Post-Game Notes: Bowling Green
9/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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TEAM/PROGRAM
• Michigan State has won 19 straight home openers, tied for the fifth-longest active streak in the nation. MSU's streak began in 1999 with a win over Oregon . . . Mark Dantonio improved to 11-0 in home openers at MSU and 10-1 in season openers.
• Michigan State leads the all-time series over Bowling Green, 3-0 . . . Dantonio is 2-0 against BGSU in his tenure at MSU, as the Spartans also defeated the Falcons in 2007.
• Michigan State improved to 82-36-3 all-time in season openers, including a 17-2 record in its last 19 games. The Spartans have won their last nine season openers.
• Dantonio improved to 27-3 against nonconference opponents in Spartan Stadium . . . overall, Dantonio is 36-13 against nonconference opponents.
• A combined 18 true freshmen and redshirt freshmen saw action in their first collegiate game on Saturday (Matt Allen, Austin Andrews, Drew Beesley, Luke Campbell, Cam Chambers, Matt Coghlin, Noah Davis, Matt Dotson, Kevin Jarvis, Naquan Jones, Laress Nelson, Jacub Panasiuk, Brandon Randle, Jordan Reid, Hunter Rison, Josiah Scott, Antjuan Simmons, Cody White).
• Nine Spartans made their first career starts on Saturday (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).
• Joe Bachie and Gerald Holmes served as the game captains for Michigan State.
OFFENSE
• Michigan State recorded 465 yards of total offense (215 receiving; 250 passing) while holding Bowling Green to 212 yards of total offense (67 rushing; 145 passing) . . . Michigan State also had 25 first downs compared to BGSU's 9.
• Under Dantonio, Michigan State improved to 74-16 when outrushing its opponent, including a 58-9 record since 2010 . . . the Spartans are 34-6 in games when gaining 200 of more rushing yards under Dantonio.
• Sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke recorded career highs in passing yards (250), completions (22), attempts (33), passing touchdowns (3) and total offense (319 yards). . . Lewerke also rushed eight times for 69 yards . . . Lewerke ran for a career-high 79 rushing yards at Maryland last season.
• Darrell Stewart posted career highs with six receptions for 85 yards and finished with 150 all-purpose yards (85 receiving, 28 rush, 22 kick return, 15 punt return).
• Felton Davis had four catches for 35 yards and a career-high two touchdowns (4-yard TD reception in second quarter; 8-yard TD reception in third quarter).
• Matt Sokol registered career highs with three catches for 31 yards, and also caught his first career touchdown pass on a 13-yard reception in the third quarter.
• The Spartans held a significant advantage in time of possession (38:01-21:59).
• MSU won the third-down battle, converting 8-of-15 third downs while holding BGSU to 2-of-13.
DEFENSE
• Tyson Smith, in his first game back since suffering an offseason stroke, returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It marked Smith's first career interception and first career touchdown. Michigan State has scored 29 defensive touchdowns in the Dantonio era.
• Joe Bachie led the Spartans with a career-high 10 tackles, including a half tackle for loss (3 yards).
• The Spartans had six pass break-ups, including two each by David Dowell and Josiah Scott.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Jake Hartbarger averaged 49.0 yards per punt (six punts for 294 yards), including three punts inside the 20.
