Spartan Football Opens Two-Game Road Trip At Purdue
11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2005
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DATE: Nov. 5, 2005
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EST
SITE: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500/Prescription Athletic Turf), West Lafayette, Ind.
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 60,000
LAST WEEK: Michigan State defeated Indiana, 46-15; Purdue lost at No. 11/12 Penn State, 33-15.
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 - ESPNU/ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Purdue 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 (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 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) 12:10 p.m. EST Nov. 12 at Minnesota (ESPN Plus) 12:10 p.m. EST Nov. 19 PENN STATE TBA
PURDUE (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) Date Opponent Time/Result Sept. 10 AKRON W, 49-24 Sept. 17 at Arizona W, 31-24 Sept. 24 at Minnesota L, 35-42 (OT) Oct. 1 NOTRE DAME L, 28-49 Oct. 8 IOWA L, 17-34 Oct. 15 NORTHWESTERN L, 29-34 Oct. 22 at Wisconsin L, 20-31 Oct. 29 at Penn State L, 15-33 Nov. 5 MICHIGAN STATE 12:10 p.m. EST Nov. 12 ILLINOIS 12 p.m. EST Nov. 19 at Indiana TBA
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 18-15 (.545) in his third year with the Spartans and 128-75 (.631) 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.
Purdue's Joe Tiller (Montana State 1965) is 64-43 (.598) in his ninth year with the Boilermakers and 103-73-1 (.585) in 15 seasons as a college head coach. Tiller guided Purdue to eight-straight bowl appearances from 1997-2004. He compiled a 39-30-1 record (.564) in six seasons at Wyoming (1991-96), including a 10-2 worksheet in 1996. His college coaching credits also include stops as an assistant at Washington State (1971-73 and 1989-90), Wyoming (1987-88), Purdue (1983-86) and Montana State (1964-70).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State PurdueBasic Offense Spread Multiple Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 Multiple Offensive Starters Returning 8 7 Defensive Starters Returning 5 11 Specialists Returning 1 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State PurdueOffensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 298 6-5, 287 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 200 6-3, 205 Defensive Line 6-3, 303 6-3, 270 Linebackers 6-1, 243 6-2, 241 Defensive Backs 5-11, 195 6-2, 202
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores
Purdue Offense: 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores
Purdue Defense: 7 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after eight games):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (96 carries for 693 yards, 7.2 avg., 5 TDs)
Passing - Drew Stanton (162 of 243 for 2284 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving - Jerramy Scott (29 catches for 473 yards, 16.3 avg., 4 TDs) and Kyle Brown (29 catches for 443 yards, 15.3 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles - Eric Smith (76 tackles, 53 solos, 23 assists, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs)
Purdue (after eight games):
Rushing - Jerod Void (72 carries for 405 yards, 5.6 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing - Brandon Kirsch (152 of 257 for 1727 yards, 7 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving - Dorien Bryant (61 catches for 725 yards, 11.9 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles - George Hall (72 tackles, 35 solos, 37 assists, 2 TFL, 3 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State PurdueScoring 38.9 28.0 First Downs 27.1 21.8 Total Offense 532.6 431.5 Rushing Yards 225.5 168.0 Passing Yards 307.1 263.5 Time of Possession 31:51 28:00 Third Down Conversions .467 .390 Points Allowed 27.0 33.9 Total Offense Allowed 414.4 476.0 Rushing Yards Allowed 134.4 145.2 Passing Yards Allowed 280.0 330.8
MSU/PURDUE SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue. The Spartans lead the all-time series 28-26-3, including an 11-15-3 record in games played in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers have won two in a row and five of the last six meetings, including three straight in Ross-Ade Stadium. Michigan State's last win in the series came on Nov. 11, 2000, 30-10, in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans' last win in West Lafayette came on Nov. 13, 1993, 27-24. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 135 in the 2005 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Nov. 16, 2002, in East Lansing, Mich.: Kyle Orton came off the bench to complete a 40-yard touchdown pass to John Standeford on a fourth-and-8 play with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter to give Purdue a 45-42 victory over Michigan State. There were seven lead changes in the contest as the two teams combined for 87 points and 875 total yards. Purdue's Joey Harris fumbled on the second play from scrimmage and the Spartans parlayed the turnover into points as Dave Rayner kicked a 49-yard field goal with 13:06 left in the first quarter. Purdue answered on its next possession as Harris capped an eight-play, 86-yard drive with a 24-yard TD run as the Boilermakers took a 7-3 lead. Ashton Watson's 35-yard interception return to midfield set up Michigan State's first touchdown. Five plays later, David Richard scored on a 14-yard run as the Spartans took a 10-7 lead with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter. Michigan State increased its lead to 17-7 as DeMario Suggs returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown with 9:05 left in the second quarter. Purdue scored 17 straight points to build a 24-17 halftime advantage. Early in the third quarter, Damon Dowdell hooked up with Charles Rogers for a 16-yard scoring pass as the Spartans pulled to within one at 24-23. The Boilermakers moved out to a 31-23 lead on Jerod Void's 1-yard TD run with 2:18 to play in the third quarter. Michigan State responded 19 seconds later as Rogers caught a pass on a crossing route and raced 65 yards for a touchdown. The Spartans took a 36-31 lead early in the fourth quarter on Thomas Wright's 57-yard interception return. Purdue regained the lead at 37-36 on Brandon Kirsch's 33-yard TD strike to Anthony Chambers on a fourth-and-4 play with 11:11 on the clock. Michigan State put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive and moved ahead 42-37 on Richard's 10-yard TD run with 7:43 left. Purdue outgained Michigan State in total yards, 555-320. The Spartans scored 23 points off five Purdue turnovers.
THE LAST MEETING IN ROSS-ADE STADIUM -
Nov. 17, 2001, in West Lafayette, Ind.: Montrell Lowe rushed for a season-high 121 yards (28 carries) and two touchdowns to lead Purdue to a 24-14 victory over Michigan State. Purdue parlayed six Spartan turnovers into 17 points. After a scoreless first half, Michigan State opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 81-yard drive and took a 7-0 lead on Damon Dowdell's 7-yard TD strike to Charles Rogers. Purdue also scored on its first possession of the second half as Lowe capped an 11-play, 84-yard drive with a 10-yard TD run. T.J. Duckett fumbled on MSU's next series and Purdue's Shaun Phillips recovered on the Spartan 23. The Spartan defense held and the Boilermakers had to settle for a 42-yard field goal from Travis Dorsch with 3:37 left in the third quarter. Michigan State's next possession also ended in a fumble as Purdue's Landon Johnson stripped the ball from Little John Flowers and Antwaun Rogers recovered at the Spartan 20. Six plays later, Lowe scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard run as Purdue built a 17-7 lead with 14:57 left in the game. The Spartans put together a 10-play, 91-yard drive and pulled to within 17-14 on Dowdell's 1-yard keeper with 9:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. Two minutes later, Purdue's defense produced a score as Craig Terrill returned a Dowdell fumble 12 yards for a touchdown. Michigan State outgained Purdue in total yards, 364-266. In his first collegiate start, Dowdell completed 24-of-45 throws for 304 yards.
SPARTANS FROM THE HOOSIER STATE -
Michigan State's 2005 roster features two players from Indiana: sophomore center John Masters (Carmel) and junior offensive tackle Kenny Shane (Indianapolis/North Central High School).
MSU/PURDUE COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State linebackers coach Mike Cox and Purdue quarterbacks coach Blaine Bennett were on John L. Smith's coaching staff at Idaho in 1991. Cox tutored the linebackers while Bennett coached the wide receivers.
• Michigan State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin and Purdue defensive ends coach Tony Samuel spent the 1985 season together at Stanford under Jack Elway. Baldwin coached the Cardinal wide receivers while Samuel worked with the defensive line.
• Michigan State assistant athletics director/director of football operations Mike Vollmar and Purdue running backs coach David Mitchell worked together under Paul Pasqualoni at Syracuse from 1991-93.
• Michigan State assistant athletics director/director of football operations Mike Vollmar and Purdue defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo spent the 1991 season together at Syracuse. Vollmar worked as recruiting and personnel coordinator while Anarumo served as a graduate assistant under Paul Pasqualoni.
WILLIAMS NAMED BIG TEN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK -
Demond Williams, who returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in Michigan State's 46-15 victory over Indiana, has been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. It marked the first time in recorded history (since 1947) that MSU returned the opening kickoff for a score. It also marked the Spartans' first kickoff return for a TD since DeAndra Cobb's 89-yard runback vs. Notre Dame in 2004.
The 5-foot-9, 174-pound Williams also blocked an Indiana extra-point attempt in the second quarter that Ashton Watson returned 75 yards for two points as MSU built a 25-8 halftime lead. It marked the first defensive extra point scored by the Spartans since Rob Fredrickson returned a blocked PAT 82 yards vs. Purdue in 1992.
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2005:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Offense 225.5 2nd 11thPassing Offense 307.1 2nd 14thTotal Offense 532.6 1st 3rdScoring Offense 38.9 2nd 9thRushing Defense 134.4 3rd 45thPassing Defense 280.0 9th t-104thTotal Defense 414.4 7th 87thScoring Defense 27.0 6th 71stPassing Efficiency 162.1 1st 6thPass Efficiency Defense 138.2 9th 96thTurnover Margin +0.25 4th t-46thNet Punting 36.4 7th 57th (34.3)Punt Returns 7.0 10th 86thKickoff Returns 22.8 5th 35th
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2005:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Rushing: Javon Ringer (44th at 86.6 yards per game)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (6th with 164.3 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (12th at 307.2 yards per game)
Interceptions: SirDarean Adams (t-38th at 0.38 interceptions per game)
Points Responsible For: Drew Stanton (8th at 17.0 points per game)
Tackles: Eric Smith (38th at 9.5 tackles per game)
SPARTANS FEATURE EXPLOSIVE OFFENSIVE ATTACK -
Michigan State ranks among the NCAA leaders in all four offensive categories: No. 11 in rushing offense (225.5 yards per game), No. 14 in passing offense (307.1 ypg.), No. 3 in total offense (532.6 ypg.) and No. 9 in scoring offense (38.9 points per game). The Spartans lead the Big Ten in total offense while ranking second in rushing offense, passing offense and scoring 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 leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 6 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 164.3 rating. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound junior has completed 162-of-243 throws (.667) for 2,284 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in the NCAA in total offense, averaging 307.2 yards per game. Stanton also ranks second in the league in passing yards (285.5 per game) and TD passes (18).
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 set a school record with his ninth-straight 200-yard passing game (including the 2004 season finale at Hawaii), breaking the mark previously held by Jeff Smoker (eight-straight games in 2003). It also marked his ninth-consecutive game with at least one TD pass, tying the Spartan record set by Smoker in 2001. Stanton 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 1,477 yards and 15 TDs on 236 attempts.
The 5-9, 195-pound Ringer paces the ground game with 693 yards (96 rushes) and five TDs, while averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry. He ranks eighth in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 86.6 yards per game. In league games, Ringer is averaging 104.0 ypg.
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. He has scored a rushing TD in each of the last four 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 334 yards on 60 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.
SPARTAN OFFENSE ESTABLISHES RECORD-SETTING PACE -
With three games left in the 2005 regular season, Michigan State is on track to establish a Big Ten single-season record for total offense, averaging 532.6 yards per game. The Spartans are one of three Big Ten teams producing more than 500 total yards per game, leading Northwestern (515.0 ypg.) and Minnesota (501.2 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. Michigan State is nearly 20 yards per game ahead of the Nittany Lions' record-setting pace.
TRACKING STANTON IN THE SPARTAN RECORD BOOK -
Junior quarterback Drew Stanton leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 6 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 164.3 rating. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Stanton has completed nearly 67 percent (162-243) of his passes for 2,284 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 12 in the NCAA in total offense, averaging 307.2 yards per game. Stanton also ranks second in the league in passing yards (285.5 per game) and TD passes (18).
His .667 completion percentage (second), 2,458 total yards (third), 2,284 passing yards (fifth), 18 TD passes (tied for sixth) and 162 pass completions (ninth) all rank among the top single-season totals in Spartan history.
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native has produced a school-record nine-straight 200-yard passing games (including the 2004 season finale at Hawaii), breaking the mark previoulsy held by Jeff Smoker (eight-consecutive games in 2003). In addition, Stanton has thrown at least one TD pass in nine-consecutive games, tying the Spartan record set by Smoker in 2001.
In less than two full seasons as a starter, Stanton already ranks among MSU's career leaders in completion percentage (first at .655), TD passes (sixth at 26), total offense (sixth at 4,827 yards), pass completions (eighth at 305), passing yards (ninth at 3,924) and pass attempts (10th at 466).
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 22 receptions, including Jerramy Scott (29 for 473), Kyle Brown (29 for 443 yards), Matt Trannon (27 for 401), Terry Love (23 for 388) and Kerry Reed (22 for 331). All five of those receivers have at least two touchdown grabs.
STANTON RUNS OFFENSE AT FULL THROTTLE -
In Drew Stanton's 15 career starts at quarterback, Michigan State is averaging 241.5 rushing yards, 272.9 passing yards, 514.5 total yards and 35.6 points per game.
Here's a complete breakdown of Michigan State's offensive production in Stanton's 15 career starts (8-7 record):
Opponent (MSU Result) Rushing Yds. Passing Yds. Total Yds. Points2004@ Indiana (W) 241 172 413 30@ Iowa (L) 204 245 449 16Illinois (W) 253 234 487 38Minnesota (W) 324 312 636 51@ Michigan (L) 368 167 535 37@ Penn State (L) 161 177 338 13@ Hawaii (L) 268 330 598 38
2005Kent State (W) 354 331 685 49Hawaii (W) 198 301 499 42@ Notre Dame (W) 161 327 488 44@ Illinois (W) 376 329 705 61Michigan (L) 173 282 455 31@ Ohio State (L) 116 340 456 24Northwestern (L) 189 291 480 14Indiana (W) 237 256 493 4615-Game Totals 3,623 4,094 7,717 53415-Game Averages 241.5 272.9 514.5 35.6
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. 11 in rushing offense (225.5 yards per game), No. 14 in passing offense (307.1 ypg.), No. 3 in total offense (532.6 ypg.) and No. 9 in scoring offense (38.9 points per game). The Spartans lead the Big Ten in total offense while ranking second in rushing offense, passing offense and scoring offense.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Morris, who ranks as a top contender for the Rimington Trophy, has graded out 97 percent or higher in all eight 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 33-consecutive games at center for the Spartans. He has been a model of consistency, grading out 90 percent or better in 38 of 41 career games played. Morris, who has recorded 173 career pancakes, has not allowed a sack over the last two seasons (2004-05: approximately 650 passing plays).
RINGER PROVIDES HOME-RUN THREAT AT RUNNING BACK -
Javon Ringer ranks third among all (NCAA I-A) true freshman running backs with 693 yards on 96 carries. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Ringer has led the Spartans in rushing in four of the last five 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 167 1020 6.1 14 62 2. Ontario Sneed, Central Michigan 153 794 5.2 6 803. Javon Ringer, Michigan State 96 693 7.2 5 59 4. Darren McFadden, Arkansas 86 682 7.9 8 70 5. Kevin Smith, Central Florida 144 651 4.5 3 44 6. Keegan Herring, Arizona State 93 555 6.0 5 67
"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 six TDs in 16 trips (.375) inside the "red zone" in the three losses.
SMITTY APPROACHES 300-TACKLE MILESTONE -
Senior strong safety Eric Smith leads the team in tackles (76 total) and production points (166) and ranks second in interceptions (2 for 16 yards). He ranks sixth in the Big Ten in tackles, averaging 9.5 per game. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Smith needs two more stops to become only the 15th player in Spartan history to reach the 300-tackle milestone.
The Groveport, Ohio, native 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 33 career starts, including the last 19 in a row. He 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 (4 for 21 yards) and interceptions (3 for 54 yards) while ranking third in total tackles (44) and fourth in production points (66).
The 6-foot, 222-pound Adams registered 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. He produced a team-best seven tackles vs. Illinois, including one for a 4-yard loss. Adams 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. He 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. Adams 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.
SIX SPARTANS LISTED ON ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT BALLOT -
Six Michigan State players - junior punter Brandon Fields, senior center Chris Morris, senior offensive guard Gordon Niebylski, senior strong safety Eric Smith, junior quarterback Drew Stanton and sophomore linebacker Kaleb Thornhill - have been nominated for the Academic All-District IV Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
To be nominated for the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career. He also must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing.
District IV includes all schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Players named to the Academic All-District Team (released Nov. 10) will have their names appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors.
Spartan Academic All-District IV Candidates
Name Major (GPA)Brandon Fields kinesiology (3.39) Chris Morris finance (3.50) Gordon Niebylski supply chain management (3.53) Eric Smith criminal justice (3.21) Drew Stanton kinesiology (3.37) Kaleb Thornhill interdisciplinary studies in social science - human resources & society (3.21)
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 three remaining opponents comprise the nation's 26th-most difficult schedule (tied with Michigan and Connecticut), according to NCAA figures. The Spartans' future opponents have a combined record of 15-10 (.600) against other NCAA Division I-A teams. The remaining schedule features two opponents with winning records, including No. 10/11 Penn State (Nov. 19).
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 82-21-1 (.793) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-66-1 (.169) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 16-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 95-87-2 (.522).
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; 33 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
