Post-Game Notes: Eastern Michigan
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
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• Michigan State's 73 points is the third-highest single-game total in modern-day school history (since 1946: 76 vs. Northwestern, 1989; 75 vs. Arizona, 1949). MSU's 49 first-half points marked a modern-day record. The 28 first-quarter points also marked the most scored by the Spartans in a quarter since 2005 at Illinois (28 points in the second quarter).
• Michigan State's seven rushing touchdowns are the most since it scored a school-record 10 rushing touchdowns against Northwestern in 1989.
• Michigan State has compiled a 50-19 record (.725) in games played against non-conference opponents since 1999. Mark Dantonio is 27-11 (.711) against non-conference opponents, including a 21-2 record (.913) in Spartan Stadium. Overall, the Spartans have won 33 of their last 45 non-league games (.733).
• Michigan State improved its record to 38-6 (.864) against current members of the Mid-American Conference (2-0 vs. Akron, 2-0 vs. Bowling Green, 6-3 vs. Central Michigan, 10-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 1-0 vs. Kent State, 1-0 vs. UMass, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 11-2 vs. Western Michigan). The Spartans have won 29 of their last 32 games against MAC opponents, including the last seven in a row.
• Michigan State improved its record to 40-11 (.784) in home games under Mark Dantonio, including its current nine-game winning streak. The Spartans have won 25 of their last 30 home games.
• Michigan State's defense forced Eastern Michigan to go three-and-out on 14 of its 16 possessions, including all nine in the first half. The Eagles produced zero first downs and 1 total yard in the first half, including minus-14 rushing yards on nine attempts. Only four of EMU's 25 offensive snaps in the first half resulted in positive yards. The Eagles went 0-for-8 on third down in the opening half.
• The Spartan defense limited Eastern Michigan to five first downs, 20 rushing yards on 19 carries, 115 passing yards (10-of-29) and 135 total yards (48 plays). Michigan State also forced six turnovers (five fumbles and one interception) - the most caused by a Dantonio-coached team.
• Michigan State scored 31 points off of Eastern Michigan's six turnovers. The Spartans parlayed three first-half turnovers into 21 points.
• Michigan State held a 42:41-17:19 advantage in time of possession. Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans are 49-9 (.845) when leading in time of possession.
• Michigan State rushed 60 times for 336 yards and seven touchdowns against Eastern Michigan. It marked MSU's first 300-yard rushing game since gaining 368 yards on 67 attempts against Indiana in 2007.
• Sophomore tailback Delton Williams recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game, with 10 carries for 103 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. Williams scored on TD runs of 1, 7 and 80 yards. His career-long 80 yard TD run marks the longest by a Spartan since Edwin Baker scored on an 80-yard burst against Florida Atlantic at Detroit's Ford Field.
• Fifth-year senior Tony Lippett had three receptions for 45 yards and two scores - all in the first half. Lippett has recorded a touchdown reception in each of his last five games.
• Junior quarterback Connor Cook completed 5-of-6 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the first half against Eastern Michigan. Cook hooked up with Tony Lippett for scoring plays of 23 and 8 yards in the first quarter. He has thrown TD passes in each of his last 10 games (school record: 16 by Kirk Cousins and Drew Stanton).
• Sophomore quarterback Tyler O'Connor came off the bench to complete 4-of-5 throws for 58 yards and one score. His first career touchdown pass came on a 33-yard strike to AJ Troup early in the second quarter.
• In his first career start, sophomore linebacker Riley Bullough matched his career best with three tackles against Eastern Michigan, including a half tackle for loss.
• True freshman safety Montae Nicholson recorded a career-high five tackles against Eastern Michigan and recovered a fumble.
• Fifth-year senior Mike Sadler averaged 43.4 yards on five punts, including three kicks downed inside the EMU 20-yard line. Sadler hit a season-long 55-yarder in the fourth quarter.
