Michigan State University Athletics
No. 8 Spartans Hit the Road to Face Purdue
10/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
| Game 6: No. 8/8 Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 B1G) vs. Purdue (3-3, 1-1 B1G) | |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 3:42 p.m. |
| Location | West Lafayette, Ind. Ross-Ade Stadium (57,236/Bermuda Grass) |
| Televison | ABC (ESPN2 reverse mirror) |
| Broadcast Team | Mike Patrick (play-by-play) | Ed Cunningham(analyst) Jeannine Edwards (sidelines) |
| Internet Coverage | Watch Live (WatchESPN) | |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Listen Live) | Affiliates |
| Radio (Mobile) | Broadcast available on Spartan Sports Network Mobile App: iPhone/iPad | Android |
| Parking/Tailgating/Stadium Information | Purdue Gameday Central |
| Parking | Lots will open at 8 a.m. |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Purdue |
| Social Media | @MSU_Football  | #MSUPUR | Facebook  |
FIRST-AND-10 -
• No. 8/8 Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) hits the road for only the second time this season as it faces Purdue (3-3, 1-1) Saturday, Oct. 11 in West Lafayette, Indiana, at 3:30 p.m. The Spartans opened the Big Ten season last Saturday in Spartan Stadium with a 27-22 victory over then-No. 19/17 and undefeated Nebraska. The Boilermakers are coming off their first Big Ten victory under second-year head coach Darrell Hazell after defeating Illinois on the road, 38-27.
• Michigan State's current 10-game winning streak in Big Ten Conference play is the second longest in school history (16 straight from Oct. 2, 1965 to Oct. 21, 1967). In addition, MSU has won 11 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents (2013 Big Ten Championship Game vs. No. 2 Ohio State). The Spartans defeated Minnesota in the 2012 Big Ten finale, went 8-0 in conference play in 2013, and are off to a 1-0 start in 2014.
• Michigan State is 19-9 (.679) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a six-game winning streak and a 13-3 record (.813) since 2010. MSU went a perfect 4-0 in conference road games in 2013 (wins at Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Northwestern). Dantonio has won at least one road game at every Big Ten stadium.• 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). MSU leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 45.6 points per game. The Spartans also rank among the FBS leaders in passing efficiency (11th with 163.8 rating), rushing offense (22nd with 239.2 ypg.) and total offense (24th with 496.4 yards per game).
• Michigan State has won 46 of its last 59 games (.780), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. In addition, the Spartans have won 19 of their last 21 games (.905), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale. Only Florida State (18) has more wins than Michigan State (17) since the beginning of last season. (Auburn also has 17 wins during that same time period).• Since the start of the 2012 season, Michigan State has held opponents to 50 rushing yards or less 12 times, which ranks No. 1 in the NCAA FBS. Louisville, Alabama and Stanford are tied for second with eight. Last Saturday, Nebraska entered the game ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing (354.8 ypg.), but was limited to 47 yards against the Spartans on 37 attempts.
• Michigan State ranks No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in time of possession (36:25). Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 51-9 (.850) when leading in time of possession, including a 38-6 record (.864) since 2010. The Spartans ranked second in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA FBS in time of possession (33:19 per game) in 2013.• Michigan State, which has ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten the past three seasons in total defense and rushing defense, ranks second in the Big Ten and fourth in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense this season (72.0 ypg.). MSU also ranks third in the conference and 11th in the NCAA FBS in total defense (297.0 ypg.).
• The Spartans lead the Big Ten and rank No. 4 in the FBS in turnover margin (+2.00 per game). MSU is +10 in the turnover department and has forced a Big Ten-best 16 turnovers this season (nine fumbles, seven interceptions), which is tied for fourth most in the FBS. The Spartans have turned the ball over six times (two fumbles, four interceptions), tied for second fewest in the Big Ten. Michigan State ranked first in the Big Ten and tied for 10th in the FBS in turnover margin (+13, 0.93 per game) in 2013. The Spartans forced the most turnovers in the Big Ten (28) and also turned the ball over the least amount of times (15) in the conference.STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after five games):
Rushing - Jeremy Langford (91 carries for 451 yards, 5.0 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing - Connor Cook (65 of 107 for 1,071 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving - Tony Lippett (25 catches for 525 yards, 21.0 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles - Kurtis Drummond (24 tackles, 20 solos, 4 assists, 2 INTs)
Rushing - Akeem Hunt (75 carries for 446 yards, 5.9 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing - Danny Etling (89 of 162 for 800 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving - Akeem Hunt (22 catches for 125 yards, 5.7 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles - Landon Feichter (56 tackles, 34 solos, 22 assists, 2 INTs)
MSU/PURDUE SERIES NOTES -
• Saturday's game marks the 65th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue. The Spartans lead the all-time series 33-28-3, including a 13-16-3 record in games played in West Lafayette.
• Six of the last nine games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less.
• Saturday's game marks MSU's first trip to Ross-Ade Stadium since a 40-37 victory in 2009. Dantonio is 2-0 in West Lafayette, as the Spartans also won during his first season as head coach in 2007, 48-31.• MSU's current five-game winning streak over Purdue is the second longest for the Spartans in series history (won six in a row from 1985-90).
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 wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel was a four-year letterman (1991-94) as a receiver for Coach Jim Colletto at Purdue. He earned his bachelor's degree in communication and psychology from Purdue in 1995. While at Purdue, Samuel was the recipient of the 1994 Kiwanis Citizenship Award, which is presented to a Boilermaker football player who excels most in the combined roles of player, student and community volunteer.
As a senior in 1994, Samuel finished fourth on the team with 13 catches for 200 yards (15.4 avg.). He also returned 14 kickoffs for 273 yards (19.5 avg.).As a sophomore in 1992, Samuel's first career reception resulted in a game-winning touchdown, as his 32-yard grab from Matt Pike with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter gave the Boilermakers a 24-20 victory over Minnesota.
• Michigan State co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Jim Bollman and Purdue defensive backs coach Taver Johnson worked together at Ohio State for five years (2007-10) under former head coach Jim Tressel. Bollman was the team's offensive coordinator, while Johnson coached the defensive backs.
THE LAST MEETING -
Oct. 19, 2013, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Denicos Allen returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown, and Michigan State's offense added an insurance score in the fourth quarter of a 14-0 win over Purdue.
The Spartans didn't make it past the Purdue 32-yard line until the fourth, when receiver Tony Lippett threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Gleichert on a trick play.
The Spartans entered with the nation's top-ranked defense, and Allen opened the scoring in the second quarter with Michigan State's fifth defensive touchdown of the season. Max Bullough hit quarterback Danny Etling, the ball popped free, and Allen was able to scoop it up and score easily.Purdue converted a fourth down thanks to a penalty, which gave the Boilermakers the ball at the Michigan State 34 with 9 seconds left in the second quarter. That was as far into opposing territory as either team advanced the ball in the first half, but Paul Griggs was short on a 51-yard field goal attempt. Griggs also came up short from 41 yards in the third quarter, and Michigan State scored again in the fourth. Connor Cook completed a pass to Macgarrett Kings for 25 yards on third-and-12, and a 26-yard catch-and-run by Josiah Price put the ball at the Purdue 7. Two plays later, Lippett took the ball on what looked like an end-around, but he threw to an open Gleichert for a touchdown.
Cook went 13 of 25 for 107 yards, although at one point he had only 17 yards on eight completions. Etling was 14 of 25 for 160 yards, but he also threw a crucial interception in the end zone in the first quarter, after Purdue had reached the Michigan State 37 with a fourth-down conversion.Jeremy Langford had 131 yards on 24 carries for Michigan State.
THE LAST MEETING IN ROSS-ADE STADIUM -Nov. 14, 2009, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP): Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, and Michigan State overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Purdue 40-37 and become bowl eligible. B.J. Cunningham caught three passes for 92 yards and a score for the Spartans.
Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott completed 39 of 55 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Keith Smith caught 15 passes for 152 yards and a TD for the Boilermakers, who were eliminated from bowl contention.
The Boilermakers gained 524 yards and kept the ball for 41 minutes, but Michigan State gained 229 yards on kickoff returns, and the Spartans stopped Purdue on its final possession.Michigan State's Brett Swenson made four field goals, including the game-winning 21-yarder with 1:51 left.
Ralph Bolden fumbled on Purdue's first offensive play, and Michigan State's Chris Rucker returned it 11 yards for a touchdown seven seconds into the game.Purdue came right back and drove 80 yards to tie the score. Elliott found Smith over the middle, and Smith broke a tackle before finishing a 26-yard touchdown reception.
Purdue's Carson Wiggs made two field goals, but Michigan State bounced back quickly. A 55-yard pass from Cousins to Charlie Gantt set the Spartans up inside the Purdue 10, and Cousins completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Hawken to give the Spartans a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter.
Purdue scored later in the quarter on a 9-yard run by Bolden, and the Boilermakers took a 20-14 lead. Bolden was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hugging mascot Purdue Pete after the run. The Boilermakers led 20-17 at halftime.Swenson made a career-long 52-yard field goal to make it 20-all, but Purdue came back with an 18-play, 80-yard drive. Elliott capped it with a 3-yard TD pass to Cortez Smith to give the Boilermakers a 27-20 lead. It was Purdue's longest scoring drive of the season.
Swenson hit another 52-yarder late in the third quarter to cut Purdue's lead to 27-23.Purdue's defense held, then the Boilermakers came back with another scoring drive. Bolden scored his second touchdown, a 1-yarder to make it 34-23 early in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State needed just one play to respond. Cousins found Cunningham for a 73-yard touchdown, and the Spartans cut Purdue's lead to 34-30.A 50-yard field-goal attempt by Wiggs was blocked, and the Spartans gained possession at their 46-yard line. A run by Keshawn Martin on a reverse went for 45 yards and put the Spartans inside the Purdue 10. Cousins found Blair White for a 9-yard score with 6:59 to play, and Michigan State took a 37-34 lead.
Purdue drove into field-goal range again, and this time, Wiggs converted from 49 yards to tie the game at 37 with 2:38 to play.Martin returned the kickoff 84 yards to the Purdue 11 to set up Swenson's game winner.
BIG TEN WINNING STREAK -• Michigan State's current 10-game winning streak in Big Ten Conference play is the second longest in school history (16 straight from Oct. 2, 1965 to Oct. 21, 1967). In addition, MSU has won 11 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents (2013 Big Ten Championship Game vs. No. 2 Ohio State). The Spartans defeated Minnesota in the 2012 Big Ten finale, went 8-0 in conference play in 2013, and are off to a 1-0 start in 2014.
NEBRASKA: POST-GAME NOTES (MICHIGAN STATE 27, NEBRASKA 22) -
• 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 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).
• 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 recorded 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.
TOUGH TO SCORE ON SPARTAN DEFENSE -• Michigan State, which has ranked in the FBS Top 10 the past three seasons in scoring defense, ranked third in the FBS in 2013, allowing just 13.2 points per game. MSU is currently tied for 31st in the FBS in scoring defense (20.6 ppg.) through five games in 2014.
• The Spartans have allowed just 57 points in four games (14.3 ppg.) at Spartan Stadium this season (Jacksonville State: 7; Eastern Michigan: 14; Wyoming: 14; Nebraska: 22). In the 2014 season opener, Jacksonville State scored the first touchdown by an opponent against the Spartans at Spartan Stadium since Indiana on Oct. 12 of last season. In 2013, opponents averaged just 10.4 points per game at Spartan Stadium.
• Michigan State has only allowed 32 points in the first half of games this season (6.4 ppg.). Through four home games, MSU has only given up 14 points (3.5 ppg.) in the first half. Only Wyoming (two touchdowns) has scored on the Spartans in the first half this season at Spartan Stadium.• In its last 10 games against conference opponents (dating back to the 2013 Big Ten opener against Iowa), MSU has allowed just two first-quarter touchdowns (Indiana, Nebraska in 2013).
SPARTAN DEFENSE FORCING TURNOVERS -• The Spartans lead the Big Ten and rank No. 4 in the FBS in turnover margin (+2.00 per game). MSU is +10 in the turnover department and has forced a Big Ten-best 16 turnovers this season (nine fumbles, seven interceptions), which is tied for fourth most in the FBS. The Spartans have turned the ball over six times (two fumbles, four interceptions), tied for second fewest in the Big Ten.
• Michigan State ranked first in the Big Ten and tied for 10th in the FBS in turnover margin (+13, 0.93 per game) in 2013. The Spartans forced the most turnovers in the Big Ten (28) and also turned the ball over the least amount of times (15) in the conference.
• Michigan State has forced at least one turnover in 78 of 98 games over the last eight seasons (80 percent of the games played since 2007), including 12 games in 2013.THREE-AND-OUT -
• In five games this season, the Spartans have forced their opponents to go three-and-out on 35 of 73 possessions (.479 percent; 7.0 per game), which ranks third in the nation. The Spartans are forcing an average of 7.0 three-and-outs per game, which also ranks third in the FBS. [Three-and-out: either holding opponent without a first down within its first three plays on a new series or forcing a turnover in the first three plays.]
Junior quarterback Connor Cook ranks third in the Big Ten and 10th in the NCAA FBS in passing efficiency with a 170.1 rating. He also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (fourth with 10), passing (sixth with 214.2 ypg.), completion percentage (seventh at .607) and total offense (ninth with 214.6 ypg.). Cook has thrown TD passes in each of his last 12 games (school record: 16 by Kirk Cousins and Drew Stanton).
Cook, who went 12-1 in his first season as the starter in 2013, owns a 16-2 record (.889) as the starting quarterback, including a 10-0 record against Big Ten opponents. He won 11 consecutive games, spanning the 2013 Big Ten opener against Iowa to the 2014 season opener against Jacksonville State, which was the second-longest streak by a starting Spartan QB in school history. Al Dorow won 15 straight games as the starter in 1950-51.
Cook completed 12-of-13 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against Jacksonville State, and set career highs in passing yards (343), completions (29) and attempts (47) at No. 3 Oregon. In limited action against Eastern Michigan and Wyoming, Cook threw for two touchdowns and completed 5-of-6 throws for 83 yards against EMU, and had two TDs and 126 yards on 8-of-12 throws against the Cowboys.In the Big Ten opener against No. 19 Nebraska, Cook was 11-of-29 passing for 234 yards, one touchdown (55 yards to Tony Lippett) and one interception.
Cook was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game after throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns, and he topped that performance by racking up 332 passing yards and two touchdowns against Stanford while being named the 2014 Rose Bowl Game's Offensive MVP. He finished his first year as the starter with one of the best statistical seasons in school history, ranking second in the MSU single-season record book in touchdown passes (22), fourth in total offense (2,831 yards) and pass attempts (380), fifth in passing yards (2,755), and sixth in pass completions (223).Cook already ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in touchdown passes (eighth with 33), completion percentage (ninth at .589), pass completions (12th with 297) and passing yards (12th with 3,920).
Tony Lippett LEADS BIG TEN IN RECEIVING, ADDED TO BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST -
Senior wide receiver Tony Lippett is having a career year in his last season wearing the Green and White and has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The Detroit, Michigan, native ranks first in the Big Ten and 14th in the FBS with 105.0 receiving yards per game. He has caught at least one touchdown pass in seven consecutive games, and leads the Big Ten and ranks tied for third in the FBS with seven TD receptions this season. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Lippett also is tied for ninth in the conference with 5.0 receptions per game (25 catches for 525 yards; 21.0 avg.). Twenty-three of Lippett's 25 catches (93 percent) have gone for either a touchdown or first down, and he leads the receivers with eight receptions of 20-plus yards. His 202 yards after the catch (YAC) leads the team.
At No. 3 Oregon Sept. 6, Lippett had a career-best 11 receptions for 133 yards, becoming the first Spartan receiver to record back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since B.J. Cunningham in 2011. The 11 receptions tied for seventh most in MSU single-game history.
Lippett caught two more touchdown passes (23 and 8 yards) in limited action vs. Eastern Michigan; he finished with three receptions for 45 yards against the Eagles. In the non-conference finale against Wyoming, Lippett hauled in four catches for 76 yards, including a 19-yard TD pass from Connor Cook.In the Big Ten opener against Nebraska, Lippett had three receptions for 105 yards, including a 55-yard TD from Cook. He also scored on a 32-yard TD run on a reverse in the third quarter for his first career rushing touchdown.
Lippett led the Spartans with a career-high 44 catches for 613 yards and two TDs in 2013.A three-year letterwinner, Lippett has 109 catches for 1,574 yards (14.4 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 46 career games, including 20 starts. Lippett moved to wide receiver full-time in 2012 after playing both receiver and cornerback in 2011.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE FEATURES NUMEROUS PLAYMAKERS -• The Spartans returned seven starters and 16 players with starting experience on offense from last year's Rose Bowl and Big Ten Championship team, including junior quarterback Connor Cook, who went 12-1 in his first season as the starter in 2013. Overall, the Spartans returned 97 percent of their total offense from a year ago, 99 percent of their rushing yards and 79 percent of their receiving yards.
• 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).
• MSU leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 45.6 points per game. The Spartans also rank among the FBS leaders in passing efficiency (11th with 163.8 rating), rushing offense (22nd with 239.2 ypg.) and total offense (24th with 496.4 yards per game).• Against Eastern Michigan (73 points) and Wyoming (56 points), MSU scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1978.
• MSU has scored 201 points in its four home games (50.3 ppg.).• Ten different players have scored touchdowns this season for the Spartans, including nine with at least two touchdowns. MSU's 30 touchdowns rank tied for eighth most in the FBS.
• Michigan State has outscored its opponents 170-32 (34.0-6.4) in the first half of games this season. At home, the margin is 146-14 in favor of the Spartans (36.5-3.5).• Senior Jeremy Langford, who ranked first in the Big Ten in 2013 with 18 rushing touchdowns, leads the team in rushing with 451 yards on 91 carries (90.2 ypg.) and four touchdowns. Langford collected his 10th career 100-yard rushing game and ninth straight against Big Ten competition with 111 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown against No. 19 Nebraska. With his 111 yards, he moved into 19th place on MSU's all-time rushing list with 1,896 career yards. With 22 career rushing TDs, Langford is in 14th place on the Spartans' all-time list. Last season, Langford ranked sixth in the Big Ten in rushing (101.6 ypg.) and established a school record by rushing for more than 100 yards in eight consecutive games.
• Michigan State returned 86 percent of its receptions - the 11th most in the FBS - and 79 percent of its receiving yards in 2014. The Spartans also returned 16 players who caught at least one pass last season (tied for third in FBS), losing only fifth-year senior Bennie Fowler. Although Fowler led the team in receiving yards (622) and touchdown receptions (6) and ranked third in receptions (36), MSU returned four receivers with multiple years of starting experience, including seniors Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery and juniors Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr.• Although the Spartans lost three starters (RT Fou Fonoti, RG Dan France, LG Blake Treadwell) from the strongest offensive line of the Dantonio era in 2013, MSU brought back five veterans that have played extensively up front. Junior Jack Allen returned to center and sophomore Jack Conklin is back at left tackle, while fifth-year senior Travis Jackson is the starter at left guard and junior Donovan Clark is the starter at right guard. Fifth-year senior Connor Kruse, who missed the first three games of the season after suffering an injury in preseason camp, returned to action against Wyoming. In Kruse's absence, sophomore Kodi Kieler was inserted into the starting rotation at right tackle, and Clark moved to right guard. Freshman Brian Allen, who received his first career start against Wyoming at left guard, has played extensively on the line at three positions: center, left guard and right guard.
• Four of the five tight ends that earned letters for the Spartans last season are back in 2014 (Andrew Gleichert, Paul Lang, Jamal Lyles and Josiah Price). The group combined for 28 catches for 317 yards and five TDs in 2013.INSIDE THE NUMBERS -
• Dantonio has always stressed the importance of a balanced offense, and the 2013 Spartans couldn't have been more balanced statistically. MSU had 23 rushing touchdowns and 23 passing touchdowns, and averaged 173.8 yards per game rushing and 211.7 yards per game passing. Thirteen different offensive players scored TDs for MSU in 2013. Thus far in 2014, MSU is averaging 257.2 yards passing with 12 TDs, and 239.2 yards rushing with 18 TDs.
• Michigan State is 19-9 (.679) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a six-game winning streak and a 13-3 record (.813) since 2010. MSU went a perfect 4-0 in conference road games in 2013 (wins at Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Northwestern). Dantonio has won at least one road game at every Big Ten stadium.
• A trademark of Mark Dantonio's Michigan State teams has been their ability to produce wins late in the regular season. Under Dantonio, Michigan State has compiled an 18-5 record (.783) in November. His teams have won 12 of the last 14 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012, 4-0 in 2013). In 2012, MSU lost back-to-back games (Nebraska and Northwestern) in November for the first time since 2006 when the Spartans dropped three in a row. In the four seasons (2003-06) prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU went just 2-11 (.154) in November.• Michigan State's offensive line allowed 17 sacks (1.21 per game) in 2013, which ranked second fewest in the Big Ten and 15th in the NCAA FBS. The Spartans have given up just three sacks in 2014, fewest in the Big Ten and tied for third fewest in the FBS.
• Michigan State ranks No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in time of possession (36:25). Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 51-9 (.850) when leading in time of possession, including a 38-6 record (.864) since 2010. The Spartans ranked second in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA FBS in time of possession (33:19 per game) in 2013.• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 54-11 (.831) when outrushing its opponent, including a 38-4 record (.905) since 2010. The Spartans are 23-3 (.885) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 42-11 record (.792) in home games, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012). MSU completed its 19th undefeated home season in Spartan Stadium history with a 7-0 mark in 2013. The Spartans currently have a 11-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.• Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Michigan State is 16-7 (.696) in games decided by 10 points or less. The losses have come against Wisconsin in the 2011 Big Ten Championship Game (42-39), Ohio State (17-16), Iowa (19-16 in 2OT), Michigan (12-10), Nebraska (28-24) and Northwestern (23-20) in 2012, and Notre Dame (17-13) in 2013.
