Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Concludes Two-Game Homestand Against Eastern Michigan
9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2006
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DATE: Sept. 9, 2006
SITE: Spartan Stadium (75,005/natural grass), East Lansing, Mich.
KICKOFF: 3:36 p.m. EDT
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 72,000
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-Eastern Michigan game can be heard live on XM Satellite Radio (Channel 198). 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-Eastern Michigan game live on a regional basis, with Craig Coshun handling the play-by-play and Mike Tomczak providing color commentary.
FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about Saturday's MSU-Eastern Michigan matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks only the seventh meeting between Michigan State and Eastern Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series 6-0, including a 5-0 record in games played in East Lansing.
• Michigan State has compiled a 27-5 record (.844) against current members of the Mid-American Conference. The Spartans have won 12 straight and 19 out of the last 21 meetings vs. MAC teams, with the only losses coming to Central Michigan in the 1991 (20-3) and 1992 (24-20) season openers.
• The Spartans have outscored their last 10 MAC opponents, 402-118, for an average score of 40-12.
• Michigan State has compiled a 21-7 record (.750) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999, including four-straight wins (2005-06).
• MSU's starting safeties - Otis Wiley and Nehemiah Warrick - combined for 24 tackles (12 each) and four pass break-ups in the season opener against Idaho.
• MSU fifth-year senior Drew Stanton needs 58 passing yards against EMU to become just the sixth quarterback in school history to reach the 5,000-yard career milestone.
• Stanton has thrown for at least 200 yards and at least one touchdown pass in each of his last 13 starts. Both streaks represent Spartan career records.
• Stanton is listed among the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) active career leaders in completion percentage (third at .656) and passing efficiency rating (fifth at 145.6). Stanton also ranks among the Big Ten's career leaders in completion percentage (first) and passing efficiency rating (tied for third).
• Senior wide outs Jerramy Scott and Matt Trannon are set to crack MSU's all-time Top 10 in career receptions. Scott (110 for 1,423 yards) needs five more catches to tie Herb Haygood (1998-2001) for 10th place on the career chart, while Trannon (108 for 1,270) needs at least seven more grabs to break into the rankings.
• 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 Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) active punters.
2006 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS -
MICHIGAN STATE (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Sept. 2 IDAHO (ESPN Plus) W, 27-17 Sept. 9 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) 3:36 p.m. EDT 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
EASTERN MICHIGAN (0-1, 0-1 MAC)
Date Opponent Time/ResultAug. 31 at Ball State L, 20-38Sept. 9 at Michigan State 3:36 p.m. EDTSept. 16 at Northwestern 1 p.m. EDTSept. 23 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3:30 p.m. EDTSept. 30 at Louisiana-Lafayette 4 p.m. EDTOct. 14 at Bowling Green 4 p.m. EDTOct. 21 TOLEDO 4 p.m. EDTOct. 28 at Western Michigan 3:30 p.m. EDTNov. 4 OHIO 1 p.m. ESTNov. 11 NAVY (Ford Field) 1 p.m. ESTNov. 17 at Kent State 6 p.m. ESTNov. 24 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 11 a.m. EST
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's John L. Smith (Weber State 1971) is 19-18 (.514) in his fourth year with the Spartans and 129-78 (.623) 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-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.
Eastern Michigan's Jeff Genyk (Bowling Green 1982) is 8-15 (.348) in his third year with the Eagles. Genyk came to Eastern Michigan following 12 seasons at Northwestern (1992-2003) where he served as running backs coach, special teams coach and recruiting coordinator over the last five years. During his tenure at Northwestern, the Wildcats won three Big Ten titles (1995, 1996 and 2000) and made four bowl appearances (1995 Rose, 1996 Citrus, 2000 Alamo and 2003 Motor City). Genyk began his coaching career at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College in 1991 where he tutored the quarterbacks and wide receivers. He spent four years as a back-up quarterback at Bowling Green, earning a varsity letter in 1981.
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State Eastern MichiganBasic Offense Spread Spread Basic Defense 4-2-5 4-3 Offensive Starters Returning 6 6 Defensive Starters Returning 6 7 Specialists Returning 1 1
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Eastern MichiganOffensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 300 6-4, 287 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 209 6-0, 199 Defensive Line 6-3, 276 6-4, 257 Linebackers 6-1, 242 6-0, 223 Defensive Backs 6-0, 200 5-11, 192
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
Michigan State Defense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores
Eastern Michigan Offense: 3 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Eastern Michigan Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores, 1 freshman
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after one game):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (16 carries for 70 yards, 4.4 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Drew Stanton (16 of 25 for 225 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
Receiving - Kerry Reed (4 catches for 63 yards, 15.8 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Otis Wiley (12 tackles, 6 solos, 6 assists, 3 PBU) and Nehemiah Warrick (12 tackles, 6 solos, 6 assists, 1 PBU)
Eastern Michigan (after one game):
Rushing - Tyler Jones (22 carries for 164 yards, 7.5 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Tyler Jones (11 of 16 for 146 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
Receiving - Eric Deslauriers (10 catches for 127 yards, 12.7 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles - Jacob Wyatt (10 tackles, 5 solos, 5 assists)
MSU/EASTERN MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks only the seventh meeting between Michigan State and Eastern Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series 6-0, including a 5-0 record in games played in East Lansing. Michigan State and Eastern Michigan played three times between the 1898-99 seasons. Since the series resumed in 1996, the Spartans have won the last three meetings by a combined score of 154-14. The last meeting came in 2002 when Michigan State posted a 56-7 victory in Spartan Stadium. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 132 in the 2006 MSU Football Media Guide.)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State Eastern MichiganScoring 27.0 20.0 First Downs 19.0 22.0 Total Offense 400.0 435.0 Rushing Yards 175.0 226.0 Passing Yards 225.0 209.0 Time of Possession 27:38 30:21 Third Down Conversions .364 .333 Points Allowed 17.0 38.0 Total Offense Allowed 268.0 389.0 Rushing Yards Allowed 113.0 159.0 Passing Yards Allowed 155.0 230.0
THE LAST MEETING -
Aug. 31, 2002, in East Lansing, Mich.: Jeff Smoker threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns while Dawan Moss rushed for 136 yards and two scores as No. 18 Michigan State opened the 2002 season with a 56-7 victory over Eastern Michigan. The Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Smoker's 19-yard TD strike to Charles Rogers with 8:27 left in the first quarter. Michigan State's offense came alive in the second quarter, scoring TDs on three-straight possessions to build a 28-0 halftime advantage. Moss scored on a career-long 50-yard run down the far sidelines with 8:33 remaining in the second quarter. Smoker's 59-yard completion to Rogers set up his second TD pass, a 4-yard toss to Eric Knott with 5:45 to play in the first half. Smoker finished off a five-play, 76-yard drive with a 30-yard TD pass to Knott with 1:55 left before halftime. The Spartans broke the game open by scoring TDs on four of their first five drives in the second half. A 74-yard kickoff return by Jaren Hayes set up Moss' second TD run, a 5-yarder around right end with 14:17 remaining in the third quarter. Hayes capped a 13-play, 57-yard drive with a 1-yard TD plunge with 3:54 left in the third quarter. Back-up QB Damon Dowdell directed a six-play, 80-yard drive and his 24-yard TD toss to BJ Lovett early in the fourth quarter gave the Spartans a 49-0 lead. Ziehl Kavanaght's 24-yard punt return set up Michigan State's final score, a 38-yard TD romp by David Richard with 10:56 left in the game. Eastern Michigan put together a nine-play, 51-yard drive to avoid the shutout as Ime Akpan scored on a 1-yard dive with 6:02 to play. Michigan State's offense produced 31 first downs and 625 total yards, including 369 yards on the ground.
BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS -
Michigan State's dress list (84-man roster) for Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan features 35 players from the state of Michigan, including eight of the Spartans' 24 starters: wide receiver Matt Trannon (Flint/Northern), center Kyle Cook (Macomb/Dakota), tight end Kellen Davis (Adrian), quarterback Drew Stanton (Farmington Hills/Harrison), defensive tackle Clifton Ryan (Saginaw/Arthur Hill), linebacker Kaleb Thornhill (Lansing/Eastern), cornerback Greg Cooper (Flint/Northern) and free safety Otis Wiley (Flint/Carman-Ainsworth).
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. 9 game against Eastern Michigan:
Offense - OT Mike Schmeding (earns Scout Team Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career)
Defense - CB Jesse Johnson (earns Scout Team Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career)
MICHIGAN STATE vs. MAC TEAMS -
Michigan State has compiled a 27-5 record (.844) 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, 1-0 vs. Kent State, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 8-2 vs. Western Michigan). The Spartans have won 12 straight and 19 out of the last 21 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. 3, 2005 Kent State W, 49-14 Spartan StadiumSept. 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 Stadium* Joined Conference USA prior to the start of the 2005 season.
The Spartans have outscored their last 10 MAC opponents, 402-118, for an average score of 40-12.
SPARTANS TOUGH IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES -
Michigan State has compiled a 21-7 record (.750) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999, including four-straight wins (2005-06).
Here's a look at Michigan State's non-conference results since 1999:
Date Opponent MSU Result SiteSept. 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
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 175.0 7th 36thPassing Offense 225.0 5th 41stTotal Offense 400.0 6th 35thScoring Offense 27.0 t-9th t-53rdRushing Defense 113.0 7th 60thPassing Defense 155.0 5th 42ndTotal Defense 268.0 5th 37thScoring Defense 17.0 t-8th t-56thPassing Efficiency 152.8 3rd 32ndPass Efficiency Defense 101.0 5th 35thTurnover Margin +1.0 t-3rd t-16thNet Punting 48.7 1st 2ndPunt Returns 10.0 8th 31stKickoff Returns 21.5 t-3rd t-39th
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2006:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Drew Stanton (32nd with 152.8 rating)
Total Offense: Drew Stanton (18th at 280.0 yards per game)
Interceptions: David Herron Jr. (t-6th at 1.0 interceptions per game)
Kickoff Returns: Javon Ringer (t-32nd at 21.5 yards per return)
Field Goals: Brett Swenson (t-8th at 2.0 field goals made per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Javon Ringer (41st at 143.0 yards per game)
Tackles: Nehemiah Warrick and Otis Wiley (t-18th at 12.0 tackles per game)
Tackles for Loss: Clifton Ryan and Otis Wiley (t-30th at 2.0 tackles per game)
Sacks: Clifton Ryan and Otis Wiley (t-32nd at 1.0 sacks per game)
STANTON APPROACHES 5,000-YARD PASSING MILESTONE -
Fifth-year senior Drew Stanton needs 58 passing yards against Eastern Michigan to become just the sixth quarterback in school history to reach the 5,000-yard career milestone. Stanton needs just 96 passing yards to overtake Jim Miller (now in his first year as a color analyst on the Spartan Radio Network) for fifth place on MSU's career list.
In the 2006 season opener against Idaho, he completed 16-of-25 throws for 225 yards, extending his school-record streak of consecutive 200-yard passing games to 13. Stanton kept another streak alive against the Vandals, throwing a touchdown pass in his 13th straight game with his 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 19 career starts at quarterback, Michigan State is averaging 221.8 rushing yards, 269.1 passing yards, 490.8 total yards and 32.7 points per game.
Here's a complete breakdown of Michigan State's offensive production in Stanton's 19 career starts (9-10 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 2719-Game Totals 4,214 5,112 9,326 62219-Game Averages 221.8 269.1 490.8 32.7
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. In the 2006 season opener against Idaho, Reed had four receptions for 63 yards (15.8 avg.), including a 27-yard touchdown grab from Drew Stanton in the first quarter.
Nearly 66 percent of his career receptions (23 of 35) have come over the last six games. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Reed has 23 catches for 285 yards and four scores during that stretch.
SAFETIES MAKE A SPLASH IN SEASON OPENER -
Michigan State's starting safeties - sophomore Otis Wiley and junior Nehemiah Warrick - combined for 24 tackles and four pass break-ups in the season opener against Idaho.
In his first career start at free safety, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound Wiley recorded 12 tackles, including a 4-yard sack, and three pass break-ups against the Vandals. He also forced a fumble, accounting for four of his 36 production points.
The 6-1, 203-pound Warrick produced 12 stops and a pass break-up in his Spartan debut. He compiled 20 production points against Idaho.
RYAN NEARS 100-TACKLE MILESTONE -
Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan needs just three more stops to reach the 100-tackle career milestone. The 6-foot-2, 302-pound Ryan recorded five tackles, including a 5-yard sack, in the 2006 season opener against Idaho. He also was credited with five quarterback pressures.
Ryan, who ranks as Michigan State's most experienced defensive player with 24 career starts under his belt, has produced 97 career tackles (66 solos, 31 assists). His 15 career tackles for losses include 7.5 sacks.
FROSH PLACEKICKER HAS IMPRESSIVE DEBUT -
True freshman placekicker Brett Swenson 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).
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.
Michigan State has played 45 consecutive home games before crowds in excess of 72,000. 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 SalesRank Season Tickets Sold1. 2000 61,4792. 2006 61,227 3. 2001 61,198 4. 2005 60,692 5. 1999 60,109
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF -
Spartan Stadium is in its 83rd season as home to Michigan State football. Michigan State has compiled a 304-131-13 record (.693) 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 83-21-1 (.795) 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 96-90-2 (.516).
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; 37 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
