Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Faces Road Test At Unbeaten Pittsburgh
9/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2006
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DATE: Sept. 16, 2006
SITE: Heinz Field (65,050/natural grass), Pittsburgh, Pa.
KICKOFF: 12:06 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 50,000-plus
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Jim Miller, sideline reporter Jason Strayhorn and broadcast host Mike Kamin, will broadcast the game to 39 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240) and WMMQ (FM 94.9) and in Detroit on WJR Radio (AM 760). The MSU-Pittsburgh game can be heard live on Sirius Satellite Radio (Channel 130). In addition, all Spartan football broadcasts will be streamed live on the MSU Athletics Department web site at www.msuspartans.com. Television - ESPN2/ABC will televise the Michigan State-Pittsburgh game live, with Mark Jones handling the play-by-play, David Norrie providing color commentary and Stacey Dales serving as the sideline reporter.
FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about Saturday's MSU-Pittsburgh matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks only the sixth meeting between Michigan State and Pittsburgh. The Spartans lead the all-time series 4-0-1, including a 2-0-1 mark in games played in Pittsburgh. The last meeting between the two schools came in 1960 and resulted in a 7-7 tie.
• Michigan State has compiled a 21-9-2 record (.688) against current members of the BIG EAST Conference. The Spartans are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games played against current BIG EAST teams.
• Michigan State has compiled a 22-7 record (.759) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999, including five-straight wins (2005-06).
• Michigan State secondary coach Chuck Driesbach spent four years as defensive coordinator under John Majors at Pittsburgh (1993-96).
• Fifth-year senior Matt Trannon, who caught a school-record 14 passes for a career-best 151 yards and two touchdowns in MSU's 52-20 victory over Eastern Michigan, was selected Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Trannon broke the single-game mark previously held by Plaxico Burress, who had 13 receptions (185 yards) against Florida in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl. He scored on TD grabs of 17 and 7 yards from Drew Stanton. Trannon also threw a 35-yard scoring pass to A.J. Jimmerson in the second quarter.
• Trannon's 14 receptions against Eastern Michigan mark the second-best single-game total in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) this season. Texas Tech's Robert Johnson had 15 catches (139 yards) against SMU on Sept. 2.
• Stanton accounted for 287 total yards and five touchdowns against Eastern Michigan. Stanton completed 24-of-32 throws for 254 yards and three TDs. He also rushed nine times for 33 yards and two scores. • Stanton has thrown for at least 200 yards and at least one touchdown pass in each of his last 14 starts. Both streaks represent Spartan career records.
• Stanton ranks third among active career leaders in both completion percentage (.661) and passing efficiency rating (146.6) in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A). Stanton also is listed among the Big Ten's career leaders in completion percentage (first) and passing efficiency rating (third).
• Brandon Fields' career 45.7-yard punting average ranks No. 1 on MSU's and the Big Ten's all-time lists as well as first among Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) active punters.
2006 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Sept. 2 IDAHO (ESPN Plus) W, 27-17 Sept. 9 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) W, 52-20 Sept. 16 at Pittsburgh (ESPN2/ABC) 12 p.m. EDT Sept. 23 NOTRE DAME (ABC) 8 p.m. EDT Sept. 30 ILLINOIS 12 p.m. EDT Oct. 7 at Michigan (ESPN) 4:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 14 OHIO STATE TBA Oct. 21 at Northwestern 12 p.m. EDT Oct. 28 at Indiana TBA Nov. 4 PURDUE TBA Nov. 11 MINNESOTA TBA Nov. 18 at Penn State TBA
Date Opponent Time/Result
PITTSBURGH (2-0, 2-0 BIG EAST)
Sept. 2 VIRGINIA W, 38-13 Sept. 9 at Cincinnati W, 33-15 Sept. 16 MICHIGAN STATE 12 p.m. EDT Sept. 23 THE CITADEL 1:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 30 TOLEDO TBA Oct. 7 at Syracuse TBA Oct. 13 at Central Florida 8 p.m. EDT Oct. 21 RUTGERS TBA Nov. 4 at South Florida 12 p.m. EST Nov. 11 at Connecticut TBA Nov. 16 WEST VIRGINIA 7:30 p.m. EST Nov. 25 LOUISVILLE TBA
Date Opponent Time/Result
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 20-18 (.526) in his fourth year with the Spartans and 130-78 (.625) in 18 seasons as a college head coach. Smith ranks No. 13 among active Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) coaches in career victories. Twelve of his 17 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-consecutive 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.
Pittsburgh's Dave Wannstedt (Pittsburgh 1974) is 7-6 (.538) in his second year with the Panthers. Wannstedt returned to the college ranks after spending 16 years in the National Football League, including 11 seasons as a head coach. He compiled an 82-87 record (.485) in NFL regular-season games, including six seasons in Chicago (1993-98) and five years in Miami (2000-04). Wannstedt previously spent four years as the defensive coordinator under Jimmy Johnson in Dallas where he helped the Cowboys to a victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII. His college coaching credits include stints at Miami-Fla. (1986-88), Southern Cal (1983-85), Oklahoma State (1979-81) and Pittsburgh (1975-78).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State PittsburghBasic Offense Spread Pro Style Basic Defense 4-2-5 4-3 Offensive Starters Returning 6 6 Defensive Starters Returning 6 6 Specialists Returning 1 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State PittsburghOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 300 6-4, 304 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 209 6-0, 207 Defensive Line 6-3, 276 6-3, 264 Linebackers 6-1, 242 6-1, 228 Defensive Backs 6-0, 200 6-0, 204
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
Michigan State Defense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores
Pittsburgh Offense: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
Pittsburgh Defense: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after two games):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (31 carries for 200 yards, 6.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Drew Stanton (40 of 57 for 479 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving - Matt Trannon (18 catches for 184 yards, 10.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles - Otis Wiley (20 tackles, 13 solos, 7 assists, 3.5 TFL, 3 PBU)
Pittsburgh (after two games):
Rushing - Shane Brooks (31 carries for 110 yards, 3.5 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Tyler Palko (28 of 43 for 550 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving - Derek Kinder (7 catches for 249 yards, 35.6 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles - H.B. Blades (27 tackles, 18 solos, 9 assists, 1.5 TFL, 3 PBU)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State PittsburghScoring 39.5 35.5 First Downs 24.0 13.0 Total Offense 493.0 373.5 Rushing Yards 219.5 98.5 Passing Yards 273.5 275.0 Time of Possession 29:05 31:14 Third Down Conversions .583 .292 Points Allowed 18.5 14.0 Total Offense Allowed 270.0 233.5 Rushing Yards Allowed 77.5 43.5 Passing Yards Allowed 192.5 190.0
MSU/PITTSBURGH SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks only the sixth meeting between Michigan State and Pittsburgh. The Spartans lead the all-time series 4-0-1, including a 2-0-1 record in games played in Pittsburgh. The last meeting between the two schools came in 1960 and resulted in a 7-7 tie. Michigan State opened the Pitt series with four-straight victories, including two each in Pittsburgh (1945, 12-7; and 1950, 19-0) and East Lansing (1951, 53-26; and 1958, 22-8). (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 135 in the 2006 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Sept. 24, 1960, in Pittsburgh: Michigan State dominated the stat sheet, outgaining Pittsburgh in total yards, 359-173, but three turnovers proved costly as the Spartans settled for a 7-7 tie in Pitt Stadium. The only scoring occurred in the second quarter. The Panthers jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Dave Kraus completed 3-of-4 passes for 64 yards on the scoring drive, including a 12-yard touchdown toss to Mike Ditka, who made a diving catch with 1:09 left in the first half. Three plays from scrimmage later, Michigan State pulled even on Tom Wilson's 66-yard TD strike to Jason Harness with :05 remaining in the second quarter. The Spartans missed a potential game-winning field-goal attempt early in the fourth quarter and late in the game, the two teams traded interceptions. First, Pitt's Andy Kuzneski picked off Wilson's pass intended for Wayne Fontes at the MSU 23 with 2:20 to play. On the next play, George Azar returned the favor, intercepting Kraus' throw intended for Ditka at the MSU 11. The Spartan defense limited Pittsburgh to only one first down and 24 total yards in the second half. Michigan State featured a balanced offensive attack, gaining 171 yards on the ground and 188 yards passing. Wilson completed 10-of-24 throws for 178 yards, while Robert Suci and Herb Adderley paced the ground attack, rushing for 49 and 41 yards, respectively.
MSU/PITTSBURGH COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State secondary coach Chuck Driesbach spent four years as defensive coordinator under John Majors at Pittsburgh (1993-96).
• Michigan State director of player development/high school relations Dino Folino coached the defensive backs at Pittsburgh for four years where he worked under both Jackie Sherrill (1981) and Foge Fazio (1982-84).
MSU/PITTSBURGH CONNECTIONS, PART II -
• Michigan State Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations Mark Hollis spent two years at Pittsburgh where he worked under former Athletics Director Oval Jaynes.
MSU/STEEL CITY CONNECTIONS -
• Former Michigan State head coach George Perles (1983-94) spent 10 years as an assistant under Chuck Noll for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. Perles became the architect of Pittsburgh's dominating defense that helped the Steelers win four Super Bowl championships (1974, '75, '78 and '79).
• Former Michigan State quarterback Jim Miller, now in his first year as the color analyst on the Spartan Radio Network, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. In two seasons with the Steelers (1995-96), Miller played in five regular-season games, completing 45-of-81 passes (.556) for 520 yards and two touchdowns.
SPARTANS FROM THE KEYSTONE STATE -
Michigan State's 2006 roster features five players from Pennsylvania, including sophomore bandit Tom Dance (Erie/Cathedral Prep School), freshman quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park), freshman defensive end Colin Neely (Bethlehem/Freedom), freshman punter Ed Wagner (Barto) and freshman wide receiver David Williams (Monroeville/Gateway).
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 Sept. 16 game against Pittsburgh:
Offense - QB Jacob Ball (earns Scout Team Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career)
Defense - LB Jon Misch (earns Scout Team Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career)
MICHIGAN STATE vs. BIG EAST TEAMS -
Michigan State has compiled a 21-9-2 record (.688) against current members of the BIG EAST Conference (1-1 vs. Cincinnati, 1-2 vs. Louisville, 4-0-1 vs. Pittsburgh, 2-3 vs. Rutgers, 9-3-1 vs. Syracuse and 4-0 vs. West Virginia). The Spartans are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games played against current BIG EAST teams.
Here's a look at Michigan State's last 10 games vs. current BIG EAST teams:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteSept. 4, 2004 Rutgers L, 14-19 Piscataway, N.J. Sept. 6, 2003 Rutgers W, 44-28 Spartan Stadium Sept. 21, 1996 Louisville L, 20-30 Spartan Stadium Sept. 16, 1995 Louisville W, 30-7 Louisville, Ky. Dec. 28, 1993 Louisville L, 7-18 Liberty Bowl Sept. 28, 1991 Rutgers L, 7-14 Spartan Stadium Sept. 29, 1990 Rutgers W, 34-10 East Rutherford, N.J. Sept. 15, 1990 Syracuse T, 23-23 Syracuse, N.Y. Sept. 10, 1988 Rutgers L, 13-17 Spartan Stadium Sept. 23, 1978 Syracuse W, 49-21 Spartan Stadium
SPARTANS TOUGH IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES -
Michigan State has compiled a 22-7 record (.759) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999, including five-straight wins (2005-06).
Here's a look at Michigan State's non-conference results since 1999:
Sept. 9, 2006 Eastern Michigan W, 52-20 Spartan Stadium Sept. 2, 2006 Idaho W, 27-17 Spartan Stadium Sept. 17, 2005 Notre Dame W, 44-41 (OT) South Bend, Ind. Sept. 10, 2005 Hawaii W, 42-14 Spartan Stadium Sept. 3, 2005 Kent State W, 49-14 Spartan Stadium Dec. 4, 2004 Hawaii L, 38-41 Honolulu, Hawaii Sept. 18, 2004 Notre Dame L, 24-31 Spartan Stadium Sept. 11, 2004 Central Michigan W, 24-7 Spartan Stadium Sept. 4, 2004 Rutgers L, 14-19 Piscataway, N.J. Dec. 29, 2003 Nebraska L, 3-17 San Antonio, Texas Sept. 20, 2003 Notre Dame W, 22-16 South Bend, Ind. Sept. 13, 2003 Louisiana Tech L, 19-20 Spartan Stadium Sept. 6, 2003 Rutgers W, 44-28 Spartan Stadium Aug. 30, 2003 Western Michigan W, 26-21 Spartan Stadium Sept. 21, 2002 Notre Dame L, 17-21 Spartan Stadium Sept. 14, 2002 California L, 22-46 Spartan Stadium Sept. 7, 2002 Rice W, 27-10 Spartan Stadium Aug. 31, 2002 Eastern Michigan W, 56-7 Spartan Stadium Dec. 31, 2001 Fresno State W, 44-35 San Jose, Calif. Dec. 1, 2001 Missouri W, 55-7 Spartan Stadium Sept. 22, 2001 Notre Dame W, 17-10 South Bend, Ind. Sept. 8, 2001 Central Michigan W, 35-21 Spartan Stadium Sept. 23, 2000 Notre Dame W, 27-21 Spartan Stadium Sept. 16, 2000 Missouri W, 13-10 Columbia, Mo. Sept. 9, 2000 Marshall W, 34-24 Spartan Stadium Jan. 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 Stadium Sept. 2, 1999 Oregon W, 27-20 Spartan Stadium
Date Opponent MSU Result Site
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2006:
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAARushing Offense 219.5 2nd 14thPassing Offense 273.5 2nd 25thTotal Offense 493.0 1st 8thScoring Offense 39.5 2nd 14thRushing Defense 77.5 5th 30thPassing Defense 192.5 7th 59thTotal Defense 270.0 3rd 35thScoring Defense 18.5 t-5th t-52ndPassing Efficiency 175.4 2nd 11thPass Efficiency Defense 123.0 6th 57thTurnover Margin 0.0 t-6th t-52ndNet Punting 43.8 1st (48.8) 5thPunt Returns -1.0 11th 115thKickoff Returns 21.2 5th 50th
NCAA STAT LEADERS - Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2006:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Rushing: Javon Ringer (23rd at 100.0 yards per game)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (17th with 160.4 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (14th at 283.5 yards per game)
Receptions: Matt Trannon (3rd at 9.0 catches per game)
Receiving Yards: Matt Trannon (26th at 92.0 yards per game)
Interceptions: David Herron Jr. (t-36th at 0.5 interceptions per game)
Kickoff Returns: Javon Ringer (41st at 21.3 yards per return)
Field Goals: Brett Swenson (t-15th at 1.5 field goals made per game)
Scoring: Brett Swenson (t-36th at 9.5 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Javon Ringer (18th at 157.5 yards per game)
Tackles: Otis Wiley (35th at 10.0 tackles per game)
Tackles for Loss: Otis Wiley (t-34th at 1.75 tackles per game)
TRANNON SELECTED BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK -
Fifth-year senior Matt Trannon, who caught a school-record 14 passes for a career-best 151 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan State's 52-20 victory over Eastern Michigan, was selected Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Trannon broke the single-game mark previously held by Plaxico Burress, who had 13 receptions (185 yards) against Florida in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl. He scored on TD grabs of 17 and 7 yards from Drew Stanton. It marked Trannon's second career 100-yard receiving game. Trannon also threw a 35-yard scoring pass to A.J. Jimmerson in the second quarter that gave the Spartans a 24-3 lead.
With 14 receptions against the Eagles, Trannon moved into eighth place on MSU's all-time list with 122 career catches.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Trannon leads the Spartans in receptions with 18 for 184 yards (10.2 avg.). He leads the Big Ten in receptions (9.0 per game) and ranks fourth in receiving yards (92.0 per game). Trannon also is listed among the NCAA leaders in receptions (No. 3) and receiving yards (No. 26). Eleven of his 18 catches (61 percent) have resulted in first downs.
STANTON: A MODEL OF CONSISTENCY -
Fifth-year senior Drew Stanton leads the Big Ten in total offense (283.5 yards per game) while ranking second in passing efficiency (160.4 rating) and third in passing yards (239.5 ypg.). He also ranks among the NCAA's top 20 in total offense (No. 14) and passing efficiency (No. 17).
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Stanton has thrown for at least 200 yards and at least one touchdown pass in each of his last 14 starts, with both streaks representing Spartan career records.
He accounted for 287 total yards and five TDs in Michigan State's 52-20 victory over Eastern Michigan. Stanton completed 24-of-32 throws for 254 yards, three TDs and one interception. He hooked up with Matt Trannon for scoring plays of 17 and 7 yards, and hit T.J. Williams with an 8-yard TD strike. With his 254 yards, Stanton moved into fifth place on MSU's all-time list with 5,196 career yards. He also rushed nine times for 33 yards and two TDs against EMU, scoring on runs of 1 and 6 yards.
In the 2006 season opener against Idaho, he completed 16-of-25 passes for 225 yards, including a 27-yard scoring toss to Kerry Reed in the first quarter.
STANTON EARNS HERBIE AWARD -
Fifth-year senior Drew Stanton has been ranked among the nation's best quarterbacks, according to a preseason list compiled by ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Stanton is rated as the second-best "New School (run and pass like Michael Vick)" quarterback by Herbstreit, behind Ohio State's Troy Smith.
STANTON RUNS OFFENSE AT FULL THROTTLE -
In Drew Stanton's 20 career starts at quarterback, Michigan State is averaging 223.9 rushing yards, 271.7 passing yards, 495.6 total yards and 33.7 points per game.
Here's a complete breakdown of Michigan State's offensive production in Stanton's 20 career starts (10-10 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 46@ Purdue (L) 103 248 351 21@ Minnesota (L) 145 312 457 18Penn State (L) 168 233 401 22
2006Idaho (W) 175 225 400 27Eastern Michigan (W) 264 322 586 5220-Game Totals 4,478 5,434 9,912 67420-Game Averages 223.9 271.7 495.6 33.7
SPARTANS FEATURE BALANCED GROUND ATTACK -
Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten (No. 2) and NCAA (No. 14) leaders in rushing offense, averaging 219.5 yards per game.
Sophomore Javon Ringer paces a well-balanced ground attack with 200 yards on 31 carries. The 5-foot-9, 198-pound Ringer ranks fourth in the Big Ten and No. 23 nationally in rushing, averaging 100.0 yards per game. He recorded his fourth career 100-yard rushing game against Eastern Michigan, gaining 130 yards on 15 attempts. His career-long 65-yard run early in the second quarter set up Drew Stanton's 17-yard touchdown pass to Matt Trannon.
Stanton ranks as the team's second-leading rusher with 88 yards on 17 carries. He rushed nine times for 33 yards and two TDs against EMU, scoring on runs of 1 and 6 yards. Stanton rushed eight times for 55 yards (6.9 avg.) in the 2006 season opener against Idaho.
Red-shirt freshman A.J. Jimmerson came off the bench to account for 127 all-purpose yards and two TDs in his collegiate debut against Eastern Michigan. Jimmerson gained 70 yards on 10 rushes against the Eagles, including a 31-yard run that set up a score in the fourth quarter. He also caught three passes for 48 yards, including TD grabs of 35 yards from Trannon and 6 yards from Brian Hoyer.
Junior Jehuu Caulcrick, who sat out the Eastern Michigan game with a sprained foot, rushed 12 times for 50 yards in the season opener against Idaho, including a 2-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State's backfield features three career 1,000-yard rushers: Stanton (239 carries for 1,155 yards), Caulcrick (214 for 1,147) and Ringer (153 for 1,017). That trio has combined to rush for 3,319 career yards and 31 career TDs.
REED EMERGES AS STEADY PLAYMAKER IN PASSING GAME -
Senior flanker Kerry Reed has emerged as one of the Spartans' top playmakers in the passing game. Reed ranks second on the team in receptions with nine for 105 yards (11.7 avg.). He caught five passes for 42 yards against Eastern Michigan. Reed had four receptions for 63 yards (15.8 avg.) in the 2006 season opener against Idaho, including a 27-yard touchdown grab from Drew Stanton in the first quarter.
Seventy percent of his career receptions (28 of 40) have come over the last seven games. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Reed has 28 catches for 327 yards and four scores during that stretch.
 Free safety Otis Wiley leads the team in tackles (20), tackles for losses (3.5 for 7 yards), pass break-ups (3) and production points (53).  | |
SAFETIES MAKE A SPLASH -
Michigan State's starting safeties - sophomore Otis Wiley and junior Nehemiah Warrick - have combined for 35 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses and four pass break-ups in the first two games of the 2006 season.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Wiley leads the team in tackles (20 total), tackles for losses (3.5 for 7 yards), pass break-ups (3: tied with Demond Williams) and production points (53). He ranks fourth in the Big Ten in tackles, averaging 10.0 per game. Wiley recorded eight tackles, including seven solo hits, against Eastern Michigan. He also produced two tackles for losses (3 yards) against the Eagles.
In his first career start at free safety, Wiley recorded 12 tackles, including a 4-yard sack, and three pass break-ups against Idaho. He also forced a fumble against the Vandals, accounting for four of his 36 production points.
The 6-1, 203-pound Warrick ranks second on the team in tackles with 15 (9 solos, 6 assists). He produced 12 stops and a pass break-up in his Spartan debut against Idaho while compiling 20 production points from his strong safety position.
STARTING LINEUP FEATURED 10 FIRST-TIME STARTERS -
Michigan State's starting lineup for the 2006 season opener against Idaho featured 10 first-time starters, including four on the offensive side of the football, five on defense and one specialist.
First-time starters on offense included: left guard Pete Clifford (6-7, 300, Jr.), right guard Roland Martin (6-5, 325, So.), right tackle Jesse Miller (6-6, 306, So.) and running back Javon Ringer (5-9, 198, So.). For fourth-year Spartan head coach John L. Smith, the toughest challenge on offense has been retooling an offensive line that lost three veterans in (left tackle) Stefon Wheeler, (center) Chris Morris and (right guard) Gordon Niebylski, who were responsible for 83 combined starting assignments.
First-time starters on defense included: stud end Justin Kershaw (6-4, 254, So.), defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (6-4, 297, Jr.), rush end Ervin Baldwin (6-2, 252, Jr.), strong safety Nehemiah Warrick (6-1, 203, Jr.) and free safety Otis Wiley (6-2, 209, So.).
In his debut as the starting placekicker, true freshman Brett Swenson (5-8, 151) converted 2-of-3 field-goal attempts against Idaho, including a 23-yarder with 30 seconds left that iced the game.
2006 CAPTAINS ELECTED -
Four fifth-year seniors - center Kyle Cook, linebacker David Herron Jr., defensive tackle Clifton Ryan and quarterback Drew Stanton - were elected captains by their peers during a Friday, Aug. 11 team meeting. It marked the first time during John L. Smith's four-year tenure that the Spartan captains were selected solely by a team vote.
In its 109-year football history, eight Michigan State players have been named multi-year captains as Ryan (2005-06) and Stanton (2005-06) join center Robert McCurry (1946-47-48), quarterback John Leister (1981-82), linebacker Carl Banks (1982-83), linebacker Ike Reese (1996-97), linebacker Josh Thornhill (2000-01) and linebacker Ronald Stanley (2003-04).
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.
WINNING IN THE CLASSROOM -
In three seasons under head coach John L. Smith, 41 student-athletes have been named Academic All-Big Ten, the highest three-year total in football program history. In 2005, a school-record 18 Spartans earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, tying for the most selections by any conference institution.
SPARTAN FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS SOLD OUT -
Michigan State Athletics Department officials reported Monday, Aug. 28 that football season-ticket sales have exceeded 60,000 for the second year in a row and just the fifth time in school history and as a result, season-ticket sales have been suspended for both the general public and MSU students.
The MSU Athletics Department Ticket Office reports that 61,227 football season tickets have been sold - the second-highest total in MSU history. That figure reflects an increase in the demand for student season tickets with 12,722 sold, an increase of 685 from 2005. It marks the highest number of student season tickets purchased since 1991 (13,360). Since the late 1990s, the MSU Athletics Department had 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.
The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 20 in attendance each of the last 50 years, including No. 20 in 2005, averaging 75,183 fans per game.
All-Time Football Season-Ticket Sales
Rank Season Tickets Sold1. 2000 61,4792. 2006 61,227 3. 2001 61,198 4. 2005 60,692 5. 1999 60,109
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 84-21-1 (.797) when it scores at least 24 points and 13-69-1 (.163) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 17-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 97-90-2 (.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 (2003-06; 38 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 Eastern Michigan, 2006; 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
