Post-Game Notes: Minnesota
10/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
• Michigan State defeated Minnesota for the fifth straight time with a 30-27 victory on Saturday night . . . the Spartans are 30-17 all-time against the Gophers, including a 13-11 record in games played in Minneapolis . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-1 against Minnesota, with a 2-1 record at TCF Bank Stadium . . . Dantonio is 3-0 against P.J. Fleck (2-0 vs. Western Michigan; 1-0 vs. Minnesota).
• MSU improved to 3-0 in the Big Ten, marking the seventh time the Spartans have started at least 3-0 in conference play under Dantonio (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017).
OFFENSE
• LJ Scott recorded career highs in both carries (25) and rushing yards (194) . . . he also tied his career high with two rushing TDs (24 yards in second quarter; 6 yards in fourth quarter) . . . he became the first Spartan to record a 100-yard rushing game this season . . . he also became the 18th Spartan to reach the 2,000-yard career milestone (now has 2,101 career rushing yards) . . . Scott's previous career high was 160 yards vs. No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2016 . . . it's the most rushing yards by a Spartan since the last time MSU played at Minnesota in 2012, when Le'Veon Bell had 266 yards rushing on 35 carries . . . it's also the fifth most rushing yards by a Spartan against Minnesota.
• The Spartans gained 289 yards on the ground, but technically netted 245 rushing yards . . . the Spartans officially lost 28 rushing yards on a fumbled snap by Jake Hartbarger on a punt attempt in the first quarter . . . the 245 yards rushing were the second most by the Spartans this season (296 vs. Western Michigan on Sept. 9) and it was the third time MSU ran for more than 200 yards (215 vs. Bowling Green on Sept. 2) . . . MSU is 36-6 under Dantonio when rushing for more than 200 yards in a game . . . the 245 yards rushing were the second most allowed by Minnesota all season, as the Gophers ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten and No. 25 in the FBS in rushing defense (114.2 ypg) entering the game.
• Madre London ran for a season-high 74 yards on 16 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
• The Spartans outgained the Gophers, 365-290.
• The Spartans held a 34:07-25:53 advantage in time of possession . . . MSU went on a 16-play, 73-yard scoring drive in 9:13 during the third quarter, capped by a 25-yard Matt Coghlin field goal . . . the Spartans held the ball for 13:28 in the third quarter.
DEFENSE
• The Spartans held Minnesota to 74 rushing yards, the Gophers' lowest output of the season; Minnesota entered the game averaging 190.0 rushing yards per game . . . the Spartans have held three opponents under 100 yards rushing this season (Bowling Green with 67; Iowa with 19).
• Michigan State forced two turnovers, giving the Spartans nine forced turnovers in the first three games of the Big Ten season . . . Kenny Willekes recovered a fumble in the first quarter, setting up MSU's first TD of the game, a 3-yard run by London, while Khari Willis recorded his first career interception and returned it 19 yards in the second quarter.
• In addition to the fumble recovery, Willekes had six tackles, including 2.0 sacks (10-yards, 6-yards); he has 4.0 sacks as part of 5.0 tackles for loss in the past two games.
• The Dowell brothers, Andrew and David, tied for the team lead with seven tackles apiece.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin made three of his four field-goal attempts (made: 42 yards in first quarter; 35 and 25 yards in third quarter; missed: 45 yards in fourth quarter) . . . it marked his first career multi-field goal game . . . he is now 5-of-7 on field goals this season.
• Connor Heyward returned the first kickoffs of his career, totaling 115 yards on three returns, including a 55-yarder in the fourth quarter that set up Scott's second rushing TD of the game to put MSU on top, 30-13.
