Football Media Center: Penn State
11/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2009
Michigan State (6-5, 4-3 Big Ten) hosts No. 13/12 Penn State (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) in the 2009 regular-season finale Saturday in Spartan Stadium at 3:30 p.m. As the Spartans prepare for the Nittany Lions, catch up on all of the latest information on the team before kickoff in the Football Media Center. For MSU, 19 seniors will be making their final appearance in Spartan Stadium.
GAMEDAY COVERAGE:
Gameday Central | | Game Updates - Twitter | Audio | Watch Live on ESPN360.com
BROADCAST COVERAGE:
TELEVISION: ABC (ESPN mirror in outer markets) will televise the Michigan State-Penn State game live to a national audience, with Mike Patrick handling the play-by-play, and Craig James providing color commentary and Heather Cox serving as the sideline reporter. The MSU-Penn State game also will be available live online via ESPN360.com.
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-Penn State game also can be heard live on satellite radio: SIRIUS (Channel 129) and XM (Channel 196).
GAME NOTES:
Michigan State | Penn State
STATISTICS:
Michigan State | Penn State
LATEST VIDEO:
Spartan Football All-Access Coach Dantonio's Weekly Press Conference Player Interviews
FIRST-AND-10 (what you need to know about the MSU-Penn State matchup) -
• Saturday's game marks the 27th meeting between Michigan State and Penn State. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 13-12-1, including a 4-8 record in games played in East Lansing, Mich. The home team has won 11 of the last 13 games. Overall, Penn State has won 12 of the last 16 meetings. The Nittany Lions' last win in Spartan Stadium came on Nov. 19, 2005, 31-22.
• Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has been presented the Land-Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities' unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855, Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned. Since 1993, Penn State leads the series 12-4.
• Nineteen seniors will make their final appearance in Spartan Stadium Saturday against No. 13 Penn State. This senior class has helped Michigan State to a combined record of 26-23 (.531), including a probable third-straight postseason bowl appearance (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl and 2009 TBD).
• With the 40-37 victory at Purdue, Michigan State won its sixth game of the season and became bowl eligible for the third consecutive year, a first for the program since 1995-97.
• A trademark of Mark Dantonio's Michigan State teams have been their ability to produce wins late in the regular season. Under Dantonio, the Spartans are 6-2 (.750) in games played in November. In the four seasons (2003-06) prior to his arrival, Michigan State went just 2-11 (.154) in November. The last time the Spartans posted a perfect record in November came in 1999 when Michigan State closed out the regular season with three straight victories (over Ohio State, Northwestern and Penn State).
• 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 56-42 (.571) against other NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten in passing offense (274.1 yards per game) and total offense (413.8 ypg.), and ranks third in scoring offense (31.0 points per game).
• Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 13 in the nation in passing efficiency with his 149.7 rating. He recorded his fifth consecutive 200-yard passing game and seventh of the season at Purdue, throwing for 208 yards and three touchdowns. His seven 200-yard passing games (tied for third), 149.7 passing efficiency rating (sixth), 2,305 passing yards (eighth), 17 TD passes (ninth) and 169 pass completions (tied for 10th) rank among the Top 10 single-season totals in Spartan history.
• Michigan State's receiving corps features three career 1,000-yard receivers: fifth-year senior Blair White (107 catches for 1,538 yards), junior Mark Dell (80 for 1,304) and sophomore B.J. Cunningham (85 for 1,130). That trio has combined for 272 receptions, 3,972 yards and 19 career touchdowns.
• Sophomore Keshawn Martin is the only NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Player this season who has recorded 80-yard scoring plays in three different ways: 84-yard run vs. Minnesota, 91-yard reception from Keith Nichol vs. Wisconsin and 93-yard kickoff return vs. Minnesota. Last week at Purdue, he totaled 236 all-purpose yards, marking the second time this season he has gained more than 200 all-purpose yards (294 vs. Minnesota). He had 166 kickoff return yards vs. Purdue, including an 85-yard return to the Purdue 11-yard line with less than three minutes remaining in the game that set up the game-winning field goal; the 166 kick return yards rank as the seventh-highest single-game total in school history. In conference games, Martin leads the Big Ten in kick return average (36.2). Martin also had a career-long 45-yard rush in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 70 yards rushing against the Boilermakers.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW -
• Junior linebacker Greg Jones leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 126 tackles. Jones leads the team in tackles (126 total), tackles for loss (11.0 for 57 yards), sacks (7.5 for 47 yards) and production points (247). He became the first Spartan to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons since 2003-04 when both linebacker Ronald Stanley and free safety Jason Harmon reached the milestone. A model of consistency, Jones has led the team in tackles in 21 of the last 24 games.
• Michigan State's five losses this season have been by a combined total of 23 points. During his MSU tenure, 12 of head coach Mark Dantonio's 15 losses have been by eight points or less.
• Michigan State has outscored its opponents in each of the first three quarters (243-151 combined); however, the Spartans have been outscored 108-92 in the fourth quarter. The Spartans have been most explosive in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 82-44 (+38 points).
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 15-3 (.833) when leading in time of possession, including a perfect 5-0 in 2009.
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after 11 games):
Rushing - Larry Caper (101 carries for 411 yards, 4.1 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing - Kirk Cousins (169 of 273 for 2,305 yards, 17 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving - Blair White (61 catches for 854 yards, 14.0 avg., 8 TDs)
Tackles - Greg Jones (126 tackles, 57 solos, 69 assists, 11.0 TFL, 7.5 sacks)
Penn State (after 11 games):
Rushing - Evan Royster (175 carries for 990 yards, 5.7 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing - Daryll Clark (195 of 319 for 2,477 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs)
Receiving - Derek Moye (41 catches for 676 yards, 16.5 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles - Josh Hull (103 tackles, 36 solos, 67 assists, 8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks)
THE LAST MEETING IN SPARTAN STADIUM -
Nov. 17, 2007, in East Lansing, Mich.: Jehuu Caulcrick's 1-yard touchdown plunge with just more than 4 minutes remaining capped a 17-point comeback for Michigan State, which sealed a bowl bid with a 35-31 victory over Penn State in the regular-season finale. Caulcrick also ran for a first down on a fake punt in Michigan State territory on the same drive to boost the Spartans.
Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer was 16-of-21 for 257 yards and four TDs, including three to receiver Devin Thomas. Caulcrick had 99 yards on 22 carries. Thomas caught seven passes for 139 yards.
Penn State went ahead 24-7 early in the third quarter on a fake field goal, with kicker Kevin Kelly scrambling untouched into the end zone for a 5-yard TD run.
Michigan State cut the lead to 24-21 on a pair of Hoyer touchdown passes - 3 yards to fullback Jeff McPherson and 33 yards to Thomas.
But Penn State responded early in the fourth quarter with Kinlaw's 4-yard touchdown run. That made it 31-21.
Hoyer connected with Thomas for a 26-yard TD strike to cut the lead to 31-28 with 11 minutes remaining. Caulcrick's run gave Michigan State the lead for good. Penn State had a chance to take the lead with about 1:30 remaining, but Anthony Morelli's desperation fourth-down pass sailed over receiver Deon Butler's head in the end zone.
BATTLE FOR THE LAND-GRANT TROPHY -
Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has been presented the Land-Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities' unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855, Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned. Since 1993, Penn State leads the series 12-4.
SPARTAN FROM THE KEYSTONE STATE -
Michigan State's 2009 roster features only one player from Pennsylvania: junior defensive end Colin Neely (Bethlehem/Freedom High School).
SENIORS BID FAREWELL -
Nineteen seniors will make their final appearance in Spartan Stadium Saturday against No. 13 Penn State. This senior class has helped Michigan State to a combined record of 26-23 (.531), including a probable third-straight postseason bowl appearance (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl and 2009 TBD).
The Class of 2009 includes defensive end Trevor Anderson (Detroit, Mich.), offensive tackle Rocco Cironi (Warren, Ohio), safety Kendell Davis-Clark (Alliance, Ohio), linebacker Adam Decker (Rochester Hills, Mich.), linebacker Brandon Denson (Willow Run, Mich.), safety Danny Fortener (Kettering, Ohio), fullback Andrew Hawken (Grandville, Mich.), cornerback Ashton Henderson (Tallahassee, Fla.), running back A.J. Jimmerson (St. Louis, Mo.), nose tackle Michael Jordan (Lansing, Mich.), offensive guard Brendon Moss (Saline, Mich.), center Joel Nitchman (Kalamazoo, Mich.), fullback Andrew Pendy (Shelby Township, Mich.), offensive tackle Mike Schmeding (Rutherford, N.J.), kicker Brett Swenson (Pompano Beach, Fla.), cornerback Jeremy Ware (Fort Myers, Fla.), cornerback Ross Weaver (Southfield, Mich.), linebacker Marcus Webb (Pontiac, Mich.) and wide receiver Blair White (Saginaw, Mich.). Those 19 seniors along with former tight end Patrick Rigan (Traverse City, Mich.), who suffered a career-ending shoulder injury prior to the 2008 season, will be recognized during a pregame ceremony.
JOE DeLAMIELLEURE NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN -
Former Michigan State All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure has been selected honorary captain for Saturday's home and regular-season finale against Penn State. He will address the team during the pre-game meal and join the 2009 captains at midfield for the coin toss.
A three-year starter and two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection for legendary head coach Duffy Daugherty, DeLamielleure earned first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News as a senior. In 1972, he anchored an offensive line that helped Michigan State rank second in the Big Ten in rushing in league play, averaging 260.6 yards per game. DeLamielleure was selected United Press International's Midwest Lineman of the Week following MSU's 22-12 victory over Purdue. He also played a key role in helping the Spartans roll up 334 yards on the ground in a 19-12 upset win over No. 5 Ohio State.
As a junior in 1971, DeLamielleure was part of an offensive line that helped spring Eric Allen for a then NCAA-record 350 rushing yards in a 43-10 victory at Purdue.
The Center Line, Mich., native was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (No. 26 overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft and earned All-Rookie honors. DeLamielleure played in 185 consecutive games. He anchored Buffalo's famed "Electric Company" offensive line and became best known as the lead blocker for O.J. Simpson, the NFL's first 2,000-yard rusher in 1973. DeLamielleure was named Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1975 by the NFL Players Association.
He spent 13 years in the NFL, playing for Buffalo (1973-79; 1985) and Cleveland (1980-84). He earned All-Pro (first- or second-team) honors eight times, was selected All-AFL (first- or second-team) seven times and made six Pro Bowl appearances. DeLamielleure also was named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team.
SWENSON SELECTED BIG TEN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK -
Senior placekicker Brett Swenson, who connected on all four of his field-goal attempts including a 21-yard game-winner at Purdue, was selected Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. It marked the fourth time in his career that Swenson has earned conference weekly honors.
 Brett Swenson tied his career high with four field goals at Purdue, including the game-winner with 1:51 remaining in the game.  | |
In addition to his selection as Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, Swenson was named National Placekicker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards and one of the Lou Groza Award's Top Three Stars of the Week.
Swenson matched his career highs with 16 points and four field goals against the Boilermakers. He hit a 28-yard field goal late in the second quarter and a pair of career-long 52-yarders in the third quarter. Keshawn Martin's 85-yard kickoff return to the Purdue 11-yard line set up Swenson's game-winning field goal with 1:51 left. It marked his third career game-winning kick (2006 vs. Northwestern and 2008 vs. Wisconsin).
One of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, Swenson ranks first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision active scoring leaders with 368 career points, 14 points ahead of Alabama's Leigh Tiffin (354). His 70 career field goals rank second among active NCAA FBS kickers, trailing only Tiffin (77 made).
Swenson already ranks as MSU's all-time leader in scoring (368 career points), field goals (70 made) and extra points (158 made) and stands second in field-goal percentage (.787). The Pompano Beach, Fla., native also ranks among the Big Ten's all-time leaders in kick scoring (second), field goals (fourth), total points (fifth) and extra points (seventh). In 2009, Swenson leads the Big Ten in scoring (8.4 points per game), field goals (1.64 made per game) and field-goal percentage (.900).
JONES NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR BUTKUS & BEDNARIK AWARDS -
Junior linebacker Greg Jones, who leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 126 tackles, has been named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus (nation's best linebacker) and Bednarik (college defensive player of the year) Awards. He also has been selected as one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy (college football's defensive IMPACT player of the year). Jones, who earned Midseason First-Team All-America honors from SI.com, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele, was chosen Big Ten Midseason Defensive MVP by both ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg and CFN.
The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Jones ranks third in the NCAA FBS in tackles per game (11.5) and tied for 37th in sacks (0.68 per game). He also is listed among the Big Ten leaders in sacks (fifth). Jones leads the team in tackles (126 total), tackles for loss (11.0 for 57 yards), sacks (7.5 for 47 yards) and production points (247). He became the first Spartan to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons since 2003-04 when both linebacker Ronald Stanley and free safety Jason Harmon reached the milestone.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has posted double-digit tackles in 14 of his last 18 games overall, averaging 11.8 stops (212 total) during that stretch. A model of consistency, Jones has led the team in tackles in 21 of the last 24 games.
He recorded nine tackles, including six solo stops, in Michigan State's 40-37 victory at Purdue.
Jones was credited with a team-high eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks (13 yards), and a forced fumble in MSU's 49-14 victory over Western Michigan. The Spartans limited WMU to a season-low 211 total yards, as the Broncos went 0-for-13 on third-down conversions.
He reached double-figure tackles for the seventh time this season at Minnesota, recording 12 stops including seven solo hits.
Jones accounted for 12 tackles in Michigan State's 15-13 loss to No. 7 Iowa, including six solo stops. The Spartan defense limited Iowa to 276 total yards, nearly 75 yards below its season average.
He tallied 14 stops including a career-best two sacks (9 yards) in MSU's 24-14 Homecoming victory over Northwestern. The Spartan defense limited the Wildcats to just three first downs and 37 total yards in the third quarter as MSU scored 24 unanswered points en route to a 24-7 lead.
Jones produced 11 tackles in MSU's 24-14 victory at Illinois, including a 6-yard sack. The Spartans built a 17-0 halftime lead at Illinois as the defense limited the Illini to three first downs and 60 total yards in the first half. Illinois' first eight possessions resulted in seven punts and one turnover.
He posted 14 stops, including nine solo hits, in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin.
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.
He 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 31 of 37 career games, including 25 consecutive starting assignments. He has 331 career tackles, including 33.5 for losses (128 yards) and 14.0 sacks (81 yards). Jones ranks eighth among NCAA FBS active leaders in tackles, averaging 8.9 stops per game. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles (11th) and tackles for loss (tied for fifth with Mike Labinjo, 2000-03). Jones has produced double-figure tackles 16 times in his career.
GORDON PROVIDES STEADY PRODUCTION -
Junior linebacker Eric Gordon ranks second on the team in tackles (79) and production points (168), third (tied) in tackles for loss (7.5 for 39 yards) and fourth in sacks (3.5 for 32). In league games, Gordon ranks among the Big Ten leaders in tackles (tied for ninth at 7.9 per game).
He recorded nine tackles and blocked a field-goal attempt in Michigan State's 40-37 victory at Purdue, as the Spartans became bowl eligible for the third-straight year. Five of his nine stops were solo hits. With 8:19 left in the fourth quarter, Gordon blocked Carson Wiggs' 50-yard field goal attempt, preventing the Boilermakers from extending their four-point lead (34-30). Four plays later, the Spartans took a 37-34 lead on Kirk Cousins' 9-yard touchdown strike to Blair White.
Gordon contributed six tackles and a pass break-up against Western Michigan and posted nine stops at Minnesota, including five solo hits.
The 6-foot, 228-pound Gordon played especially well during MSU's three-game winning streak, averaging 9.3 tackles (28 total) during the stretch. He recorded a sack in each of those three victories (vs. Michigan, Illinois and Northwestern).
Gordon recorded a career-best 14 tackles, including two for losses (8 yards), in MSU's 24-14 Homecoming win over Northwestern. He made six stops in the Spartans' 24-14 victory at Illinois, including two behind the line of scrimmage (8 yards). Gordon produced eight tackles, including 1.5 for losses (15 yards), in MSU's 26-20 overtime victory over No. 22 Michigan.
The Traverse City, Mich., native has started 34 of 36 career games, including 25 consecutive starting assignments. Gordon has totaled 226 career tackles, with 22.5 resulting in losses (88 yards) including 7.5 sacks (55).
THREE SPARTANS NAMED TO ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM -
Three Michigan State fifth-year seniors - wide receiver Blair White, linebacker Adam Decker and fullback Andrew Hawken - have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Football Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). White (human biology, 3.89 grade-point average) has earned a spot on the Academic All-District 4 First Team, while Decker (finance, 3.62) and Hawken (supply chain management, 3.44) have garnered second-team honors.
As an Academic All-District First-Team selection, White's name now appears on the national ballot for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors (released Nov. 24).
To be nominated for the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career. He also must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing.
District 4 includes all schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Three other MSU student-athletes were nominated for the Academic All-District Football Team: junior punter Aaron Bates (general management, 3.95), sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins (kinesiology, 3.74), and red-shirt sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol (general business administration/pre-law, 3.55).
