Michigan State University Athletics
Cousins Selected Big Ten Player to Watch
7/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 28, 2011
CHICAGO - Michigan State fifth-year senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who led the Spartans to a school-record 11 victories and a share of the 2010 Big Ten Championship, has been named to the Big Ten's inaugural Players to Watch list, as selected by a media panel attending the conference's football media days.
Cousins is one of five players on the 2011 Big Ten Players to Watch who represents the Legends Division, joining Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick and linebacker Lavonte David, and Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa. Representing the Legends Division on the preseason Watch List are Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, Indiana wide receiver Damarlo Belcher, Ohio State center Mike Brewster and defensive tackle John Simon, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti as well as Wisconsin running backs Montee Ball and James White.
An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a junior, Cousins completed 226-of-338 throws (.669) for 2,825 yards, 20 TDs and 10 interceptions. He ranked fifth in the Big Ten and No. 18 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in passing efficiency with his 150.7 rating. Cousins finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten in TD passes (20), fifth in passing yards (217.3 per game) and eighth in total offense (206.8 ypg.). His .669 completion percentage (second), 150.7 passing efficiency rating (fifth), 226 pass completions (third), 2,825 passing yards (third), 20 TD passes (tied for fourth), 2,689 total yards (fourth), seven 200-yard passing games (seventh) and 338 pass attempts (sixth) rank among the Top 10 single-season totals in MSU history.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Cousins has compiled a 16-9 record in 25 career starts (school record: 21 career victories by Jeff Smoker, 2000-03). The Holland, Mich., native is likely to become only the second three-time captain in school history, joining center Robert McCurry (1946-47-48).
"There's no substitute for experience, especially at the quarterback position," MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. "Over the last four years, Kirk Cousins has grown and matured into becoming a premier quarterback. Kirk is a great student of the game and really understands the importance of paying close attention to detail when it comes to game preparation. He watches a ton of video each week and applies what he sees and learns in those video sessions to the practice field. As a result, Kirk makes great decisions with the football on game days. He will make all of the throws. In addition, Kirk has a great presence in the huddle and truly knows his teammates and how to energize them. With all that said, the bottom line is: Kirk is a proven winner."
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Cousins currently ranks first in MSU history in completion percentage (.643; 456-of-709) and passing efficiency (146.7). He ranks among NCAA FBS active leaders in passing efficiency (11th). Cousins is listed among MSU's all-time leaders in passing yards (fourth with 5,815 yards), total offense (fourth with 5,727 yards), pass completions (sixth with 456), TD passes (sixth with 41) and pass attempts (eighth with 709). His 15 career 200-yard passing games rank third in Spartan history. Cousins tied a school record by throwing a TD pass in 16 consecutive games, spanning from the 2009 Northwestern game to the 2010 Iowa game (tied for school record along with Drew Stanton, 2005-06).
The complete list of 2011 Big Ten football preseason Players to Watch appears below:
LEGENDS DIVISION
Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
LEADERS DIVISION*
Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
Damarlo Belcher, WR, Indiana
Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
John Simon, DT, Ohio State
Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
James White, RB, Wisconsin
*Additional honorees due to tie
