Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Faces Final Big Ten Road Hurdle At Purdue
11/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2007
2007 MSU Football Weekly Release vs. Purdue 
DATE: November 10, 2007
SITE: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500/natural grass), West Lafayette, Ind.
KICKOFF: 12 p.m. EST
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 Will Tieman, will broadcast the game to 38 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-Purdue game can be heard live on XM Satellite Radio (Channel 198). Television - The Big Ten Network will televise the Michigan State-Purdue game live, with Thom Brennaman handling the play-by-play, Charles Davis providing color commentary and Charissa Thompson serving as the sideline reporter.
FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about Saturday's MSU-Purdue matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks the 60th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue, and the all-time series is tied 28-28-3. Purdue leads the series 16-11-3 in games played in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers have won four in a row and seven of the last eight meetings, including four straight in Ross-Ade Stadium. The last four games in the series all have been decided by 10 points or less.
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spent the 1981 season at Purdue as a graduate assistant under Jim Young.
• Michigan State has lost five games this season by a combined total of 28 points, including two in overtime (Northwestern and Iowa). All five games have been decided by seven points or less.
• Michigan State ranks as one of two Big Ten teams and one of 10 teams in the NCAA to average 200 yards or more in both rushing offense and passing offense. The Spartans rank among the Big Ten leaders in rushing offense (No. 2 at 210.9 yards per game), total offense (No. 2 at 427.4 ypg.), scoring offense (No. 3 at 32.6 points per game) and passing offense (No. 6 at 216.5 ypg.).
• Through 10 games, Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 17 in the NCAA in rushing offense, averaging 210.9 yards per game. That's an improvement of 81.7 yards per game over last season when the Spartans finished ninth in the league in rushing, averaging just 129.2 ypg. Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick have combined to rush for 1,849 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2007. The Spartans are the only Big Ten team to feature two players ranked among the league's Top 10 rushers: No. 3 Ringer (121.2 ypg.) and No. 9 Caulcrick (63.7 ypg.).
• Javon Ringer ranks among the Big Ten (No. 3) and NCAA (No. 14) leaders in rushing, averaging 121.2 yards per game. Ringer leads the Spartans in rushing, with 1,212 yards (173 carries for 6.4 avg.) - the 10th-best single-season total in school history. He has recorded six 100-yard rushing games this season, including 128 yards on 15 carries (8.5 avg.) in last week's 28-24 loss to Michigan.
• Devin Thomas leads the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (202.3 yards per game) while ranking second in receiving yards (97.1 ypg.), fourth in kickoff returns (28.9 avg.) and fifth in receptions (5.8 rpg.). In addition, Thomas is listed among the NCAA leaders in all four of those categories: No. 4 in all-purpose yards, No. 11 in receiving yards, No. 18 in kickoff returns and No. 42 (tied) in receptions.
• Devin Thomas leads the team in receptions (58), receiving yards (971), touchdown receptions (5) and yards per catch (16.7). His 58 receptions represent the seventh-best single-season total in Spartan history (tied with Gari Scott, 1998). He needs 29 receiving yards against Purdue to become just the fourth 1,000-yard receiver in Spartan history, joining Courtney Hawkins (1989), Plaxico Burress (1998-99) and Charles Rogers (2001-02).
• Jehuu Caulcrick leads the Big Ten and ranks third (tied) in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game. His 18 rushing TDs represent the second-best single-season total in school history (tied with Eric Allen, 1971), one behind record-holder Blake Ezor who scored 19 times in 1989. His 108 points rank as the fourth-best single-season total in school history (tied with Sedrick Irvin, 1996).
• Jonal Saint-Dic ranks third (tied) in the Big Ten and eighth (tied) in the NCAA in sacks (10 for 75 yards), averaging 1.0 per game. His 10 sacks rank sixth (tied with Greg Taplin, 2003; Julian Peterson, 1998; and Kelly Quinn, 1983) on Michigan State's single-season chart. Saint-Dic also ranks among the conference (tied for fourth) and national (tied for No. 18) leaders in tackles for loss (14 for 84 yards), averaging 1.4 per game. In addition, he leads the NCAA in forced fumbles (8).
THE COACHES -
Michigan State's Mark Dantonio (South Carolina 1979) is 5-5 (.500) in his first year with the Spartans and 23-22 (.511) in four seasons as a college head coach. Dantonio compiled an 18-17 record (.514) in three seasons at Cincinnati, including two postseason bowl appearances. Prior to accepting his first head coaching position at Cincinnati, he spent three years as defensive coordinator under Jim Tressel at Ohio State (2001-03) where he helped the Buckeyes to a combined record of 32-6 (.842), including the 2002 National Championship. Dantonio previously spent six seasons as secondary coach at Michigan State (1995-2000), including five years under Nick Saban and one under Bobby Williams. His college full-time coaching credits also include stops at Kansas (1991-94), Youngstown State (1986-90) and Akron (1985).
Purdue's Joe Tiller (Montana State 1965) is 82-52 (.612) in his 11th year with the Boilermakers and 121-82-1 (.596) in 17 seasons as a college head coach. Tiller has guided Purdue to nine bowl appearances in his first 10 seasons, including eight-straight trips from 1997-2004. He compiled a 39-30-1 record (.564) in six seasons at Wyoming (1991-96), including a 10-2 worksheet in 1996. His college coaching credits also include stops as an assistant at Washington State (1971-73 and 1989-90), Wyoming (1987-88), Purdue (1983-86) and Montana State (1964-70).
TEAM COMPARISONS -
Michigan State PurdueBasic Offense Multiple One-Back Basic Defense Multiple 4-3 4-3 Offensive Starters Returning 6 9 Defensive Starters Returning 6 9 Specialists Returning 1 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) -
Michigan State PurdueOffensive Line & Tight End 6-6, 302 6-5, 299 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 211 6-2, 204 Defensive Line 6-3, 268 6-4, 269 Linebackers 6-1, 227 6-2, 240 Defensive Backs 5-11, 192 5-11, 190
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) -
Michigan State Offense: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 2 freshmen
Purdue Offense: 7 seniors, 4 juniors
Purdue Defense: 7 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after 10 games):
Rushing - Javon Ringer (188 carries for 1,212 yards, 6.4 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing - Brian Hoyer (171 of 288 for 2,071 yards, 12 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving - Devin Thomas (58 catches for 971 yards, 16.7 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles - Kendell Davis-Clark (64 tackles, 38 solos, 26 assists, 5.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 6 PBUs) and Greg Jones (64 tackles, 30 solos, 34 assists, 7 TFL, 3.5 sacks)
Purdue (after 10 games):
Rushing - Kory Sheets (138 carries for 706 yards, 5.1 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing - Curtis Painter (264 of 425 for 2,675 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Dorien Bryant (69 catches for 791 yards, 11.5 avg., 8 TDs)
Tackles - Terrell Vinson (64 tackles, 47 solos, 17 assists, 4.5 TFL, 5 INTs, 11 PBUs)
STAT COMPARISON -
Michigan State PurdueScoring 32.6 34.0 First Downs 20.5 24.2 Total Offense 427.4 420.4 Rushing Yards 210.9 138.2 Passing Yards 216.5 282.2 Time of Possession 31:23 30:52 Third Down Conversions .410 .416 Points Allowed 26.0 22.2 Total Offense Allowed 334.4 377.3 Rushing Yards Allowed 126.9 142.4 Passing Yards Allowed 207.5 234.9
MSU/PURDUE SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 60th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue, and the all-time series is tied 28-28-3. Purdue leads the series 16-11-3 in games played in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers have won four in a row and seven of the last eight meetings, including four straight in Ross-Ade Stadium. The last four games in the series all have been decided by 10 points or less. Michigan State's last win in the series came on Nov. 11, 2000, 30-10, in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans' last win in West Lafayette came on Nov. 13, 1993, 27-24. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 148 in the 2007 MSU Football Media Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Nov. 4, 2006, in East Lansing, Mich.: Curtis Painter threw two touchdown passes and Casey Welch kicked an 18-yard field goal with 4:49 left to lead Purdue to a 17-15 victory over Michigan State. Painter was 21-of-30 passing for 286 yards and connected for two TD passes to Dorien Bryant, who had seven receptions for 96 yards for Purdue. Drew Stanton was 16-of-29 for 161 yards, including a 21-yard TD pass to T.J. Williams with just over 14 minutes left to give the Spartans their first lead, 15-14. But Stanton was intercepted by Justin Scott with 6:29 remaining. The Boilermakers capped a five-play, 36-yard drive with Welch's field goal. Purdue scored on the first series of the game, a five-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Painter to Bryant. They connected again for an apparent 3-yard scoring pass with around 9 minutes left in the second quarter and Purdue leading 7-3. The play was called back, however, because of an offensive pass interference penalty that left Purdue facing a third-and-17 from the Michigan State 18. On the next play, Clifton Ryan sacked Painter for a 15-yard loss. Chris Summers attempted a 50-yard field goal, but was wide left. Painter's 7-yard TD pass to Bryant with 40 seconds remaining in the first half gave the Boilermakers a 14-6 halftime lead. Brett Swenson kicked field goals of 22 and 46 yards to account for the Spartans' first-half scoring. Swenson's 40-yard field goal with just over 11 minutes left in the third quarter pulled Michigan State to within 14-9. But the Spartans failed to capitalize after Ryan Allison recovered Brandon Fields' ensuing onside kick at the Purdue 48.
THE LAST MEETING IN ROSS-ADE STADIUM -
Nov. 5, 2005, in West Lafayette, Ind.: Jerod Void rushed for a season-high 134 yards and three touchdowns to lead Purdue to a 28-21 victory over Michigan State in Ross-Ade Stadium as the Boilermakers snapped a six-game losing streak. Michigan State took the opening kickoff and drove 68 yards in four plays and took a 7-0 lead on Drew Stanton's 16-yard TD toss to Jason Teague. Purdue responded with a nine-play, 43-yard drive but failed to put points on the scoreboard as Ben Jones missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt wide right. The Boilermakers pulled even at 7 on Void's 64-yard TD run with 8:13 remaining in the first quarter. Michigan State answered on its next series as Stanton capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak as the Spartans moved out to a 14-7 lead with 5:32 left in the first quarter. Terry Love's 49-yard punt return to the Purdue 34 late in the first quarter set up another scoring chance for the Spartans; however, Matt Haughey pushed a 26-yard field-goal try wide right. Midway through the second quarter, Purdue tied the score at 14 on Curtis Painter's 39-yard TD strike to Dorien Bryant. Late in the first half, the Boilermakers put together a 13-play, 71-yard drive, but on second-and-goal from the MSU 8, SirDarean Adams sacked Painter and forced a fumble that David Herron Jr. scooped up and returned 19 yards before losing the handle. Teammate Eric Smith recovered the loose ball and returned it the final 65 yards for a TD with 11 seconds left, giving the Spartans a 21-14 halftime advantage. Purdue took the second-half kickoff and drove 76 yards in 14 plays, with Void scoring on a 2-yard run as the Boilermakers rallied to tie the game at 21. The Spartans appeared headed for a go-ahead score, marching 55 yards to the Purdue 25, but MSU turned the ball over on downs as Stanton's fourth-down pass to Jerramy Scott was broken up in the end zone by Brian Hickman. On its next possession, Void finished off a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a 6-yard TD run as Purdue took its first lead at 28-21 with 13:45 left in the game. In the final minute, Stanton completed three-straight passes for 47 yards as Michigan State drove the ball to the Boilermaker 34, but two plays later, Bernard Pollard iced the game with a sliding interception at the Purdue 10 with 5 seconds to play. Purdue outgained Michigan State in total yards, 447-351, marking the Spartans' lowest offensive output of the 2005 season. Painter completed 20-of-32 for a season-high 226 yards.
MSU/PURDUE COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spent the 1981 season at Purdue as a graduate assistant under Jim Young.
• Michigan State offensive line coach Dan Roushar and Purdue assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Mark Hagen worked together at Northern Illinois (1998-99). Roushar served as the Huskies' offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, while Hagen coached the defensive tackles.
• Purdue co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ed Zaunbrecher spent three years as an assistant coach under George Perles at Michigan State, working with the quarterbacks (1991) and inside linebackers (1992-93).
• Michigan State assistant athletics director/director of football operations Mike Vollmar and Purdue defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo spent the 1991 season together at Syracuse. Vollmar worked as recruiting and personnel coordinator while Anarumo served as a graduate assistant under Paul Pasqualoni.
SPARTANS FROM THE HOOSIER STATE -
Michigan State's 70-man travel roster features two players from Indiana: fifth-year senior center John Masters (Carmel) and fifth-year senior offensive guard Kenny Shane (Indianapolis/North Central).
UNDERWOOD NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN -
Former Michigan State athletics director (1999-2002) and former Big Ten Conference deputy commissioner (1983-90) Clarence Underwood has been selected as an honorary captain for Saturday's game at Purdue.
SPARTANS FEATURE BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK -
Michigan State ranks as one of two Big Ten teams and one of 10 teams in the NCAA to average 200 yards or more in both rushing offense and passing offense. The Spartans rank among the Big Ten leaders in rushing offense (No. 2 at 210.9 yards per game), total offense (No. 2 at 427.4 ypg.), scoring offense (No. 3 at 32.6 points per game) and passing offense (No. 6 at 216.5 ypg.).
TAKE A RIDE ON THE SPARTAN EXPRESS -
Through 10 games, Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 17 in the NCAA in rushing offense, averaging 210.9 yards per game. That's an improvement of 81.7 yards per game over last season when the Spartans finished ninth in the league in rushing, averaging just 129.2 ypg.
In its 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana, Michigan State rushed for a season-high 368 yards - the 18th-best single-game rushing total in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision thus far this season.
Junior Javon Ringer and fifth-year senior Jehuu Caulcrick have combined to rush for 1,849 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2007. The Spartans are the only Big Ten team to feature two players ranked among the league's Top 10 rushers: No. 3 Ringer (121.2 ypg.) and No. 9 Caulcrick (63.7 ypg.).
RINGER/CAULCRICK RANK AMONG NATION'S TOP RUSHING TANDEMS -
Michigan State's backfield features two career 2,000-yard rushers, in Javon Ringer (2,526 yards) and Jehuu Caulcrick (2,160). There are only three other teams in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision that have two active 2,000-yard career rushers: Arkansas' Darren McFadden (4,074) and Felix Jones (2,823); West Virginia's Steve Slaton (3,757) and Patrick White (2,974); and Boston College's Andre Callender (2,656) and L.V. Whitworth (2,525).
NCAA Most Productive Rushing Tandems - Active Career 2,000-Yard Rushers
Combined CombinedRank Team Rushing Yards Rushing TDs1. Arkansas (McFadden/Jones) 6,897 572. West Virginia (Slaton/White) 6,731 823. Boston College (Callender/Whitworth) 5,181 334. Michigan State (Ringer/Caulcrick) 4,686 48
 Javon Ringer has recorded six 100-yard rushing games this season, including 128 yards on 15 carries against Michigan.  | |
RINGER PACES EXPLOSIVE GROUND GAME -
Junior Javon Ringer, who ranks among the Big Ten leaders in rushing (No. 3 at 121.2 yards per game) and all-purpose yards (No. 5 at 148.1 ypg.), has been named Midseason All-American (third team) by Phil Steele. He also is listed among the NCAA leaders in both statistical categories: No. 14 in rushing and No. 30 in all-purpose yards.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Ringer leads the Spartans in rushing, with 1,212 yards (173 carries for 6.4 avg.) - the 10th-best single-season total in school history.
In Big Ten games, Ringer ranks second in the league in rushing, averaging 135.5 yards per game. He is averaging an impressive 7.6 yards per carry (107 rushes for 813 yards) in Big Ten games.
Ringer also ranks second on the team in receptions (31 for 269 yards) and all-purpose yards (1,481). Fifteen of his 201 touches have resulted in gains of 20 yards or more (11 rushes and four receptions). He has caught at least one pass in each of the first 10 games in 2007.
Ringer recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and 11th of his career, gaining 128 yards on 15 carries (8.5 avg.) against No. 15 Michigan. His 72-yard run on the final play of the third quarter set up Brian Hoyer's 5-yard TD toss to Kellen Davis that gave MSU a 17-14 lead with 14:55 left in the game.
With 103 yards on 23 carries at Iowa, Ringer became Michigan State's first 1,000-yard rusher since T.J. Duckett (1,420 yards) in 2001. His 18-yard scamper on the first overtime series set up Jehuu Caulcrick's 3-yard TD run.
For the first time in his career, Ringer was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (shared honor with Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher) after rushing for a career-best 203 yards and two scores in MSU's 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana. It marked his fourth straight 100-yard rushing games - the longest streak by a Spartan running back since Blake Ezor hit the century mark in five consecutive games in 1989. His 29 carries also marked a career high. Ringer scored on runs of 3 and 64 yards in the first half as the Spartans built a 24-13 halftime lead. He gained 160 yards on 17 attempts in the first half - third most in a first half in MSU history.
With his 185-yard rushing effort (12 attempts) against Northwestern, Ringer became just the 13th player in Spartan history to eclipse the 2,000-yard career milestone. He tied his career high with three rushing touchdowns against the Wildcats, scoring on runs of 4, 47 and 80 yards. His career-long 80-yard run ranks as the 10th-longest rushing play in school history (tied with Clinton Jones, 1965 vs. Ohio State). Ringer accounted for a career-best 239 all-purpose yards against Northwestern, including a team-high six receptions for 54 yards.
He rushed 10 times for 145 yards at ninth-ranked Wisconsin. His 53-yard run midway through the first quarter set up Caulcrick's 2-yard touchdown plunge and his 70-yard gallop on the opening drive of the second half led to a 19-yard field goal by Brett Swenson. Ringer accounted for 233 all-purpose yards against the Badgers, setting career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (88).
Ringer gained 144 yards on 26 attempts at Notre Dame, as the Spartans recorded their sixth straight win over the Fighting Irish in South Bend.
The Dayton, Ohio, native ranks ninth on MSU's all-time rushing list with 2,526 career yards (396 carries). Ringer is attempting to become the first running back to lead the Spartans in rushing for three-straight seasons since Sedrick Irvin (1996-98). He led the team in rushing as a true freshman in 2005 (817 yards) and as a sophomore in 2006 (497). Ringer ranks among the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision active career leaders in yards per carry (No. 4 at 6.38) and rushing yards (No. 20 at 87.1 ypg.).
THOMAS SHOWCASES HIS ALL-PURPOSE SKILLS -
Junior flanker Devin Thomas leads the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (202.3 yards per game) while ranking second in receiving yards (97.1 ypg.), fourth in kickoff returns (28.9 avg.) and fifth in receptions (5.8 rpg.). In addition, Thomas is listed among the NCAA leaders in all four of those categories: No. 4 in all-purpose yards, No. 11 in receiving yards, No. 18 in kickoff returns and No. 42 (tied) in receptions.
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Thomas leads the team in receptions (58), receiving yards (971), touchdown receptions (5) and yards per catch (16.7). His 58 receptions represent the seventh-best single-season total in Spartan history (tied with Gari Scott, 1998). He needs 29 receiving yards against Purdue to become just the fourth 1,000-yard receiver in Spartan history, joining Courtney Hawkins (1989), Plaxico Burress (1998-99) and Charles Rogers (2001-02).
Thirty-eight of his 58 receptions (66 percent) have resulted in either a TD or a first down, including 14 gains of 20 yards or more.
As a kick returner, Thomas has been named Midseason All-American (third team) by Phil Steele. His 868 kickoff return yards already rank as the fourth-best single-season total in MSU history. His 28.9-yard kickoff return average ranks as the third-best figure among the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision active career leaders.
Thomas had a team-high seven receptions for 65 yards against No. 15 Michigan.
He recorded his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season, with nine catches for 139 yards in a 34-27 double-overtime loss at Iowa. His 40-yard reception from Brian Hoyer on a third-and-16 play in the final minute of regulation set up Brett Swenson's 29-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime tied at 20. Thomas accounted for 230 all-purpose yards against the Hawkeyes (2 rushes for 6 yards and 3 kickoff returns for 85 yards). It marked the fifth time this season that Thomas has amassed more than 200 all-purpose yards.
Against top-ranked Ohio State, Thomas caught four passes for 77 yards, including a 40-yard reception from Hoyer late in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal.
Thomas had a career-best 13 receptions for 148 yards and a TD in MSU's 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana. His 13 receptions tied the second-best single-game total in Spartan history (Plaxico Burress, 13 vs. Florida in 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl). Thomas scored on a 34-yard grab from Hoyer early in the third quarter as MSU extended its lead to 31-13. He returned three kickoffs for 92 yards (30.7 avg.), including a 42-yard runback in the first quarter that set up Javon Ringer's first TD run. Thomas produced 254 all-purpose yards against the Hoosiers.
Thomas accounted for a career-best 266 all-purpose yards in MSU's 48-41 overtime loss to Northwestern. He returned three kickoffs for 143 yards - the ninth-best single-game total in MSU history. His career-long 70-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter set up a Spartan TD that tied the score at 41. Thomas also had five catches for 61 yards and six rushes for 52 yards.
He caught four passes for 111 yards at ninth-ranked Wisconsin. Midway through the second quarter, Thomas turned a screen pass from Hoyer into an 80-yard scoring play as the Spartans tied the game at 21. He accounted for 230 all-purpose yards against the Badgers, rushing five times for 61 yards and returning three kickoffs for 58 yards.
Thomas accounted for 153 all-purpose yards in Michigan State's 31-14 victory at Notre Dame. He had a game-high four catches for 55 yards, including a 7-yard TD grab from Hoyer that tied the score at 7 midway through the first quarter. His 25-yard reception on a third-and-7 play kept the Spartans' first scoring drive alive. Thomas returned the second-half kickoff 52 yards to the Notre Dame 45 to help set up MSU's third touchdown.
Thomas had four receptions for a career-best 156 yards and a touchdown in MSU's 28-17 victory over Bowling Green. It marked his second-straight 100-yard receiving game. His 76-yard reception from Hoyer in the first quarter set up MSU's first touchdown. His 42-yard catch in the third quarter set up Jehuu Caulcrick's 5-yard TD run, which gave MSU the lead for good at 21-14. Thomas scored on a 17-yard TD grab from Hoyer early in the four quarter. Thomas accounted for 261 all-purpose yards against Bowling Green. In addition to his 156 receiving yards, he returned three kickoffs for 100 yards, including a 39-yard runback, and rushed twice for 5 yards.
Thomas posted the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against UAB, with a career-best five catches for 106 yards including a 44-yard touchdown grab from Hoyer early in the second quarter. Four of his five receptions resulted in either a first down or a TD against the Blazers.
The Ann Arbor, Mich., native appeared in the first 10 games of the 2006 season and finished with just six receptions for 90 yards and one score.
CAULCRICK BULLS HIS WAY INTO THE MSU RECORD BOOK -
Fifth-year senior Jehuu Caulcrick leads the Big Ten and ranks third (tied) in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game. The 6-foot, 255-pound Caulcrick also ranks ninth in the league in rushing, averaging 63.7 yards per game. He leads the Spartans with 18 rushing touchdowns and ranks second in rushing with 637 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
His 18 rushing TDs represent the second-best single-season total in school history (tied with Eric Allen, 1971), one behind record-holder Blake Ezor who scored 19 times in 1989. Caulcrick has scored at least one rushing TD in eight of the first 10 games. His 108 points rank as the fourth-best single-season total in school history (tied with Sedrick Irvin, 1996).
Forty-six of his 161 carries (29 percent) this season have resulted in either a touchdown or a first down.
With two TD runs against No. 15 Michigan, Caulcrick moved into second place on MSU's all-time list with 36 career rushing TDs, trailing only two-time All-American Lorenzo White who scored 43 TDs from 1984-87. It marked the ninth multiple-TD game of his career. He rushed 22 times for 84 yards against the Wolverines, scoring on a pair of 1-yard runs in the second half.
Caulcrick produced three rushing TDs at Iowa, scoring on a pair of 1-yard runs in the first half and a 3-yard run in the first overtime against the Hawkeyes.
With 94 yards on a career-high 23 carries against Indiana, Caulcrick became just the 14th player in Spartan history to surpass the 2,000-yard career milestone. He also scored three times against the Hoosiers (on runs of 1, 2 and 3 yards).
Caulcrick gained 73 yards on 17 carries at No. 9 Wisconsin, scoring on a pair of 2-yard runs in the second quarter. He rushed 20 times for 83 yards in MSU's 31-14 victory at Notre Dame and gained 71 yards on 21 carries against Pittsburgh, including a 2-yard TD run early in the second quarter.
Caulcrick shared Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors (with Wisconsin's quarterback Tyler Donovan) after rushing 10 times for 93 yards and four touchdowns - all in the first half - to lead MSU to a 55-18 season-opening victory over UAB. His four rushing TDs represent a career high and equal the school record for rushing TDs in a half (Blake Ezor vs. Northwestern, 1989). Caulcrick's four rushing TDs also marked the second-best single-game total in Spartan history (Ezor scored six rushing TDs vs. Northwestern, 1989).
Against UAB, seven of his 10 carries resulted in either a TD or a first down. Caulcrick finished off MSU's first three possessions, scoring on runs of 1, 5 and 42 yards. The 42-yarder marked the longest scoring run of his career. He added another 5-yard TD run early in the second quarter as the Spartans jumped out to a 35-0 lead.
The Findley Lake, N.Y., native has rushed for 2,160 career yards and ranks among the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA I-A) active career leaders in rushing TDs (No. 8).
HOYER OFF TO AN IMPRESSIVE START -
Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing efficiency (fifth with his 130.1 rating), passing yards (sixth at 207.1 ypg.) and total offense (seventh at 197.9 ypg.). Hoyer has completed 171-of-288 throws (.594) for 2,071 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
His 171 completions (eighth), 288 pass attempts (ninth) and 2,071 passing yards (10th) all rank among the top single-season totals in Spartan history.
Twenty-seven of his completions have resulted in gains of 20 yards or more.
With 161 passing yards (19-of-35) against No. 15 Michigan, Hoyer became the 10th Spartan quarterback to eclipse the 2,000-yard milestone in a season, joining Ed Smith (1978), Dave Yarema (1986), Dan Enos (1989), Jim Miller (1993), Tony Banks (1994-95), Todd Schultz (1997), Bill Burke (1998-99), Jeff Smoker (2001, 2003) and Drew Stanton (2005). His 5-yard TD toss to tight end Kellen Davis on the opening play of the fourth quarter gave the Spartans a 17-14 lead over the Wolverines.
Hoyer recorded his third career 300-yard passing game and his second of the season, completing 25-of-42 throws for 308 yards at Iowa. His 25 completions and 42 attempts represent season highs. Hoyer's 40-yard bomb to Devin Thomas on a third-and-16 play in the final minute of regulation set up Brett Swenson's 29-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime tied at 20.
He completed 20-of-23 passes (.870) for 190 yards in MSU's 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana, including a 34-yard TD strike to Thomas early in the third quarter.
Hoyer connected on 17-of-31 passes for 194 yards against Northwestern, including a 19-yard TD toss to tight end Eric Andino that tied the game at 41 in the fourth quarter.
He completed 22-of-36 throws for 323 yards and two TDs in MSU's 37-34 loss at ninth-ranked Wisconsin. His career-long 80-yard TD strike to Thomas tied the score at 21 midway through the second quarter. Hoyer's 3-yard TD toss to Mark Dell on a third-and-goal play early in the third quarter pulled the Spartans within three at 34-31.
Hoyer completed 11-of-24 passes for 135 yards and a career-best four TDs to lead Michigan State to a 31-14 victory over Notre Dame, as the Spartans became the first team to win six-straight games in Notre Dame Stadium. He threw TD passes of 7 yards to Thomas, 3 and 30 yards to Davis and 16 yards to Dell. Hoyer became the first Spartan QB to throw four TD passes in a game since Drew Stanton had five scoring tosses at Illinois in 2005.
He hit 17-of-29 passes for 250 yards in MSU's 28-17 victory over Bowling Green, including TD tosses of 7 yards to Davis in the second quarter and 17 yards to Thomas in the fourth quarter. His 76-yard bomb to Thomas set up Javon Ringer's 4-yard TD run late in the first quarter.
The North Olmsted, Ohio, native connected on 14-of-17 throws (.824) for 201 yards in MSU's 55-18 victory over UAB in the 2007 season opener, including a 44-yard touchdown strike to Thomas in the second quarter.
The Spartans scored touchdowns on their first six possessions against UAB, with five of those scoring drives directed by Hoyer. He completed his first 10 pass attempts for 172 yards against the Blazers.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Hoyer already ranks among MSU's career leaders in completion percentage (No. 8 at .589).
SAINT-DIC NAMED MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN -
Fifth-year senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic ranks third (tied) in the Big Ten and eighth (tied) in the NCAA in sacks (10 for 75 yards), averaging 1.0 per game. His 10 sacks rank sixth (tied with Greg Taplin, 2003; Julian Peterson, 1998; and Kelly Quinn, 1983) on Michigan State's single-season chart.
Saint-Dic also ranks among the conference (tied for fourth) and national (tied for No. 18) leaders in tackles for loss (14 for 84 yards), averaging 1.4 per game. In addition, he leads the NCAA in forced fumbles (8), averaging 0.8 per game.
Saint-Dic, a Midseason All-America selection by CollegeFootballNews.com (first team), SI.com (second team) and Phil Steele (fourth team), has been named to the midseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award.
Through 10 games, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound Saint-Dic leads the Spartan defense in production points with 177. Fourteen of his 42 total tackles have resulted in losses.
He made six tackles against No. 15 Michigan, with two resulting in losses (7 yards) including a 3-yard sack.
Saint-Dic set the Big Ten single-season record with his eighth forced fumble against top-ranked Ohio State, breaking the mark previously held by Penn State's Michael Haynes (7 in 13 games in 2002). The fumble came on a 7-yard sack in the third quarter that SirDarean Adams picked up and returned 25 yards for a score as the Spartans pulled within 24-14. His eight forced fumbles rank as the second-best single-season total in NCAA Bowl Subdivision history, trailing only Louisville's Elvis Dumervil (10 caused fumbles in 2005).
In MSU's 52-27 victory over Indiana, Saint-Dic forced a fumble while recording a 9-yard sack in the third quarter that Ervin Baldwin scooped up and returned 12 yards for a touchdown.
He recorded a career-best 10 tackles (3 solos, 7 assists), including one for a 2-yard loss, in Michigan State's 48-41 overtime loss to Northwestern.
He recorded at least one sack in four consecutive games (vs. Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Wisconsin), tying the school record held by Courtney Ledyard (1996 vs. Louisville, Eastern Michigan, Iowa and Illinois) and Julian Peterson (1999 vs. Ohio State, Northwestern, Penn State and Florida).
Late in the first quarter while recording an 11-yard sack against Wisconsin's Tyler Donovan, Saint-Dic forced his sixth fumble of the season, breaking MSU's single-season record of five previously held by Rob Fredrickson (1993) and Broderick Nelson (2001). He was credited with four tackles and three quarterback hits against the ninth-ranked Badgers.
He compiled a career-best 35 production points in Michigan State's 31-14 victory at Notre Dame, registering four tackles including two for losses (18 yards). Early in the second quarter, Saint-Dic sacked Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen for a 17-yard loss while stripping the ball from him and recovering the fumble at the Irish 14. Four plays later, Brett Swenson converted a 27-yard field goal as the Spartans built a 17-7 lead. MSU's defense held Notre Dame scoreless in the second half while limiting the Irish to three first downs and 79 total yards.
Saint-Dic shared Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors (with Ohio State's linebacker James Laurinaitis) after recording five tackles, including three for losses (13 yards), and forcing two fumbles in MSU's 17-13 victory over Pittsburgh. Two of Saint-Dic's three tackles for losses resulted in sacks (11 yards). He accumulated 34 production points against the Panthers. It marked the second-straight week that Saint-Dic recorded at least two sacks and forced two fumbles. With MSU leading 14-13 with 4:04 to play, Saint-Dic stripped the ball from Pitt's T.J. Porter on a reverse that Ogemdi Nwagbuo recovered at the Panther 22. Five plays later, Swenson connected on a 23-yard field-goal attempt to extend MSU's lead to 17-13 with 2:54 remaining. MSU's defense forced three turnovers, resulting in all 17 points, and held Pitt to 0-for-12 on third downs.
Despite being a last-minute scratch from MSU's starting lineup against Bowling Green, Saint-Dic enjoyed one of his most productive games in a Spartan uniform, recording four solo tackles including a career-best three sacks (17 yards). His three sacks tied the sixth-best single-game total in Spartan history. Overall, MSU produced seven sacks against the Falcons - its highest single-game total since registering eight sacks against Northwestern in 1999. Saint-Dic tallied 32 production points against the Falcons, forcing two fumbles and registering three quarterback hits. In the second half, the Spartan defense limited Bowling Green to just six first downs, 98 total yards and three points.
Born in Haiti, Saint-Dic impressed his teammates with his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks in practice, earning himself the nickname "sackmaster." He has recorded 13 career sacks (116 yards) and his 10 career forced fumbles rank as the seventh-best total in NCAA Bowl Subdivision history.
BALDWIN ENJOYS BANNER SENIOR SEASON -
Michigan State's senior bookends (defensive ends) Jonal Saint-Dic and Ervin Baldwin have combined for 28 tackles for loss (141 yards), including 15.5 sacks (118).
Baldwin ranks fourth (tied) in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (1.4 per game) and 10th in sacks (0.55 pg.). His 14 tackles for loss (57 yards) ties Saint-Dic for the team lead. He ranks second on the Spartan defense in production points (175) and sacks (5.5 for 43 yards). Baldwin registered at least one tackle for loss in six straight games (Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Indiana).
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Baldwin registered five stops against No. 15 Michigan, tying his career best with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Baldwin recorded a career-high six tackles against Indiana, including a career-best two sacks (12 yards). He also returned a fumble - forced by Saint-Dic - 12 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Baldwin compiled 32 production points against the Hoosiers, including two quarterback hurries and two QB hits.
He matched his career-best with six tackles at No. 9 Wisconsin, with two resulting in losses (12 yards) including a 9-yard sack. Baldwin produced five stops each against Bowling Green (including career-best 2.5 tackles for loss), Notre Dame and Iowa.
 Greg Jones ranks first among Big Ten freshmen in tackles with 64. | |
FROSH LINEBACKER MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN -
Linebacker Greg Jones, who is tied with cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark for the team lead in tackles, ranks first among Big Ten freshmen with 64 stops (30 solos, 34 assists). The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Jones ranks fourth on the team in tackles for loss (7 for 22) and sacks (3.5 for 15 yards).
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has appeared in all 10 games, including five straight starts at SAM linebacker. As a starter, Jones is averaging 8.2 tackles per game.
Jones recorded double-figure tackles in back-to-back games against top-ranked Ohio State (season-high 14 stops) and Iowa (11). He also compiled a season-best 33 production points against the Buckeyes, including 1.5 tackles for loss (7 yards) and two hits on the quarterback.
He made eight stops (3-5) against Northwestern in his first career start, including 1.5 for losses (2). Jones produced five tackles (2-3) against Pittsburgh, including two behind the line of scrimmage (6 yards). He posted six tackles, including five solo hits, against Bowling Green. In his collegiate debut against UAB, Jones registered seven stops (5-2), including a 6-yard sack.
Jones ranks second on the Spartan special teams in tackles with 10 - all coming on kickoff coverage.
SWENSON FEATURED ON LOU GROZA AWARD WATCH LIST -
Michigan State sophomore Brett Swenson is listed among 30 preseason candidates for the 2007 Lou Groza Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate placekicker by the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sports Commission.
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Swenson ranks second on the team in scoring with 74 points, hitting 11-of-17 field-goal attempts and 41-of-42 PATS.
He connected on 2-of-3 field-goal attempts at Iowa, including a 46-yarder in the second quarter that matched his career long. His 29-yard field goal with four seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime tied at 20.
His 43-yard field goal with 3:42 left in the game pulled the Spartans to within a touchdown (17-24) at top-ranked Ohio State.
Swenson made 2-of-3 field-goal attempts at No. 9 Wisconsin, connecting from 19 and 35 yards and his game-tying 53-yard attempt with 3:23 remaining in the game had the distance but sailed wide left.
His 23-yard field goal with 2:54 left in the game against Pittsburgh gave MSU a four-point cushion, 17-13.
Swenson accounted for a career-best 13 points in the season opener against UAB, hitting 2-of-2 field-goal attempts and all seven extra-point tries. On the final play of the first half, he converted a 45-yard field-goal attempt as the Spartans built a 45-3 halftime lead. Swenson capped off a 14-play, 60-yard drive with a 38-yard field goal late in the third quarter as MSU extended its lead to 48-5.
The award is named in honor of former National Football League great Lou Groza, who earned the nickname "The Toe." Groza, who scored 1,608 points in 21 years with the Cleveland Browns (1946-59, 1961-67), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. The former Ohio State Buckeye made nine Pro Bowl appearances as a standout offensive tackle and placekicker.
A national panel of 300-plus voters, including college head coaches, sports writers, sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous Lou Groza Award finalists, selects the recipient.
The selection committee will identify 20 semifinalists on Nov. 6, while three finalists will be named on Nov. 20. The winner will be announced during the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6 in Orlando, Fla.
Swenson ranks among the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision active career leaders in field goals attempted (No. 12 at 1.6 pg.), field goals made (No. 15 at 1.2 pg.) and scoring (No. 20 at 6.9 points per game).
BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2007:
Rushing Offense 210.9 2nd 17th Passing Offense 216.5 6th 68th Total Offense 427.4 2nd 32nd Scoring Offense 32.6 3rd 31st Rushing Defense 126.9 5th 39th Passing Defense 207.5 4th 35th Total Defense 334.4 4th 31st Scoring Defense 26.0 8th 56th Passing Efficiency 129.5 5th 45th Pass Efficiency Defense 133.1 9th 82nd Turnover Margin +0.5 4th 36th Net Punting 32.9 10th 93rd Punt Returns 5.2 11th 109th Kickoff Returns 27.3 2nd 5th Sacks 3.4 4th 8th Tackles for Loss 8.3 2nd 8th
Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2007:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Rushing: Javon Ringer (14th at 121.2 rushing yards per game)
Receptions: Devin Thomas (t-42nd at 5.8 receptions per game)
Receiving Yards: Devin Thomas (11th at 97.1 receiving yards per game)
Kickoff Returns: Devin Thomas (18th at 28.9 yards per return)
Scoring: Jehuu Caulcrick (t-3rd at 10.8 points per game)
All-Purpose Yards: Devin Thomas (4th at 202.3 all-purpose yards per game); Javon Ringer (30th at 148.1 all-purpose ypg.)
Sacks: Jonal Saint-Dic (t-8th at 1.0 sack per game)
Tackles For Loss: Ervin Baldwin (t-18th at 1.4 tackles for loss per game); Jonal Saint-Dic (t-18th at 1.4 TFL per game)
TWO SPARTANS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORS -
Two Michigan State players - sophomore fullback Andrew Hawken and senior linebacker Kaleb Thornhill - have earned Academic All-District IV Second-Team honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
To be nominated for the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career. He also must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing.
District IV includes all schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Academic All-District IV Second-Team Selections
Name Major (GPA)Andrew Hawken supply chain management (3.44) Kaleb Thornhill human resources (3.35)
TRUE FRESHMEN IMPACT SPARTAN DEPTH CHART -
No fewer than seven true freshmen are currently listed on Michigan State's (two-deep) depth chart, including two on offense, four on defense and one specialist. Here's a complete breakdown of true freshmen included on the (two-deep) depth chart:
Offense (2): WR Mark Dell and QB Nick Foles.
Defense (4): NT Antonio Jeremiah, LB Greg Jones, CB Chris L. Rucker and NT Oren Wilson.
Specialist (1): P Aaron Bates.
MAGIC NUMBER 24 -
Since 1990, Michigan State is 90-26-1 (.774) when it scores at least 24 points and 14-77-1 (.158) when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 18-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 104-103-2 (.502).
OPENING-DAY STARTING LINEUP FEATURED SEVEN FIRST-TIME STARTERS -
Michigan State's starting lineup for the 2007 season opener against UAB featured seven first-time starters, including two on the offensive side of the football, four on defense and one specialist.
First-time starters on offense included: wide receiver Mark Dell (6-2, 185, Fr.) and fullback Andrew Hawken (6-2, 240, So.). First-time starters on defense included: defensive end Brandon Long (6-4, 245, Jr.), linebackers Jon Misch (6-2, 200, R-Fr.) and Eric Gordon (6-0, 220, R-Fr.), and cornerback Ross Weaver (6-1, 202, R-So.). Aaron Bates (6-0, 190, Fr.) also made his debut as the starting punter.
SPARTAN TRENDS UNDER DANTONIO -
Here's how Michigan State has fared during head coach Mark Dantonio's first season (2007: 10 games):
Games played in Spartan Stadium: 4-2
Games played on the road/neutral site: 1-3
When leading at halftime: 4-1
When trailing at halftime: 0-4
When tied at halftime: 1-0
When scoring first: 4-2
When opponent scores first: 1-3
When leading after first quarter: 4-2
When trailing after first quarter: 0-3
When tied after first quarter: 1-0
When leading after three quarters: 5-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-3
When tied after three quarters: 0-2
Overtime games: 0-2
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 4-1
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 0-4
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 1-0
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 3-2
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 1-3
When outrushing opponent: 4-3
When being outrushed by opponent: 1-2
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 2-2
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 2-3
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 5-3
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-2
When leading in time of possession: 3-2
When trailing in time of possession: 2-3
