Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Entertains Kent State In 2005 Season Opener
8/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2005
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DATE: Sept. 3, 2005
SITE: Spartan Stadium (75,005/natural grass), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 12:10 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 75,005 (sellout expected)
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, FM 97.5). Television - ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Kent State game live on a regional basis, with Mark Neely handling the play-by-play and Chris Martin providing color commentary.
2005 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/ResultSept. 3 KENT STATE (ESPN Plus) 12 p.m. EDT Sept. 10 HAWAII (ESPN Plus/ESPNU) 3:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 17 at Notre Dame (NBC) 3:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 24 at Illinois TBA Oct. 1 MICHIGAN TBA Oct. 15 at Ohio State TBA Oct. 22 NORTHWESTERN (Homecoming) TBA Oct. 29 INDIANA TBA Nov. 5 at Purdue TBA Nov. 12 at Minnesota TBA Nov. 19 PENN STATE TBA KENT STATE (0-0, 0-0 MAC) Date Opponent Time/Result Sept. 3 at Michigan State 12 p.m. EDT Sept. 10 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 4 p.m. EDT Sept. 17 MIAMI (OHIO) 4 p.m. EDT Sept. 24 at Ohio 2 p.m. EDT Oct. 1 at Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. EDT Oct. 15 at Navy 1:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 22 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 1 p.m. EDT Oct. 29 at Western Michigan 2 p.m. EDT Nov. 5 BOWLING GREEN 1 p.m. EST Nov. 12 BUFFALO 1 p.m. EST Nov. 24 at Akron 10 a.m. EST
THE COACHES - Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 13-12 (.520) in his third year with the Spartans and 123-72 (.631) as he begins his 17th season 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.
Kent State's Doug Martin (Kentucky 1985) is 5-6 (.455) in his second year as head coach of the Golden Flashes. Martin joined the Kent State coaching staff as offensive coordinator in 2003. He previously spent 11 seasons under Steve Logan at East Carolina (1992-2002), the last seven years as offensive coordinator. Martin worked for four years at East Tennessee State (1988-91) where he coached the running backs for one season before taking over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/receivers coach in 1989. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kentucky in 1986-87.
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State Kent StateBasic Offense Spread Multiple Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 3-4 Offensive Starters Returning 8 6 Defensive Starters Returning 5 7 Specialists Returning 1 3
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Kent StateOffensive Line & Tight End 6-4, 301 6-4, 286 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 208 6-3, 201 Defensive Line 6-3, 303 6-1, 269 Linebackers 6-1, 243 6-2, 231 Defensive Backs 5-11, 195 5-11, 178
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 7 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore
Michigan State Defense: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores
Kent State Offense: 2 seniors, 2 juniors, 6 sophomores, 1 freshman
Kent State Defense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (top returnees; 2004 statistics):
Rushing - Jason Teague (150 carries for 688 yards, 4.6 avg., 8 TDs)
Passing - Drew Stanton (141 of 220 for 1601 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Jerramy Scott (39 catches for 444 yards, 11.4 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles - Eric Smith (115 tackles, 69 solos, 46 assists, 3 TFLs, 9 PBUs)
Kent State (top returnees; 2004 statistics):
Rushing - Joshua Brazen (2 carries for 9 yards, 4.5 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Tom Sitko (1 of 4 for 9 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
Receiving - Derrick Bush (25 catches for 288 yards, 11.5 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles - Jon Sessler (77 tackles, 48 solos, 29 assists, 14 TFLs, 6 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON (2004 final statistics) -
Michigan State Kent StateScoring 29.4 30.5 First Downs 22.4 21.3 Total Offense 460.0 378.9 Rushing Yards 238.5 154.1 Passing Yards 221.5 224.8 Time of Possession 29:35 29:34 Third Down Conversions .429 .410 Points Allowed 27.2 24.0 Total Offense Allowed 381.4 310.9 Rushing Yards Allowed 172.4 111.3 Passing Yards Allowed 209.0 199.6
 Spartan running backs coach Ben Sirmans spent five seasons in the same capacity at Kent State (2000-04).  | |
MSU/KENT STATE COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State running backs coach Ben Sirmans spent five seasons in the same capacity at Kent State where he served under Dean Pees (2000-03) and Doug Martin (2004).
• Former Michigan State defensive coordinator Dean Pees (1995-97) posted a 17-51 record (.250) in six seasons as head coach at Kent State (1998-2003).
• Former Michigan State head coach Nick Saban (1995-99) earned three letters as a defensive back for the Golden Flashes from 1970-72. Saban began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Don James at Kent State in 1973-74 before taking over as linebackers coach under Dennis Fitzgerald in 1975-76.
SPARTANS FROM THE BUCKEYE STATE -
Michigan State's 2005 preseason football roster features 15 players from Ohio: sophomore free safety Mike Bell (Shaker Heights), junior snapper Brian Bury (Marion/Harding), freshman offensive lineman Rocco Cironi (Warren/Warren G. Harding), junior punter Brandon Fields (Toledo/St. John's), freshman cornerback Dan Fortener (Kettering/Archbishop Alter), red-shirt junior kicker John Goss (Grove City), junior linebacker David Herron Jr. (Warren/Warren G. Harding), red-shirt freshman quarterback Brian Hoyer (North Olmsted/St. Ignatius), red-shirt freshman defensive end Justin Kershaw (Columbus/Reynoldsburg), freshman defensive end Brandon Long (Canton/GlenOak), senior defensive tackle Brandon McKinney (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne), freshman running back Javon Ringer (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne), senior strong safety Eric Smith (Groveport/Groveport-Madison), sophomore defensive end Nick Smith (North Canton/GlenOak) and senior cornerback Ashton Watson (Huber Heights/Wayne).
MICHIGAN STATE vs. MAC TEAMS -
Michigan State has compiled a 26-5 record (.839) against current members of the Mid-American Conference (2-0 vs. Akron, 1-0 vs. Bowling Green, 4-2 vs. Central Michigan, 6-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 8-2 vs. Western Michigan). The Spartans have won 11 straight and 18 out of the last 20 meetings vs. MAC teams, with the only losses coming to Central Michigan in the 1991 (20-3) and 1992 (24-20) season openers. Here's a look at Michigan State's last 10 games vs. MAC teams:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteSept. 11, 2004 Central Michigan W, 24-7 Spartan StadiumAug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 9, 2000 Marshall* W, 34-24 Spartan StadiumSept. 11, 1999 Eastern Michigan W, 51-7 Spartan StadiumOct. 3, 1998 Central Michigan W, 38-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan W, 42-10 Spartan StadiumSept. 28, 1996 Eastern Michigan W, 47-0 Spartan StadiumSept. 24, 1994 Miami-Ohio W, 45-10+ Spartan Stadium* Joined Conference USA prior to the start of the 2005 season.
+ Win forfeited by MSU in 1996 as part of its self-imposed sanctions.
The Spartans have outscored their last 10 MAC opponents, 398-114, for an average score of 40-11.
SEASON OPENERS -
In its 108-year football history, Michigan State is 70-35-3 (.662) in season openers, including a 7-3 record (.700) in its last 10 games. The Spartans had won five-straight season openers until suffering a 19-14 setback at Rutgers in 2004. Here's a brief look at Michigan State's season openers since 1995:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteSept. 4, 2004 Rutgers L, 14-19 Piscataway, N.J.Aug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24 Spartan StadiumSept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20 Spartan StadiumAug. 29, 1998 Colorado State L, 16-23 Spartan StadiumSept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan W, 42-10 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 1996 Purdue W, 52-14 Spartan StadiumSept. 9, 1995 Nebraska L, 10-50 Spartan Stadium
John L. Smith's RECORD IN SEASON OPENERS -
Michigan State third-year head coach John L. Smith has compiled a 10-6 record (.625) in season openers during his 16-year career. His teams have won six of their last nine season-opening games. Here's a look at how Smith's teams have fared in season-opening games:
Date Opponent ResultMichigan State (1-1)Sept. 4, 2004 at Rutgers L, 14-19Aug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21Louisville (3-2)Sept. 1, 2002 Kentucky L, 17-22Aug. 23, 2001 New Mexico State W, 45-24Sept. 2, 2000 Kentucky (0T) W, 40-34Sept. 4, 1999 at Kentucky W, 56-28Sept. 5, 1998 Kentucky L, 34-68Utah State (2-1)Aug. 30, 1997 at Utah W, 21-14Aug. 31, 1996 Utah W, 20-17Sept. 2, 1995 at Arkansas State L, 17-21Idaho (4-2)Sept. 3, 1994 Southern Utah W, 43-10Sept. 2, 1993 at Stephen F. Austin W, 38-20Sept. 5, 1992 St. Cloud State W, 42-9Sept. 7, 1991 Sonoma State W, 49-7Sept. 1, 1990 Montana State L, 24-27Sept. 2, 1989 at Washington State L, 7-41
HOME OPENERS -
In its 108-year football history, Michigan State is 87-21 (.806) in home openers, including an 8-2 record (.800) in its last 10 games. The Spartans have won six in a row and eight of their last nine home openers, with the only setback coming to Colorado State, 23-16, in the 1998 Black Coaches Association Classic. Here's a brief look at Michigan State's home openers since 1995:
Date Opponent MSU ResultSept. 11, 2004 Central Michigan W, 24-7Aug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21Aug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7Sept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21Sept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24Sept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20Aug. 29, 1998 Colorado State L, 16-23Sept. 6, 1997 Western Michigan W, 42-10Aug. 31, 1996 Purdue W, 52-14Sept. 9, 1995 Nebraska L, 10-50
SPARTANS TOUGH IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES -
Since 1999, Michigan State has compiled a 17-7 record (.708) in games played against non-conference opponents. However, the Spartans are just 6-7 (.461) in their last 13 non-conference games.
Here's a look at Michigan State's non-conference results since 1999:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteDec. 4, 2004 Hawaii L, 38-41 Honolulu, HawaiiSept. 18, 2004 Notre Dame L, 24-31 Spartan StadiumSept. 11, 2004 Central Michigan W, 24-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 4, 2004 Rutgers L, 14-19 Piscataway, N.J.Dec. 29, 2003 Nebraska L, 3-17 San Antonio, TexasSept. 20, 2003 Notre Dame W, 22-16 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 13, 2003 Louisiana Tech L, 19-20 Spartan StadiumSept. 6, 2003 Rutgers W, 44-28 Spartan StadiumAug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 21, 2002 Notre Dame L, 17-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 14, 2002 California L, 22-46 Spartan StadiumSept. 7, 2002 Rice W, 27-10 Spartan StadiumAug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7 Spartan StadiumDec. 31, 2001 Fresno State W, 44-35 San Jose, Calif.Dec. 1, 2001 Missouri W, 55-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 22, 2001 Notre Dame W, 17-10 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 23, 2000 Notre Dame W, 27-21 Spartan StadiumSept. 16, 2000 Missouri W, 13-10 Columbia, Mo.Sept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24 Spartan StadiumJan. 1, 2000 Florida W, 37-34 Orlando, Fla.Sept. 18, 1999 Notre Dame W, 23-13 South Bend, Ind.Sept. 11, 1999 Eastern Michigan W, 51-7 Spartan StadiumSept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20 Spartan Stadium
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS IMPACT SPARTAN DEPTH CHART -
No fewer than 11 first-year players are currently listed on Michigan State's depth chart, including four on offense and seven on defense. Here's a complete breakdown of true freshmen and junior college transfers included on the depth chart:
True Freshmen (6): WR Ryan Allison, LB Adam Decker, DE Brandon Long, WR Diego Oquendo, RB Javon Ringer and CB Ross Weaver.
Junior College Transfers (5): DT Bobby Jones, LB Steve Juarez, WR Kerry Reed, DE Jonal Saint-Dic and CB Demond Williams.
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.
SPARTAN FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS SOLD OUT -
Michigan State Athletics Department officials reported Saturday, Aug. 27 that football season-ticket sales have exceeded 60,000 for just the fourth time in school history and as a result, season-ticket sales have been suspended for both the general public and MSU students.
As of Friday, Aug. 26, 60,692 football season tickets have been sold, an increase of 4,160 season tickets from last season and the third-highest total in MSU history. That figure also reflects an increase in the demand for student season tickets with 12,037 sold, up 1,485 from 2004. It marks the highest number of student season tickets purchased since 1991 (13,360). Since the late 1990s, the MSU Athletics Department has allocated approximately 10,500 football season tickets for students. In 2005, MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason approved measures to meet the increased ticket demand from the student body.
Spartan football season-ticket sales topped the 60,000 mark for three-straight years from 1999-2001, with an all-time record 61,479 season tickets purchased in 2000.
Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 47 of its last 52 home games, including the last 39 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 49 years, including No. 20 in 2004, averaging 73,602 fans per game.
With the addition of suites and club seats, the current stadium capacity is listed at 75,005.
All-Time Football Season-Ticket SalesRank Season Tickets Sold1. 2000 61,4792. 2001 61,1983. 2005 60,6924. 1999 60,109
SAFETIES/CORNERS WIN PRESEASON BOWLING TOURNAMENT -
Following its Aug. 17 preseason scrimmage, the Michigan State football team conducted a bowling tournament at Holiday Lanes in Lansing, Mich. The Spartan safeties and cornerbacks won the team's bowling tournament with a two-game, combined score of 1,692 total pins, edging the running backs and wide receivers (1,687) by just five pins. The linebackers and bandits finished third (1,673), while the quarterbacks, tight ends and specialists took fourth (1,657). The offensive line claimed fifth place (1,572), while the defensive line came in sixth (1,437). Overall, the defense (9,904) defeated the offense (9,890) by 14 total pins.
Starting safeties Greg Cooper (180-122) and Eric Smith (145-140) paced a well-balanced attack, scoring 302 and 285, respectively, in two games. Cornerbacks Irving Campbell (121-132) and Ross Weaver (138-113) contributed 253 and 251 pins, respectively.
Wide receiver Matt Trannon bowled a team-best 318, including a single-game high 203 in the opening round. Wide out Kyle Brown (137-153) produced a two-game total of 290. Running backs Jehuu Caulcrick (156-124) and A.J. Jimmerson (165-105) totaled 280 and 270, respectively.
Final Team Standings (By Position)1. Safeties/Corners 1,6922. Running Backs/Wide Receivers 1,6873. Linebackers/Bandits 1,6734. Quarterbacks/Tight Ends/Specialists 1,6575. Offensive Line 1,5726. Defensive Line 1,437Final Overall Standings1. Defense 9,9042. Offense 9,890Top-Single Game Scores1. Matt Trannon 2032. Domenic Natale 1893. Jonal Saint-Dic 1864. Andrew Hawken 1855. Greg Cooper 180
2005 OPPONENTS UPDATE -
Date vs.MSU Opponent 2005 Season OpenerSept. 3 Kent State (5-6) @ Michigan State Sept. 10 Hawaii (8-5) vs. Southern Cal Sept. 17 @ Notre Dame (6-6) @ Pittsburgh Sept. 24 @ Illinois (3-8) vs. Rutgers Oct. 1 Michigan (9-3) vs. Northern Illinois Oct. 15 @ Ohio State (8-4) vs. Miami (Ohio) Oct. 22 Northwestern (6-6) vs. Ohio Oct. 29 Indiana (3-8) @ Central Michigan (Sept. 2) Nov. 5 @ Purdue (7-5) vs. Akron (Sept. 10) Nov. 12 @ Minnesota (7-5) @ Tulsa (Sept. 1) Nov. 19 Penn State (4-7) vs. South Florida Dec. 4 @ Hawaii (9-5) vs. Florida Atlantic
Michigan State's 2005 opponents had a combined winning percentage of .524 (75-68) last season, including six teams that played in bowl games.
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranked among the NCAA stat leaders in 2004:
Team Statistics
Rushing Offense: 10th at 238.5 yards per game
Passing Offense: 51st at 221.5 yards per game
Passing Efficiency: 69th at 119.3 rating
Total Offense: 10th at 460.0 yards per game
Scoring Offense: 38th at 29.4 points per game
Rushing Defense: 73rd at 172.4 yards per game
Passing Defense: 54th at 209.0 yards per game
Pass Efficiency Defense: 52nd at 121.2 rating
Total Defense: 62nd at 381.4 yards per game
Scoring Defense: 72nd at 27.2 points per game
Turnover Margin: t-105th at -0.8 turnovers per game
Net Punting: 34th at 37.1 yards per punt
Punt Returns: 68th at 8.6 yards per return
Kickoff Returns: 17th at 23.3 yards per return
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (44th at 131.8 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (40th at 228.8 yards per game)
Punting: Brandon Fields (1st at 47.9 yards per punt)
Kickoff Returns: DeAndra Cobb (27th at 24.1 yards per return)
Field Goals: Dave Rayner (4th at 1.8 made per game)
Scoring: Dave Rayner (15th at 8.8 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: DeAndra Cobb (31st at 133.9 yards per game)
SPARTANS FEATURE IMPROVED GROUND ATTACK -
Michigan State displayed a vastly improved running attack in 2004. The Spartans ranked second in the Big Ten and No. 10 in the NCAA in rushing, averaging 238.5 yards per game. That's an improvement of 141 yards per game from the 2003 season. In Big Ten play, Michigan State rushed for a league-best 265.8 yards per game in 2004.
The Spartans recorded eight 200-yard rushing games in 2004, including 268 yards vs. Hawaii in the season finale.
Michigan State put together a streak of five-straight 200-yard rushing games during one stretch (Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan). It marked the first time since 1996 that Michigan State had posted five-straight 200-yard rushing games in the same season (1996: 249 vs. Eastern Michigan, 236 vs. Iowa, 205 vs. Illinois, 243 vs. Minnesota and 202 vs. Wisconsin).
Michigan State amassed 430 yards on the ground vs. No. 4 Wisconsin, which entered the game ranked sixth in the NCAA in rushing defense permitting 87.3 yards per game. The 430 yards marked the seventh-best single-game rushing total produced by an NCAA I-A team in 2004. It also marked the top single-game rushing total during Spartan head coach John L. Smith's tenure. Michigan State's ground game produced two 100-yard rushers against the Badgers, with Jehuu Caulcrick gaining a career-best 146 yards on 13 carries and Jason Teague picking up a career-high 112 yards on 17 attempts.
Michigan State generated 368 yards on the ground vs. No. 12 Michigan, which entered the game ranked third in the NCAA in rushing defense, permitting 71.6 yards per game. It marked the first time since 1994 that the Spartans produced back-to-back 300-yard rushing games (1994: 312 vs. Northwestern and 347 vs. Purdue). The Spartans manufactured 324 rushing yards in a 51-17 victory over No. 19 Minnesota.
Michigan State's running game accounted for 253 yards vs. Illinois. 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 and picked up 231 yards on the ground in the home opener vs. Central Michigan.
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.
OFF AND RUNNING -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State's ground attack fared against the NCAA's top rushing defenses in 2004:
Opponent NCAA Rank YPG Allowed MSU Rush Yards +/-Wisconsin No. 6 87.3 430 +343 Michigan No. 3 71.6 368 +296 Iowa No. 3 55.5 204 +149 Notre Dame No. 6 39.0 165 +126
BALANCED GROUND GAME ROLLS UP YARDS -
The Spartans featured a well-balanced ground attack in 2004, with four players gaining more than 600 yards. A trio of running backs - DeAndra Cobb, Jason Teague and Jehuu Caulcrick - combined to rush for 2,035 yards and 17 scores on 359 attempts. Cobb paced the ground attack with 728 yards on 96 carries, averaging a school-record 7.6 yards per carry, and scored four touchdowns. Teague contributed 688 yards on 150 rushes and eight TDs, while Caulcrick produced 619 yards on 113 attempts and five TDs. Quarterback Drew Stanton ranked third on the team in rushing with 687 yards on 96 carries and five TDs. Michigan State's top four rushers were separated by just 109 yards.
Three Spartans were listed among the Big Ten's leading rushers: No. 8 Stanton (68.7 yards per game), No. 9 Cobb (60.7 ypg.) and No. 10 Teague (57.3 ypg.).
TURNOVERS PLAGUE SPARTANS -
The Spartans ranked last in the Big Ten and near the bottom of the NCAA (No. 105) in turnover margin at -0.8 turnovers per game (-10 overall). Michigan State scored just 12 points off 14 takeaways in 2004, while its opponents converted 24 Spartan miscues into 75 points.
By comparison in 2003, Michigan State had a +11 turnover margin in 13 games. The Spartans parlayed 29 takeaways into 96 points during the 2003 season.
BALL SECURITY, PART II -
Michigan State committed 24 turnovers (17 interceptions, 7 fumbles) during 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 ranked among the Big Ten leaders in total offense (third at 228.8 yards per game), passing efficiency (fourth with 131.8 rating), rushing (eighth at 68.7 ypg.) and passing (10th at 160.1 ypg.). In Big Ten games, he finished third in the league in total offense (238.7 ypg.), sixth in passing efficiency (125.9 rating), seventh in rushing (74.1 ypg.) and eighth in passing (164.6 ypg.).
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Stanton completed 141-of-220 throws (.641) for 1,601 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ranked third on the team in rushing with 687 yards on 96 carries and five TDs. His 687 yards represent the second-best single-season rushing total by a quarterback in Spartan history. Stanton also posted the third-highest rushing average in school history, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
MSU Single-Season Leaders - Rushing Yards By A QuarterbackRank Player (Year) Carries-Yards Rushing TDs1. Charlie Baggett (1974) 137-748 112. Drew Stanton (2004) 96-687 53. Charlie Baggett (1975) 171-645 74. Mark Niesen (1972) 105-467 45. Jimmy Raye (1966) 122-436 5
He shared Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for 406 total yards in the season finale against Hawaii - the second-best single-game total in Spartan history. Stanton completed 22-of-32 throws (.688) for a career-best 330 yards and rushed for 76 yards on 12 carries.
Stanton split Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for a school-record 410 total yards in MSU's 51-17 victory over No. 19 Minnesota. He became the first quarterback in Spartan history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game. His 410 total yards broke the single-game mark previously held by Jeff Smoker, who produced 393 total yards vs. Fresno State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. Stanton completed 20-of-31 throws for 308 yards and three TDs. He also recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, gaining 102 yards on 13 attempts.
He accounted for 254 combined yards (rushing, passing and receiving) and four TDs to lead MSU to a 38-25 victory over Illinois. Stanton completed 21-of-28 throws (.750) for 199 yards and three scores against the Illini. He also scored on an 18-yard pass from Jerramy Scott.
Stanton threw for 245 yards vs. Iowa, setting personal bests for pass attempts (54) and completions (29).
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.
STANTON SPREADS THE BALL AROUND -
A key to Drew Stanton's throwing success in 2004 was his ability to utilize all of the weapons at his disposal in Michigan State's spread offense. Eight Spartans had at least 15 receptions, including six wide outs, one running back and one tight end. Six players had a least 20 catches: Jerramy Scott (39 for 444 yards), Matt Trannon (36 for 405), Agim Shabaj (29 for 308), Jason Teague (28 for 219), Kyle Brown (23 for 302) and Terry Love (21 for 258).
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; 25 games):
Rushing Yards: 430 vs. Wisconsin, 2004
Passing Yards: 382 vs. Indiana, 2003
Total Yards: 636 vs. Minnesota, 2004
First Downs: 31 vs. Minnesota, 2004
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): 51 vs. Minnesota, 2004
Points (Half): 34 (1st) vs. Minnesota, 2003
Points (Quarter): 24 (2nd) vs. Rutgers, 2003
Victory Margin: 35 vs. Wisconsin, 2004; Illinois, 2003
