Cotton Bowl Classic Media Guide Available Online
12/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
| 2015 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 8 Michigan State (10-2, 7-1 B1G) vs. No. 5 Baylor (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) | |
| Date | Time | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 12:45 p.m. EST |
| Location | Arlington, Texas AT&T Stadium (71,185/Matrix Field Turf) |
| Televison | ESPN |
| Broadcast Team | Dave Pasch (play-by-play) | Brian Griese (analyst) | Tom Luginbill (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 |
| Bowl Guides | Michigan State |
| Bowl Information | Cotton Bowl Central (Gameday Live) | Cotton Bowl Alumni Association Cotton Bowl Website | CottonBowl.com |
| Social Media | @MSU_Football  | #MSUCotton | Facebook  |
FIRST-AND-10 -
• Michigan State, which finished No. 8 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, will play in the 79th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 5 Baylor on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 12:45 p.m. EST in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This marks the first-ever appearance for the Spartans in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which dates back to 1937. The Spartans, who have recorded double-digit win seasons four of the last five years, finished the regular season with a 10-2 record and went 7-1 in Big Ten play. Both of MSU's losses came against teams that made the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff (No. 2 Oregon and No. 4 Ohio State). The Bears won a share of the Big 12 Championship with an 8-1 league record and are 11-1 overall after defeating Kansas State in the regular-season finale, 38-27. Ranked fourth in The Associated Press Poll, Baylor equals MSU's highest-ranked AP opponent in a bowl game (No. 4 UCLA in 1956 Rose Bowl; No. 4 UCLA in 1966 Rose Bowl). This marks the first AP Top 10 matchup in the Cotton Bowl since 1994 (No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Texas A&M).
• Michigan State is extending its school record by playing in a bowl game for the eighth consecutive season (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl). The eight-year bowl streak is currently the second longest in the Big Ten and 13th longest in the NCAA FBS.
• MSU also is looking to extend its school-record three-game bowl winning streak after topping No. 18 Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl, 33-30 in triple overtime, edging TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 17-16, and defeating No. 5 Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl, 24-20. MSU's three-game bowl winning streak is currently the longest active streak in the Big Ten. Michigan State is also one of just six schools in the FBS to win bowl games in each of the last three seasons (Florida State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas A&M). Michigan State is making its 25th postseason bowl appearance overall, but this marks MSU's first-ever trip to the Cotton Bowl. In addition, MSU is just the second Big Ten team as a conference member to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic (Ohio State, 1987). The Spartans are 10-14 overall (.417) in bowl games.
• Eighth-year Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio will be making his eighth bowl appearance at MSU, setting a school record for most bowl appearances by a head coach (previous record: George Perles with seven from 1983-94). Dantonio is 3-4 in bowl games at Michigan State, including a school-record three-game winning streak (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose). Dantonio has led his teams to 10 bowl berths in 11 seasons as a head coach (eight at MSU, two at Cincinnati).
• The 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic marks the second-ever meeting between Michigan State and Baylor. In the only previous matchup between the two schools, Michigan State defeated Baylor, 28-10, on Sept. 28, 1968, in Spartan Stadium.
• Michigan State recorded its fourth double-digit win season in the past five years (11 in 2010, 11 in 2011, school-record 13 in 2013, 10 in 2014) with its 34-10 victory over Penn State in the regular-season finale. MSU is just the third Big Ten program, along with Michigan and Ohio State, to win at least 10 games four times in a five-year span as a conference member. Michigan State has won at least 10 games in a season six times (10 in 1965, 10 in 1999, 11 in 2010, 11 in 2011, 13 in 2013, 10 in 2014), including four (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) under head coach Mark Dantonio.
• MSU's 52 wins since 2010 are tied for seventh most among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams (tied with LSU) and most in the Big Ten during that same period. The Spartans have posted five consecutive winning seasons, a first for the program since recording six in a row from 1985-90. MSU has won 52 of its last 66 games (.788), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. In addition, the Spartans have won 25 of their last 28 games (.893), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale. MSU has won 23 games the past two seasons, the most in back-to-back seasons in school history (previous: 22 in 2010-11).
• The Spartans lead the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (+1.67 per game). MSU is +20 in the turnover department and has forced 33 turnovers this season (16 fumbles, 17 interceptions), which is tied for third most in the FBS. Conversely, the Spartans have turned the ball over just 13 times (six fumbles, seven interceptions), fewest in the Big Ten and tied for 10th fewest in the FBS. MSU has scored 110 points off of turnovers.
• Michigan State's offense in 2014 is the most prolific in school history. The Spartans have set school single-season records for points (517), total offense (5,958 yards), offensive touchdowns (64), rushing touchdowns (40) and made point-after attempts (66). MSU ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 43.1 points per game (modern-day school record: 37.4 ppg. in 1978). Michigan State also ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the NCAA FBS in total offense, averaging 496.5 yards per game (school record: 497.3 ypg. in 2005). In addition, MSU ranks among the FBS Top 25 in passing efficiency (18th with 151.1 rating), yards per play (18th with 6.58) and rushing offense (22nd with 234.9 ypg.).
• Michigan State, which has ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and Top 10 in the NCAA FBS the past three seasons in total defense and rushing defense, is on pace for another Top 10 finish in both categories. MSU enters the bowl game ranked third in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA FBS in total defense (293.5 ypg.) and sixth in the FBS in rushing defense (97.5 ypg.). Michigan State and Florida are the only schools in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense every season since 2011 (including 2014). In addition, MSU is the only school in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense and rushing defense the past four seasons (including 2014).
COACHES -
Michigan State: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 74-31 (8th year)
Overall Record: 92-48 (11th year)
Record vs. Baylor: 0-0
Baylor: Art Briles
Baylor Record: 55-33 (7th year)
Overall Record: 89-61 (12th year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-0
CURRENT SPARTANS IN POSTSEASON BOWL GAMES -
Career Stat Leaders:
Rushing - Jeremy Langford (23 carries for 84 yards, 3.7 avg., 1 TD; 1 game at RB)
Passing - Connor Cook (26 of 47 for 379 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 2 games)
Receiving - Tony Lippett (6 catches for 106 yards, 17.7 avg., 1 TD; 2 games at WR)
Tackles - Marcus Rush (13 tackles, 10 solos, 3 assists, 2.5 TFLs; 3 games)
STAT LEADERS -
Michigan State (after 12 games):
Rushing - Jeremy Langford (249 carries for 1,360 yards, 5.5 avg., 19 TDs)
Passing - Connor Cook (188 of 323 for 2,900 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Tony Lippett (60 catches for 1,124 yards, 18.7 avg., 11 TDs)
Tackles - Kurtis Drummond (65 tackles, 47 solos, 18 assists, 4 INTs, 11 PBUs)
Baylor (after 12 games):
Rushing - Shock Linwood (240 carries for 1,226 yards, 5.1 avg., 16 TDs)
Passing - Bryce Petty (234 of 377 for 3,305 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving - Corey Coleman (57 catches for 969 yards, 17.0 avg., 10 TDs)
Tackles - Bryce Hager (101 tackles, 70 solos, 31 assists, 11 TFLs)
SPARTAN BOWL HISTORY -
• Michigan State is making its 25th postseason bowl appearance overall, but this marks MSU's first-ever trip to the Cotton Bowl. In addition, MSU is just the second Big Ten team as a conference member to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic (Ohio State, 1987). The Spartans are 10-14 overall (.417) in bowl games.
• Michigan State is extending its school record by playing in a bowl game for the eighth consecutive season (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl). The eight-year bowl streak is currently the second longest in the Big Ten and 13th longest in the FBS.
• MSU also is looking to extend its school-record three-game bowl winning streak after topping No. 18 Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl, 33-30 in triple overtime, edging TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 17-16, and defeating No. 5 Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl, 24-20. MSU's three-game bowl winning streak is currently the longest active streak in the Big Ten. Michigan State is also one of just six schools in the FBS to win bowl games in each of the last three seasons (Florida State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas A&M). The Spartans are looking to tie a Big Ten record by winning their fourth consecutive bowl game. Michigan and Ohio State each have two four-game bowl winning streaks in their history, while Purdue and Wisconsin have accomplished the feat once.
• Ten of Michigan State's last 12 bowl opponents have been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25, including No. 4 Baylor in the 2015 Cotton Bowl, No. 5 Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl, No. 18 Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl, No. 15 Alabama in the 2011 Capital One Bowl, No. 16 Georgia in the 2009 Capital One Bowl, No. 14 Boston College in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl, No. 22 Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, No. 20 Fresno State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic, No. 10 Florida in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl and No. 21 Washington in the 1997 Aloha Bowl.
• Baylor equals MSU's highest-ranked AP opponent in a bowl game (No. 4 UCLA in 1956 Rose Bowl; No. 4 UCLA in 1966 Rose Bowl).
• This marks the sixth time in MSU history the Spartans will be featured in an AP Top 10 matchup in a bowl game (1954 Rose Bowl: No. 3 MSU vs. No. 5 UCLA; 1956 Rose Bowl: No. 2 MSU vs. No. 4 UCLA; 1966 Rose Bowl: No. 1 MSU vs. No. 4 UCLA; 2000 Citrus Bowl: No. 9 MSU vs. No. 10 Florida; 2014 Rose Bowl: No. 4 MSU vs. No. 5 Stanford).
DANTONIO NO STRANGER TO POSTSEASON PLAY -
Mark Dantonio is making his 23rd appearance in postseason play (as a graduate assistant, assistant coach or head coach), including four NCAA I-AA playoffs and 19 bowl games. Dantonio has compiled a 9-9 record (.500) in bowl games, including a 4-4 mark as head coach.
Dantonio will be making his eighth bowl appearance at MSU, setting a school record for most bowl appearances by a head coach (previous record: George Perles with seven from 1983-94). Dantonio is 3-4 in bowl games at Michigan State, including a school-record three-game winning streak (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose). Dantonio has led his teams to 10 bowl appearances in 11 seasons as a head coach (eight at MSU, two at Cincinnati; did not coach in 2007 International Bowl with UC).
SPARTANS TOUGH IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES -
Michigan State has compiled a 51-19 record (.729) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999. Mark Dantonio is 28-11 (.718) against non-conference opponents, including a 22-2 record (.917) in Spartan Stadium. Overall, the Spartans have won 34 of their last 46 non-league games (.739). Here's a look at Michigan State's non-conference results under Dantonio (since 2007):
SPARTANS MAKE RARE APPEARANCE IN TEXAS -
Michigan State is making its fifth postseason bowl appearance in Texas, including its first trip to the Cotton Bowl. It marks MSU's sixth trip to Texas in its 118-year football history. The Spartans are 2-3 (.400) in games played in Texas, including a 1-3 record (.250) in postseason play.
LONE STAR SPARTANS -
• The impact Texas players have had on Michigan State's football program has to be measured in terms of quality, not quantity. In 118 seasons, Texas has provided only 14 letterwinners but that modest figure includes three All-Americans: defensive end Charles "Bubba" Smith (Beaumont), wide receiver Gene Washington (LaPorte) and guard Earl Lattimer (Dallas).
• Smith, a two-time All-American, helped the Spartans win back-to-back national championships in 1965-66 while posting a combined record of 19-1-1 (.929). At 6-foot-8, 280 pounds, he anchored a defensive front that helped lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 47.3 yards per game. Selected No. 1 overall in the 1967 National Football League Draft by the Baltimore Colts, Smith earned All-Pro honors twice, in 1970-71.
• Washington led the Spartans in receptions for three-straight seasons from 1964-66, finishing with 102 career catches for 1,857 yards and 16 touchdowns. The two-time All-American became a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 1967. Washington received All-Pro recognition in 1969-70.
• Lattimer excelled as a two-way player for Duffy Daugherty in 1963, earning All-America honors as a guard. A crowd favorite, the 5-11, 218-pound Lattimer often turned a somersault when running up to his position on the line of scrimmage.
• Most recently, Hitchcock native Greg Randall started 22 consecutive games at right tackle for the Spartans from 1998-99. A fourth-round pick by New England in 2000, Randall spent four seasons in the NFL (Patriots, 2000-02; Houston Texans, 2003) and started 39 of 51 career games. He started at right tackle for the World Champion Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.
MSU/DALLAS CONNECTIONS -
• Former Michigan State All-American offensive tackle Flozell Adams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (No. 38 overall) of the 1998 National Football League Draft and became a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008). Adams spent 13 years in the NFL, including 12 seasons in Dallas (1998-2009) and one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010). He started 194 of 198 career games. Adams was named First-Team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 2007. His five Pro Bowl appearances are the second most by a Cowboy offensive tackle in team history. In 2009, Adams was ranked among the Cowboys' Top 50 all-time players (No. 43). He played for the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010 and started in Super Bowl XLV against Green Bay.
• A four-year letterman and three-year starter from 1994-97, Adams closed out his Michigan State career with three-straight postseason bowl appearances (1995 Independence Bowl, 1996 Sun Bowl and 1997 Aloha Bowl). In 35 career starts, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Adams helped Spartan running backs record 21 100-yard rushing games. Former MSU head coach Nick Saban best described him as a "road-grader."
• As a senior in 1997, Adams was named Walter Camp First-Team All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also earned All-America honors from The Associated Press (second team), Football News (second team) and The Sporting News (third team). A first-team All-Big Ten pick by both the coaches and media as a senior, Adams started all 12 games at left tackle and helped the Spartans rank No. 24 nationally in rushing offense, averaging 199.5 yards per game. The Bellwood, Illinois, native was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2014.
• Former Michigan State All-America tight end Billy Joe DuPree was chosen in the first round (No. 20 overall) in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. DuPree earned Pro Bowl honors three times (1976-78) during his 11-year pro career (1973-83) in Dallas. A member of the Super Bowl XII Champion Cowboys, he caught four passes for 66 yards in the Super Bowl win over the Denver Broncos at the Superdome in 1978. DuPree also played in Super Bowl X in 1976 against the Steelers and caught a 7-yard TD pass from Roger Staubach in the loss to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII in Miami in 1979. He finished his career with 267 receptions for 3,565 yards and 41 touchdowns. DuPree was a first-team All-American in 1972 at Michigan State as selected by Time Magazine after leading the Spartans with 23 receptions for 406 yards.
• Former Michigan State halfback Herb Adderley, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, won three Super Bowl rings during his career, including Super Bowl VI with the Cowboys in 1972. He also played in Super Bowl V with Dallas in 1971 against Baltimore and won Super Bowls I and II with the Green Bay Packers. Adderley spent the last three seasons of his Hall of Fame career with Dallas (1970-72). A first-round pick (No. 12 overall) in 1961 by Green Bay, Adderley earned first-team All-Big Ten honors at MSU in 1960.
• Michigan State journalism graduate Rick Gosselin (1972) has been a columnist with the Dallas Morning News since 1990. A voter for the Pro Football and Major League Baseball Halls of Fame, Gosselin covered the Cowboys from 1990-91 and then served as the newspaper's NFL columnist from 1992-2010 until his appointment as a general sports columnist began in August 2011.
SPARTANS VS. BIG 12 TEAMS -
Michigan State has compiled a 19-2-1 record (.886) against current members of the Big 12 Conference (1-0 vs. Baylor, 2-0 vs. Iowa State, 5-1 vs. Kansas, 5-0-1 vs. Kansas State, 2-0 vs. TCU, 0-1 vs. Texas Tech and 4-0 vs. West Virginia). The Spartans are 2-2 vs. Big 12 teams since 1993, including a 17-16 victory over TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
A QUICK GLANCE AT BAYLOR (11-1, 8-1 BIG 12) -
• Baylor, which finished fifth in the final College Football Playoff rankings, completed the regular season 11-1 and won its second consecutive Big 12 Championship with an 8-1 conference mark. No. 6 TCU also went 8-1 in Big 12 play, but fell to Baylor Oct. 11 in Waco, 61-58. The Bears are just the second team in the 18-year history of the Big 12 Conference to win back-to-back titles (Oklahoma, 2006-08). The 11 wins tie a school record; the Bears also went 11-1 during the regular season in 2013 and claimed their first-ever Big 12 title outright with an 8-1 league record before falling to Central Florida in Fiesta Bowl. The Bears finished the 2013 season ranked 13th by The Associated Press, tied for fourth highest in school history (best ever end-of-year ranking: No. 9 in 1951; only Top-10 finish in school history).
• Overall, the Bears have won eight conference championships in school history (Southwest Conference: 1915, 1922, 1924, 1974, 1980, 1994; Big 12: 2013, 2014).
• BU is led by seventh-year head coach Art Briles, who owns a 55-33 (.625) record at the school. Briles is 89-61 (.593) overall in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach after guiding Houston to a 34-28 (.548) mark from 2003-07, including four bowl berths. The 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic marks Briles' eighth bowl game as a head coach (2-2 at Baylor, 0-3 at Houston; did not coach Cougars in 2007 Texas Bowl). He was an assistant coach at Texas Tech (2000-02) for three seasons following a legendary high school career at Stephensville (Texas) High School from 1988-99, where he won four state championships (1993, 1994, 1998, 1999) as head coach and athletic director. Briles was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2014.
• Baylor is 26-3 over its last 29 games, while Michigan State 25-3 over its last 28 games. Since 2011, Baylor has collected a 40-11 record.
• Baylor is making its third appearance in the Cotton Bowl and first since 1981. BU lost the 1975 Cotton Bowl to Penn State, 41-20, and again in 1981 to Alabama, 30-2. The Bears are 10-10 overall in bowl games, including 2-2 under Briles. BU is extending a school record by playing in its fifth consecutive bowl game.
• The Bears lead the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring (48.8 ppg.) and total offense (581.2 ypg.). Baylor finished last season ranked No. 1 in the FBS both of those categories: 52.4 ppg. and 618.8 ypg. The Bears are one of just two schools (Oregon) to rank in the top five of total offense since 2011 (second in 2011 with 587.1 ypg; second in 2012 with 572.2 ypg.).
• BU also ranks fifth in the FBS in passing (346.2 ypg.) and 21st in rushing (235.2 ypg.). Another key reason for Baylor's success is turnover margin (+1.00; sixth in FBS).
• Baylor leads the Big 12 and ranks ninth in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing 107.7 yards per game. BU is ranked 40th in the FBS in total defense (367.7 ypg.), 42nd in scoring defense (24.2 ppg.) and 101st in passing defense (260.0 ypg.). • Junior tackle Spencer Drango, a first-team Walter Camp All-American, was named the 2014 Co-Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also earned first-team All-Big 12 honors for the second year in a row.
• Sophomore running back Shock Linwood, who leads the team and ranks second in the Big 12 in rushing (102.2 ypg.; 1,226 yards), garnered first-team all-conference accolades. Linwood also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (16) and all-purpose yards (108.5 ypg.) and ranks second in total offense (102.2 ypg.) and scoring (8.0 ppg.). Linwood has four 100-yard rushing games in 2014, including a season-high 178 yards on 29 carries in the win over TCU Oct. 11.
• Second-team All-Big 12 quarterback Bryce Petty, a fifth-year senior, ranks among the FBS Top 20 leaders in passing (eighth with 300.5 ypg.), passing efficiency (11th with 155.3 rating) and passing touchdowns (17th with 26). Petty was named the 2013 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 4,200 yards and 32 TDs last season. He ranks second in school history in passing yards (7,645) and touchdown passes (59).
• Sophomore Corey Coleman, who missed the non-conference portion of Baylor's schedule with a hamstring injury, still managed to lead the team in receptions (57), receiving yards (969) and touchdown catches (10) during the regular season to earn All-Big 12 second-team honors. He ranks eighth in the FBS in receiving yards per game (107.7). Coleman racked up a career-high 224 receiving yards on 15 catches in the 48-14 win at Oklahoma Nov. 8.
• In addition to Coleman, senior Antwan Goodley has 51 catches for 737 yards and six TDs in 10 games (73.7 ypg.) and freshman KD Cannon has 50 receptions for 833 yards and six TDs in 12 games (69.4 ypg.).
• Second-team All-Big Ten linebacker and fifth-year senior Bryce Hager leads the team with 101 tackles and ranks third with 11 tackles for loss.
• Junior defensive end Shawn Oakman leads the Big 12 and ranks tied for seventh in the FBS with 18.5 tackles for loss (83 yards). The first-team All-Big 12 honoree also ranks tied for 13th in the FBS with 10 sacks (67 yards).
• Sophomore cornerback Xavien Howard is tied for the team lead with four interceptions and ranks first on the Bear defense with 12 pass break-ups.
MSU/BAYLOR SERIES NOTES -
The 2015 Cotton Bowl marks the second-ever meeting between Michigan State and Baylor. The first meeting came 46 years ago in Week 2 of the 1968 season, as MSU defeated the Bears, 28-10, in Spartan Stadium.
THE LAST MEETING -
Sept. 28, 2068, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Bill Feraco accounted for 252 total yards and three touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 28-10 win over Baylor in Week 2 of the 1968 season.
Baylor took the opening kickoff and put together a 12-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Terry Cozby as the Bears jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Late in the first quarter, the Spartans took the lead for good at 7-3 on Feraco's 83-yard bomb to Allen Brenner.
Feraco capped off a 12-play, 68-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak to open the third quarter as MSU took a 14-3 lead. Rich Saul's interception on the final play of the third quarter helped set up MSU's third touchdown. Feraco finished off a seven-play, 53-yard drive with a 16-yard keeper as the Spartans built a 21-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Steve Stuart had completions of 33 yards to Tom Huggins and 22 yards to Mark Lewis to set up Baylor's only touchdown. Stuart punctuated an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak as the Bears pulled to within 21-10 with 4:45 left to play. After Baylor failed to recover an on-side kick attempt, Donald Highsmith closed out a nine-play, 49-yard drive with a 5-yard TD run up the middle as MSU extended its lead to 28-10 with 1:14 remaining in the game.
Feraco completed 9-of-13 passes for 197 yards, one TD and one interception. He also rushed 11 times for 55 yards and two scores.
Michigan State outgained Baylor in total yards, 420-343. The two teams combined for 763 total yards and eight turnovers.
Rich Saul led the Spartan defense with 15 tackles, including three for losses (7 yards), and an interception. Baylor's Tom Reaux recorded a game-high 18 stops, including two behind the line of scrimmage (21 yards).
MSU/BAYLOR CONNECTIONS -
• Drayton McLane, former owner of the Houston Astros, graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Baylor in 1958 and a master's degree in food marketing management from Michigan State in 1959. His generosity has fueled two major athletic facilities on the campuses of Baylor and MSU.
McLane Stadium, a 45,140-seat state-of-the-art football facility, opened in August 2014 on the shores of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas. In March 2012, Baylor announced a leadership gift for the $266 million stadium from the McLane family.
In addition, the McLane family also has helped contribute to other facilities on the Baylor campus, including the McLane Student Life Center. In February 2013, McLane received the Baylor Founders Medallion, one of Baylor's University's most distinguished awards that honors men and women whose service and contributions have been unusually significant to the life and future of the university.
In 2008, Drayton and Elizabeth McLane provided a $4 million commitment to enhance one of the most pristine settings in intercollegiate athletics, making McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field a reality on the banks of the Red Cedar River on MSU's campus. The Michigan State Board of Trustees approved the naming of the stadium in September 2008 and the 2,500-seat stadium was completed for the 2009 season. History was made on April 4, 2009, the first official game in the new stadium, as Spartan pitcher Nolan Moody threw a no-hitter against Northwestern. It marked MSU's first no-hitter in 16 years.
McLane Baseball Stadium was officially dedicated on May 2, 2009, with a pregame ceremony honoring the McLane family. In 2008, McLane was recognized as the Michigan State Baseball Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
McLane also serves as Chairman of McLane Group. During his years with the McLane Company - a subsidiary wholesale grocery distribution business - he enhanced its technology systems and added 16 distribution centers nationwide to expand its business from a $3 million a year operation into a $19 billion enterprise.
While owner of the Houston Astros from 1993-2011, the Astros won four National League Central Division titles, earned two Wild Card berths and appeared in the 2005 World Series. The McLane family also brought one the finest stadiums in the game to the franchise - the award-winning Minute Maid Park.
DANTONIO RANKS SECOND IN WINS AT MICHIGAN STATE -
• Eighth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25 against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109).
• Dantonio is one of just four Spartan head coaches to coach in at least 100 games at MSU (Duffy Daugherty: 183; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114; Dantonio: 105). In addition, Dantonio is one of 18 active coaches in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision to have coached at least 100 games at the same school.
• Dantonio owns a 74-31 (.705) record as head coach of the Spartans. His .705 winning percentage currently ranks fourth best at MSU.
• Dantonio is the third-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: 16th season; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern, ninth season) and the 16th longest in the FBS.
• Dantonio's eight-game bowl streak at Michigan State is tied for the seventh longest by an active head coach at the same school and is the longest in the Big Ten.
• Dantonio's .703 winning percentage (45-19) in Big Ten games ranks first at MSU (minimum 10 Big Ten games).
• Dantonio was one of 13 coaches on the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Watch List. Last season, Dantonio was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year and the Bobby Bowden National Coach of the Year.
• Along with Dantonio, five Spartan assistant coaches - Harlon Barnett, Pat Narduzzi, Mark Staten, Mike Tressel and Dave Warner - have also coached in more than 100 games at MSU.
DANTONIO'S WINNING PERCENTAGE AT MSU AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION -
• Mark Dantonio is one of just six active coaches in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision to own at least a .700 winning percentage in at least 100 games at the same school (Les Miles, LSU; Gary Patterson, TCU; Nick Saban, Alabama; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma; Mark Richt, Georgia).
SPARTAN FOOTBALL PROGRAM NOTES -
• Michigan State returned 46 letterwinners and 15 starters in 2014 from last season's team that won a school-record 13 games, including a 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl Game and a 34-24 win over No. 2 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. MSU finished No. 3 in the final 2013 Associated Press and USA TODAY Polls, marking its highest placing in the national polls since 1966. In addition, Michigan State (13-1) became just the third team in Big Ten history to win at least 13 games in a season (Minnesota, 1904; and Ohio State, 2002).
• Michigan State has won eight Big Ten Championships in school history (1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987, 1990, 2010, 2013), including two under head coach Mark Dantonio.
• Michigan State won seven Big Ten regular-season games this season for just the eighth time in school history (1965, 1966, 1978, 1987, 2010, 2011, school-record eight in 2013, 2014).
• Michigan State recorded its fourth double-digit win season in the past five years (11 in 2010, 11 in 2011, school-record 13 in 2013, 10 in 2014) with its 34-10 victory over Penn State in the regular-season finale. MSU is just the third Big Ten program, along with Michigan and Ohio State, to win at least 10 games four times in a five-year span as a conference member.
• Michigan State has won at least 10 games in a season six times (10 in 1965, 10 in 1999, 11 in 2010, 11 in 2011, 13 in 2013, 10 in 2014), including four (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) under head coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio has been a part of five of those teams, as he was the secondary coach in 1999 for the Spartans.
• MSU's 52 wins since 2010 are tied for seventh most among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams (tied with LSU) and most in the Big Ten during that same period. The Spartans have posted five consecutive winning seasons, a first for the program since recording six in a row from 1985-90. MSU has won 52 of its last 66 games (.788), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season.
• MSU has won 23 games the past two seasons, the most in back-to-back seasons in school history (previous: 22 in 2010-11). The 23 wins since 2013 are fifth most in a two-year span in Big Ten history.
• The Spartans have won 25 of their last 28 games (.893), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale.
• Since 2010, MSU has recorded 32 regular-season Big Ten victories, the most of any team in the conference (Note: Ohio State has won 34 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season.)
• Michigan State is one of only seven schools to have had at least one player chosen every year since the inception of the common NFL Draft in 1967. MSU joins Arizona State, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee and USC as the only programs with at least one draft choice for 48 consecutive years.
• Michigan State and Florida are the only schools in the country to win multiple National Championships in football and men's basketball. MSU has won six national titles in football (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966) and two in men's basketball (1979, 2000). Michigan State is also the only school in the nation to win multiple National Championships in football, men's basketball and hockey.
• Since 2008, MSU has recorded 42 Big Ten regular-season victories, the most of any team in the conference (Note: Ohio State has won 48 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season). The Spartans produced back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2010-11 for the first time in program history, claimed a share of the Big Ten Championship in 2010, won the inaugural Big Ten Legends Divisions title in 2011, and won the 2013 Big Ten Championship and 2014 Rose Bowl Game.
SPARTANS MAINTAIN SUCCESS IN BIG TEN PLAY -
• Michigan State has won 17 of its last 18 games against Big Ten opponents, including 16 wins by double-figures (only win not by double-figures: 27-22 victory over No. 19 Nebraska on Oct. 4, 2014). Michigan State's 13-game Big Ten winning streak was snapped Nov. 8 in the loss to No. 14 Ohio State. It was the second-longest Big Ten winning streak in school history (16 straight from Oct. 2, 1965 to Oct. 21, 1967). In addition, MSU had won 14 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents (2013 Big Ten Championship Game vs. No. 2 Ohio State).
SECOND-WINNINGEST SENIOR CLASS IN MSU HISTORY -
• With a 41-12 record, the 2014 senior class is the second-winningest senior class in school history. A victory in the Cotton Bowl would tie a school record, set by last year's senior class, with 42 victories in a span of four seasons. The 2014 senior class has been a part of a school-record three straight bowl wins (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose) and won the 2013 Big Ten Championship. The 41 wins by the class of 2014 since 2011 is tied for the most in the Big Ten Conference, along with Ohio State.
• The 18-member senior class includes: OL James Bodanis (Toronto, Ontario), OG Adam Brown (Columbia, Md.), S Kurtis Drummond (Masury, Ohio), SN Leland Ewing ( Jackson, Mich.), TE Andrew Gleichert (Ann Arbor, Mich.), LB Mylan Hicks (Detroit, Mich.), RB Nick Hill (Chelsea, Mich.), OL Travis Jackson (New Albany, Ohio), WR John Jakubik (Plymouth, Mich.), LB Taiwan Jones (New Baltimore, Mich.), DL James Kittredge (Ramsey, N.J.), OL Connor Kruse (Lowell, Mich.), RB Jeremy Langford (Wayne, Mich.), WR Tony Lippett (Detroit, Mich.), WR Keith Mumphery (Vienna, Ga.), FB Matt Rea (Rochester, Mich.), DE Marcus Rush (Cincinnati, Ohio) and P Mike Sadler (Grand Rapids, Mich.). Skyler Burkland (Sunbury, Ohio) and Patrick Rhomberg (Columbus, Ohio), who both retired early from football due to injuries, were recognized with the 2014 class on Senior Day.
• Twelve members of the 2014 senior class have already received their undergraduate degrees: Drummond (sociology), Ewing (agribusiness management), Gleichert (biochemistry and molecular biology), Hicks (psychology), Hill (psychology), Jackson (psychology), Jakubik (kinesiology), Kruse (economics), Langford (sociology), Mumphery (communication), Rush (advertising) and Sadler (applied engineering sciences).
SIX SPARTANS EARN ALL-AMERICA ACCOLADES, INCLUDING TWO FIRST-TEAMERS -
• Six Spartans picked up All-America honors in 2014: junior center Jack Allen, junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun, sophomore left tackle Jack Conklin, fifth-year senior safety Kurtis Drummond, fifth-year senior wide receiver Tony Lippett and junior cornerback Trae Waynes. Drummond was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele, while Allen landed on the USA TODAY All-America First Team.
• Since 2007, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has helped develop nine first-team All-Americans (eight different players): running back Javon Ringer, 2008; linebacker Greg Jones, 2009-10; defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, 2011; running back Le'Veon Bell, 2012; cornerback Darqueze Dennard, 2013; punter Mike Sadler, 2013; Allen and Drummond, 2014.
Here's a look at MSU's All-Americans from the major team selections:
Associated Press: Allen (third team), Drummond (third team), Waynes (third team)
Athlon Sports: Waynes (second team), Drummond (third team), Allen (fourth team), Conklin (fourth team)
Football Writers Association of America: Drummond (first team), Calhoun (second team)
Phil Steele: Drummond (first team), Calhoun (second team), Waynes (third team), Allen (fourth team), Lippett (fourth team)
Sporting News: Waynes (second team)
USA TODAY: Allen (first team), Drummond (second team)
Walter Camp Football Foundation: Calhoun (second team), Waynes (second team)
FIVE SPARTANS GARNER FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN HONORS -
• Five Michigan State players were named to the All-Big Ten First Team and a total of 14 Spartans received all-conference recognition. The five first-team selections by the coaches were the most of any school in the conference.
• Two Spartans took home individual awards, as fifth-year senior Kurtis Drummond was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, while fifth-year senior Tony Lippett was selected the Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year. It marked the second straight year a Spartan has won the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award (Darqueze Dennard, 2013).
• Drummond, Lippett, junior center Jack Allen, junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun and junior cornerback Trae Waynes were first-team selections by both the coaches and media.
• Michigan State has had two defensive backs on the All-Big Ten First Team each year the past four seasons (Johnny Adams and Trenton Robinson in 2011; Adams and Dennard in 2012; Dennard and Drummond in 2013; Drummond and Waynes in 2014).
• Since 2007, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has helped produce 31 first-team All-Big Ten selections.
• Sophomore offensive tackle Jack Conklin, junior quarterback Connor Cook and fifth-year senior offensive guard Travis Jackson landed on the second team by both the coaches and media, while senior linebacker Taiwan Jones earned a second-team nod from the coaches.
• Junior linebacker Ed Davis, senior running back Jeremy Langford, sophomore tight end Josiah Price, senior defensive end Marcus Rush and fifth-year senior punter Mike Sadler were named honorable mention by the coaches and media. Jones was also an honorable mention pick by the media.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE PRODUCING RECORD-BREAKING SEASON -
• 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.
• Michigan State's offense in 2014 is the most prolific in school history. The Spartans have set school single-season records for points (517), total offense (5,958 yards), offensive touchdowns (64), rushing touchdowns (40) and made point-after attempts (66).
• MSU ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring, averaging 43.1 points per game (modern-day school record: 37.4 ppg. in 1978). Michigan State also ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the NCAA FBS in total offense, averaging 496.5 yards per game (school record: 497.3 ypg. in 2005). In addition, MSU ranks among the FBS Top 25 in passing efficiency (18th with 151.1 rating), yards per play (18th with 6.58) and rushing offense (22nd with 234.9 ypg.).
OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT
• Michigan State's improvement in scoring offense (+13.7 points per game) is the seventh largest in the NCAA FBS. MSU's improvement in total offense (+111.0 yards per game) also is the seventh largest in the FBS.
A BALANCED APPROACH
• Mark Dantonio has always stressed the importance of a balanced offense, and the 2014 Spartans couldn't be more balanced statistically. MSU is one of just eight teams in the FBS, along with Auburn, Baylor, Marshall, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oregon, and Toledo, to average more than 230 yards in both rushing and passing. The Spartans are averaging 234.9 yards rushing with a school-record 40 TDs and 261.6 yards passing with 24 TDs. Twelve different offensive players have scored touchdowns this season for the Spartans, including 10 with at least two touchdowns.
• The Spartans are also balanced offensively and defensively: MSU is the only team in the FBS to rank in the top 15 in both total defense (seventh at 293.5 ypg.) and total offense (14th at 496.5 ypg.), and scoring offense (seventh at 43.1 ppg.) and scoring defense (12th at 19.9 ppg.). Mississippi State is the only other team to rank in the top 15 in scoring offense and defense, and Ohio State is the only other team to rank in the top 15 in total offense and defense.
SPARTAN OFFENSE PRODUCTIVE AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT -
• Michigan State's offense has not only been incredibly productive this season, but also remarkably efficient, scoring touchdowns on 41 percent of its possessions (.412 percent, 64-of-158). The Spartans also are scoring on 49 percent of their possessions (78-of-158, 64 touchdowns, 14 field goals). [Not including drives of two plays or fewer to end a half].
• MSU has outscored teams in the first half by 214 points (321-107) and in the first quarter by 124 points (152-28).
• Michigan State has scored at least 45 points in six games, marking the most amount of times MSU has scored at least 45 points in a single-season (five in 1948 and 1978).
• Michigan State ranks No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in time of possession (35:14). Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 57-10 (.851) when leading in time of possession, including a 44-7 record (.863) 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 has collected more than 500 yards of total offense six times this season (564 vs. Jacksonville State, 533 vs. Wyoming, 532 vs. Purdue, 662 vs. Indiana, 536 vs. Ohio State; 520 vs. Rutgers).
• Against Eastern Michigan (73 points) and Wyoming (56 points), MSU scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1978. In addition, the Spartans have scored 50 points three times this season (Indiana, 56) for the first time since 1978.
• Michigan State has produced 300-plus total yards in the first half in seven of 12 games this season.
• MSU has gotten off to a fast start in games this season, scoring touchdowns on its first possession in seven of its 12 games this season.
Connor Cook LEADS BIG TEN IN PASSING -
Junior Connor Cook, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, is the first Spartan quarterback to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors in consecutive years. Cook leads the Big Ten in passing (241.7 ypg.) and ranks second in the conference and 14th in the NCAA FBS in passing efficiency with a 152.4 rating. He also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (second with 22), total offense (third with 247.4 ypg.) and completion percentage (tied for fourth at .582).
Cook tied a school record, shared by Kirk Cousins and Drew Stanton, by throwing for a TD pass in 16 straight games (streak snapped at Maryland Nov. 15). Cook threw for at least 200 yards in seven of eight Big Ten games, and led the league in passing in conference games (257.9 ypg.).
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound Cook ranks among MSU's single-season leaders in touchdown passes (tied for second with 22), passing efficiency (third with 152.4 rating), passing (fourth with 2,900 yards), total offense (fourth with 2,969 yards), 200-yard passing games (fourth with nine) and pass completions (12th with 188).
Cook was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the collegiate player of the year, and one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
A product of Hinckley, Ohio, Cook recorded his seventh straight 200-yard passing game (254 yards) while completing 16-of-24 throws and two touchdowns against Rutgers. He passed for 240 yards on 14-of-31 attempts at Maryland, but had his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass halted at 16.
Cook threw for a career-high 358 yards, completing 25-of-45 throws in the loss to No. 14 Ohio State Nov. 8. The 358 yards were the fifth most in a single-game in MSU history and second most against Ohio State (Jim Miller, 360 yards, 1993). Cook fired two touchdown passes (15 yards to Keith Mumphery, 16 yards to Josiah Price) to tie a school record with 16 straight games with at least one touchdown pass.
Cook completed 12-of-22 throws for 227 yards with one TD in leading the Spartans to their second straight win against Michigan Oct. 25. With the one TD, he became the seventh MSU QB to throw for at least 40 career TDs.
Cook was 24-of-32 passing for 332 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the 56-17 victory at Indiana Oct. 18. For his effort at Indiana, Cook was named one of eight quarterback "Stars of the Week" by The Manning Award.
Cook threw for 238 yards on 19-of-27 throws and three TDs in the 45-31 win at Purdue Oct. 11.
In the Big Ten opener against No. 19 Nebraska Oct. 4, Cook was 11-of-29 passing for 234 yards, one touchdown (55 yards to Tony Lippett) and one interception.
In limited action against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 20) and Wyoming (Sept. 27), Cook threw for two touchdowns and completed 5-of-6 passes for 83 yards against EMU, and had two TDs and 126 yards on 8-of-12 throws against the Cowboys.
Cook completed 12-of-13 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against Jacksonville State Aug. 29, and set career highs in completions (29) and attempts (47) while passing for 343 yards at No. 3 Oregon Sept. 6.
Cook, who went 12-1 in his first season as the starter in 2013, owns a 22-3 record (.880) as the starting quarterback, including a 16-1 record against Big Ten opponents. He already ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in passing efficiency (third with 142.4 rating), touchdown passes (fourth with 45), total offense (fifth with 5,891 yards), passing yards (sixth with 5,749), pass completions (seventh with 420) and completion percentage (ninth at .583). His 17 200-yard passing games rank fourth most in MSU history, and his five 300-yard passing games are tied for third most.
Tony Lippett NAMED BIG TEN RECEIVER OF THE YEAR -
Fifth-year senior Tony Lippett is the first Spartan to win the Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year since the award's inception in 2011. He's also the first Spartan wide receiver to be named first-team All-Big Ten since Blair White in 2009. It marks the first All-Big Ten recognition for Lippett in his career.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Lippett is having a career year in his last season wearing the Green and White and was named the Governor's Award recipient (team MVP). The Detroit, Michigan, native ranks first in the Big Ten and tied for 17th in the FBS with 93.7 receiving yards per game. He also leads the Big Ten and ranks tied for eighth in the FBS with 11 TD receptions, and his 18.7 reception average ranks third in the conference.
Lippett, who has collected career highs in receptions (60), receiving yards (1,124) and touchdown catches (11) this season, is just the fourth Spartan in school history to record at least 50 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and 10 TD catches in a single-season (Plaxico Burress: 1999; Charles Rogers: 2001, 2002; B.J. Cunningham: 2011). He ranks among MSU's single-season leaders in 100-yard receiving games (tied for third with six), touchdown catches (fifth with 11), receiving yards (sixth with 1,124) and receptions (tied for 10th with 60). He has caught a touchdown pass in 11 of his last 14 games and has at least one reception in 22 consecutive games.
Lippett also is fifth in the conference with 5.0 receptions per game. Fifty-two of his 60 catches (87 percent) have gone for either a touchdown or first down, and he leads the Spartan receivers with 17 receptions of 20-plus yards. His 358 yards after the catch (YAC) lead the team.
Lippett showcased his versatility in the regular-season finale at Penn State, starting at both wide receiver and cornerback for the Spartans to become MSU's first two-way starter in the same game since Allen Brenner (split end and safety) in 1968. Lippett caught four passes for 53 yards against the Nittany Lions, including a 10-yard TD reception from Connor Cook in the third quarter; he also had one tackle and one pass break-up.
On Senior Day against Rutgers Nov. 22 in Spartan Stadium, Lippett saw extended time at cornerback in his first appearance on defense since he was a red-shirt freshman in 2011. He didn't miss a beat against the Scarlet Knights, breaking up two passes and recording a tackle in his final home game. He also had a game-high 72 receiving yards on five catches, including a 30-yard touchdown reception, against the Scarlet Knights.
Lippett recorded his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season, with three receptions for 103 yards and one score with a 70-yard TD catch, in the win over Michigan Oct. 25. The 70-yarder was Lippett's second longest of the season and his career, behind a 71-yarder in the season-opener against Jacksonville State.
Lippett led the Spartans with seven catches for 123 yards at Indiana; however, his streak of eight straight games with a touchdown grab was snapped.
He caught a scoring pass for the eighth straight game with a 39-yard TD reception from Connor Cook in the first quarter at Purdue. He ended up with 138 receiving yards on seven catches against the Boilermakers.
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 double reverse in the third quarter for his first career rushing touchdown.
Lippett caught two 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 Cook.
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 established a career high with 167 receiving yards on just four catches in the season opener against Jacksonville State, including touchdown receptions of 71 and 64 yards from Cook in the first quarter.
A three-year letterwinner, Lippett has 144 catches for 2,173 yards (15.1 avg.) and 15 touchdowns in 53 career games, including 27 starts (22 consecutive) at wide receiver. He currently ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in receptions (fourth with 144), receiving yards (sixth with 2,173) and touchdown receptions (tied for eighth with 15).
LANGFORD BRINGS SCHOOL-RECORD 100-YARD RUSHING STREAK INTO COTTON BOWL -
Fifth-year senior running back Jeremy Langford broke his own school record by rushing for more than 100 yards in his ninth consecutive game with 118 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries at Penn State in the regular-season finale. In addition, Langford closed his career in conference play by rushing for more than 100 yards in 15 straight Big Ten regular-season games and 16 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents; his 15 consecutive 100-yard rushing performances in Big Ten regular-season games is a school record, and it's also the longest 100-yard streak in the NCAA FBS for regular-season conference games since STATS began tracking such records in 1996.
Langford's 19 rushing TDs this season are a career high (18 in 2013) and tied for third most in an MSU single-season (school record: Javon Ringer with 22 in 2008). Langford has scored multiple rushing TDs in six consecutive games - the longest active streak among active FBS players. He has produced 15 rushing TDs over his last six games.
Langford has 1,360 rushing yards this season, which ranks 11th most in an MSU single-season, and his 2,805 career rushing yards are ninth most in school history. He is one of only three Spartan running backs, along with Ringer and T.J. Duckett, to record at least 1,300 yards rushing in back-to-back seasons (1,422 in 2013; 1,360 in 2014). Langford's 2,782 rushing yards since the beginning of 2013 are the second-most ever by a Spartan in a two-season span (Ringer, 3,084 yards, 2007-08).
Langford leads the team and ranks fifth in the Big Ten in rushing (113.3 ypg.); in conference games, he ranked third in rushing (127.5 ypg.). He has collected 1,360 rushing yards on 249 carries (5.5 avg.) with 19 touchdowns, including a team-best 13 runs of 20-plus yards, which ranks tied for 15th most in the FBS. In addition, he has seven rushes of 30-plus yards. Langford also leads team in all-purpose yards (1,415; 117.9 ypg.) and scoring (114 points; 9.5 ppg.). He ranks tied for eighth in the FBS in rushing TDs (19) and 20th in rushing (113.3 ypg.). Langford has gained 595 of his 1,360 rushing yards (44 percent) after contact, which ranks 11th among Power 5 Conference running backs, according to STATS.
With 1,422 rushing yards as a junior in 2013 and now 1,360 yards as a senior, Langford is the first Spartan running back to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Javon Ringer in 2007-08, and just the sixth in Spartan history (Blake Ezor, 1988-89; Tico Duckett, 1990-92; Sedrick Irvin, 1996-98; T.J. Duckett, 2000-01; Ringer, 2007-08).
Langford, who scored a Big Ten-leading 18 rushing touchdowns in 2013, has scored 37 rushing TDs since the beginning of last season with a career-high 19 in 2014. The 37 rushing TDs are the most ever by a Spartan in a two-season span (previous record: Ezor with 30 rushing TDs in 1988-89). Ten of Langford's 37 rushing TDs since 2013 have come in the fourth quarter, including five of 25 yards or longer.
In his final home appearance at Spartan Stadium on Senior Day vs. Rutgers, Langford rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns (18 yards, 38 yards) on 16 attempts against the Scarlet Knights.
Langford collected 138 on the ground and two touchdowns on 25 carries at Maryland, including a 25-yard rushing TD in the fourth quarter.
Langford recorded three rushing touchdowns as he scored on a pair of 1-yard runs and also a 33-yarder Nov. 8 vs. No. 14 Ohio State. He finished with 137 yards on 18 attempts (7.6 avg.) against the Buckeyes.
Langford tallied career highs in rushing yards (177) and carries (35) and tied a career best with three rushing touchdowns in the 35-11 victory over Michigan Oct. 25 in Spartan Stadium. It marked the fifth-highest single-game rushing total for a Spartan against the Wolverines. In his last two games vs. Michigan, Langford rushed 61 times for 297 yards (148.5 ypg.) and four touchdowns. He was named the fourth game captain for the Spartans vs. Michigan.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Langford rushed 21 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns at Indiana.
Langford began the Big Ten season by collecting 111 rushing yards against No. 19 Nebraska, and followed that effort with a 104-yard performance at Purdue. His first 100-yard rushing effort of the season came against Wyoming (16 attempts for 137 yards and one TD).
Langford ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in 100-yard rushing games (third with 17), rushing touchdowns (third with 37), total touchdowns (fourth with 39), rushing yards (ninth with 2,805), carries (ninth with 550) and points (10th with 234).
SPARTAN OFFENSIVE LINE FEATURES DEPTH AND EXPERIENCE -
• Although the Spartans lost three starters (RT Fou Fonoti, RG Dan France, LG Blake Treadwell) from the strongest offensive line of the Mark Dantonio era in 2013, MSU brought back five veterans that had played extensively up front. The eight-man playing rotation in 2014, which has used five different starting combinations this season, is proving to be just as deep and versatile as the 2013 unit. The five listed starters on the offensive line have a combined 109 starts (C Jack Allen: 33; LG Travis Jackson: 29; LT Jack Conklin: 24; RT Donavon Clark: 17; RG Connor Kruse: 6).
• The offensive line has allowed just 10 sacks this season, which ranks fewest in the Big Ten and tied for third fewest in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
• The Spartan offensive line is also a key reason why Michigan State has already set school records for points (517), offensive touchdowns (64), rushing touchdowns (40) and total offense (5,958 yards). The line has cleared the way for the Big Ten's second-ranked total offense (496.5 ypg.) and scoring offense (43.1 ppg.). MSU features the No. 1 passing offense in the conference (261.6 ypg.) and the 22nd rushing attack in the FBS (234.9 ypg.). The Spartans are averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game (234.9 ypg.) for the first time in the Dantonio era. The line has paved the way for Jeremy Langford, who recorded nine straight 100-yard rushing games to close out the regular season.
• Junior Jack Allen was named a first-team All-American by USA TODAY. A first-team All-Big Ten selection at center by both the league's head coaches and media, Allen was named one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, presented to the nation's outstanding center. He is the first Spartan center to land on the All-Big Ten First Team since Jason Strayhorn in 1998. Allen is the first Michigan State offensive lineman to earn first-team All-America honors since 1997: tackle Flozell Adams (Walter Camp Football Foundation) and guard Scott Shaw (Gannett News Service). In addition, he is just the fourth center in Spartan history to earn first-team All-America honors, joining Dick Tamburo (1952), Dan Currie (1957) and Dave Behrman (1962). The Hinsdale, Illinois, native leads the team with 17.5 dominators and ranks second with a career-best 80 knockdowns. Allen started 10 of MSU's 12 games at center (missed the Wyoming and Indiana games with an ankle injury). He also received MSU's Up Front Award as the team's outstanding offensive lineman.
• Sophomore Jack Conklin has started 22 consecutive games at left tackle and has only allowed 1.5 sacks in 26 career games. The former walk-on, who was awarded a scholarship after the 2012 season, was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches and media and was on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. Conklin leads the team with 104.5 knockdowns and has played a team-high 868 snaps. Conklin was one 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy (awarded to a former walk-on).
• Fifth-year senior Travis Jackson is in his third year as a starter on the offensive line, his first at left guard. The second-team All-Big Ten honoree has played in 39 career games, including 29 starting assignments (18 at center, 10 at left guard, one at right guard).
• Junior Donovan Clark has started all 12 games this season (seven games at right guard and five at right tackle).
• Fifth-year senior Connor Kruse, who missed the first three games of the season after suffering an injury in preseason camp, can play any position on the offensive line. He has started five games at right guard (vs. Purdue, Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland and Rutgers), one at center (vs. Indiana) and one at left guard (vs. Penn State).
• In Kruse's absence during the early portion of the season, sophomore Kodi Kieler was inserted into the starting rotation at right tackle, and he has started seven games at that position in 2014. Freshman Brian Allen, who has been named to several Big Ten All-Freshman Teams and landed on Scout.com's Freshman All-America First Team, has played extensively on the line at three positions: center, left guard and right guard. Junior Brandon Clemons, who has seen action on both the offensive and defensive lines this season, also sees time in the playing rotation for the Spartans.
TRULY ELITE -
• Since 2011, Michigan State's defense has been one of the most consistent in the FBS. The Spartans are one of just two schools, along with Florida, to rank among the FBS Top 10 in total defense the past four seasons (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 7 in 2014). MSU is on pace to rank in the FBS Top 10 in total defense for the fourth consecutive year, currently ranking seventh in the FBS in total defense (293.5 ypg.) entering the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic.
• MSU is the only school in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense and rushing defense the past four seasons (including 2014).
• The Spartans are the only school in the FBS to rank among the nation's Top 25 in pass defense and pass efficiency defense the past four seasons (including 2014). MSU is currently ranked fourth in the FBS in pass efficiency defense (102.9 rating) and 25th in pass defense (196.0 ypg.).
• MSU is on pace to finish in the Top 25 nationally in rushing defense for the fifth time in the last six seasons (24th in 2009; ninth in 2011; eighth in 2012; second in 2013). MSU is currently ranked sixth in the FBS in rushing defense (97.5 ypg.).
• In 105 games under Mark Dantonio, MSU has held its opponents under 100 yards rushing 53 times (50 percent).
• Since the Big Ten awarded conference stat champions in 1985 for overall games, MSU is the first team to win three straight titles in total defense and rushing defense.
• The Spartans led the FBS in total defense for 13 straight weeks and finished the 2013 season ranked No. 2 in the FBS, allowing just 252.2 yards per game. MSU was the only school in 2013 to rank in the top three in the four major defensive stat categories: No. 2 in total defense, No. 2 in rushing defense (86.6 ypg.), No. 3 in scoring defense (13.2 ppg.) and No. 3 in pass defense (165.6 ypg.).
• Since the start of the 2012 season, Michigan State has held opponents to 50 rushing yards or less 14 times (five times in 2012, four in 2013, five in 2014), most of any school in the FBS.
• Since the beginning of 2011, Michigan State has held 33 opponents under 100 rushing yards (seven in 2011; eight in 2012; 10 in 2013; eight in 2014), which ranks second most in the FBS.
• Since the start of the 2011 season, only three FBS teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than Michigan State's 42 (11 in 2011, six in 2012, eight in 2013, 17 in 2014).
SPARTAN DEFENSE RANKED AMONG NATION'S BEST ONCE AGAIN IN 2014 -
• Michigan State, which has ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten the past three seasons in total defense and rushing defense, ranks third in the conference and seventh in the NCAA FBS in total defense (293.5 ypg.). MSU also ranks second in the Big Ten and sixth in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense (97.5 ypg.).
• The Spartans are putting pressure on the quarterback, as they rank first in the Big Ten and tied for 11th in the FBS with 37 sacks (3.1 per game). Senior defensive end Marcus Rush leads the team with seven sacks.
• Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the FBS in third-down conversion defense (51 of 167, .305). Last season, MSU ranked second in the FBS in third-down conversion defense (57 of 204, .279).
• MSU ranks tied for third in the FBS in first downs allowed (174) and first in rushing first downs allowed (61).
SPARTAN DEFENSE FORCING TURNOVERS -
• The Spartans lead the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (+1.67 per game). MSU is +20 in the turnover department and has forced 33 turnovers this season (16 fumbles, 17 interceptions), which is tied for third most in the FBS. Conversely, the Spartans have turned the ball over just 13 times (six fumbles, seven interceptions), fewest in the Big Ten and tied for 10th fewest in the FBS. MSU has scored 110 points off of turnovers.
• 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 85 of 105 games over the last eight seasons (81 percent of the games played since 2007), including 11 games in 2014.
TOUGH TO SCORE ON SPARTAN DEFENSE -
• Michigan State, which has ranked in the FBS Top 10 in scoring defense in 2011, 2012 and 2013, is currently 12th in the FBS in scoring defense (19.9 ppg.) through 12 games in 2014.
• Michigan State has allowed an average of 18.02 points per game over the last five seasons, which ranks as the fourth-best scoring defense average of any NCAA FBS team since 2010.
THREE-AND-OUT -
• In 12 games this season, the Spartans have forced their opponents to go three-and-out on 64 of 158 possessions (.405 percent; 5.3 per game), which ranks tied for fifth in the nation. The Spartans are forcing an average of 5.3 three-and-outs per game, which ranks tied for 10th 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.]
Kurtis Drummond NAMED ALL-AMERICAN, BIG TEN DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR -
A two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, fifth-year senior safety Kurtis Drummond was selected the 2014 Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, becoming the second Spartan in a row to win the award (Darqueze Dennard, 2013). Drummond was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and is just the fifth safety in program history to earn first-team All-America honors, joining Jim Ellis, 1951-52; Allen Brenner, 1968; Brad Van Pelt, 1971-72; and Bill Simpson, 1973. He also was named an All-American by Phil Steele (first team), USA TODAY (second team), Associated Press (third team), Athlon Sports (third team) and SI.com (honorable mention).
Drummond is the first two-time All-Big Ten First Team safety at MSU since John Miller (1988-89) and just the fifth in school history (Drummond, Miller, Phil Parker: 1983-84-85, Thomas Hannon: 1975-76, Van Pelt: 1971-72).
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Drummond leads the Spartans in tackles (65), interceptions (4) and pass break-ups (career-high 11). He leads the Big Ten in passes defended (career-high 15: 4 interceptions and 11 pass break-ups) and ranks second in pass break-ups and tied for sixth in interceptions. Drummond also ranks among the NCAA FBS leaders in passes defended (19th at 1.3 per game) and interceptions (31st at 0.3 per game). In addition, he has been credited with three tackles for losses (10 yards).
Drummond anchors a Spartan secondary that ranks among the NCAA FBS leaders in passing efficiency defense (fourth at 102.9 rating), interceptions (11th with 17) and passing yards allowed (25th at 196.0 yards per game).
A native of Masury, Ohio, Drummond closed the regular season by tying his career high with two pass break-ups while also leading the Spartans with six tackles in the 34-10 win at Penn State, MSU's largest margin of victory ever at Beaver Stadium.
On Senior Day against Rutgers, Drummond led the Spartan secondary with 15 production points, as he recorded his fourth interception of the season and compiled six tackles. He had 14 production points in the road win over Maryland with three tackles, a 15-yard interception return and two pass break-ups.
Drummond tallied a career-high 11 stops and broke up a pass against No. 14 Ohio State.
In the 35-11 victory over Michigan, Drummond collected two pass break-ups and six tackles, including a 4-yard loss, to lead the secondary with 21 production points.
In the first two conference games, Drummond opened Big Ten play with nine stops, including a 5-yard loss, and broke up a pass against No. 19 Nebraska, then followed with a team-high seven tackles and a pass break-up at Purdue.
In non-conference play, Drummond had interceptions against Wyoming and Jacksonville State and recovered a fumble vs. Eastern Michigan.
Drummond, who was elected a co-captain at the beginning of the season, has started a team-high 33 consecutive games at free safety. He has 226 tackles in 51 career games and ranks tied for seventh in school history in interceptions (12), 11th in passes defended (33) and 12th in interception return yards (148). Drummond ranks tied for ninth among all active NCAA FBS leaders with 12 career interceptions. His career totals also include 12 tackles for losses (55 yards), three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Drummond has accepted an invitation to play in the 2015 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Trae Waynes CONTINUES SPARTAN TRADITION OF LOCKDOWN CORNERS -
Junior cornerback Trae Waynes, who ranks second on the team with a career-best seven pass break-ups and tied for second with three interceptions, was named a second-team All-American by Walter Camp, Sporting News and Athlon Sports, and a third-team All-American by The Associated Press and Phil Steele. The 6-1, 182-pound Waynes also was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the league's head coaches and media, becoming MSU's third first-team all-conference cornerback under Coach Dantonio (Johnny Adams, 2011-12; Darqueze Dennard, 2012-13). He was presented MSU's Jim Adams Award as the team's unsung hero on defense.
Waynes was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Labeled a "lock-down corner" by assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, Waynes is one of the main factors why the Spartans rank fourth in the NCAA FBS in passing efficiency defense (102.9 rating) and 25th in passing defense (196.0 ypg.). He also ranks sixth on the team with 43 tackles (37 solo, 12 assists), including two for loss (9 yards) with a 4-yard sack.
In the regular-season finale at Penn State, Waynes recorded his third interception of the season and sixth of his career. He also broke up a pass and had four stops against the Nittany Lions.
The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native was selected the Spartan Defensive Player of the Week after limiting Rutgers' Leonte Carroo to one catch for 6 yards while recording three tackles. Carroo entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten, averaging 93.3 receiving yards per game.
Waynes led the secondary with 20 production points, including four tackles and a pass break-up, in Michigan State's 37-15 win at Maryland.
He recorded five tackles and a pass break-up in MSU's 35-11 win over Michigan Oct. 25, the Spartans' biggest win (24 points) over the Wolverines since 1967. Waynes helped the secondary limit Michigan to 125 yards passing.
Waynes recorded a career-best two tackles for loss (9 yards), including a 4-yard sack, in MSU's 56-17 win at Indiana Oct. 18. He led the secondary with 20 production points at Purdue after collecting five tackles and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter.
In the Big Ten opener against No. 19 Nebraska, Waynes tied his career high with two interceptions and also posted career bests in tackles (7) and pass break-ups (2). His second interception with 30 seconds remaining in the game sealed the 27-22 victory over the Huskers.
Waynes, who has started 26 consecutive games, has 98 tackles, six interceptions and 12 pass break-ups in 35 career contests.
Shilique Calhoun AMONG THE ELITE DEFENSIVE ENDS IN SPARTAN HISTORY -
With his second straight selection to the All-Big Ten First Team, junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun entered elite company in Michigan State history, joining College Football Hall of Famer Charles "Bubba" Smith (1965-66) and Sam Williams (1957-58) as the only other Spartan defensive ends to earn back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors. Calhoun also was named to the Walter Camp All-America Second Team for the second year in a row. In addition, he was selected a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele.
A year after being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, Calhoun has continued to produce big plays for the Spartans in 2014. Calhoun is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (11.0 for 97 yards) and ranks second in sacks (6.5 for 79 yards). He ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh in the FBS in sack yardage (79 yards) and second in the conference and eighth in the FBS in tackles for loss yardage (97).
Calhoun, a co-captain, also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in sacks (tied for 10th with 0.54 per game) and tackles for loss (tied for 13th with 0.92 per game), and leads the Spartan defensive linemen with 37 tackles overall. In addition, Calhoun blocked a field goal in the Wyoming game and recovered a fumble and returned it 38 yards against No. 19 Nebraska. He ranks fourth on the team with 145 production points.
A product of Middletown, New Jersey, Calhoun was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, which is awarded to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. He was also one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award (college lineman of the year) and one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
The 6-foot-5, 256-pound Calhoun had a tackle for loss in nine of MSU's 12 regular-season games. He recorded a tackle for loss in his eighth straight game with a 2-yard loss at Maryland, as the Spartans held the Terrapins to just 6 yards rushing.
Calhoun led the Spartan defense with 19 production points against No. 14 Ohio State, recording five tackles, including 1.5 for losses (9 yards) and a half sack (4 yards). He also led the Spartan defensive linemen with 15 production points in the win over Michigan Oct. 25, including three solo tackles with a 5-yard sack.
Calhoun paced the Spartans with 17 production points at Indiana after collecting four tackles, including 2.5 for losses (20 yards) and one sack (11 yards).
In MSU's Big Ten opener, a 27-22 win over No. 19 Nebraska, Calhoun had four tackles, including a 7-yard sack, and scooped up an Ameer Abdullah fumble at the MSU 7-yard line and returned it 38 yards.
Calhoun ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss yardage (seventh with 174), sack yardage (eighth with 125), sacks (tied for 10th with 15), and fumble recoveries (tied for 10th with five). In 39 career games, including 26 consecutive starts, he has 80 tackles with 27.5 resulting in losses (34 percent). His 27.5 tackles for loss rank 17th in school history.
Mike Sadler: FIRST FOUR-TIME ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN IN SCHOOL HISTORY -
Fifth-year senior punter Mike Sadler, who was named to the 2014 Capital One Division I Academic All-America First Team, is the first student-athlete in Michigan State history to be named an Academic All-American four times. Sadler earned first-team honors in 2013 and second-team accolades in 2011 and 2012.
Sadler also is just the third Spartan (Dean Altobelli, 1985-86; Steve Wasylk, 1992-93) and 34th Big Ten football player to earn first-team Academic All-America honors twice.
A member of the 2014 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class, Sadler was one of 17 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given annually to the nation's top scholar-athlete. Each Campbell Trophy finalist was presented an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship at the 57th annual NFF Awards Dinner Dec. 9 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sadler graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied engineering sciences in May 2013 with a 3.97 grade-point average. He's currently pursuing a master's degree in public policy and has a 3.59 graduate GPA.
The NFF's National Scholar-Athlete program, launched in 1959, is the first initiative in history to award scholar-athletes postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities. Nominated by their respective schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade-point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Sadler becomes the seventh NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Michigan State history and the third under head coach Mark Dantonio (Kirk Cousins, 2011; Max Bullough, 2013). Michigan State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to have a player represented in the NFF Scholar-Athlete Class three of the last four years.
Sadler is also one of 20 Spartans in school history to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors four times (2011-13). He was presented the scholar-athlete award at the 2013 and 2014 Spartan Academic Excellence Gala for having the highest GPA on the team for players who have reached at least junior academic status.
Sadler also has earned All-America status on the field, as he was named a first-team All-American in 2013 by CBSSports.com and ESPN.com. An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection this season, Sadler ranks sixth in the Big Ten with his 41.3-yard punting average, including 14 punts placed inside the 20. He ranks second in MSU history in punts (265) and punting yards (11,188) and sixth in punting average (42.2 yards).
To be eligible for the Academic All-America 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.
ELEVEN SPARTANS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN HONORS -
Eleven Michigan State football players have been named to the 2014 Academic All-Big Ten Team: junior center Jack Allen, junior quarterback Connor Cook, sophomore kicker Michael Geiger, fifth-year senior offensive guard Travis Jackson, junior tight end Paul Lang, sophomore wide receiver Matt Macksood, sophomore offensive guard Benny McGowan, sophomore safety Mark Meyers, sophomore quarterback Tyler O'Connor, sophomore tight end Josiah Price and fifth-year senior punter Mike Sadler.
To be eligible for the Academic All-Big Ten Team, a student-athlete must be a letterwinner who is in at least his second academic year and carry a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale).
Michigan State's list of honorees includes nine multi-year selections. Jackson and Sadler become the 19th and 20th four-time Academic All-Big Ten selections in MSU history. Allen and Lang are featured on the academic all-conference team for the third straight year, while Cook, Macksood, Meyers, O'Connor and Price have made the honor roll for the second year in a row.
POLL SPEAK -
• Michigan State has been ranked in The Associated Press Top 10 in 13 of the 16 polls released in 2014. It's the most weeks MSU has spent in the AP Top 10 in one season since 1966 (entire season). The Spartans are currently ranked No. 7 and have spent the whole season ranked in the Top 15.
• Michigan State has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 24 consecutive weeks (dating back to Oct. 27, 2013), including 16 weeks in the Top 10.
• Michigan State is 39-11 (.780) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Mark Dantonio. As a ranked team, Michigan State has not lost to an unranked opponent under Dantonio (29-0).
• Michigan State was ranked No. 8 in the Preseason Associated Press and Amway Coaches Polls. It marked MSU's highest preseason ranking in the AP Poll since 1967 (No. 3). It also marked the Spartans' 14th appearance in the Preseason AP Top 10. Since 1950, Michigan State has appeared in the Preseason AP Poll 28 times. It marked MSU's highest preseason ranking in the Coaches Poll since USA TODAY began administering the poll in 1991.
• MSU's No. 3 final ranking in 2013 was the highest for the program since 1966 (No. 2). Michigan State did not enter the AP Poll until Week 10 (week of Oct. 27) last season.
• The Spartans have appeared in the final Top 25 rankings four times in the last six years (2008: No. 24 both polls; 2010: No. 14 both polls; 2011: No. 10 USA TODAY/No. 11 AP; and 2013: No. 3 both polls).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS -
• Michigan State has won 17 of its last 18 games against Big Ten opponents, including 16 wins by double-figures (only win not by double-figures: 27-22 victory over No. 19 Nebraska on Oct. 4, 2014).
• Under Dantonio, Michigan State has compiled a 59-8 record (.881) when leading after three quarters, including a perfect 10-0 in 2014.
• Under Dantonio, Michigan State is 60-11 (.845) when outrushing its opponent, including a 44-4 record (.917) since 2010. The Spartans are 28-3 (.903) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
• Under Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 44-12 record (.786) in home games, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013, won first five games in 2014). MSU is 29-6 (.829) at home since 2010.
• 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.
TOUGH TO BEAT IN NOVEMBER -
• 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 a 21-6 record (.778) in November. His teams have won 15 of the last 18 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014). In the four seasons (2003-06) prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU went just 2-11 (.154) in November.
ROAD WARRIORS -
• Michigan State is 23-9 (.719) in Big Ten road games under MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, including a school-record 10-game winning streak and a 16-3 record (.842) since 2010. Dantonio has won at least one road game at every Big Ten stadium (excluding Rutgers, who joined the Big Ten in 2014 and where MSU has yet to play a conference game).
• Michigan State's 10-game road Big Ten winning streak, dating back to 2012, is the longest in school history, besting the previous record of eight straight set in 1965-67 and 1988-90. It's also the fourth-longest active conference road winning streak in the FBS.
• The Spartans have won nine consecutive road games in November and 10 of 11 November road games under Dantonio (only November road loss: Nov. 22, 2008 at No. 7 Penn State).
• Michigan State has won a school-record 10 consecutive Big Ten road games. Here's a look at where that conference road winning streak stacks up in the FBS:
STAFF CONTINUITY SPARKS DANTONIO'S SUCCESS AT MSU -
• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has repeatedly stressed the importance of continuity on his coaching staff as one of the main reasons for Michigan State's success during his tenure. Five of MSU's nine assistant coaches have been at MSU since Dantonio's arrival in 2007 (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach Dave Warner, secondary coach Harlon Barnett, offensive line coach Mark Staten, and linebackers coach Mike Tressel). Those five also coached under Dantonio at Cincinnati. Dantonio, Narduzzi, Barnett, Staten and Tressel have been on the same staff since 2004.
• In addition, quarterbacks coach/recruiting coordinator Brad Salem is in his fifth year on the staff, wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel is in his fourth year, and defensive line coach Ron Burton is in his second year. Co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Jim Bollman, who is also in his second season, has coached with Dantonio on three previous occasions: Youngstown State (1986-90), Michigan State (1995-97) and Ohio State (2001-03).
MICHIGAN STATE RANKS AMONG TOP 25 IN ATTENDANCE FOR 59TH STRAIGHT YEAR -
Michigan State has ranked among the NCAA's Top 25 in attendance each of the last 59 seasons, including No. 20 in 2014, averaging 74,681 fans per game. The Spartans ranked No. 16 in the NCAA in total attendance at 522,765 fans for seven home games.
