK -
Michigan State ranks among the NCAA leaders in all four offensive categories: No. 17 in rushing offense (211.9 yards per game), No. 14 in passing offense (300.6 ypg.), No. 5 in total offense (512.4 ypg.) and No. 11 in scoring offense (36.9 points per game). The Spartans lead the Big Ten in total offense while ranking second in passing offense and scoring offense and third in rushing offense.
Michigan State produced 456 total yards in a 35-24 loss at No. 15 Ohio State, which entered the game ranked fourth in the NCAA in total defense, allowing 238.2 yards per game.
The Spartans produced a school-record 705 total yards against the Illini, and the 61 points marked MSU's highest total since scoring 76 vs. Northwestern in 1989.
Quarterback Drew Stanton ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 5 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 162.4 rating. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound junior has completed 184-of-273 throws (.674) for 2,532 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in the NCAA in total offense, averaging 303.8 yards per game. Stanton also ranks second in the league in passing yards (281.3 per game) and TD passes (19).
With 248 passing yards vs. Purdue, Stanton extended his school-record streak of consecutive 200-yard passing games to 10 (including the 2004 season finale at Hawaii). He connected on 22-of-30 throws against the Boilermakers, including a 16-yard TD toss to Jason Teague in the first quarter. It marked his 10th-straight game with at least one TD pass, breaking the Spartan record previously held by Jeff Smoker (nine-consecutive games in 2001).
He accounted for 271 total yards and three TDs in MSU's 46-15 victory over Indiana as the Spartans snapped a three-game losing streak. Stanton completed 17-of-31 passes for 244 yards, including TD tosses of 3 yards to Kerry Reed and 39 yards to Terry Love. He added 27 yards on 10 carries vs. Indiana, including a 1-yard TD run.
Stanton completed 26-of-36 throws for a career-best 340 yards vs. No. 15 Ohio State, including a 36-yard TD strike to Jerramy Scott in the second quarter. He produced those totals against the Big Ten's No. 2 pass defense, which entered the game allowing an average of 182 passing yards. It marked Stanton's fifth career 300-yard passing game, his third of the 2005 campaign.
He connected on 20-of-30 passes for 282 yards vs. Michigan, including a 61-yard TD toss to Reed that tied the score at 21 late in the second quarter. Stanton capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run late in the first quarter against the Wolverines.
He shared Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors (with Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney) after completing 20-of-26 throws for 259 yards and a school-record five touchdowns in Michigan State's 61-14 victory at Illinois. Stanton threw TD pass to five different receivers (career-long 75 yards to Kyle Brown, 1 yard to Dwayne Holmes, 10 yards to Scott, 2 yards to Kellen Davis and 29 yards to Matt Trannon). He also became the first offensive player in Spartan history to earn back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week awards.
Stanton earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for 375 total yards and four TDs in MSU's 44-41 overtime victory at No. 10 Notre Dame. He completed 16-of-27 throws for 327 yards, including TD strikes of 20 and 65 yards to Trannon and 11 yards to Davis. It marked Stanton's fourth career 300-yard passing game, his second of the 2005 season. His 327 passing yards marked the most ever by a Spartan QB in the Notre Dame series. Stanton also rushed for 48 yards on 14 carries, including a 3-yard TD run that gave MSU a 24-17 halftime lead.
He hit 21-of-26 passes (.808) for 301 yards in MSU's 42-14 victory over Hawaii, including scoring tosses of 20 yards to Love, 54 yards to Trannon and 20 yards to Scott.
In MSU's 49-14 victory over Kent State in the season opener, Stanton accounted for 357 total yards, completing 22-of-29 passes for 297 yards and two scores while gaining 60 yards on 10 carries.
The Spartans feature a well-balanced ground attack as freshman Javon Ringer, sophomore Jehuu Caulcrick and senior Jason Teague have combined to rush for 1,539 yards and 15 TDs on 254 attempts.
The 5-9, 195-pound Ringer paces the ground game with 740 yards (108 rushes) and five TDs, while averaging an impressive 6.9 yards per carry. He ranks eighth in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 82.2 yards per game. Ringer is averaging 94.5 rushing yards per game in league play.
He has recorded three 100-yard rushing games in 2005, including back-to-back efforts vs. Northwestern (18 carries for 104 yards) and Indiana (11 for 109). Ringer became the first Spartan true freshman to produce consecutive 100-yard games since Sedrick Irvin in 1996. He scored on a 45-yard run in the third quarter vs. Indiana. The Dayton, Ohio, native rushed for a Spartan-freshman record 194 yards on 13 carries vs. Illinois, including a 59-yard gallop in the third quarter that set up Stanton's school-record fifth TD pass. Ringer carried 10 times for 80 yards vs. Hawaii and scored on runs of 8, 41 and 15 yards.
Caulcrick has rushed 80 times for 450 yards (5.6 avg.) and a team-leading seven TDs. During a recent stretch, he scored a rushing TD in four-consecutive games (vs. Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern and Indiana). The 6-0, 245-pound sophomore produced 140 yards on 14 carries in the season opener vs. Kent State, while scoring a career-best three TDs.
The 5-9, 193-pound Teague has gained 349 yards on 66 attempts and scored three times. He rushed eight times for 72 yards (9.0 avg.) vs. Michigan. Teague contributed 63 yards on nine carries vs. Notre Dame, including a 19-yard run in overtime that gave the Spartans the 44-41 victory over the 10th-ranked Irish.
SPARTANS THREATEN BIG TEN TOTAL OFFENSE RECORD -
With two games left in the 2005 regular season, Michigan State (512.4 yards per game) is one of three Big Ten teams producing more than 500 total yards per game, leading Minnesota (509.1 ypg.) and Northwestern (508.1 ypg.). In the previous 109 seasons of Big Ten football, only Penn State had eclipsed the 500-yard milestone, averaging 512.7 total yards in 1994.
TRACKING STANTON IN THE SPARTAN RECORD BOOK -
Junior quarterback Drew Stanton ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 5 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 162.4 rating. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Stanton has completed 67 percent (184-273) of his passes for 2,532 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in the NCAA in total offense, averaging 303.8 yards per game. Stanton also ranks second in the league in passing yards (281.3 per game) and TD passes (19).
His .674 completion percentage (first), 2,734 total yards (second), 184 pass completions (fifth), 2,532 passing yards (fifth), 19 TD passes (tied for fifth) and 273 pass attempts (eighth) all rank among the top single-season totals in Spartan history.
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native has produced a school-record 10-straight 200-yard passing games (including the 2004 season finale at Hawaii), shattering the mark previously held by Jeff Smoker (eight-consecutive games in 2003). In addition, Stanton has thrown at least one TD pass in 10-consecutive games, breaking another Spartan record set by Smoker (nine-straight games in in 2001).
In less than two full seasons as a starter, Stanton already ranks among MSU's career leaders in completion percentage (first at .659), total offense (fourth at 5,103 yards), TD passes (tied for fifth at 27), pass completions (seventh at 327), passing yards (seventh at 4,172) and pass attempts (tied for eighth at 496).
STANTON SPREADS THE BALL AROUND -
A key to Drew Stanton's throwing success in 2005 has been his ability to utilize all of the weapons at his disposal in Michigan State's spread offense. Five Spartans have at least 23 receptions, including Jerramy Scott (38 for 559), Matt Trannon (29 for 467), Kyle Brown (29 for 443 yards), Terry Love (25 for 402) and Kerry Reed (23 for 337). All five of those receivers have at least two touchdown grabs.
STANTON RUNS OFFENSE AT FULL THROTTLE -
In Drew Stanton's 16 career starts at quarterback, Michigan State is averaging 232.9 rushing yards, 271.4 passing yards, 504.3 total yards and 34.7 points per game.
Here's a complete breakdown of Michigan State's offensive production in Stanton's 16 career starts (8-8 record):
@ Indiana (W) 241 172 413 30 @ Iowa (L) 204 245 449 16 Illinois (W) 253 234 487 38 Minnesota (W) 324 312 636 51 @ Michigan (L) 368 167 535 37 @ Penn State (L) 161 177 338 13 @ Hawaii (L) 268 330 598 38
Opponent (MSU Result) Rushing Yds. Passing Yds. Total Yds. Points2004
2005 Kent State (W) 354 331 685 49 Hawaii (W) 198 301 499 42 @ Notre Dame (W) 161 327 488 44 @ Illinois (W) 376 329 705 61 Michigan (L) 173 282 455 31 @ Ohio State (L) 116 340 456 24 Northwestern (L) 189 291 480 14 Indiana (W) 237 256 493 46 @ Purdue (L) 103 248 351 2116-Game Totals 3,726 4,342 8,068 555 16-Game Averages 232.9 271.4 504.3 34.7
MORRIS NAMED SI.COM MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN -
Center Chris Morris, who anchors the offensive line for one of the NCAA's most prolific offenses, has been named Midseason All-American by SI.com. Michigan State ranks among the NCAA leaders in all four offensive categories: No. 17 in rushing offense (211.9 yards per game), No. 14 in passing offense (300.6 ypg.), No. 5 in total offense (512.4 ypg.) and No. 11 in scoring offense (36.9 points per game). The Spartans lead the Big Ten in total offense while ranking second in passing offense and scoring offense and third in rushing offense.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Morris, who ranks as a top contender for the Rimington Trophy, has graded out 96 percent or higher in all nine games in 2005. He scored 98 percent each vs. Michigan, Northwestern and Indiana. Morris graded 99 percent vs. Illinois as the Spartans amassed a school-record 705 total yards en route to a 61-14 victory. He also scored 99 percent in the season opener vs. Hawaii. Morris also ranks second on the team with 36 pancake blocks, including seven each vs. Michigan and Indiana.
A native of Lambertville, Mich., Morris has started 34-consecutive games at center for the Spartans. He has been a model of consistency, grading out 90 percent or better in 39 of 42 career games played. Morris, who has recorded 173 career pancakes, has not allowed a sack over the last two seasons (2004-05: approximately 680 passing plays).
RINGER PROVIDES HOME-RUN THREAT AT RUNNING BACK -
Javon Ringer ranks seventh among all (NCAA I-A) true freshman running backs with 740 yards on 108 carries. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Ringer has led the Spartans in rushing in five of the last six games.
The Dayton, Ohio, native has recorded three 100-yard rushing games in 2005, including back-to-back efforts vs. Northwestern (18 carries for 104 yards) and Indiana (11 for 109). Ringer became the first Spartan true freshman to produce consecutive 100-yard games since Sedrick Irvin in 1996. He scored on a 45-yard run in the third quarter vs. Indiana. He rushed for a Spartan-freshman record 194 yards on 13 carries vs. Illinois, including a 59-yard gallop in the third quarter that set up Stanton's school-record fifth TD pass. Ringer carried 10 times for 80 yards vs. Hawaii and scored on runs of 8, 41 and 15 yards.
NCAA I-A True Freshman Rushing Leaders
Rank Player, School Att. Yards Avg. TD LG1. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern 184 1085 5.9 16 62 2. Ontario Sneed, Central Michigan 176 915 5.2 6 80 3. Darren McFadden, Arkansas 118 869 7.4 8 70 4. Ray Rice, Rutgers 140 780 5.6 3 33 5. Kevin Smith, Central Florida 172 743 4.3 4 44 6. Tyrell Fenroy, Louisiana-Lafayette 132 742 5.6 8 467. Javon Ringer, Michigan State 108 740 6.9 5 59 8. Jamaal Charles, Texas 94 702 7.5 8 80 9. Keegan Herring, Arizona State 105 642 6.1 5 67 10. Aaron Brown, TCU 98 605 6.2 2 73
"RED ZONE" PRODUCTION KEY -
In its five victories in 2005, Michigan State has scored touchdowns on 22 of its 29 possessions (.759) that have penetrated the opponent's 20-yard line. By contrast, the Spartans have produced just eight TDs in 19 trips (.421) inside the "red zone" in the four losses.
 Eric Smith scored the first TD of his career vs. Purdue last week, returning a fumble 65 yards in the second quarter. | |
SMITTY REACHES 300-TACKLE MILESTONE -
Senior strong safety Eric Smith leads the team in tackles (82 total) and production points (183) and ranks second in interceptions (2 for 16 yards). He ranks sixth in the Big Ten in tackles, averaging 9.1 per game.
With six stops vs. Purdue, the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Smith became just the 15th player in Spartan history to reach the 300-tackle milestone. He also scored the first touchdown of his career against the Boilermakers, returning a fumble 65 yards in the second quarter to give the Spartans a 21-14 halftime lead.
Smith has posted double figures in tackles four times in 2005, including 13 stops each vs. Notre Dame and Northwestern plus 11 each vs. Michigan and Indiana.
Smith ranks as the Spartans' most experienced player in the defensive backfield with 34 career starts, including the last 20 in a row. He has recorded 304 career tackles and needs only 28 more stops to crack MSU's all-time Top 10. The Groveport, Ohio, native has produced double figures in tackles 12 times during his career.
ADAMS FINDS HOME AT BANDIT POSITION -
Sophomore bandit SirDarean Adams leads the team in tackles for losses (5 for 29 yards) and interceptions (3 for 54 yards) while ranking fourth in total tackles (49) and production points (75; tied with Clifton Ryan).
The 6-foot, 222-pound Adams registered five solos hits, including an 8-yard sack, a pass break-up and forced a fumble vs. Purdue. He made nine tackles vs. Michigan, and his 14-yard interception return to the Wolverine 17 early in the third quarter set up the game-tying field goal (24-24), a 26-yarder by John Goss. Adams produced a team-best seven tackles vs. Illinois, including one for a 4-yard loss. He returned his first career interception 30 yards for a touchdown vs. Notre Dame as the Spartans built a 31-17 lead early in the third quarter. Adams recorded a career-best 12 tackles (10 solos, 2 assists), including two for losses (14 yards), in Michigan State's 42-14 victory over Hawaii. The Bradenton, Fla., native also posted his first career sack (10 yards) midway through the third quarter against the Warriors.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS IMPACT SPARTAN DEPTH CHART -
No fewer than 13 first-year players are currently listed on Michigan State's depth chart, including four on offense, eight on defense and one specialist. Here's a complete breakdown of true freshmen and junior college transfers included on the depth chart:
True Freshmen (8): WR Ryan Allison, LB Adam Decker, K Matt Haughey, DE Brandon Long, WR Diego Oquendo, RB Javon Ringer, CB Ross Weaver and FS Otis Wiley.
Junior College Transfers (5): LB Steve Juarez, WR Kerry Reed, DE Jonal Saint-Dic, DT David Stanton and CB Demond Williams.
RETURN TO SENDER -
During John L. Smith's tenure as head coach, Michigan State's special teams have produced seven touchdowns, including five kickoff returns and two blocked punts that have resulted in scores.
2005
Oct. 29 vs. Indiana: Demond Williams returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a TD.
2004
Sept. 18 vs. Notre Dame: Jerramy Scott recovered a blocked punt (by Marshall Campbell) in the back of the end zone for a score early in the first quarter. DeAndra Cobb returned a kickoff 89 yards for a TD late in the third quarter.
Nov. 13 vs. Wisconsin: Travis Key recovered a blocked punt (by Marshall Campbell) at the goal line for a score midway through the first quarter.
2003
Sept. 6 vs. Rutgers: DeAndra Cobb returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD late in the second quarter.
Oct. 18 vs. Minnesota: DeAndra Cobb returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD with 48 seconds left in the first half.
Nov. 8 vs. Ohio State: DeAndra Cobb returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score early in the third quarter.
SPARTAN COACHING STAFF APPOINTS 2005 CAPTAINS -
Michigan State third-year head coach John L. Smith and his coaching staff have appointed four captains for the 2005 season: senior center Chris Morris, junior defensive end Clifton Ryan, senior strong safety Eric Smith and junior quarterback Drew Stanton.
WINNING IN THE CLASSROOM -
Last May, six members of Michigan State's 2005 football team earned their undergraduate degrees: defensive end Michael Bazemore (interdisciplinary studies in social science - human resources), snapper Brian Bury (food industry management), linebacker Seth Mitchell (criminal justice), center Chris Morris (finance), offensive guard Gordon Niebylski (supply chain management) and strong safety Eric Smith (criminal justice). Michigan State leads the Big Ten and ranks among the NCAA's top 10 with six football players already in possession of their bachelor's degrees.
Four of those players currently are pursuing master's degrees: Bury (kinesiology), Morris (kinesiology), Niebylski (labor relations and human resources) and Smith (criminal justice). Bazemore (sociology) and Mitchell (family community services) have opted to pursue a second bachelor's degree.
WINNING IN THE CLASSROOM, PART II -
In two seasons under head coach John L. Smith, 23 student-athletes have been named Academic All-Big Ten, the highest two-year total in football program history. In 2004, a school-record 13 Spartans earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
SPARTANS FACE ONE OF THE NCAA'S TOUGHEST SCHEDULES DOWN THE STRETCH -
Michigan State's two remaining opponents comprise the nation's 10th-most difficult schedule, according to NCAA figures. The Spartans' future opponents (Nov. 12 at Minnesota and Nov. 19 vs. Penn State) have a combined record of 15-4 (.789) against other NCAA Division I-A teams.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 82-21-1 (.793) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-67-1 (.167) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 16-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 95-88-2 (.519).
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 (2003-05; 34 games):
Rushing Yards: 430 vs. Wisconsin, 2004
Passing Yards: 382 vs. Indiana, 2003
Total Yards: 705 vs. Illinois, 2005
First Downs: 35 vs. Kent State, 2005
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 Ohio State and Indiana, 2004; Rutgers, 2003
Sacks By: 6 vs. Indiana and Western Michigan, 2003
Turnovers Forced: 5 vs. Louisiana Tech, 2003
Points (Game): 61 vs. Illinois, 2005
Points (Half): 38 (1st) vs. Illinois, 2005
Points (Quarter): 28 (2nd) vs. Illinois, 2005
Victory Margin: 47 vs. Illinois, 2005
