Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Opens Big Ten Action Against Illinois
9/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 30, 2006
DATE: Sept. 30, 2006
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 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-Illinois game can be heard live on XM Satellite Radio (Channel 197). In addition, all Spartan football broadcasts will be streamed live on the MSU Athletics Department web site at www.msuspartans.com. Television - ESPN Plus will televise the Michigan State-Illinois game live on a regional basis, with Wayne Larrivee handling the play-by-play and Kelly Stouffer providing color commentary.
FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about Saturday's MSU-Illinois matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks the 42nd meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series 23-16-2, including a 12-7-1 record in games played in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State has won nine in a row - including four straight in Spartan Stadium - and 10 of the last 11 meetings.
• Michigan State enters its 54th season of Big Ten competition with a 29-20-4 record (.585) in league openers. The Spartans are 7-3 in Big Ten openers since 1996, including a perfect 3-0 under John L. Smith.
• Michigan State is 7-5 (.583) in Big Ten openers vs. Illinois, including a 3-2 mark in games played in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans open Big Ten play against the Fighting Illini for the second year in a row.
• Michigan State is 59-28-3 (.672) in 90 Homecoming games, including a 4-3-1 record against Illinois.
• The Spartans have won seven of their last 10 and 11 of the last 16 Homecoming games.
• Saturday marks the first time MSU has played its Homecoming game in the month of September.
• Michigan State fifth-year senior quarterback Drew Stanton ranks among NCAA I-A active career leaders in completion percentage (No. 4 at .653), passing efficiency rating (No. 4 at 145.2) and total offense (No. 10 with 6,821 yards). Stanton also is listed among the Big Ten's career leaders in completion percentage (No. 1) and passing efficiency rating (No. 4).
• Stanton has thrown at least one touchdown pass in a school-record 16 straight games.
• Brandon Fields' career 45.8-yard punting average ranks No. 1 on MSU's and the Big Ten's all-time lists as well as first among NCAA I-A active punters.
• Through four games, Michigan State is a perfect 18-for-18 in the "red zone," with 14 scoring drives resulting in touchdowns and four more in field goals.
2006 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS - MICHIGAN STATE (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/Result
Sept. 2 IDAHO (ESPN Plus) W, 27-17
Sept. 9 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) W, 52-20
Sept. 16 at Pittsburgh (ESPN2/ABC) W, 38-23
Sept. 23 NOTRE DAME (ABC) L, 37-40
Sept. 30 ILLINOIS (ESPN Plus) 12:10 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
ILLINOIS (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Date Opponent Time/Result Sept. 2 EASTERN ILLINOIS W, 42-17 Sept. 9 at Rutgers L, 0-33 Sept. 16 SYRACUSE L, 21-31 Sept. 23 IOWA L, 7-24 Sept. 30 at Michigan State 11:10 a.m. CDT Oct. 7 INDIANA 11 a.m. CDT Oct. 14 OHIO 6 p.m. CDT Oct. 21 at Penn State 11 a.m. CDT Oct. 28 at Wisconsin TBA Nov. 4 OHIO STATE TBA Nov. 11 PURDUE TBA Nov. 18 at Northwestern TBA
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 21-19 (.525) in his fourth year with the Spartans and 131-79 (.624) 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.
Illinois' Ron Zook (Miami-Ohio 1976) is 3-12 (.200) in his second year with the Fighting Illini and 26-26 (.500) in five seasons as a college head coach. Zook compiled a 23-14 record (.621) in three years as head coach at Florida (2002-04). He spent six seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, including stints with Pittsburgh (1996-98), Kansas City (1999) and New Orleans (2000-01). His college coaching credits include stops as an assistant at Murray State (1978-80), Cincinnati (1981-82), Kansas (1983), Tennessee (1984-86), Virginia Tech (1987), Ohio State (1988-90) and Florida (1991-95).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State Illinois
Basic Offense Spread Multiple
Basic Defense 4-2-5 Multiple
Offensive Starters Returning 6 10
Defensive Starters Returning 6 10
Specialists Returning 1 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Illinois
Offensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 301 6-5, 308
Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 209 6-0, 201
Defensive Line 6-3, 276 6-4, 273
Linebackers 6-1, 242 6-2, 232
Defensive Backs 6-0, 200 6-0, 195
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores
Michigan State Defense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores
Illinois Offense: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 4 sophomores
Illinois Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after four games):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (60 carries for 432 yards, 7.2 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Drew Stanton (66 of 104 for 791 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving - Matt Trannon (21 catches for 213 yards, 10.1 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles - Otis Wiley (27 tackles, 19 solos, 8 assists, 4 TFL, 4 PBU)
Illinois (after four games):
Rushing - Pierre Thomas (40 carries for 239 yards, 6.0 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing - Juice Williams (22 of 62 for 427 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving - Kyle Hudson (9 catches for 143 yards, 15.9 avg., 1 TD); Rashard Mendenhall (9 catches for 138 yards, 15.3 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - J Leman (44 tackles, 22 solos, 22 assists, 2 TFL)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State Illinois
Scoring 38.5 17.5
First Downs 22.5 17.5
Total Offense 476.8 339.5
Rushing Yards 255.5 160.5
Passing Yards 221.2 179.0
Time of Possession 32:22 28:29
Third Down Conversions .528 .444
Points Allowed 25.0 26.2
Total Offense Allowed 316.0 329.0
Rushing Yards Allowed 70.8 156.8
Passing Yards Allowed 245.2 172.2
MSU/ILLINOIS SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 42nd meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series 23-16-2, including a 12-7-1 record in games played in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State has won nine in a row - including four straight in Spartan Stadium - and 10 of the last 11 meetings. The Illini's last win in the series came on Nov. 21, 1992, 14-10, in Memorial Stadium. Illinois' last win in Spartan Stadium came on Oct. 21, 1989, 14-10.
THE LAST MEETING -
Sept. 24, 2005, in Champaign, Ill.: Drew Stanton completed 20-of-26 throws for 259 yards and a school-record five touchdowns to lead No. 17 Michigan State to a 61-14 victory at Illinois in the 2005 Big Ten opener. It marked MSU's ninth-straight win over the Fighting Illini. After going three-and-out on their first series, the Spartans scored on their next four possessions. Michigan State jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Stanton's career-long 75-yard TD strike to Kyle Brown with 12:26 remaining in the first quarter. Illinois answered with a 10-play, 65-yard drive and tied the score at 7 on an 11-yard TD pass from Tim Brasic to Pierre Thomas with 8:42 left in the first quarter. The Spartans responded with a 12-play, 77-yard march and took the lead for good at 10-7 on a 21-yard field goal from John Goss with 3:54 to play in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Stanton finished off a seven-play, 52-yard drive with a 1-yard TD toss to Dwayne Holmes as MSU moved out to a 17-7 lead. Stanton capped a 12-play, 92-yard drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Jerramy Scott as the Spartans built a 24-7 lead with 7:41 remaining in the second quarter. Scott took direct snaps from center on back-to-back plays and rushed for 26 yards, including a 10-yard TD run up the middle as MSU extended its lead to 31-7 with 1:32 left in the first half. Kaleb Thornhill's 12-yard fumble return set up Stanton's fourth TD pass, a 29-yarder to Matt Trannon with 22 seconds remaining in the second quarter, as the Spartans enjoyed a 38-7 halftime lead. Javon Ringer's 59-yard run to the Illini 21 set up Stanton's record-setting fifth TD pass. Three plays later, Stanton hooked up with Kellen Davis for a 2-yard scoring play as MSU took a 45-7 lead with 10:33 left in the third quarter. Back-up QB Brian Hoyer finished off a 14-play, 84-yard drive with a 4-yard TD toss to Holmes that gave the Spartans a 52-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. MSU put together a nine-play, 80-yard drive and pushed its lead to 59-7 on Hoyer's 30-yard TD strike to Kerry Reed with 11:01 left in the game. The Illini's scoring drought ended on Brasic's 5-yard TD pass to Rashard Mendenhall with 9:16 on the clock. Jonal Saint-Dic's first career sack resulted in a safety and gave MSU a 61-14 lead with 4:24 to play. Michigan State amassed a school-record 705 total yards, breaking the previous single-game mark of 698 vs. Purdue in 1971. The 705 total yards also marked the third-best single-game figure for a league game in Big Ten history. The 61 points marked the Spartans' highest total since scoring 76 vs. Northwestern in 1989. In addition, MSU tied the Big Ten single-game record with seven TD passes. Ringer rushed for a Spartan-freshman record 194 yards on 13 carries.
THE LAST MEETING IN SPARTAN STADIUM -
Oct. 9, 2004, in East Lansing, Mich.: Drew Stanton accounted for 254 combined yards (rushing, passing and receiving) and four touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 38-25 victory over Illinois in Spartan Stadium. Kyle Brown's 37-yard punt return to the Illini 49 set up MSU's first score. Stanton capped the nine-play, 49-yard drive with an 11-yard TD toss to Jerramy Scott with 6:19 left in the first quarter. Stanton opened the next series with a 29-yard completion down the middle to Kellen Davis to the Illini 42. Three plays later, Stanton caught an 18-yard TD pass from Scott as the Spartans built a 13-0 lead with 3:47 remaining in the first quarter. Brandon Fields mishandled the center snap on the extra-point attempt and the Illini's Kelvin Hayden returned the fumble for 2 points. Michigan State scored on its third-straight possession and took a 20-2 lead as Stanton finished off a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a 6-yard TD toss to Jason Teague with 12:54 left in the second quarter. Illinois answered on its next series and pulled to within 20-9 as Pierre Thomas raced 23 yards around left end for a touchdown with 8:30 to play in the first half. Late in the second quarter, Jon Beutjer lost the ball while being sacked by Ronald Stanley and Brandon McKinney recovered the fumble for the Spartans at the Illini 26. With four seconds left in the first half, Dave Rayner converted a 21-yard field goal as Michigan State enjoyed a 23-9 halftime advantage. Illinois opened the third period with a four-play, 80-yard drive. Thomas carried the ball four-straight times, including a 69-yard gain, and scored on a 3-yard run as the Illini closed the gap to 23-16 with 13:06 remaining in the third quarter. Michigan State put together a five-play, 80-yard drive midway through the third quarter and extended its lead to 30-16 on Stanton's 27-yard TD strike to Agim Shabaj in the right corner of the end zone. The Illini responded with a 15-play, 64-yard drive that resulted in Jason Reda's 25-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 30-19 with 27 seconds left in the third quarter. Illinois rallied to within 30-25 with 14:13 to play as Kevin Mitchell blocked a Spartan punt that Sharriff Abdullah recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Michigan State put the game out of reach with a seven-play, 62-yard drive that led to a 12-yard TD run by DeAndra Cobb. Stanton followed that score up with a 2-point pass to Teague for a 38-25 Spartan lead with 5:47 on the clock.
MSU/ILLINOIS COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Illinois assistant head coach and running backs coach Reggie Mitchell spent six years on the Michigan State coaching staff (1999-2004), working with the wide receivers in 1999 before taking over the running backs in 2000.
• Illinois run-game coordinator and offensive line coach Ed Warinner spent two years as a graduate assistant under George Perles at Michigan State (1985-86), working with the linebackers and defensive backs.
• Illinois assistant recruiting coordinator Mike Dicenzo worked as a graduate assistant coach at Michigan State in 2003-04.
BIG TEN OPENERS -
Michigan State enters its 54th season of Big Ten competition with a 29-20-4 record (.585) in league openers. The Spartans are 7-3 in Big Ten openers since 1996, including a perfect 3-0 under John L. Smith.
Michigan State is 7-5 (.583) in Big Ten openers vs. Illinois, including a 3-2 mark in games played in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans open Big Ten play against the Fighting Illini for the second year in a row.
Here's a look at Michigan State's results against Illinois in Big Ten openers:
Date MSU Result Site Sept. 24, 2005 W, 61-14 Champaign Sept. 25, 1999 W, 27-10 Champaign Sept. 22, 1984 L, 7-40 Champaign Sept. 24, 1983 L, 10-20 Spartan Stadium Sept. 11, 1982 L, 16-23 Champaign Sept. 12, 1981 L, 17-27 Spartan Stadium Sept. 13, 1980 L, 17-20 Champaign Sept. 8, 1979 W, 33-16 Spartan Stadium Sept. 16, 1972 W, 24-0 Champaign Sept. 11, 1971 W, 10-0 Spartan Stadium Oct. 1, 1966 W, 26-10 Champaign Oct. 2, 1965 W, 22-12 Spartan Stadium
SPARTANS FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN -
Michigan State's 2006 roster features three players from Illinois: junior tight end Eric Andino (Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove), junior wide receiver Terry Love (Bellwood/Proviso East) and sophomore offensive guard Roland Martin (Chicago/Harper).
SPARTANS CELEBRATE 91ST HOMECOMING GAME -
Michigan State is 59-28-3 (.672) in 90 Homecoming games, including a 4-3-1 record against Illinois. The Illini's last trip to East Lansing, Mich., for Homecoming resulted in a 42-14 Spartan victory on Oct. 12, 1996.
The Spartans have won seven of their last 10 and 11 of the last 16 Homecoming games. Saturday marks the first time MSU has played its Homecoming game in the month of September.
Here's a look at Michigan State's Homecoming results against Illinois (MSU wins in bold type):
Date Result Oct. 12, 1996 MSU 42, Illinois 14 Oct. 21, 1989 Illinois 14, MSU 10 Oct. 24, 1987 MSU 14, Illinois 14 Oct. 19, 1985 Illinois 30, MSU 17 Oct. 29, 1977 MSU 49, Illinois 20 Oct. 25, 1975 Illinois 21, MSU 19 Oct. 26, 1957 MSU 19, Illinois 14 Oct. 22, 1955 MSU 21, Illinois 7
CURRENT SPARTANS vs. ILLINOIS -
Career Stat Leaders<>< rushing="" -="">Javon Ringer (1 game: 13 carries for 194 yards, 14.9 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Drew Stanton (2 games: 41 of 54 for 458 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving - Matt Trannon (3 games: 17 catches for 147 yards, 8.6 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Kaleb Thornhill (2 games: 9 tackles, 7 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFL)
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 NCAA Rushing Offense 255.5 1st 5th Passing Offense 221.2 5th 45th Total Offense 476.8 1st 5th Scoring Offense 38.5 2nd 8th Rushing Defense 70.8 2nd 13th Passing Defense 245.2 10th 103rd Total Defense 316.0 7th 54th Scoring Defense 25.0 9th 83rd Passing Efficiency 158.8 2nd 17th Pass Efficiency Defense 132.0 8th 78th Turnover Margin 0.0 t-6th t-60th Net Punting 41.1 1st 5th Punt Returns 4.5 11th 105th Kickoff Returns 20.1 4th 62nd
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 (16th at 108.0 yards per game)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (29th with 145.0 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (16th at 259.2 yards per game)
Receptions: Matt Trannon (36th at 5.25 catches per game)
Field Goals: Brett Swenson (t-25th at 1.25 field goals made per game)
Scoring: Brett Swenson (t-29th at 8.5 points per game); Jehuu Caulcrick (39th at 8.0 ppg.)
All-Purpose Yards: Javon Ringer (9th at 148.0 yards per game)
Sacks: Clifton Ryan (t-38th at 0.75 sacks per game)
STANTON: A MODEL OF CONSISTENCY -
Fifth-year senior Drew Stanton ranks among the Big Ten leaders in total offense (No. 2 at 259.2 yards per game), passing efficiency (No. 4 at 145.0 rating) and passing yards (No. 4 at 197.8 ypg.). He also is listed among the NCAA leaders in total offense (No. 16) and passing efficiency (No. 29).
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Stanton extended his school-record streak of consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass to 16, with a 15-yard scoring toss to Kerry Reed late in the second quarter against No. 12 Notre Dame.
He accounted for 303 total yards and three touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 38-23 victory at Pittsburgh. Stanton completed 16-of-25 passes for 198 yards, including scoring strikes of 2 yards to Kellen Davis and 12 yards to Reed. He also recorded his third career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 105 yards on 13 carries against the Panthers. Stanton capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run late in the third quarter as MSU took a 24-10 lead.
He produced 287 total yards and five TDs in MSU'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 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 22 career starts at quarterback, Michigan State is averaging 230.0 rushing yards, 262.4 passing yards, 492.4 total yards and 34.0 points per game.
Here's a complete breakdown of Michigan State's offensive production in Stanton's 22 career starts (11-11 record):
Opponent (MSU Result) Rushing Yds. Passing Yds. Total Yds. Points 2004 @ 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
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 21 @ Minnesota (L) 145 312 457 18 Penn State (L) 168 233 401 22
2006 Idaho (W) 175 225 400 27 Eastern Michigan (W) 264 322 586 52 @ Pittsburgh (W) 335 198 533 38 Notre Dame (L) 248 140 388 37 22-Game Totals 5,061 5,772 10,833 749 22-Game Averages 230.0 262.4 492.4 34.0
SPARTANS FEATURE BALANCED GROUND ATTACK -
Michigan State leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth in the NCAA in rushing offense, averaging 255.5 yards per game.
In its 38-23 victory at Pittsburgh, MSU's ground game amassed 335 yards and produced two 100-yard rushers, with Javon Ringer gaining 156 yards on 15 carries and Drew Stanton picking up 105 yards on 13 attempts. It marked the first time that two Spartan ball carriers had reached the century mark in the same game since Jehuu Caulcrick (146 yards) and Jason Teague (112) combined to rush for 258 yards against Wisconsin on Nov. 13, 2004.
Ringer, who recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh, paces a well-balanced ground attack with 432 yards on 60 carries. The 5-foot-9, 198-pound sophomore ranks fourth in the Big Ten and No. 16 nationally in rushing, averaging 108.0 yards per game. He rushed 15 times for 130 yards against Eastern Michigan.
Stanton ranks as the team's second-leading rusher with 246 yards on 49 carries. He posted his third career 100-yard rushing game against Pittsburgh (13 rushes for 105 yards). Stanton capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter as MSU took a 24-10 lead over the Panthers.
The fifth-year senior quarterback 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.
Caulcrick, who sat out the Eastern Michigan game with a sprained foot, ranks third on the team in rushing with 225 yards on 37 carries. His four rushing TDs lead the team. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in scoring (No. 8 at 8.0 points per game) and rushing (No. 9 at 75.0 ypg.).
The 6-0, 260-pound junior rushed eight times for 111 yards against No. 12 Notre Dame, including a 30-yard TD run in the third quarter. Caulcrick scored two rushing TDs (1 and 2 yards) against Pittsburgh. He gained 50 yards on 12 attempts in the season opener against Idaho, including a 2-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
Red-shirt freshman A.J. Jimmerson has added 89 yards on 13 attempts while playing in two games. 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.
Michigan State's backfield features three career 1,000-yard rushers: Stanton (271 carries for 1,313 yards), Caulcrick (239 for 1,322) and Ringer (182 for 1,249). That trio has combined to rush for 3,884 career yards and 35 career TDs.
TRANNON PACES TALENTED RECEIVING CORPS -
Fifth-year senior Matt Trannon leads the Spartans in receptions with 21 for 213 yards (10.1 avg.). He ranks second in the Big Ten in receptions (5.25 per game) and eighth in receiving yards (53.2 per game). Trannon also is listed among the NCAA leaders in receptions (No. 36). He leads the team in yards after the catch (75), and 12 of his 21 catches (57 percent) have resulted in first downs.
Trannon also has made his presence known as a passer, with his 686.2 passing efficiency rating. His two completions have gone for 61 yards and both resulted in touchdowns, including a 26-yard scoring toss to Javon Ringer in the first quarter against Notre Dame.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Trannon was selected Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after catching a school-record 14 passes for a career-best 151 yards and two TDs in MSU's 52-20 victory over Eastern Michigan. He broke the single-game mark previously held by Plaxico Burress, who had 13 receptions (185 yards) against Florida in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl. Trannon scored on TD grabs of 17 and 7 yards from Drew Stanton. It marked his 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.
Trannon, who ranks eighth on MSU's career list with 125 receptions, needs just 22 more catches to overtake Andre Rison (146, 1985-88) and become the school's all-time leader. The Flint, Mich., native has caught at least one pass in 24-consecutive games.
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 18 for 257 yards (14.3 avg.). He is listed among the Big Ten leaders in receptions (tied for fifth with 4.5 per game) and receiving yards (sixth at 64.2 yards per game).
Against No. 12 Notre Dame, Reed scored on touchdown catches of 34 and 15 yards from Drew Stanton.
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Reed recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against Pittsburgh, with a career-best seven catches for 103 yards including a 12-yard TD grab from Stanton early in the fourth quarter.
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 scoring pass from Stanton in the first quarter.
Seventy-six percent of his career receptions (37 of 49) have come over the last nine games. Reed has 37 catches for 479 yards and seven scores during that stretch.
SAFETIES MAKE A SPLASH -
Michigan State's starting safeties - sophomore Otis Wiley and junior Nehemiah Warrick - have combined for 52 tackles, five tackles for losses and six pass break-ups in the first four games of the 2006 season.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Wiley leads the Spartans in tackles (27 total), pass break-ups (4: tied with Demond Williams) and production points (57). He ranks second on the team in tackles for losses (4 for 8 yards).
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 (25: 17 solos, 8 assists) and sixth in production points (34). He registered a team-high eight tackles against Pittsburgh, including seven solo hits. Warrick produced 12 stops and a pass break-up in his Spartan debut against Idaho while compiling 20 production points from his strong safety position.
FROSH PLACEKICKER OFF TO IMPRESSIVE START -
True freshman placekicker Brett Swenson leads the team in scoring with 34 points, converting 5-of-6 field-goal attempts and all 19 extra-point tries. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in field goals (fourth with 1.25 made per game) and scoring (tied for fifth at 8.5 points per game).
The 5-foot-8, 151-pound Swenson has made at least one field goal in each of the first four games, including a season-long 43-yarder at Pittsburgh.
He accounted for nine points in the 2006 season opener against Idaho, hitting 2-of-3 field-goal attempts and all three extra-point tries. Swenson's 35-yard field goal in the second quarter was longer than any of the five made by the Spartans last season. His 23-yard field goal with 30 seconds left iced the game as Michigan State extended its lead to 10 at 27-17.
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).
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.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 83rd season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 305-132-13 record (.692) since taking up residency in Spartan Stadium in 1923. With its 49-14 victory over No. 4 Wisconsin in the 2004 home finale, Michigan State recorded its 300th win in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 16 times since the stadium opened, including a perfect 6-0 mark in 1999. It marked Michigan State's first undefeated home record since 1966 (5-0-1) and its first unbeaten and untied home slate since 1965 (5-0-0).
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 85-22-1 (.792) 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 98-91-2 (.518).
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; 40 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
