Michigan State University Athletics
No. 17 Spartans Welcome Maryland for Senior Day
11/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
| Game 11: No. 17 Michigan State (7-3, 5-2 B1G) vs. Maryland (4-6, 2-5 B1G) | |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 4:12 p.m. |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. Spartan Stadium (75,005/Natural Grass) |
| Television | FOX |
| Broadcast Team | Tim Brando (play-by-play) | Spencer Tillman (analyst) | Holly Sonders (sideline) |
| Mobile/Internet Coverage | FOX Sports Go | |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Listen Live) | Affiliates |
| Satellite Radio | Ch. 83 (Sirius)/Ch. 83 (XM)/Ch. 83 (SiriusXM.com) |
| Radio (Mobile) | Broadcast available on Spartan Sports Network Mobile App: iPhone/iPad | Android |
| Parking/Tailgating/Stadium Information | Gameday Central | Gameday Answers |
| Tickets | Available at msuspartans.com |
| Parking | Lots will open at 7 a.m. | Parking Map (PDF) |
| Stadium Map | Spartan Stadium Map |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Maryland |
| Series Information | MSU leads, 6-2 |
| Social Media | @MSU_Football  | Facebook  |
FIRST-AND-10 --
• No. 17 Michigan State hosts Maryland on Senior Day Saturday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten), tied for second in the Big Ten East Division standings, are looking to rebound from last week's loss at Ohio State, while the Terrapins (4-6, 2-5) remain in the hunt for a second straight bowl bid despite falling to Michigan at home last week, 35-10.
• Saturday's game marks the ninth meeting between Michigan State and Maryland. The Spartans lead the overall series, 6-2, including a 4-1 record in East Lansing. The Spartans are 2-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. After winning the first two Big Ten games against Maryland in 2014 and 2015, the Spartans fell to the Terrapins in College Park last season, 28-17. In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, Michigan State shut out Maryland in College Park, 8-0, on Oct. 20, 1944.
• According to the NCAA, MSU has played the third-toughest schedule to date in the FBS (opposition with a 57-30 record; .655). The Spartans have played four teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, including two wins (No. 13 Penn State, No. 19 Michigan).
• For the third consecutive week, Michigan State is ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25, coming in at No. 17. The Spartans have played five CFP Top 25 teams, including wins over No. 10 Penn State and No. 24 Michigan. The Spartans are 2-3 against the CFP Top 25 overall (losses to No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 9 Ohio State, No. 23 Northwestern).
• Michigan State will recognize 15 players in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day: C Brian Allen (Hinsdale, Ill.), DE Demetrius Cooper (Chicago, Ill.), OT Dennis Finley (Detroit, Mich.), LB Chris Frey (Upper Arlington, Ohio), LB Sean Harrington (Commerce Township, Mich.), RB Gerald Holmes (Flint, Mich.), LB Shane Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio), TE Hussien Kadry (Dearborn, Mich.), WR Brock Makaric (Saginaw, Mich.), OL Nick Padla (Berrien Springs, Mich.), FB Joe Palange (Cleveland, Ohio), PK Brett Scanlon (Dowagiac, Mich.), OG Jeremy Schram (White Lake, Mich.), OG Casey Schreiner (Bethel Park, Pa.) and QB Damion Terry (Erie, Pa.).
• The 2017 Senior Class has helped Michigan State to a 33-16 record since 2014, including two bowl berths (2015 Cotton Bowl, 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl) and one Big Ten Championship (2015). The 33 wins rank tied for seventh most by a senior class in school history. • A trademark of Mark Dantonio's Michigan State teams has been their ability to produce wins late in the season. Under Dantonio, Michigan State has compiled a 26-11 record (.702) in November. His teams have won 20 of the last 28 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014; 3-1 in 2015; 1-3 in 2016; 1-1 in 2017). During MSU's three Big Ten Championship seasons (2010, 2013, 2015) under Dantonio, MSU is 10-1 in November.
• Sophomore safety David Dowell leads the team and ranks tied for third in the FBS with five interceptions. Dowell recorded two picks against No. 7 Michigan on Oct. 7 and also vs. No. 7 Penn State on Nov. 4. He registered his fifth interception of the season at No. 11 Ohio State last Saturday. The five interceptions are also second most in the Big Ten; Iowa's Josh Jackson leads the country with seven interceptions. It's also the most interceptions by a player in the Mark Dantonio era at Michigan State and the most by a Spartan since 2001 (Broderick Nelson with five).
• In his first full year as the starting quarterback, sophomore Brian Lewerke ranks third in the Big Ten and 35th in the FBS in total offense, averaging 270.8 yards per game (233.8 passing ypg, 37.0 rushing ypg). He led the Spartans in rushing through the first five games of the season and still ranks second among Big Ten quarterbacks in rushing, averaging 37.0 ypg (Ohio State's J.T. Barrett is first, averaging 57.2 ypg). Lewerke also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing (fifth at 233.8 ypg), passing touchdowns (sixth with 16), and passing efficiency (eighth with 126.8 rating).
• Now in his 11th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 97-45 (.683) record. He has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the George Munger College Coach of the Year, presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (four) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with nine bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015). The second-winningest coach in school history with 97 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.659, 58-30 record, minimum 10 games), second in Big Ten wins (58), home wins (58) and AP Top 25 victories (19), tied for second in AP Top 25 finishes (six), and fifth in overall winning percentage (.683).
COACHES:
Michigan State:
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 97-46 (11th year)
Overall Record: 115-62 (14th year)
Record vs. UMD: 2-1
Maryland:
Head Coach: DJ Durkin
UMD Record: 10-13 (second year)
Overall Record: 11-13 (second year)*
Record vs. MSU: 1-0
* served as interim head coach at Florida for 2014 bowl game
STAT LEADERS --
Michigan State:
Rushing -- LJ Scott (135 carries for 584 yards, 4.3 avg, 5 TDs)
Passing -- Brian Lewerke (210-of-351, .598, 2,338 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving -- Felton Davis III (45 catches for 586 yards, 13.0 avg., 8 TDs)
Tackles -- Joe Bachie (81 tackles, 39 solo, 42 assists, 7.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 2 INTs, 1 PBU)
Maryland:
Rushing -- Ty Johnson (119 carries for 770 yards, 6.5 avg, 5 TDs)
Passing -- Max Bortenschlager (88-of-172 for 1,007 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving -- DJ Moore (64 catches for 857 yards, 13.4 avg, 8 TDs)
Tackles -- Jermaine Carter (67 tackles, 40 solo, 27 assists, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, 3 FF)
A QUICK GLANCE AT MARYLAND (4-6, 2-5 BIG TEN) --
• The Terrapins tote a 4-6 overall and 2-5 Big Ten slate to town for Saturday's Spartan Senior Day. Maryland has lost two in a row and five of its last six after starting the season 2-0 and winning three of its first four games. The Terps lost at home to Michigan, 35-10, last Saturday, getting down 28-0 in the first half after the Wolverines scored 21 second-quarter points.
• Saturday is a matchup of a pair of teams with two of the toughest schedules in not just the Big Ten, but all of the FBS, as Maryland has the No. 2 toughest schedule in nation, while Michigan State has the No. 3 toughest schedule. The Spartans are the second of three straight AP ranked opponents for the Terps, who after playing No. 21 Michigan last week, close out the season against No. 13 Penn State next week.
• Maryland has conference victories over Minnesota (31-24) and Indiana (42-39), to go with nonconference wins over Texas (51-41) in the season opener, plus a win over Towson (63-17). UMD's losses came to UCF (38-10) in nonconference action, along with Big Ten losses to No. 10 Ohio State (62-14), Northwestern (37-21), No. 5 Wisconsin (38-13) and Rutgers (31-24) before last week's loss to 21st-ranked Michigan.
• Terps head coach DJ Durkin is in his second season at the helm of the Maryland program, posting a 10-13 overall record. Dukin has an overall record of 11-13 as a head coach, serving as interim head coach at Florida for the Gators' 2014 Birmingham Bowl victory. Durkin was defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Michigan in 2015, before becoming head coach at Maryland in 2016.
• Maryland out-gained Michigan, 340-305, in total offense yards and had a 32:22-27:38 time of possession advantage, but two interceptions and 3-of-16 on third-down conversions were too much to overcome for the Terps.
• Sophomore walk-on quarterback Ryan Brand, a Detroit native, was 16-of-35 for 136 yards with one TD and two INTs, while rushing for 31 yards on five carries, in his first career start vs. Michigan. Sophomore running back Lorenzo Harrison III led UMD on the ground with 81 yards rushing on 12 carries. Senior wide receiver Taivon Jacobs had eight catches for 92 yards and one TD.
• Maryland is fourth in the B1G in scoring offense at 27.9 points per game, while ranking 14th in the league in scoring defense with 36.2 ppg. The Terp offense is 11th in the conference in total offense (337.3 ypg), ranking fifth in rushing offense (173.3 ypg) and 12th in passing offense (164.0 ypg). UMD's defense is 14th in the league in total defense (420.8 ypg), ranking 12th in rushing defense (173.3 ypg) and 13th in passing yards allowed (247.5 ypg).
• Maryland's rushing offense and rushing defense yards are the exact same at 173.3 ypg.
• The Terps lead the Big Ten and rank tied for sixth in FBS in blocked kicks (4), while ranking tied for second in the conference and tied for 15th in the country in blocked punts (1).
• Maryland is second in the Big Ten and 34th in FBS in turnover margin (0.40), ranking second in the conference and tied for 25th in the country for fewest turnovers lost (11), while ranking ninth in the league for turnovers gained (15).
• Junior wide receiver DJ Moore leads the Big Ten and ranks 18th in FBS in receptions per game (6.4), also leading the conference in total catches (64). Moore needs 14 receptions to break Maryland's single-season receptions record of 77 catches by Geroy Simon in 1994. Moore also tops the conference and ranks 27th in the country in receiving yards per game (85.7), also leading the league and ranking 23th in the nation in receiving yards (857). Additionally, Moore tops the conference and ranks 19th in the country in receiving TDs (8). Moore also tops the conference with a catch in 31 consecutive games.
• Maryland has been bitten hard by the injury bug at the quarterback position, as the Terps are one of four programs in the country to win a game with three different signal-callers, as Brand's start against Michigan was the fourth different QB to start for the Terps this season.
• Brand's start vs. Michigan was his first of the season and fourth game played this year. He is 24-of-47 for 204 yards (51.1 ypg) with one TD and two INTs on the season. Brand adds 45 yards rushing on seven carries (6.4 ypc).
• Sophomore quarterback Max Bortenschlager has played in nine games with six starts, throwing for 1,007 yards on 88-of-172 passing (111.9 ypg) with 10 TDs and five INTs. Bortenschlager adds 21 rushing yards on 60 carries (0.3 ypc/2.3 ypg). Bortenschlager, who left the Rutgers game with an injury, was the third Maryland starting signal-caller to win a game this season after Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill went down with injuries.
• Junior running back Ty Johnson is fourth in the Big Ten and 18th in the FBS in rushing yards per carry (6.47), while ranking eighth in the league in rushing yards per game (77.0), totaling 770 yards on 119 carries with five TDs, ranking 12th in the conference in rushing TDs.
• Carter leads the Terps' defense with 67 tackles (6.7 pg) with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, adding three pass break-ups. Carter is tied for the B1G lead with three forced fumbles.
• Antoine Brooks is close behind with 64 total stops, leading the team with 8.5 tackles for loss, ranking 19th in the B1G in TFLs. Brooks also has two interceptions, one pass break-up and one forced fumble. • Junior defensive back Darnell Savage Jr., is tied for sixth in the league with three INTs, while posting a team-best six pass break-ups, ranking 12th in the conference with 0.9 passes defended per game.
• Moore is also second in the league and 19th in the nation in punt returns (11.8 ypr), while Savage is tied for second in the conference and tied for ninth in the country with one punt return for a TD.
• Johnson is also second in the B1G and 20th in FBS in kickoff returns (26.5 ypr) and is tied for second in the league and tied for 20th in the nation in kickoff returns for TDs (1).
• Senior placekicker Henry Darmstadter is 30-for-30 on PATs and 6-for-9 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards.
• Sophomore punter Wade Lees has a 38.8 yards per punt average on 49 punts with a long of 64 yards, one of four punts of 50+ yards, with 15 inside the 20.
MSU/MARYLAND SERIES NOTES --
• Saturday's game marks the ninth meeting between Michigan State and Maryland. The Spartans lead the overall series, 6-2, including a 4-1 record in East Lansing.
• The Spartans are 2-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. After winning the first two Big Ten games against Maryland in 2014 and 2015, the Spartans fell to the Terrapins in College Park last season, 28-17.
• In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, Michigan State shut out Maryland in College Park, 8-0, on Oct. 20, 1944.
THE LAST MEETING --
Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md. (AP): LJ Scott had a big day on the ground for the Spartans finishing with 128 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough as Michigan State fell at Maryland, 28-17. Perry Hills threw a pair of touchdown passes in his return to the lineup for Maryland. Ty Johnson led Maryland's running attack with 115 yards on nine carries, while Lorenzo Harrison finished with 105 yards on 17 carries. The Terrapins amassed 447 total yards.
Michigan State redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke got his second consecutive start and went 11 for 24 with 156 yards with an interception. He also ran for 79 yards on 10 carries.
MSU took its first lead, 17-14, on a 34-yard field goal by Michael Geiger with 1:35 left in the third quarter. Johnson continued to find a holes and a 44-yard run put Maryland into Michigan State territory. Two plays later, the Terrapins were back on top with a 2-yard run by Kenneth Goins Jr.
Hills put the game away with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Levern Jacobs with 3:23 left in the game. Hills, who suffered a shoulder injury Oct. 8 against Penn State and missed the previous game against Minnesota, was 21 of 27 for 200 yards.
The Spartans went up-tempo and pulled to within 8-7 on a 48-yard touchdown run by Scott with 9:42 left in the second quarter. Hills responded on the ensuing drive with a 36-yard pass to D.J. Moore but Adam Greene missed the PAT.
That allowed Michigan State to tie the game, 14-14, on a 1-yard run Gerald Holmes in the final minute of the half.
POST-GAME NOTES FROM THE OHIO STATE GAME --
• Michigan State had its two-game winning streak in Ohio Stadium snapped with its 48-3 loss to Ohio State . . . OSU leads the all-time series, 31-15, including a 15-9 record in Ohio Stadium . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 3-6 vs. Ohio State during his tenure at MSU, including a 2-2 record in Columbus.
OFFENSE
• MSU was held to season lows in total offense (195 yards) and rushing (64 yards) . . . it marked the fewest yards of total offense MSU gained since 187 at Nebraska in 2011.
• Cody White led MSU's receivers with five catches for 42 yards. In the last four games, White has 25 receptions for 357 yards.
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Messiah deWeaver made his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter.
DEFENSE
• The Spartans allowed 335 rushing yards, the most under Dantonio (previous: 313 by Nebraska in 2012).
• MSU also allowed a season-high 524 yards of total offense.
• Sophomore safety David Dowell recorded a career-high nine tackles . . . he also intercepted his team-leading fifth pass of the season and returned it 15 yards in the second quarter, setting up Matt Coghlin's 37-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
• Freshman linebacker Antjuan Simmons tallied a season-best seven tackles.
• Justin Layne picked off his first pass of the season, and second of his career, in the end zone in the fourth quarter . . . he also tied his career high with two pass break-ups.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin connected on a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the second half . . . Coghlin is 10-of-14 in field-goal attempts this season and has made three in a row.
SENIOR CLASS SAYS GOODBYE TO SPARTAN STADIUM --
• Michigan State will recognize 15 players in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day: OL Brian Allen (Hinsdale, Ill.), DE Demetrius Cooper (Chicago, Ill.), OT Dennis Finley (Detroit, Mich.), LB Chris Frey (Upper Arlington, Ohio), LB Sean Harrington (Commerce Township, Mich.), RB Gerald Holmes (Flint, Mich.), LB Shane Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio), TE Hussien Kadry (Dearborn, Mich.), WR Brock Makaric (Saginaw, Mich.), OL Nick Padla (Berrien Springs, Mich.), FB Joe Palange (Cleveland, Ohio), PK Brett Scanlon (Dowagiac, Mich.), OG Jeremy Schram (White Lake, Mich.), OG Casey Schreiner (Bethel Park, Pa.) and QB Damion Terry (Erie, Pa.).
• The 2017 Senior Class has helped Michigan State to a 33-16 record since 2014, including two bowl berths (2015 Cotton Bowl, 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl) and one Big Ten Championship (2015). The 33 wins rank tied for seventh most by a senior class in school history.
SPARTANS HAVE PLAYED THIRD-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN FBS --
• According to the NCAA, MSU has played the third-toughest schedule to date in the FBS (opposition with a 57-30 record; .655). The Spartans have played four teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, including two wins (No. 13 Penn State, No. 19 Michigan).
FINDING A WAY TO WIN --
• All five of Michigan State's Big Ten wins have been within one score. Under Dantonio, the Spartans have managed to win their fair share of close games. Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Michigan State is 25-12 (.676) in games decided by one score or less, including all four bowl victories.
BOWLING ONCE AGAIN --
• With the victory over Indiana on Oct. 21, Michigan State became bowl eligible for the 10th time in 11 seasons under Mark Dantonio. The Spartans made a school-record nine consecutive bowl trips from 2007-15 before missing out on the postseason in 2016.
SPARTANS RANKED IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TOP 25 FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK --
• For the third consecutive week, Michigan State is ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25, coming in at No. 17. The Spartans have played five CFP Top 25 teams, including wins over No. 10 Penn State and No. 24 Michigan. The Spartans are 2-3 against the CFP Top 25 overall (losses to No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 9 Ohio State, No. 23 Northwestern).
• Following its win over No. 7 Penn State on Nov. 4, Michigan State made the biggest one-week jump in the four-year history of the College Football Playoff rankings by moving up 12 spots from No. 24 to No. 12, the CFP committee announced Nov. 7.
• The Spartans were ranked in every CFP poll in 2014 and 2015 before missing out on the rankings in 2016. MSU finished No. 8 in the final 2014 CFP rankings and No. 3 in 2015.
SPARTANS RANKED FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK IN AP POLL --
• Michigan State remains ranked in The Associated Press Poll for the sixth consecutive week, sitting at No. 22 in the current poll. MSU fell nine spots after its season-high rank of No. 13 in last week's poll.
• Michigan State entered the national polls for the first time this season on Oct. 8 following its 14-10 win at Michigan. The Spartans debuted at No. 21 in The Associated Press Poll and No. 22 in the Amway Coaches Poll. It marked the first time MSU was ranked since Sept. 25, 2016, when the Spartans were ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll. At that time, MSU had been ranked for a school-record 46 consecutive weeks, spanning back to Oct. 27, 2013. For 33 of those 46 weeks, MSU had been ranked in the Top 10.
• Michigan State is 57-17 (.770) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Dantonio.
• As a ranked team, Michigan State has only lost to an unranked opponent four times under Dantonio (37-4; at Notre Dame, 2011; at Nebraska, 2015; at Indiana, 2016; at Northwestern, 2017).
BALL CONTROL --
• Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and fourth in the FBS in time of possession (33:59). The Spartans have led in time of possession in nine games this season and have led in time of possession in 66 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans owns an .809 winning percentage (76-18) in those games.
Brian Lewerke PROVING TO BE A DUAL-THREAT QUARTERBACK --
• In his first full year as the starting quarterback, sophomore Brian Lewerke ranks third in the Big Ten and 35th in the FBS in total offense, averaging 270.8 yards per game (233.8 passing ypg, 37.0 rushing ypg). He led the Spartans in rushing through the first five games of the season and still ranks second among Big Ten quarterbacks in rushing, averaging 37.0 ypg (Ohio State's J.T. Barrett is first, averaging 57.2 ypg). Lewerke also ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing (fifth at 233.8 ypg), passing touchdowns (sixth with 16), and passing efficiency (eighth with 126.8 rating).
• The 6-3, 212-pound Lewerke is 210-of-351 passing (.598) for 2,338 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games this season. He has played in 14 career games (12 starts; 7-5 record).
• A week after setting numerous school records at Northwestern on Oct. 28, Lewerke had another impressive game against Penn State on Nov. 4, becoming the first Spartan quarterback to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. He threw for a school-record 445 yards at Northwestern, and for 400 against Penn State; the 400 yards tied for the second-most yards by a Spartan QB in a single game (Bill Burke with 400 in win over Michigan in 1999). Lewerke became one of just three Big Ten quarterbacks in the last 20 years to throw for 400 yards in two consecutive games (Drew Brees, Purdue, 1998; C.J. Bacher, Northwestern, 2007).
• Lewerke finished the Penn State game 33-of-56 passing, including 9-of-14 for 156 yards on third down. He completed six passes of 20-plus yards. Lewerke also had 425 yards of total offense, second in school history behind only his 475 at Northwestern.
• Lewerke set school single-game records for passing yards (445), total offense (475) and completions (39) in the triple-overtime loss at Northwestern on Oct. 28. His 57 passing attempts also marked a career high and tied for the second most in school history (record: 61 by Brian Hoyer vs. Penn State in 2006); MSU's previous single-game records were 400 passing yards (Bill Burke vs. Michigan, 1999), 416 yards of total offense (Connor Cook vs. Indiana, 2015) and 35 completions (Jeff Smoker vs. Ohio State, 2003). Lewerke also threw a career-high four touchdowns against the Wildcats, tied for the second most in school history (accomplished 13 previous times). On MSU's 12-play, 88-yard game-tying touchdown drive at the end of the fourth quarter, Lewerke was 10-of-11 for 88 yards on the drive, capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Felton Davis III. Lewerke's 445 yards passing and 475 total yards against Northwestern are both the most by a Big Ten quarterback in a single game this season.
• Lewerke had 396 yards of total offense (340 passing, 56 rushing) vs. Notre Dame on Sept. 23, the sixth-highest single-game total in the school record book. He also threw for 340 yards against the Irish.
• Lewerke has led the Spartans in rushing four times (69 yards vs. Bowling Green; career-high 81 vs. Western Michigan; 42 vs. Iowa; 61 vs. Michigan) and had 56 yards vs. Notre Dame.
• Lewerke ran for a career-high 81 yards against Western Michigan on Sept. 9, the most by a Spartan quarterback since Drew Stanton had 83 against Purdue in Nov. 4, 2006.
• Lewerke scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 61-yard run in the first quarter vs. WMU, the longest TD run by a Spartan quarterback since Charlie Baggett ran for a 69-yard score on Oct. 27, 1973, vs. Purdue. It tied the longest rush by a Spartan QB since Damon Dowdell also had a 61-yard run against Wisconsin on Nov. 13, 2004; the last time a Spartan QB had a longer run was Bobby McAllister at Purdue (70 yards) on Nov. 5, 1988.
• Lewerke also had a 1-yard TD run in the third quarter vs. WMU to become the first Spartan QB to record two rushing TDs in a single game since Drew Stanton in 2006 against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 9). He finished with 242 yards of total offense against the Broncos, as he was 13-of-21 passing for 161 yards and one touchdown.
• The native of Phoenix, Arizona, recorded his first career win as a starting quarterback in the season-opening victory over Bowling Green while recording then-career highs in passing yards (250), completions (22), attempts (33), passing touchdowns (3) and total offense (319 yards) against the Falcons. Lewerke also rushed eight times for 69 yards.
• Lewerke played in four games and started twice (Northwestern, Maryland) as a redshirt freshman in 2016 before suffering a season-ending injury (broken tibia) in the fourth quarter of the Michigan game on Oct. 28. He bounced back quickly from the injury and fully participated in all of spring practice.
• Last season, Lewerke became the first Spartan freshman quarterback to start a game (Northwestern) since 2004 (Stephen Reaves vs. Central Michigan).
• In 14 career games, Lewerke has completed 59 percent of his passes (210-for-351) for 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has 519 rushing yards on 114 carries (37.1 ypg; 4.6 avg.).
RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 79-17 (.823) when outrushing its opponent, including a 63-10 record (.863) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 18-28 (.391) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 36-6 (.857) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
Felton Davis III LEADS YOUNG RECEIVING CORPS --
• Junior wide receiver Felton Davis III is the veteran of a receiving corps that features one junior (Davis), two sophomores (Trishton Jackson, Darrell Stewart), one redshirt freshmen (Cam Chambers) and three true freshmen (Laress Nelson, Hunter Rison, Cody White) in its regular rotation.
• The 6-4, 195-pound native of Richmond, Virginia, leads the Spartans in receptions (45), receiving yards (586) and touchdown catches (8), all of which are career highs and rank among the Big Ten leaders (tied for first in TD catches with eight; tied for sixth in receptions at 4.5 pg; seventh in receiving yards at 58.6 ypg). Thirty-four of his 45 receptions (76 percent) have been for either a first down or a touchdown. Davis' career-high eight TD catches are also tied for 19th in the FBS.
• Davis recorded career highs in catches (12) and receiving yards (181) in the win over No. 7 Penn State on Nov. 4. The 12 catches tied for fourth most in a single game by a Spartan, and the 181 receiving yards were 13th most by a Spartan in a game. The 12 catches matched his season total from last year. Davis had a diving 33-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter that tied the game at 14, his team-leading eighth of the season.
• Davis was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after recording then-career highs in catches (9) and receiving yards (114) in the Sept. 30 win over Iowa. Davis also tied his career high with two touchdown catches. In the first half alone, Davis had seven receptions for 88 yards. On the first play from scrimmage, Davis had a 31-yard reception to set up his first TD catch later in the drive, a 22-yard scoring strike from Brian Lewerke. Davis also had a 6-yard TD reception later in the first quarter.
• Davis III finished with eight receptions for 95 yards at Northwestern and tied his career high with two touchdowns (13 yards to tie the game with 25 seconds left in the game; 6 yards in first overtime)
• In 29 career games, Davis is MSU's active leader in receptions (59), receiving yards (786) and TD catches (9).
PLENTY OF TARGETS ON OFFENSE FOR THE SPARTANS --
• Fifteen different Spartans have caught at least one pass this season for the Spartans, including seven with at least double-figure receptions or more.
• Sophomore Darrell Stewart leads the team in all-purpose yards (754; 75.4 ypg) and ranks second on the team in catches (42) and receiving yards (442). He leads the team with 13 explosive plays (20 yards or more), including six kick returns, five receptions and two rushes. Stewart set career highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (98) at Northwestern on Oct. 28, and his 11 catches tied for the seventh most by an MSU player in a single game. The Houston, Texas, native was one of 10 Spartans to help volunteer with the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts during the bye weekend (Sept. 15-17) in Houston.
• Freshman Cody White ranks third on the team in catches (30) and receiving yards (407). In the last four games (Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State), White has 25 receptions for 357 yards, including 14 for first downs.
• White was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after setting a Spartan freshman single-game record with 165 receiving yards at Northwestern on Oct. 28. That total was also the 20th-most overall by an MSU player in a single game and the third most by a Spartan against Northwestern. White had a career-high nine catches against the Wildcats, including six for first downs with two touchdown catches. He caught a season-long 60-yard pass in the first quarter on the opening series of the game, the longest pass play of the season for the Spartans, to set up his first career touchdown catch on a 6-yard reception later in the same drive. A native of Novi, Michigan, the 6-3, 206-pound White also had a 45-yard reception on third-and-18 in the fourth quarter. He started his first career game against the Wildcats.
• Freshman Hunter Rison has 18 receptions for 223 yards, ranking fourth on the team in both of those categories. Eleven of his 18 catches have resulted in a first down, including two key first downs late in the fourth quarter vs. Indiana on Oct. 21.
STOPPING THE RUN --
• Michigan State ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 10th in the FBS in rushing defense (111.8 ypg). MSU has held six opponents under 100 yards rushing this season (Bowling Green had 67 in season opener on Sept. 2; Iowa had 19 on Sept. 30; Minnesota had 74 on Oct. 14; Indiana had 95 on Oct. 21; Northwestern had 64 on Oct. 28; No. 7 Penn State had 65 on Nov. 4), and No. 7 Michigan had a season-low 102 yards on Oct. 7.
• Michigan State has allowed just seven rushes of 20-plus yards, tied for seventh fewest in the FBS, and just 27 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is tied for third fewest (Alabama: 22; San Diego State, 23).
• MSU held Iowa to just 19 rushing yards, the fewest by the Hawkeyes against the Spartans since 1999 (7 yards) . . . the 19 rushing yards were also the fewest by an Iowa team since Sept. 24, 2005 (-9 against Ohio State) . . . MSU's defense now has two of Iowa's five lowest single-game rushing totals since 2005, as the Spartans limited Iowa to 23 yards on Oct. 5, 2013.
• Stopping the run has been the main theme for MSU on defense in the Dantonio era, and it led to ranking No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense in 2014 (88.5 ypg). Since the Big Ten began awarding stat champions in all games in 1985, Michigan State (2011-14) became only the second team in conference history to lead the league in rushing defense four years in a row (Michigan, 1990-93). MSU's 88.5 rushing yards allowed in 2014 was the eighth-lowest total in school history. The Spartans have ranked in the Top 25 in rushing defense six times in the last eight seasons, including a run of five straight years in the top 11 (2011-15). MSU is currently ranked No. 10 in the FBS in rushing defense (111.8 ypg).
• In 142 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 69 times (49 percent). MSU is 60-9 (.870) in those games, including a 50-4 (.926) record since 2010.
Joe Bachie LEADS SPARTAN DEFENSE IN TACKLES AND PRODUCTION POINTS --
• Sophomore Joe Bachie has started all 10 games at middle linebacker for the Spartans and leads the team in tackles (81; 8.1 avg.), which ranks tied for fourth in the Big Ten. In addition, he ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5 for 27 yards) and tied for third in sacks (three for 15 yards). He also leads the team in production points with 243. He was named to the midseason All-Big Ten Team by The Athletic.
• Bachie has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice this season. Following his career-best 13-tackle performance vs. Indiana on Oct. 21, Bachie shared conference player of the week honors. He also had 1.5 tackles for loss, including a 1-yard sack, and a forced fumble against the Hoosiers.
• Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead the Spartan defense to an impressive performance in the 14-10 win at No. 7 Michigan on Oct. 7 in Ann Arbor. He recorded double-digits in tackles for the third time of the season, tying a team high with 10 stops against the Wolverines, and had an 11-yard sack in the second quarter. He compiled a career-high 40 production points.
• According to STATS, Bachie became just the second Big Ten linebacker and fifth in the FBS in the last five years (since 2012) to record double-digit tackles (10) and at least one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and one pass break-up in the same game.
• He forced a fumble on Michigan's second offensive series in the first quarter, giving MSU excellent field position at the Michigan 46-yard line. The Spartans capitalized with a six-play, 46-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 14-yard TD run by Brian Lewerke, giving the Spartans a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
• Bachie was at it again in the second half, as he recorded his first career interception on the second play of the fourth quarter. He was also credited with a pass break-up on the game's final play as Michigan attempted a Hail Mary pass in the end zone. The Spartans held Michigan to 10 points, the lowest total in the Jim Harbaugh era at UM, and just 102 yards rushing.
• Bachie had 38 production points vs. Iowa on Sept. 30 in which he led MSU in tackles (9) and tackles for loss (3.5) to go along with a 3-yard sack and fumble recovery in the red zone.
• The 6-2, 233-pound Bachie has led the Spartans in tackles six times this season, including double-digit stops in four games (career-high 13 vs. Indiana; 11 against Western Michigan; 10 vs. Michigan and Bowling Green).
• Bachie sat out the first six games of the season last year, but had his redshirt removed at Maryland on Oct. 22 and played the final six contests in 2016. He has 93 career tackles in 16 career games.
• The Brook Park, Ohio, native emerged as a leader during the offseason and was voted to the team's Eagles Leadership Council in the spring and again in the fall.
FROM WALK-ON TO LEADING THE TEAM IN TACKLES FOR LOSS AND SACKS --
• Sophomore defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on for the 2015 season, has emerged as a force on the defensive line for the Spartans. Willekes earned a scholarship this past spring and hasn't looked back since. The native of Rockford, Michigan, has started ninr games at defensive end and leads the team in tackles for loss (11.5 for 31 yards) and sacks (5.0 for 20 yards). Willekes played in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016.
• Willekes recorded two sacks each against Michigan (Oct. 7) and Minnesota (Oct. 14).
• He leads the defensive line and ranks fourth on the team with 58 tackles. He also has two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and six quarterback hurries. He ranks second on the team with 157 production points.
SPARTANS INCREASING THE PRESSURE ON THE QUARTERBACK IN 2017 --
• A year after recording just 11 sacks, fewest in the Big Ten, the Spartans have surpassed that total through 10 games in 2017 with 22. Kenny Willekes leads the team with five sacks.
• MSU recorded four sacks each against Western Michigan (Sept. 9) and No. 7 Michigan (Oct. 7), and had three apiece against Iowa on Sept. 30 and Minnesota on Oct. 14.
KEEPING OPPONENTS OUT OF THE END ZONE --
• MSU has held three opponents from scoring an offensive touchdown (Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Indiana).
• MSU has held opponents to 27 trips inside the red zone, fourth fewest in the Big Ten and tied for 19th fewest in the FBS.
TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS --
• Through the first three games of the season, MSU forced just two turnovers and was minus-six in turnover margin (-2.00 per game). During the Big Ten season, MSU is plus-five in turnovers (+0.71 per game), forcing 15 turnovers on defense (two vs. Iowa, five vs. Michigan, two vs. Minnesota, one vs. Northwestern, three vs. Penn State, two vs. Ohio State) while committing 10 on offense (three at Minnesota, one vs. Indiana, two at Northwestern, one vs. Penn State, three vs. Ohio State). For the season, MSU is minus-one in turnover margin (18 turnovers on offense; 17 caused on defense).
• Michigan State's record-setting three-year stretch in which it won 36 games from 2013-15 was fueled by creating turnovers and limiting mistakes. The Spartans ranked in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 10 and led the Big Ten in turnover margin for three consecutive seasons from 2013-15; however, MSU ranked No. 101 in the FBS and No. 10 in the Big Ten in turnover margin (-0.42) in 2016 (13 turnovers gained; 18 turnovers lost).
• MSU was No. 4 in the FBS in 2015 with a +1.00 turnover margin, which led to a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Spartans forced 28 turnovers (15 interceptions, 13 fumbles) and turned the ball over just 14 times all season (eight interceptions, six fumbles). In addition, MSU scored 108 points off of its opponents' turnovers, while the opposition only scored 20 points on Spartan miscues (+88).
• 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) during its Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship season 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 113 of 142 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (80 percent of the games since 2007).
• Michigan State is 61-13 (.824) when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under head coach Mark Dantonio.
Mark Dantonio NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR GEORGE MUNGER COACH OF THE YEAR --
• Now in his 11th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 97-45 (.683) record. He has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the George Munger College Coach of the Year, presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (four) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with nine bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015). The second-winningest coach in school history with 97 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.659, 58-30 record, minimum 10 games), second in Big Ten wins (58), home wins (58) and AP Top 25 victories (19), tied for second in AP Top 25 finishes (six), and fifth in overall winning percentage (.683).
• Dantonio 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 115-62 (.650) in his 14th season.
• Dantonio's .659 winning percentage (58-30) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72).
• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and Perles with two each).
• Dantonio became the first coach in Big Ten history to record five 11-win seasons in a six-year span (11 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014; 12 in 2015), and his five 11-win seasons are tied with Joe Paterno of Penn State and Urban Meyer of Ohio State for the second most in Big Ten history (Jim Tressel with six; Paterno with five at Penn State as Big Ten member). Prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU had not recorded an 11-win season in its history, and had just two 10-win seasons (1965, 1999).
• A two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2010, 2013), Dantonio has led Michigan State to Top 25 finishes in six of his 10 seasons (2008: No. 24 in both polls; 2010: No. 14 in both polls; 2011: No. 10 USA TODAY/No. 11 AP; 2013: No. 3 in both polls; 2014: No. 5 in both polls; and 2015: No. 6 in both polls). His six AP Top-25 finishes are tied for second most in school history ("Biggie" Munn, who coached from 1947-53, had six consecutive from 1948-53). Daugherty's teams posted seven Top-25 finishes during his 19-year tenure from 1954-72.
• Michigan State extended its school record by playing in a bowl game for the ninth consecutive season in 2015 (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, 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl).
• Dantonio also extended his school record for most bowl appearances (nine) by a head coach with a trip to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic in 2015 (previous record: Perles with seven from 1983-94). Dantonio is 4-5 in bowl games at Michigan State, including a school-record four-game winning streak (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton). Dantonio has led his teams to 11 bowl berths in 13 seasons as a head coach (nine at MSU, two at Cincinnati).
• From his first day on the job, Dantonio has pledged to support student-athletes as they pursue excellence, both in the classroom and on the playing field. In his first 10 seasons, a total of 189 players have earned their undergraduate degrees. In addition, 136 Spartans have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, including seven Academic All-America selections. Michigan State has placed three student-athletes in the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class in the past five years.
• Dantonio is one of just four Spartan head coaches to coach in at least 100 games at MSU and ranks second in Spartan history with 142 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; Dantonio: 142; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114).
NOVEMBER IS FOR CONTENDERS --
• A trademark of Mark Dantonio's Michigan State teams has been their ability to produce wins late in the season. Under Dantonio, Michigan State has compiled a 26-11 record (.702) in November. His teams have won 20 of the last 28 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014; 3-1 in 2015; 1-3 in 2016; 1-1 in 2017). During MSU's three Big Ten Championship seasons (2010, 2013, 2015) under Dantonio, MSU is 10-1 in November.
SPARTAN FOOTBALL PROGRAM NOTES -
• Michigan State is in the midst of its second-winningest decade in school history. The Spartans are 75-28 (.728) since 2010 and during that span, MSU has claimed three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). In addition, the Spartans recorded a school-record four consecutive bowl victories (2012 Outback against No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings against TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 4 Baylor), which also tied a Big Ten record. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015).
• The 75 wins this decade are tied for second most in the Big Ten and tied for 12th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, while the 46 wins since 2013 are third in the Big Ten and tied for ninth most in the FBS. The 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program. MSU's highest winning percentage by decade is currently the 1950s (.766, 70-21-1 record).
• The Spartans have had sustained success in the Big Ten Conference under Dantonio. MSU has won two of the past four Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and three overall this decade, also claiming a championship in 2010. The Spartans own victories in 31 of their last 43 games against Big Ten opponents (including the Big Ten Championship Game), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 19 wins by double-figures.
Matt Sokol AND Damion Terry NAMED GAME CAPTAINS AGAINST MARYLAND --
• Junior tight end Matt Sokol and fifth-year senior quarterback Damion Terry will be the Eagles to rotate as game captains vs. Maryland on Saturday. In order for all of the Eagles to serve as game captains twice, team captain Chris Frey didn't walk out to midfield for the Western Michigan game, and Brian Allen didn't walk out to midfield for the Minnesota game. Sokol also served as a game captain vs. Western Michigan, and Terry was a game captain vs. Penn State.
YOUTH MOVEMENT --
• Michigan State features one of the youngest teams in the nation with 77 underclassmen on its 2017 roster (37 true freshmen, 16 redshirt freshmen, 24 sophomores), to go along with 24 juniors and 13 seniors.
• Thirteen of MSU's 22 projected starters either on offense or defense are underclassmen (nine sophomores, one redshirt freshman, three true freshmen). In addition, MSU's starting placekicker (R-Fr. Matt Coghlin) and two starting returners (KR Connor Heyward; PR Cody White) are freshmen.
• Michigan State has played 13 true freshmen in 2017 (TE Matt Dotson, RB Connor Heyward, OG Kevin Jarvis, S Dominique Long, WR Laress Nelson, DE Jacub Panasiuk, S Tre Person, OG Jordan Reid, WR Hunter Rison, CB Josiah Scott, LB Antjuan Simmons, WR Andre Welch, WR Cody White), the most ever in one season under Dantonio (previous high: nine in 2016). Jarvis has started more games on the offensive line (seven at right guard) than any other true freshman under Dantonio.
• Nine Spartans made their first career starts vs. Bowling Green (DE Dillon Alexander, LB Joe Bachie, CB Josh Butler, RT Luke Campbell, TE Noah Davis, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Matt Sokol, CB Josiah Scott, DE Kenny Willekes).
• Fifteen Spartans have made their first career starts this season (DE Dillon Alexander, LB Joe Bachie, CB Josh Butler, RT Luke Campbell, TE Noah Davis, S David Dowell, TE Chase Gianacakos, WR Trishton Jackson, OG Kevin Jarvis, FB Collin Lucas, WR Laress Nelson, TE Matt Sokol, CB Josiah Scott, WR Cody White, DE Kenny Willekes).
• Cornerback Josiah Scott became just the third true freshman position player to start in his collegiate debut in the Mark Dantonio era (WR Mark Dell in 2007; S Isaiah Lewis in 2010). Specialists who started as true freshmen in their collegiate debut under Dantonio include punter Aaron Bates in 2007 and long snapper Taybor Pepper in 2012.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 58-18 record (.763) 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 is 43-12 (.782) at home since 2010 and 27-7 (.794) since 2013.
• Mark Dantonio is 28-4 (.875) against nonconference opponents in Spartan Stadium (only losses: 2009 to Central Michigan; 2012 to No. 20 Notre Dame; 2016 to BYU; 2017 to Notre Dame).
• Dantonio is 11-0 in home openers at MSU and the Spartans' 19-game winning streak in home openers is tied for the fifth-long longest in the nation.
