Post-Game Notes: Nebraska

Oct. 5, 2014

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• Michigan State recorded its second-straight win over Nebraska after dropping the first seven meetings. The Spartans are now 2-2 against the Huskers in Big Ten games.

• Michigan State has now won 46 of its last 59 games (.780), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. In addition, the Spartans have now won 19 of their last 21 games (.905), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale.

• Michigan State has recorded 36 Big Ten regular-season victories since 2008, the most of any team in the conference. In addition, the Spartans have posted 11-straight wins over Big Ten opponents (including the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game).

• Michigan State improved its record to 34-24-4 (.581) in Big Ten openers, including a 5-3 mark under Mark Dantonio.

• Michigan State improved its record to 11-5 (.688) in 16 prime-time TV appearances in Spartan Stadium, including a 2-0 mark in 2014. Five of those wins have come over ranked opponents (No. 19 USC in 1987, No. 10 Notre Dame in 1998, No. 4 Wisconsin in 2011, No. 24 Boise State in 2012 and No. 19 Nebraska in 2014).

• The Spartans have scored 228 points (45.6 avg.) through their first five games, the highest total through five games in school history. It marks just the third time in 118 seasons that Michigan State has produced more than 200 points in its first five games (1904: 208 points; and 2005: 227 points).

• Michigan State improved its record to 42-11 (.792) in home games under Mark Dantonio, including its current 11-game winning streak. The Spartans have won 27 of their last 32 home games.

• Michigan State held a 32:09-27:51 advantage in time of possession against Nebraska. Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans are 51-9 (.850) when leading in time of possession.

• The Spartans limited Nebraska to 47 yards rushing on 37 attempts - nearly 308 yards below its season average. It marked the Huskers' lowest rushing total since managing 31 yards against USC in 2007. Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponents below 100 yards rushing in 49 of 98 games (50 percent), including 29 games since 2011.

• Michigan State limited Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah to 45 rushing yards on 24 carries - nearly 122 yards below his season average. It marked Abdullah's lowest rushing total in 20 games (five rushes for 18 yards against Wisconsin in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game).

• Fifth-year senior tailback Jeremy Langford recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game of the season and 10th of his career, with 29 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown against Nebraska. It marked Langford's ninth consecutive 100-yard rushing game against a Big Ten opponent. His 31-yard TD run early in the second quarter gave MSU a 14-0 lead over the Huskers. With his 111 yards, Langford moved into 19th place on MSU's all-time rushing list with 1,896 career yards.

• Fifth-year senior Tony Lippett recorded his third career 100-yard receiving game, with three receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown against Nebraska. It also marked the highest single-game receiving total in series history against the Huskers. Lippett also produced his first career rushing TD, scoring on a 32-yard double reverse late in the third quarter to give the Spartans a 27-9 lead.

• Junior quarterback Connor Cook record his third 200-yard passing game of the season and 11th of his career, completing 11-of-29 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Nebraska. It also marked the second-highest single-game passing total in series history against the Huskers. His 55-yard scoring strike to Tony Lippett opened the scoring with 8:22 left in the first quarter. Cook has thrown TD passes in each of his last 12 games (school record: 16 by Kirk Cousins and Drew Stanton).

• Senior linebacker Taiwan Jones matched his career high with 10 tackles against Nebraska, including a personal-best three tackles for loss (8 yards). Jones recorded a 4-yard sack against Tommy Armstrong Jr. in the third quarter. He also posted 10 stops against Iowa in 2012.

• Fifth-year senior free safety Kurtis Drummond recorded a season-high nine tackles against Nebraska, including a 5-yard tackle for loss.

• Junior cornerback Trae Waynes set career highs for tackles (7), interceptions (2) and pass break-ups (2) against Nebraska. His first interception came late in the first quarter and his second iced the game with 30 seconds left at the MSU 17-yard line. Waynes also recorded two picks against Minnesota in 2013.

• In his first career start, true freshman strong safety Montae Nicholson produced seven tackles against Nebraska.