Michigan State University Athletics
No. 13 Michigan State Welcomes Maryland to Spartan Stadium
11/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
| Game 10: No. 13 Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 B1G) vs. Maryland (2-7, 0-5) | |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 12:01 p.m. |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. Spartan Stadium (75,005/Natural Grass) |
| Televison | ESPN2 |
| Broadcast Team | Beth Mowins (play-by-play) Anthony Becht (analyst) | Paul Carcaterra (sidelines) |
| Internet Coverage | WatchESPN | |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Listen Live) | Affiliates |
| Satellite Radio | Ch. 136 (Sirius)/Ch. 195 (XM) |
| Radio (Mobile) | Broadcast available on Spartan Sports Network Mobile App: iPhone/iPad | Android |
| Parking/Tailgating/Stadium Information | Gameday Central | Gameday Answers |
| Tickets | Limited number available at msuspartans.com |
| Parking | Lots will open at 7 a.m. |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Maryland |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Maryland |
| Series Information | MSU leads, 5-1 | Last meeting: MSU 37, UMD 15 (Nov. 15, 2014) |
| Social Media | @MSU_Football  | #MSUMD | Facebook  |
FIRST-AND-10 --
• No. 13 Michigan State plays host to Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 14 at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. The Spartans (8-1) suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday at Nebraska, 39-38, and are tied for second in the Big Ten East standings at 4-1. Maryland (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten) has lost six in a row after falling at home to Wisconsin last Saturday, 31-24.
• Saturday's game marks the first meeting between Michigan State and Maryland in East Lansing since 1950 and is just the seventh overall in series history. MSU leads the overall series, 5-1, including a 37-15 win last season in College Park, Maryland, in the first Big Ten matchup between the two schools. Although MSU leads the series in Spartan Stadium, 3-1, the Terrapins won the last meeting, 34-7, on Oct. 7, 1950.
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 49-12 record (.803) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak and a 12-game winning streak, which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU currently has a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium. MSU is 34-6 (.850) at home since 2010 and 18-1 (.947) since 2013.
• Fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, owns a 31-4 record (.886) as the starter, including a 20-2 (.909) mark against Big Ten opponents. The 31 wins are second most among active starting quarterbacks in the NCAA FBS (Stanford's Kevin Hogan with 32) and the .886 winning percentage is No. 1. Cook is a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and is a semifinalist for both the Davey O'Brien Award (nation's best quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (college player of the year). Cook ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (first with 21), passing efficiency (first with 149.3 rating), passing (second with 267.2 ypg.), and total offense (third with 275.0 ypg.). He became MSU's all-time leader in touchdown passes after throwing four in the Nebraska game; he has 68 overall (Kirk Cousins threw 66 from 2008-11). Cook has thrown for more than 300 yards in a school-record four consecutive games (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; career-high 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska).
• Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge is making a strong case to become the second Spartan in a row to be named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year (Tony Lippett, 2014). Burbridge is just 6 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season, as he leads the Big Ten and ranks 11th in the NCAA FBS with 994 receiving yards. Burbridge also ranks first in the Big Ten and 14th in the FBS in receptions (6.9 pg; 62) and eighth in the FBS in receiving yards per game (110.4 ypg.). His six TDs are tied for third most in the conference. Burbridge has recorded four straight 100-yard games and seven overall this season, one shy of the MSU single-season record (B.J. Cunningham, eight, 2011).
• MSU has been ranked in the AP Poll for a school-record 36 consecutive weeks, dating back to Oct. 27, 2013 (previous record: 34 weeks from Sept. 19, 2010 to Sept. 23, 2012). For 27 of those 36 weeks, MSU has been ranked in the Top 10.
• Although Michigan State had its 12-game winning streak -- tied for the third-longest in school history -- snapped last Saturday at Nebraska, the Spartans have won 32 of their last 36 games since the beginning of the 2013 season, third most in the NCAA FBS during the time span. Mark Dantonio is the only Spartan head coach to have two separate 11-game winning streaks (won 11 straight in 2013-14).
• Mark Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach in the 27-23 triumph over Michigan on Oct. 17. Dantonio was 18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati and is 83-32 in his ninth season at Michigan State. He is the second-winningest coach in MSU history (Duffy Daugherty: 109).
• Michigan State has won 21 of its last 23 games against Big Ten opponents, dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 16 wins by double-figures.
• MSU's 61 wins since 2010 are seventh most among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams and most in the Big Ten during that same period. The Spartans are assured of their sixth consecutive winning season in 2015, a first for the program since 1985-90. MSU has won 61 of its last 76 games (61-15; .803), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. In addition, the Spartans have won 34 of their last 38 games (.895), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale. MSU has won 32 games since the beginning of 2013 (32-4 record), third most in the FBS during that period. The Spartans are bowl eligible for a school-record ninth straight year.
STAT LEADERS --
Michigan State (after nine games):
Rushing -- LJ Scott (92 carries for 507 yards, 5.5 avg., 9 TDs)
Passing -- Connor Cook (169 of 291 for 2,405 yards, 21 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving -- Aaron Burbridge (62 catches for 994 yards, 16.0 avg., 6 TDs)
Tackles -- Riley Bullough (72 tackles, 30 solos, 42 assists, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT)
Maryland (after nine games):
Rushing -- Brandon Ross (97 carries for 524 yards, 5.4 avg., 3 TDs)
Passing -- Perry Hills (73 of 144 for 845 yards, 8 TDs, 11 INTs)
Receiving -- Levern Jacobs (28 catches for 320 yards, 11.4 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles -- Jermaine Carter (78 tackles, 51 solos, 27 assists, 8.5 TFL, 3 PBUs)
MSU/MARYLAND NOTES --
• Saturday's game marks the first meeting between Michigan State and Maryland in East Lansing since 1950 and is just the seventh overall in series history. MSU leads the overall series, 5-1, including a 37-15 win last season in College Park, Maryland, in the first Big Ten matchup between the two schools.
• Although MSU leads the series in Spartan Stadium, 3-1, the Terrapins won the last meeting, 34-7, on Oct. 7, 1950.
SPARTANS FROM MARYLAND --
• Michigan State starting fifth-year senior linebacker Darien Harris and red-shirt freshman quarterback Colar Kuhns are the two Spartans on the 2015 roster from Maryland. Harris' hometown is Silver Spring and he attended DeMatha Catholic High School. Harris ranks second on the team with a career-high 59 tackles and is also second with 111 production points. Kuhns hails from Gaithersburg and attended Damascus High School.
• Former Michigan State All-America linebacker Julian Peterson is from Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, and attended Crossland High School. A first-team All-America pick by the Football News as a senior, Peterson produced an MSU single-season record 30 tackles for losses (140 yards) in 1999, including 15 sacks (104). He earned Defensive MVP honors in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl after recording eight tackles, including five for losses (32 yards), in a 37-34 victory over Florida. Peterson, who finished third on the team with 82 tackles in '99, was one of 15 semifinalists for Defensive Player of the Year by the Football News. Despite playing only two seasons, Peterson set a Spartan career record with 48 tackles for losses (215 yards). His 25 career sacks (161 yards) rank second on MSU's all-time list. Peterson was chosen in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2000 National Football League Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent 11 seasons in the NFL while playing for the 49ers (2000-05), Seahawks (2006-08) and Lions (2009-10) and earned five trips to the Pro Bowl (2002, 2003, 2006-08). He recorded 595 career tackles in 158 games, including 51.5 sacks.
A QUICK GLANCE AT MARYLAND (2-7, 0-5 BIG TEN) --
• Maryland enters Saturday's contest with a 2-7 overall record and an 0-5 mark in the Big Ten. The Terrapins won two of their first three games but have lost six straight.
• Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, who is in his 10th year overall on the coaching staff at Maryland, was named the program's interim head coach on Oct. 11, replacing fifth-year head coach Randy Edsall.
• The Terrapins rank fourth in the Big Ten in rushing offense with 176.2 yards per game but are last in total offense (341.2 ypg.) and passing offense (165.0 ypg.).
• On defense, Maryland ranks 10th in the conference in total defense (411.9 ypg.), 11th in passing defense (251.0 ypg.) and scoring defense (33.4 ppg.), and 12th in rushing defense (161.8 ypg.).
• Junior cornerback William Likely, a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2014, is one of the top special teams players in the nation. Likely is tied for first in the NCAA FBS with two punt returns for touchdowns and his 18.2 average leads the Big Ten and is fourth in the country. His 233 punt return yards in the season-opening win over Richmond established a Big Ten single-game record. Likely also has ran a kick return back for a touchdown and owns a 24.7 average, which is third in the Big Ten. It all adds up to 1,067 combined return yards, most in the NCAA FBS this season. He had 228 kickoff return yards against the Spartans last year, an opponent MSU single-game record. Likely also has 38 tackles, including four for losses, and a team-high 10 pass break-ups.
• Junior defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue ranks second in the FBS and Big Ten with 11 sacks (61 yards).
• Senior cornerback Sean Davis ranks second on the team with 66 tackles and has forced five fumbles, second most in the FBS.
• Sophomore middle linebacker Jermaine Carter leads the Terrapins and ranks fifth in the league in tackles (78; 8.7 avg.).
• The Terrapins played two quarterbacks -- junior Perry Hills and junior Caleb Rowe -- in last week's loss to Wisconsin. Hills has started six games and leads the team in passing yards (845) and passing TDs (8), while Rowe has started three games and has thrown for 525 yards and five TDs.
• Maryland is last in the FBS in turnover margin (-1.89). The Terrapins have forced 13 turnovers but have turned the ball over 30 times, tied for most in the FBS.
THE LAST MEETING --
Nov. 15, 2014, in College Park, Md.: In the first meeting between the two schools since 1950, No. 12 Michigan State defeated Maryland, 37-15, to win its school-record ninth straight Big Ten road game. The Spartans outgained the Terrapins 482-252, and held Maryland to just 6 yards rushing, the fewest by an MSU opponent in 2014.
Michigan State tied a school record by holding Maryland to zero rushing first downs. It marked the seventh time MSU had held an opponent without a rushing first down, including the fourth time under Mark Dantonio (2013 vs. Iowa; 2012 vs. Minnesota; 2011 vs. Florida Atlantic).
Michigan State's offense set two school season records (points, offensive touchdowns) in the game. Nick Hill's 33-yard rushing TD with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter was the touchdown that clinched the most points and most touchdowns in a single season at MSU.
The Spartans led the entire game, but could only muster three field goals in the first half until Jeremy Langford finally busted loose for an 8-yard touchdown run with 2:00 left in the second quarter.
With MSU leading 16-7 late in the third quarter, Taiwan Jones deflected a pass from Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown, and RJ Williamson picked off the pass and ran it back 22 yards for the touchdown to put the Spartans on top, 23-7. It marked Williamson's second interception return for a touchdown in 2014 (29 yards vs. Michigan).
Langford added another rushing touchdown from 25 yards out midway through the fourth quarter that made it 30-7 in favor of Michigan State. He finished with 138 yards on 25 carries.
Marcus Rush set MSU's all-time starts record with the 50th of his career against Maryland (previous record holders: LB Eric Gordon and OG Joel Foreman with 49). Rush tied a career high with two sacks against the Terrapins.
SPARTANS RANKED 13TH IN SECOND COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS --
• Michigan State was ranked 13th in the second College Football Playoff rankings for 2015, which were released on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
• The Spartans were ranked in all seven of the CFP rankings released in 2014, finishing eighth in the final rankings released on Dec. 7.
• MSU has been ranked in all nine CFP rankings since the inception of the rankings in 2014.
TWO SPARTANS NAMED SEMIFINALISTS FOR MAJOR NATIONAL AWARDS --
• Michigan State fifth-year senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun and fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook are both semifinalists for major national awards.
Calhoun, who leads the Spartans in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (10.5), is one of 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the college defensive player of the year, and one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, which is given to the collegiate lineman of the year. It marks the second consecutive year Calhoun has been a semifinalist for both of those awards. On Nov. 12, Calhoun was chosen as one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Cook also earned semifinalist honors for the second year in a row from two awards: the Davey O'Brien Award (nation's best quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (college player of the year).
Connor Cook NAMED FINALIST FOR JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD --
• Connor Cook has been named one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, along with Trevone Boykin (TCU), Cody Kessler (USC), Paxton Lynch (Memphis) and Dak Prescott (Mississippi State). Candidates for the Golden Arm Award -- which has been presented at the end of each college football season since 1987 -- must be college seniors or fourth-year juniors on schedule to graduate with their class. In addition to the accomplishments on the field, candidates are judged on their character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities.
SPARTANS LAND MIDSEASON HONORS --
• Michigan State fifth-year senior center Jack Allen was named a first-team midseason All-American by SI.com, NFL.com and FoxSports.com's Bruce Feldman, while junior left tackle Jack Conklin earned midseason All-America nods from Sporting News. Allen, Conklin, senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, and fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook were all named to the midseason All-Big Ten team by ESPN.com.
MSU'S 12-GAME WINNING STREAK WAS RANKED AMONG THE PROGRAM'S LONGEST --
• Michigan State had its 12-game winning streak snapped on Nov. 7 at Nebraska. The 12-game run, which dated back to Nov. 15, 2014, was tied for the third longest in school history. Mark Dantonio is the only Spartan head coach to have two separate 11-game winning streaks (won 11 straight in 2013-14).
RECORD WATCH --
• Fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook needs 314 yards of total offense to become MSU's all-time leader in that category. Cook has 8,691 yards of total offense, which is currently third in school history (Kirk Cousins with 9,004 from 2008-11; Jeff Smoker with 8,714 from 2000-03). Cook, who already owns MSU's all-time touchdown passes record with 68, is also nearing the career mark for most passing yards in school history. Cook, who is currently third with 8,468 yards, only trails Smoker (8,932) and Cousins (9,131). Cook needs one more 300-yard passing game to set the school record in that category as well; he currently is tied with Smoker with 10.
• Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge is just 90 yards away from becoming the 11th Spartan receiver in school history to reach the 2,000-yard receiving milestone. He is also just eight catches away from becoming only the second receiver to record 150 career receptions (currently with 142; record-holder is B.J. Cunningham with 218).
• In the Spartan single-season records, Cook needs just four more TD passes to tie Cousins' record of 25 set in 2011. Cook's career-high 24 TDs in 2014 rank tied for second in an MSU single-season. Burbridge needs just 6 yards to reach the 1,000-yard receiving milestone. With one more 100-yard receiving game, Burbridge would tie Cunningham's single-season record of eight set in 2011.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 49-12 record (.803) in home games since 2007, 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 in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU currently has a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.
• MSU is 34-6 (.850) at home since 2010 and 18-1 (.947) since 2013.
POST-GAME NOTES FROM THE NEBRASKA GAME --
• Michigan State's 39-38 loss at Nebraska snapped the Spartans' 12-game winning streak, which was tied for third-longest in school history . . . it also snapped MSU's school-record run of 12 consecutive Big Ten road wins . . . the Huskers lead the all-time series, 8-2, including a 3-2 mark in Big Ten games and a 5-1 record in Memorial Stadium . . . the loss also ended MSU's nine-game winning streak in road games in November.
• Saturday's one-point loss snapped MSU's seven-game winning streak in games decided by a touchdown or less. It marked MSU's first loss in a game decided by a TD or less since Notre Dame in 2013. MSU had previously won four games in 2015 (Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, Michigan) in games decided by a TD or less.
• Saturday's loss to Nebraska marked just the second time an unranked opponent has defeated a ranked Michigan State team under Mark Dantonio (35-2; only other time: Notre Dame, 2011) . . . MSU is 48-12 as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Dantonio.
• Connor Cook tied a career high with four touchdown passes to set a new Michigan State career record with 68, passing Kirk Cousins (66 from 2008-11) . . . Cook completed 23-of-37 passes for 335 yards and one interception along with his four TDs . . . Cook set a school record with his fourth straight 300-yard passing game (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska) . . . he also tied Jeff Smoker for the most 300-yard passing games in a career with 10 . . . it also marked Cook's 24th career 200-yard passing effort, which is second in MSU history (Kirk Cousins with 26) . . . Cook's 335 passing yards were the most ever by a Spartan QB against Nebraska.
• Macgarrett Kings Jr. collected a career-high 97 receiving yards on four catches, including two touchdowns (34 yards and 18 yards in second quarter) . . . it marked his first career multiple TD game. • Aaron Burbridge tied his career high with 10 catches and established a career high for receiving yards with 164 . . . it was Burbridge's fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game and his seventh of the season . . . the seven 100-yard receiving games ties the second most) in a Spartan single season (Devin Thomas, 2007) . . . Burbridge leads the Big Ten in receptions (62) and receiving yards (994) . . . he also leads the team with six TD receptions; he had a 33-yard TD catch in the third quarter at Nebraska . . . Burbridge's 164 receiving yards are the most ever by a Spartan wide receiver against the Huskers.
• Gerald Holmes established career highs for carries (22) and rushing yards (117) . . . he had a 1-yard TD at the 4:16 mark in the fourth quarter and also a career-long 43-yard run in the first quarter.
• Michigan State, which ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in third downs, was 8-of-14 on third downs against Nebraska.
• Darien Harris tallied career highs in tackles (13) and tackles for loss (two for 4 yards).
• Riley Bullough recorded his third career interception when he picked off a Tommy Armstrong pass in the end zone midway through the third quarter, halting a Nebraska scoring drive.
• Demetrious Cox notched his second interception of the season and had five tackles.
• Michigan State allowed season highs in points (39) and total offense (499 yards).
INJURY BUG BITES SPARTANS --
• Unfortunately for Michigan State, the Spartans have suffered numerous injuries this season on both sides of the ball.
• MSU has lost four players for the year due to season-ending injuries (fifth-year senior linebacker Ed Davis: torn ACL in preseason camp; red-shirt freshman cornerback Vayante Copeland: neck in Week 2 vs. Oregon; sophomore offensive tackle Dennis Finley: broken tibia and fibula in Week 5 vs. Purdue; red-shirt freshman safety Jalen Watts-Jackson: fractured and dislocated hip in Week 7 vs. Michigan).
• Michigan State has started 37 different players in 2015 (19 on offense; 18 on defense).
• MSU has had five different starting lineups along the offensive line.
• MSU has featured six different starting lineups in the secondary, including five players making their first career starts in 2015 (red-shirt freshman cornerback Vayante Copeland, senior cornerback Arjen Colquhoun, freshman safety Grayson Miller, freshman cornerback Tyson Smith and freshman safety Khari Willis). MSU started three true freshmen in the secondary at Nebraska (Miller, Smith, Willis). Miller and Willis' first career starts came in the Oct. 17 win at Michigan, while Smith's first start arrived against the Huskers. Fifth-year senior safety RJ Williamson suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 vs. Purdue and is likely out the remainder of the regular season, while Copeland suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 vs. Oregon. Junior wide receiver Monty Madaris started playing cornerback as well in Week 9 vs. Nebraska and saw action in the rotation. Junior Jermaine Edmondson also sees significant time in the secondary at cornerback.
DANTONIO RANKS SECOND IN WINS AT MICHIGAN STATE --
• Ninth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio owns an 83-32 (.722) record as head coach of the Spartans. His .722 winning percentage currently ranks third best at MSU. He won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25, 2014, against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109). Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach on Oct. 17, 2015, at Michigan Stadium as the Spartans rallied to defeat the Wolverines, 27-23, on a 38-yard fumble return as time expired; his career record stands at 101-49 (.673) in his 12th season.
• Prior to Dantonio's head coaching tenure that began in 2007, the Spartans had never recorded an 11-win season. Under Dantonio, MSU has won 11 games four times in the past five seasons. Dantonio is one of just four coaches in Big Ten history to win 11 games four times (Fielding Yost, Michigan; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Jim Tressel, Ohio State). He's also just the third to do so in a five-year span (Yost, Michigan, 1901-05; Tressel, Ohio State, 2006-10*). *wins vacated in 2010
• Dantonio ranks third in Spartan history with 115 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; George Perles: 139).
• Dantonio is the third-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: 17th season; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern, 10th 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 .710 winning percentage (49-20) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).
DANTONIO'S 61 WINS SINCE 2010 RANK THIRD MOST IN FBS --
• Mark Dantonio ranks third among active NCAA FBS head coaches with 61 wins since 2010.
POLL SPEAK --
• Michigan State is ranked No. 14 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 14 in the Amway Coaches Poll. The Spartans were ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll for two weeks (Sept. 20, Sept. 27), the highest for the program since finishing the 1966 season at No. 2.
• MSU has been ranked in the AP Poll for a school-record 36 consecutive weeks, dating back to Oct. 27, 2013 (previous record: 34 weeks from Sept. 19, 2010 to Sept. 23, 2012). For 27 of those 36 weeks, MSU has been ranked in the Top 10.
• Michigan State is 48-12 (.800) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Mark Dantonio.
• As a ranked team, Michigan State has only lost to an unranked opponent twice under Dantonio (35-2; at Notre Dame, 2011; at Nebraska, 2015).
SPARTANS MAINTAIN SUCCESS IN BIG TEN PLAY --
• Michigan State has won 21 of its last 23 games against Big Ten opponents, including 16 wins by double-figures.
• Michigan State's 13-game Big Ten winning streak from Nov. 24, 2012 to Oct. 25, 2014 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).
• MSU's seven-game Big Ten winning streak that began on Nov. 15, 2014 against Maryland and ended on Nov. 7, 2015 at Nebraska was tied for fourth longest in school history.
• Mark Dantonio's .710 winning percentage (49-20) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).
• Michigan State is 36-9 in Big Ten regular-season games since 2010.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES --
• Michigan State had won seven consecutive games decided by a touchdown or less (27-23 vs. Michigan; 31-24 vs. Rutgers; 24-21 vs. Purdue, 31-28 vs. Oregon in 2015; 42-41 vs. Baylor, 27-22 vs. Nebraska in 2014; 24-20 vs. Stanford in 2013) before falling at Nebraska, 39-38, on Nov. 7, 2015.
• Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Michigan State is 17-8 (.680) in games decided by a touchdown or less, including all four bowl victories. 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, Notre Dame (17-13) in 2013, and Nebraska (39-38) in 2015.
MSU'S 24-POINT SCORING STREAK LONGEST IN NCAA FBS --
• Although Michigan State had its school-record 12-game 30-point scoring streak snapped against Purdue, in Week 5, the Spartans still have scored at least 24 points in 24 consecutive games, which is tied for the longest active streak in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, along with Baylor.
• Before scoring 24 points against the Boilermakers, MSU had scored 30-plus points in 12 consecutive games, which also was the longest active streak in the NCAA FBS. The Spartans have scored 30-plus points in 18 of their past 22 games.
• MSU was last held under 24 points in a 14-3 win over Minnesota on Nov. 30, 2013, while the Bears were held to 17 points in a loss at Oklahoma State on Nov. 23, 2013.
Connor Cook: WINNINGEST QUARTERBACK IN MICHIGAN STATE HISTORY --
Fifth-year senior Connor Cook, a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and a semifinalist for both the Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Awards, is the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history. He owns a 31-4 record (.886) in his third year as the starter, including a 20-2 (.909) mark against Big Ten opponents. The 31 wins are second most among active starting quarterbacks in the NCAA FBS (Stanford's Kevin Hogan with 32) and the .886 winning percentage is No. 1. Cook is 4-1 against AP Top 10 teams in his career and 7-3 against AP Top 25 opponents. He became MSU's all-time leader in touchdown passes after throwing four in the Nebraska game; he has 68 overall (Kirk Cousins threw 66 from 2008-11).
Cook ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (first with 21), passing efficiency (first with 149.3 rating), passing (second with 267.2 ypg.), and total offense (third with 275.0 ypg.). His three interceptions are tied for the fewest by a Big Ten starting quarterback. In Big Ten games, Cook is averaging 313.3 yards per game passing and has completed 108-of-186 throws (.581) for 12 TDs and just two interceptions.
Cook's last season is shaping up to be his most productive in the record book. With 21 TDs already in 2015, he is just three away from tying his career high of 24 last season and four away from tying Cousins (25) for the most in a Spartan single-season. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in a school-record four consecutive games (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; career-high 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska). His 10 300-yard passing games are tied for first in school history, along with Smoker. The four 300-yard passing games are tied for second most in an MSU single-season (record: Smoker with six in 2003).
The 6-4, 220-pound Cook earned his 28th career win in the victory over Purdue on Oct. 3, making him the winningest starting quarterback in school history. He passed Spartan signal-caller Kirk Cousins' school-record mark of 27 career victories for MSU (27-12 record from 2009-11).
The Hinckley, Ohio, native is ranked among MSU's all-time leaders in 300-yard passing games (tied for first with 10), touchdown passes (first with 68), 200-yard passing games (second with 24), passing efficiency (second with 143.7 rating), passing yards (third with 8,468), pass attempts (third with 1,053), total offense (third with 8,691 yards), pass completions (third with 613), and pass completion percentage (ninth at .582).
The 6-4, 220-pound Cook needs 314 yards of total offense to become MSU's all-time leader in that category. Cook has 8,691 yards of total offense, which is currently third in school history (Cousins with 9,004 from 2008-11; Smoker with 8,714 from 2000-03). Cook, who already owns MSU's all-time touchdown passes record with 68, is also nearing the career mark for most passing yards in school history. Cook, who is currently third with 8,468 yards, only trails Smoker (8,932) and Cousins (9,131). Cook needs one more 300-yard passing game to set the school record in that category as well; he currently is tied with Smoker with 10.
Among active NCAA FBS quarterbacks, Cook ranks among the leaders in passing yards (sixth with 8,468), touchdown passes (fifth with 68), total offense (ninth at 8,691 total yards), passing yards per game (21st at 217.1 ypg.) and passing efficiency (24th with 143.7 rating).
Cook tied a career high with four touchdown passes at Nebraska to set a new Michigan State career record with 68, passing Cousins. Cook completed 23-of-37 passes for 335 yards and one interception along with his four TDs, and set a school record with his fourth straight 300-yard passing game (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska). He also tied Smoker for the most 300-yard passing games in a career with 10 and it marked Cook's 24th career 200-yard passing effort, which is second in MSU history (Cousins with 26). Cook's 335 passing yards were the most ever by a Spartan QB against Nebraska.
After setting a school record with 416 yards of total offense and throwing for a career-high 398 yards in Michigan State's 52-26 win over Indiana in Week 8, Cook was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Cook also set career highs for pass completions (30) and pass attempts (52) against the Hoosiers and tied his career best with four touchdown passes. He produced some of the top single-game passing totals in school history: completions (tied for sixth with 30), pass attempts (sixth with 52), passing yards (second with 398) and TD passes (tied for second with 4). The 398 passing yards were just two shy of MSU's single-game record (Bill Burke, 400, vs. Michigan in 1999).
With a career-best 398 passing yards against Indiana, Cook became just the third quarterback in MSU history to reach the 8,000-yard career milestone (8,133 passing yards). Cook's effort against the Hoosiers was also named one of the "Great Eight" performances of the week by the Davey O'Brien Award.
Cook became just the second Spartan starting quarterback to defeat Michigan three consecutive times (Cousins, 2009-11) in MSU's 27-23 triumph at Michigan Stadium in Week 7. He threw his 60th career touchdown pass with a 30-yard pass to Macgarrett Kings Jr. in the third quarter and completed 18-of-39 passes overall for 328 yards. It marked Cook's fifth fourth-quarter comeback for the Spartans (2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl vs. TCU; 2013 vs. Ohio State in Big Ten Championship Game; 2014 Rose Bowl vs. Stanford; 2015 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor; 2015 vs. Michigan).
Cook threw for a 367 yards -- the fifth-highest total in school history -- and two touchdowns in the win at Rutgers in Week 6. His showing against the Scarlet Knights was named one of the "Great 8" performances of the week by the Davey O'Brien Award. With the score tied at 24 with 4:16 to play, Cook engineered a 10-play, 76-yard game-winning touchdown drive to lead MSU to a 31-24 win. His 29-yard completion on third-and-9 from the MSU 25 to R.J. Shelton kept the drive alive and led to LJ Scott's 3-yard TD run with 43 seconds remaining in the game.
Cook accounted for 187 total yards against Purdue. He completed 13-of-19 throws for 139 yards, including a 23-yard TD toss to Shelton in the second quarter, and connected on eight consecutive throws during one stretch in the first half. He also completed throws to eight different receivers. In addition, Cook rushed five times for a career-high 48 yards (previous high: 35 yards on four carries vs. Western Michigan in 2013 season opener), including a career-long 22-yard run in the third quarter.
In MSU's 35-21 victory over Air Force on Sept. 19, Cook matched his career high with four touchdown passes and was 15-of-23 passing for 247 yards. He connected three times for scores with Aaron Burbridge, who tied MSU's single-game touchdown reception record against the Falcons and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Cook completed 20-of-32 throws for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-28 win over then-No. 7 Oregon on Sept. 12 in Spartan Stadium. Cook improved his record to 4-1 as the starting quarterback at MSU against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, which ranks tied for second most in school history (Steve Juday: six wins from 1963-65; Bill Burke: four wins from 1998-99).
In the season opener at Western Michigan, Cook threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns while completing 15-of-31 passes.
Cook finished the 2014 season ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in TD passes (second with 24), passing yards (third with 3,214 yards), 200-yard passing games (tied for third with 10), passing efficiency (fifth with 149.4 rating), pass attempts (sixth with 365) and pass completions (ninth with 212). In addition, Cook led the Big Ten in passing (247.2 ypg.) and ranked second in the NCAA FBS in passing yards per completion (15.2). He ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th in the FBS in passing efficiency (149.4 rating), and also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in passing yards (3,214), touchdown passes (second with 24), total offense (third with 253.4 ypg.) and completion percentage (sixth at .581).
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). He has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 consecutive games, dating back to Nov. 22 vs. Rutgers last season, heading into Saturday's game vs. Maryland.
In leading MSU to back-to-back bowl wins over No. 5 Stanford and No. 4 Baylor (Associated Press final regular-season ranking), Cook hit 46-of-78 throws (.590) for 646 yards (323.0 yards per game), four TDs and three interceptions. In three postseason bowl appearances (2012 Buffalo Wild Wings vs. TCU), he owns MSU career records for passing yards (693) and TD passes (5).
Cook and Dan Enos are the only two Spartan quarterbacks to win two bowl games as the starting quarterback (Cook: 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton; Enos: 1989 Aloha, 1990 Sun). Cook also led the Spartans on a game-winning drive in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU. Cook has led the Spartans to three straight fourth-quarter comebacks in bowl games.
Aaron Burbridge LEADING CANDIDATE FOR BIG TEN RECEIVER OF THE YEAR --
Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge is making a strong case to become the second Spartan in a row to be named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year (Tony Lippett, 2014). Burbridge is just 6 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season, as he leads the Big Ten and ranks 11th in the NCAA FBS with 994 receiving yards. Burbridge also ranks first in the Big Ten and 14th in the FBS in receptions (6.9 pg; 62) and eighth in the FBS in receiving yards per game (110.4 ypg.). His six TDs are tied for third most in the conference. Burbridge has recorded four straight 100-yard games and seven overall this season, one shy of the MSU single-season record (B.J. Cunningham, eight, 2011).
The 6-1, 208-pound Burbridge was added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which is given annually to the nation's outstanding college football receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., in late September. He was named the fourth-leading candidate for the Biletnikoff Award by ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach on Oct. 20 and was a midseason All-Big Ten pick by ESPN.com.
Burbridge tied his career high with 10 catches and established a career high for receiving yards with 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7; he also had a 33-yard TD catch in the third quarter. It marked Burbridge's fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game and his seventh of the season. His 164 receiving yards were the most ever by a Spartan wide receiver against the Huskers.
Burbridge had eight receptions for 128 yards against Indiana, including an 11-yard touchdown grab from Connor Cook late in the second quarter.
In MSU's 27-23 win over No. 12 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Oct. 17, Burbridge hauled in nine catches for 132 yards while being matched up against Wolverine senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who has been named a midseason All-American by several national media outlets.
Burbridge recorded a career-high 10 receptions and had 156 receiving yards in the win at Rutgers.
The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after setting a career high with three touchdown catches in the win over Air Force in Week 3; he had eight receptions overall for 156 yards against the Falcons. He scored on TD grabs of 28, 32 and 21 yards from Connor Cook. Burbridge's first TD grab was an acrobatic reception in the corner of the end zone that was named one of the top plays of the week by several national media outlets.
Burbridge's three TD receptions tied MSU's single-game record (last player: B.J. Cunningham vs. Wisconsin, 2011 Big Ten Championship Game), and it also marked Burbridge's third straight 100-yard receiving game. He topped the 100-yard receiving mark in the first half alone, with five catches for 112 yards and two TDs. His eight receptions matched his career best (8 for 134 yards vs. Indiana, 2012). Seven of his eight catches resulted in either a first down or touchdown against the Falcons, including four receptions of 20 yards or more.
Burbridge's performance marked just the fourth time in school history a Spartan wide receiver caught three TDs and had more than 150 yards receiving in the same game (Plaxico Burress: 13 catches for 185 yards and three TDs vs. Florida on Jan. 1, 2000; Burress: 5 catches for 164 yards and three TDs vs. Northwestern on Nov. 13, 1999; Andre Rison: 9 catches for 252 yards and three TDs vs. Georgia on Jan. 1, 1989).
Burbridge has recorded 142 receptions for 1,910 yards and nine TDs in 46 career games. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in receptions (fifth with 142), 100-yard receiving games (fifth with eight) and receiving yards (13th with 1,910). Burbridge is just 90 yards away from becoming the 11th Spartan receiver in school history to reach the 2,000-yard receiving milestone. He is also just eight catches away from becoming only the second receiver to record 150 career receptions (currently with 142; record-holder is B.J. Cunningham with 218).
SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE --
• Michigan State, which has one of the deepest and most talented offensive lines in the nation, has featured five different starting lineups in the first nine games of the season due to injuries up front. The Spartans have been forced to display their versatility and use their depth at all five positions. Offensive line coach Mark Staten said his coaching style is based on the "whole-part-whole" learning model.
• For the first time since Week 2 against Oregon, Michigan State featured its five starters from the opening game of the season at Nebraska on Nov. 7 (left tackle Jack Conklin; left guard Brian Allen; center Jack Allen; right guard Donavon Clark; right tackle Kodi Kieler). It marked Jack Allen's first start since Week 6 against Rutgers (out with an injury).
• Four of Michigan State's starters on the offensive line have started at multiple positions this season (Brian Allen: seven starts at left guard, two at center; Donavon Clark: five at right guard; four starts at right tackle; Kodi Kieler: five starts at right tackle, one at left tackle; Benny McGowan (four starts at right guard; two at left guard). In addition, Jack Allen played extensive action at left tackle vs. Purdue and Rutgers.
• MSU started its fifth different combination on the offensive line at Michigan in Week 7. Jack Conklin returned to action for the first time since Sept. 26 vs. Central Michigan to start at left tackle, Benny McGowan started at left guard, Brian Allen started at center, Donavon Clark lined up at right guard and Kodi Kieler was at right tackle.
• With starting junior right tackle Kodi Kieler missing three games (Air Force, Central Michigan, Purdue), fifth-year senior Donavon Clark moved from right guard to right tackle and junior Benny McGowan entered the starting rotation at right guard.
• Starting junior left tackle Jack Conklin was forced to exit the Central Michigan game in Week 4 late in the second quarter with a leg injury, which moved sophomore Dennis Finley to the starting role at left tackle; however, Finley broke his leg in the second quarter vs. Purdue in Week 5, setting forth another set of changes, including fifth-year senior All-America center Jack Allen to left tackle in the second half against the Boilermakers; Allen also played at left tackle at Rutgers, but was forced to leave the game with an injury and missed the Michigan game.
• Red-shirt freshman David Beedle, junior Miguel Machado (right tackle) and fifth-year senior Brandon Clemons (guard) are also seeing action in the playing rotation.
• Amid all of the lineup changes, MSU has still only allowed 11 sacks all season -- second fewest in the Big Ten and 20th fewest in the NCAA FBS. Last season, the offensive line allowed just 11 sacks, the least in the Big Ten and tied for third fewest in the NCAA FBS.
FINDING SUCCESS ON THIRD DOWN --
• Michigan State ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 5 in the FBS with a 51 percent third-down conversion rate (64-for-126). On third downs, Connor Cook ranks tied for second in the NCAA FBS with nine TD passes and is completing 58 percent of his passes (53-of-91) for 727 yards.
RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 66-11 (.857) when outrushing its opponent, including a 50-4 record (.926) since 2010. MSU has outrushed its opponent in five of the first nine games this season. Conversely, MSU is 17-21 under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent.
• The Spartans are 30-3 (.909) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
SPARTANS LOOK TO CONTROL TIME OF POSSESSION --
• The Spartans ranked No. 1 in the FBS in time of possession last season (35:21) and tied for sixth in 2013 (33:19). This season, MSU ranks 15th in the FBS in time of possession (32:54).
SPARTANS FEATURE TRIO OF RUNNING BACKS IN OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD --
Three different running backs have started this season for Michigan State: freshman LJ Scott, red-shirt freshman Madre London and sophomore Gerald Holmes. All three have posted 100-yard rushing games this season. Junior Delton Williams also has seen action in the backfield.
Scott leads the Spartans in rushing with 507 yards on 92 carries (56.3 ypg.; 5.5 avg.). He also leads the team with nine rushing TDs, which ranks tied for second in the Big Ten. The nine rushing TDs also rank third most by a Spartan freshman in a single-season (Sedrick Irvin, 16, 1996; T.J. Duckett, 10, 1999).
Scott was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after recording career highs for carries (18), rushing yards (146) and rushing touchdowns (2) in No. 2 Michigan State's 24-21 victory over Purdue in the Big Ten opener on Oct. 3. It marked Scott's first career 100-yard rushing game (previous high: 77 yards on 13 rushes in 2015 season opener at Western Michigan). He also posted his second career multi-TD game (also scored two rushing TDs against Oregon in Week 2). Scott scored on TD runs of 18 and 1 yard in the first quarter against Purdue. His 30-yard run in the fourth quarter helped set up Michael Geiger's 30-yard field goal.
Scott's 146 rushing yards were the most by a Spartan freshman since Javon Ringer had 194 at Illinois on Sept. 24, 2005.
It marked the second time Scott has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week this season. He also earned the honor after collecting 76 rushing yards on 11 carries in the victory over then-No. 7 Oregon, including touchdown runs of 6 and 38 yards.
London, who has missed the last three games after suffering an injury in Week 6 at Rutgers, started the first six games for the Spartans. He is still second on the team with 399 rushing yards on 95 carries (66.5 ypg.; 4.2 avg.) and has three TDs. London recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game with 103 yards on 18 carries against No. 7 Oregon, including a season-long 62-yard run on MSU's first offensive play from scrimmage.
Holmes has started the last two games (Indiana, Nebraska) and responded with a career game against the Cornhuskers, establishing career highs for carries (22) and rushing yards (117), including a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Holmes ranks among the team leaders in rushing touchdowns (second with 5), carries (third with 61) and rushing yards (third with 309; 38.6 ypg.; 5.1 avg.).
PRICE IS RIGHT IN THE END ZONE --
Junior tight end Josiah Price, who was named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List (nation's most outstanding tight end), has the most career touchdown receptions (15) of any tight end in Michigan State history. He set the record with his 14th career TD catch against Central Michigan on Sept. 26. Price also ranks tied for eighth among all Spartans with his 15 career touchdown grabs. In addition, Price's 15 TDs are the most by an active tight end in the NCAA FBS.
Price has five TDs this season (did not play in Week 5 vs. Purdue or Week 6 vs. Rutgers due to ankle injury). He has 13 receptions for 171 yards (13.2 avg.) -- and 10 of them have resulted in either a touchdown or first down.
Price, who owns a 3.59 grade-point average as a hospitality business major, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 Team.
The Greentown, Indiana, native has 56 career receptions for 755 yards in 34 games.
TURNOVERS PROVING TO BE THE DIFFERENCE ONCE AGAIN IN 2015 --
• Michigan State, which ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (+1.46 per game) in 2014 and No. 10 in 2013 (0.93 per game), is once again in the Top 10 in 2015 at 1.22 per game, which is tied for sixth best in the nation and tied for first in the Big Ten (Iowa). The Spartans have forced 16 takeaways and have turned the ball over just five times this season (+11). MSU's five turnovers are tied for third fewest in the FBS. In addition, MSU has scored 61 points off of its opponents' turnovers, while the opposition has only scored three points on Spartan miscues (+58).
• The Spartans ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (+1.46 per game) in 2014. MSU was +19 in the turnover department and forced 34 turnovers (16 fumbles, 18 interceptions), which ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and third most in the FBS. Conversely, the Spartans turned the ball over just 15 times (six fumbles, nine interceptions), 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 94 of 115 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (82 percent of the games since 2007).
• Michigan State is 52-11 (.825) when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under head coach Mark Dantonio. MSU has forced at least two turnovers in six of nine games this season.
Shilique Calhoun AMONG THE ELITE SPARTAN DEFENSIVE ENDS IN SPARTAN HISTORY --
Fifth-year senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and two-time second-team All-American, leads the Spartans in sacks (8.0 for 54 yards) and tackles for loss (10.5 for 60 yards) this season. His eight sacks (0.89 pg.) are fourth most in the Big Ten and 10th in the FBS, and he's also tied for 10th in the conference in tackles for loss (1.17 pg.).
Calhoun ranks first among Spartan defensive linemen with 30 tackles overall and his 101 production points are third most on the team. He has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award (college defensive player of the year), one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award (college lineman of the year) and one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Calhoun was one of 13 defensive players on the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List and was a preseason All-America selection by Athlon Sports (first team), Lindy's (first team), CBSSports.com (second team), Phil Steele (second team), SI.com (second team) and Sporting News (second team).
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and third time of his career following his performance in the 27-23 win at No. 12 Michigan on Oct. 17. Calhoun, who wore No. 43 in tribute to injured linebacker Ed Davis, recorded five tackles, including a career-best 3.5 for losses (11 yards) against the Wolverines. His tackles for losses included two sacks (6 yards). The Spartan defense forced Michigan to go three-and-out on six possessions and limited the Wolverines to season lows in total yards (230) and rushing yards (62).
He also was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording a season-high six tackles in No. 2 Michigan State's 30-10 victory Central Michigan on Sept. 26, with three resulting in losses (24 yards) including 2.5 sacks (24 yards). Calhoun also was credited with four quarterback hurries, one pass break-up and a blocked kick against CMU. He finished the game with a team-high 37 production points, the most by a Spartan defensive player this season.
Calhoun earned All-America honors in 2014 from the Football Writers Association of American (second team), Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team), Phil Steele (second team), Athlon Sports (fourth team) and SI.com (honorable mention).
With his second straight selection to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2014, 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. He also was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2013.
Calhoun ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss yardage (second with 246), sack yardage (third with 191), sacks (third with 24.5), tackles for loss (fifth with 39.5), and fumble recoveries (tied for 10th with five). In 49 career games, including 36 consecutive starts, he has 112 tackles with 39.5 resulting in losses (35 percent). His 24.5 sacks are the most by any Spartan in the Mark Dantonio era and rank tied for first among active players in the NCAA FBS, along with Ohio State's Joey Bosa.
Riley Bullough LEADS TEAM IN TACKLES --
Junior linebacker Riley Bullough, who is in his first year as the starting middle linebacker, leads the team and ranks 12th in the Big Ten in tackles (72; 8.0 avg.). Bullough also leads the team in production points (154) and fumble recoveries (2), and ranks second in sacks (3.5) and third in tackles for loss (5.5). He was added to the Lott IMPACT Trophy List following Week 4.
The Traverse City, Michigan, native collected seven tackles, including 1.5 for losses (3 yards) and a half sack, in the Spartans' 27-23 victory over No. 12 Michigan in Week 7 as MSU held the Wolverines to season lows in total yards (230) and rushing yards (62).
Bullough was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording 14 tackles and a pass break-up in the win over No. 7 Oregon on Sept. 12 in Spartan Stadium. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry on Oregon's fourth-and-16 play from the MSU 43-yard line with just over a minute left in the game, forcing Vernon Adams to come up short on his pass attempt intended for Bralon Addison. The Spartans limited Oregon to 123 rushing yards (43 attempts) -- the lowest single-game total by the Ducks since they were held to 64 vs. Stanford on Nov. 7, 2013.
The next week against Air Force, Bullough collected a career-high 16 stops against the Falcons.
In the season opener at Western Michigan, Bullough became the first player since Denicos Allen in 2011 to record three sacks in a single game.
Jack Conklin NAMED FOURTH GAME CAPTAIN AGAINST MARYLAND --
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has named junior offensive tackle Jack Conklin the fourth game captain for the Maryland game. Conklin was also a fourth game captain in the season opener at Western Michigan. An All-America and All-Big Ten candidate, Conklin has started 33 career games, including 30 at left tackle. He has graded out a winner in 18 of his past 20 games, including all seven of the games he's played in during the 2015 season. He was named a midseason All-American by Sporting News.
Denicos Allen NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN AGAINST MARYLAND --
Former Michigan State linebacker Denicos Allen has been selected honorary captain for Saturday's game against Maryland. He will address the team during the pre-game meal and join the 2015 captains at midfield for the coin toss.
Allen was named an All-American by SI.com (second team) and Associated Press (third team) and was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches and media during MSU's Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship season in 2013. He led team in tackles (98), tackles for loss (16.5) and production points (335) during his final season with the Green and White. Allen was a key reason for MSU's success on defense in 2013, as the Spartans ranked No. 2 in the FBS in total defense (252.2 ypg.) and rushing defense (86.6 ypg.) and third in scoring defense (13.2 ppg.).
Allen was named to the SI.com All-Bowl Team, NFL.com All-Bowl Team, and ESPN.com Big Ten All-Bowl Team after collecting seven tackles (six solos), including 1.5 for losses (3 yards), in the Rose Bowl Game win over No. 5 Stanford. He recorded eight tackles in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 2 Ohio State; on fourth-and-2 from the MSU 39 midway through the fourth quarter and MSU leading 27-24, he stopped Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller short of the first down for a 1-yard gain. MSU scored a touchdown on the ensuing series to seal the 34-24 victory and the Big Ten Championship.
Allen was chosen Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, CBSSports.com National Co-Defensive Player of the Week, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team-best nine tackles, including three for losses (20 yards) with two sacks (18 yards), in the win over No. 23 Michigan. He scored his first career touchdown in the win over Purdue, returning a fumble 45 yards for a TD in the second quarter; he also collected eight tackles against the Boilermakers and recorded a career-high 39 production points.
A four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter at Sam linebacker, Allen finished his career with 278 tackles, including 46 for losses (198 yards), in 54 career games (40 consecutive starts). He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (third with 46) and sacks (seventh with 19.5). Allen was a three-time All-Big Ten selection (2013: second team, coaches and media; 2012: honorable mention, coaches and media; 2011: second team, media).
Allen recently completed his first season in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He recorded 17 tackles on the season, including a team-high eight in the regular-season finale victory over Montreal on Nov. 8. Allen attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before signing with the Roughridgers in September. He signed a free agent with three different NFL teams in 2014 as a member of the practice squad (Carolina in May, St. Louis in September, Tampa Bay in November).
