Michigan State University Athletics
Football Media Center: Illinois
10/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 9, 2009
As the Michigan State football team (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten) prepares to take on Illinois (1-3, 0-2) Saturday at 12 p.m. ET in Champaign, Ill., catch up on all the latest information on the Spartans. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
GAMEDAY COVERAGE:
Gameday Central | | Game Updates - Twitter | Audio
BROADCAST COVERAGE:
TELEVISION: The Big Ten Network will televise the Michigan State-Illinois game live to a national audience, with Wayne Larrivee handling the play-by-play, Chris Martin providing color commentary and Rebecca Haarlow serving as the sideline reporter.
RADIO: The Spartan Sports 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 35 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard on flagship stations WJIM (AM 1240)/WMMQ (FM 94.9) in Lansing and WJR Radio (AM 760) in Detroit. The MSU-Illinois game also can be heard live on satellite radio: SIRIUS (Channel 153) and XM (Channel 198).
GAME NOTES:
Michigan State | Illinois
STATISTICS:
Michigan State | Illinois
DEPTH CHARTS:
Michigan State | Illinois
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FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about the MSU-Illinois matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks the 43rd meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series 23-17-2, including an 11-9-1 record in games played in Champaign, Ill. Michigan State has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including five straight in Memorial Stadium. The Illini's last home win in the series came on Nov. 21, 1992, 14-10.
• Michigan State's 26-20 overtime victory over Michigan marked the Spartans' first win over an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 since defeating Notre Dame, 44-41 in overtime, in 2005. The Spartans had lost 12 straight games against teams ranked in the AP Top 25. It also marked the first time that Michigan State has posted consecutive wins over the Wolverines since the Spartans won three straight from 1965-67.
• Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol combined to account for 303 total yards against Michigan. Cousins completed 15-of-21 throws for 152 yards (two interceptions) and rushed seven times for a career-best 75 yards. Nichol came off the bench to connect on 5-of-8 passes for 68 yards and rushed twice for 8 yards.
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten in passing offense (300.6 yards per game) and total offense (434.2 ypg.). The Spartans also rank among the NCAA leaders in both categories: No. 14 in passing offense and No. 21 in total offense.
• Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 22 in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing 96.4 yards per game. The Spartans have held three of their first five opponents under 100 yards rushing. Michigan State limited Michigan to 28 rushing yards on 28 carries, as the Spartans held the Big Ten's top-ranked rushing offense 212 yards below its season average.
• Junior linebacker Eric Gordon was one of the unsung heroes in Michigan State's 26-20 overtime victory over Michigan, recording eight tackles, with 1.5 resulting in losses (15 yards) including a 14-yard sack, and forced a fumble
• Junior linebacker Greg Jones leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA in tackles, averaging 12.0 stops per game. Jones also is listed among the Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss (10th at 1.1 per game). He leads the team in tackles (60 total), tackles for loss (5.5 for 27 yards) and production points (102).
• Fifth-year senior Blair White leads the Spartans in receptions (29), receiving yards (399) and touchdown catches (4). The 6-foot-2, 200-pound White ranks among the Big Ten leaders in TD receptions (tied for second with Wisconsin's Garrett Graham), receptions (tied for fourth at 5.8 per game) and receiving yards (fourth at 79.8 per game). Nineteen of his 29 catches (66 percent) have produced either a first down or a score, including six gains of 20 or more yards. He also leads the team with 122 yards after the catch (YAC).
• Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 41 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 141.8 rating. In five starts, Cousins has completed 78-of-125 throws (.624) for 1,002 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ranks among the Big Ten's leaders in passing yards (eighth at 200.4 yards per game) and total offense (eighth at 213.0 ypg.).
• Lou Groza Award candidate Brett Swenson ranks first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision active leaders in scoring, with 316 career points. His 60 career field goals rank second among all-active NCAA FBS kickers, trailing only Alabama's Leigh Tiffin (62 made).
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after five games):
Rushing - Larry Caper (44 carries for 180 yards, 4.1 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing - Kirk Cousins (78 of 125 for 1,002 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving - Blair White (29 catches for 399 yards, 13.8 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles - Greg Jones (60 tackles, 22 solos, 38 assists, 5.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks)
Illinois (after four games):
Rushing - Jason Ford (19 carries for 173 yards, 9.1 avg., 1 TD)
Passing - Juice Williams (51 of 89 for 519 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs)
Receiving - Jarred Fayson (11 catches for 119 yards, 10.8 avg., 1 TD) Tackles - Ian Thomas (32 tackles, 15 solos, 17 assists, 2.0 TFL)
MSU/ILLINOIS SERIES NOTES -
Saturday's game marks the 43rd meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series 23-17-2, including an 11-9-1 record in games played in Champaign, Ill. Michigan State has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including five straight in Memorial Stadium. The Illini's last home win in the series came on Nov. 21, 1992, 14-10. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 148 in the 2009 MSU Spring Football Guide.)
THE LAST MEETING -
Sept. 30, 2006, in East Lansing, Mich.: Jason Reda's 39-yard field goal with 6 seconds remaining lifted Illinois to its first Big Ten win since 2004, a 23-20 victory over Michigan State. The Illini snapped a 10-game conference losing streak and ruined Michigan State's Homecoming. The Illini had also lost nine straight to the Spartans.
Freshman quarterback Juice Williams sparked the Illini in just his second career start. He ran for 103 yards on 17 carries. He also completed 9-of-16 passes for 122 yards and a TD, with one interception.
Illinois led 20-10 entering the fourth quarter. The Spartans cut the lead to 20-17 with the help of a video replay that reversed a fumble call and kept a drive alive at the Illinois 18. After reviewing video, officials ruled that quarterback Drew Stanton's arm had started to move forward and the play was ruled an incomplete pass. On the field, officials had ruled that Illinois' Doug Pilcher had caused and recovered the fumble. Stanton was hurt on the play, replaced by backup Brian Hoyer. Jehuu Caulcrick scored on a 1-yard TD plunge to cap the drive with 6:42 left. Illinois couldn't move the ball on its next possession. Michigan State kicker Brett Swenson connected on a 27-yard field goal with 2:46 left to tie the score at 20.
Williams then engineered a 10-play, 58-yard drive to give Reda a shot at the game-winning kick. Pierre Thomas had 110 yards on 18 carries for the Illini, who notched their first Big Ten win under second-year coach Ron Zook.
THE LAST MEETING IN MEMORIAL STADIUM -
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.
MSU/ILLINOIS COACHING CONNECTIONS -
• Michigan State offensive line coach Dan Roushar served two stints as an assistant coach at Illinois. During his first two-year stint under Lou Tepper, Roushar worked with the Illini quarterbacks in 1995 before taking over the offensive tackles and tight ends in 1996. In 2003, he returned to Illinois as running backs coach for two seasons under Ron Turner, adding the duties of offensive coordinator in 2004.
• 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.
SPARTANS FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN -
Michigan State's 2009 active roster features three players from Illinois: running back Andre Anderson (Barrington), wide receiver Milton Colbert (Villa Park/Willowbrook) and placekicker Dan Conroy (Wheaton/Wheaton Warrenville South).
Ervin Baldwin NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN -
Ervin Baldwin, a two-year starter at defensive end in 2006-07, has been selected honorary captain for Saturday's game at Illinois. He will address the team during the pre-game meal and join the 2009 captains at midfield for the coin toss.
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Baldwin started every game (25) in his Spartan career and collected 93 total tackles, including 25 for losses (125 yards) and 12.5 sacks (103).
In 2007, Baldwin led the Spartans and ranked third in the Big Ten with 18.5 tackles for loss (89 yards), which ranks as the second-highest single-season total in school history. The honorable mention All-Big Ten selection finished the season with 58 tackles and was also second on the team and tied for seventh in the conference with 8.5 sacks (71). He closed out his Spartan career with five tackles in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl against Boston College, including a 15-yard sack of Eagle quarterback Matt Ryan.
As a junior in 2006, Baldwin led all Spartan defensive linemen in tackles with 35 and his four sacks (32 yards) tied Clifton Ryan for the team lead. He ranked second on the team in quarterback pressures (17) and finished tied for third on the team in tackles for loss (6.5 for 36 yards).
Baldwin also scored two touchdowns during his career, returning an interception 19 yards against Notre Dame in 2006 and a fumble 12 yards against Indiana in 2007.
Prior to joining the Spartans in 2006, Baldwin played two seasons (2004-05) at Reedley (Calif.) College where he earned JUCO All-America honors in 2005 with 27.5 tackles for loss, including 14.5 sacks.
The Oglethorpe, Ga., native was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round (No. 208 overall) of the 2008 National Football League Draft. Baldwin is currently a member of the Bears' practice squad. He spent the final seven weeks of the 2008 season on Chicago's active roster but did not appear in any regular-season games.
NCAA STAT LEADERS -
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA individual stat leaders in 2009:
Individual Statistics (Top 50)
Passing Efficiency: Kirk Cousins (41st with 141.8 rating)
Receptions: Blair White (t-41st at 5.8 receptions per game)
Receiving Yards: Blair White (43rd at 79.8 receiving yards per game)
Punt Returns: Keshawn Martin (40th at 9.6 yards per return)
Field Goals: Brett Swenson (t-22nd at 1.6 field goals made per game)
Scoring: Brett Swenson (t-43rd at 8.0 points per game)
Tackles: Greg Jones (2nd at 12.0 tackles per game)
JONES: A MODEL OF CONSISTENCY -
Junior linebacker Greg Jones leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA in tackles, averaging 12.0 stops per game. Jones also is listed among the Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss (10th at 1.1 per game). He leads the team in tackles (60 total), tackles for loss (5.5 for 27 yards) and production points (102).
The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Jones reached double-figure tackles for the third time this season, recording 14 stops including nine solo hits in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin. He has posted double-digit tackles in 10 of his last 12 games overall, averaging 12.2 stops during that stretch. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has led the team in tackles in 16 of the last 18 games.
Jones made nine stops at Notre Dame, ending his streak of consecutive games with double-figure tackles at nine. He averaged 12.8 tackles during that nine-game stretch, and it marked the longest streak by a Spartan since Chuck Bullough produced double-digit tackles in 15 straight games in 1990-91 (Oct. 20, 1990, game vs. Illinois through Nov. 2, 1991, game vs. Northwestern). Bullough averaged 15.7 tackles during his 15-game streak.
Jones matched his career high with 15 tackles against Central Michigan, including 1.5 for losses (3 yards).
The 2009 Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year registered 14 tackles in the season opener against Montana State, with three resulting in losses (16 yards) including 1.5 sacks (11).
Jones has started 25 of 31 career games, including 19 consecutive starting assignments. He has 265 career tackles, including 28 for losses (98 yards) and 8.5 sacks (51 yards). Jones ranks eighth among NCAA FBS active leaders in tackles, averging 8.5 stops per game. With his next tackle for loss, he will move into MSU's all-time Top 10 in that category.
WHITE KEYS EXPLOSIVE PASSING GAME -
Fifth-year senior Blair White leads the Spartans in receptions (29), receiving yards (399) and touchdown catches (4). The 6-foot-2, 200-pound White ranks among the Big Ten leaders in TD receptions (tied for second with Wisconsin's Garrett Graham), receptions (tied for fourth at 5.8 per game) and receiving yards (fourth at 79.8 per game). White also is listed among the NCAA leaders in both receptions (tied for No. 41) and receiving yards (No. 43). Nineteen of his 29 catches (66 percent) have produced either a first down or a score, including six gains of 20 or more yards. He also leads the team with 122 yards after the catch (YAC).
White led the team with six receptions for 49 yards in Michigan State's 26-20 overtime victory over No. 22 Michigan.
He caught six passes for 75 yards and two scores in MSU's 33-30 loss at Notre Dame. White scored on a 30-yard pass from wide receiver Keshawn Martin in the second quarter and a 17-yard strike from Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter that gave the Spartans a 30-26 lead.
The Saginaw, Mich., native recorded his second-straight 100-yard receiving game with seven catches for 105 yards against Central Michigan.
He had a career-high nine receptions for 162 yards and two TDs in the 2009 season opener against Montana State. White scored on TD grabs of 15 and 24 yards from Cousins against the Bobcats. His 162 receiving yards were just 2 yards shy of his career best (164 vs. Wisconsin in 2008). Almost one-third of his receiving yards (51 of 162) came after the catch against Montana State.
A former walk-on, White has 75 career receptions for 1,083 yards (14.4 avg.) and five TDs. The Saginaw, Mich., native has four career 100-yard receiving games. White has caught at least one pass in 16 consecutive games.
COUSINS OFF TO A SOLID START -
Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 41 in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 141.8 rating. In five starts, Cousins has completed 78-of-125 throws (.624) for 1,002 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing yards (No. 8 at 200.4 yards per game) and total offense (No. 8 at 213.0 ypg.).
 In five starts, Kirk Cousins has completed 78-of-125 throws (.624) for 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns.  | |
The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Cousins accounted for 227 total yards in Michigan State's 26-20 overtime victory over No. 22 Michigan. He hit 15-of-21 throws for 152 yards and two interceptions against the Wolverines. He also led the team in rushing, gaining 75 yards on seven carries. Cousins produced runs of 19 and 41 yards against the Wolverines.
He recorded his second-straight 200-yard passing game, completing 17-of-34 passes for 201 yards, two TDs and an interception in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin. Cousins completed scoring tosses of 14 yards to Mark Dell and 20 yards to B.J. Cunningham.
He completed 23-of-35 throws for 302 yards, one TD and one interception in MSU's 33-30 loss at Notre Dame. Cousins set career highs for completions, attempts and passing yards against the Irish. His 302 passing yards mark the third-best single-game total by a Spartan quarterback against Notre Dame (Drew Stanton - 327 in 2005; Ed Smith - 306 in 1978).
Cousins hit 13-of-18 passes for 164 yards and a score in MSU's 29-27 loss to Central Michigan. With the score tied at 20, he went 5-for-5 for 59 yards on a 13-play, 80-yard drive as the Spartans took a 27-20 lead on his 35-yard TD strike to Cunningham with 7:33 left in the game. In his first career start, Cousins completed 10-of-17 throws for 183 yards and a career-best three scores against Montana State in the 2009 season and home opener. He completed TD strikes of 29 yards to Cunningham, and 15 and 24 yards to Blair White. He connected on 7-of-11 passes for 118 yards and two TDs in the first half against the Bobcats.
NICHOL PROVIDES A SPARK OFF THE BENCH -
Red-shirt sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol has come off the bench in each of the first five games this season, accounting for 553 total yards. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Nichol has completed 26-of-50 passes (.520) for 471 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition, he ranks as the team's fourth-leading rusher with 82 yards on 12 carries (6.8 yards per carry).
He and Kirk Cousins combined to throw for 396 yards at Wisconsin, tying for the second-highest total in school history (396 yards vs. Purdue, 1998). Nichol hit 7-of-12 passes for a career-best 195 yards, two TDs and two interceptions against the Badgers. He completed TD strikes of 15 and 91 yards to Keshawn Martin in the fourth quarter. His 91-yard bomb to Martin ranks as the second-longest passing play in Spartan history (school-record 93-yarder from Tony Banks to Nigea Carter vs. Indiana in 1994), and it also ranks as the third-longest passing play recorded in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season. Nichol's 283.2 passing efficiency rating against Wisconsin ranks as the fourth-highest single-game figure posted in the NCAA FBS this season.
In his Spartan debut against Montana State, Nichol completed 9-of-18 throws for 135 yards and two TDs (26 yards to Dion Sims and 3 yards to Brian Linthicum).
SWENSON EMERGES AS A TOP CONTENDER FOR THE GROZA AWARD -
Lou Groza Award candidate Brett Swenson ranks among the Big Ten leaders in field-goal percentage (second at .889), kick scoring (tied for third at 8.0 points per game) and field goals (tied for third at 1.6 made per game). He leads the team in scoring with 40 points, converting 8-of-9 field-goal attempts and 16-of-17 extra-point tries.
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior placekicker scored eight points in Michigan State's 26-20 overtime win over No. 22 Michigan, hitting 2-of-2 field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries. With two made field goals (from 26 and 24 yards), Swenson moved into 10th place in the Big Ten record book with 60 career field goals.
He accounted for 11 points in MSU's season-opening 44-3 victory over Montana State, hitting 2-of-2 field-goal attempts and all five PATs.
Swenson ranks first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision active leaders in scoring, with 316 career points. His 60 career field goals rank second among all-active NCAA FBS kickers, trailing only Alabama's Leigh Tiffin (62 made).
The Pompano Beach, Fla., native currently ranks ninth in kick scoring in Big Ten history.
He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in scoring (second), field goals (second) and extra points (third with 136 made). With his first two extra points against Notre Dame, Swenson tied Dave Rayner's (2003-04) school record with 76 consecutive PATS; however, his third attempt was blocked by the Irish.
BATES IMPACTS FIELD POSITION -
Ray Guy Award candidate Aaron Bates ranks second in the Big Ten in punting with his 45.1-yard average. His punting average would rank among the NCAA's Top 10; however, Bates has not punted enough times to meet the minimum requirement (3.6 punts per game). Nine of his 17 punts (53 percent) this season have been downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Bates also has hit six punts 50 or more yards, including three 57-yarders (two vs. Montana State and one vs. Central Michigan).
The 6-foot, 192-pound junior averaged 43.0 yards on three punts against No. 22 Michigan, including two kicks downed inside the Wolverine 10-yard line.
Bates averaged 45.0 yards on three punts at Notre Dame, including two kicks downed inside the Irish 20-yard line.
He averaged 45.6 yards on five punts against Central Michigan, including four kicks downed inside the Chippewa 20.
His 41.3-yard career average ranks seventh in MSU history and No. 18 among active NCAA FBS punters. Bates has placed 54 of his 157 career punts (34 percent) inside the opponent's 20.
SPARTANS FACE ONE OF THE NCAA'S TOUGHEST SCHEDULES -
Michigan State's 2009 schedule ranks among the nation's most difficult (No. 20), according to NCAA figures. The Spartans' 12 opponents have a combined record of 27-17 (.614) against other NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
