Saturday, October 20
East Lansing, Mich.
12 p.m.
Michigan State University
vs
Michigan
Paul Bunyan Trophy On The Line As No. 24 Spartans Host No. 6 Wolverines
10/17/2018 11:53:00 AM | Football
Game 7: No. 6/7 Michigan (6-1, 4-0 B1G) at No. 24/RV Michigan State (4-2, 2-1 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: FOX/Fox Sports Go
Announcers: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Jenny Taft (sidelines)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio:Â Ch. 83 (Sirius), Ch. 83 (XM), Ch. 83 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: UM leads, 69-36-5
Parking Information: Lots open at 7 a.m. | Parking Map
COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 104-47 (12th year)
Overall Record: 122-64 (15th year)
Record vs. UM: 8-3
UM Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
UM Record: 34-12 (fourth year)
Overall Record: 92-39 (11th year)
Record vs. MSU: 1-2
FIRST-AND-10 –
• Michigan State will look for its ninth win in the last 11 meetings against Michigan as the Spartans take on the No. 6/7 Wolverines Saturday, Oct. 20 in East Lansing. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. The Spartans (4-2, 2-1) moved back into The Associated Press Poll this week at No. 24 following their 21-17 win at No. 8 Penn State last Saturday, while the Wolverines jumped up to No. 6 after defeating No. 15 Wisconsin, 38-13.
• Michigan State defeated Michigan for the eighth time in the past 10 years, 14-10, last season in Ann Arbor in the first night game in series history. The eight wins in the last decade is the best record for MSU over Michigan in a 10-year span (previous best: 7-1-2). During the past 10 games, MSU has outscored Michigan by 95 points (261-166; 26.1 to 16.6).
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 8-3 during his tenure against Michigan, including a 4-2 record in Spartan Stadium. Dantonio's .727 winning percentage is the highest for any Spartan coach against the Wolverines (second: Duffy Daugherty, .579, 10-7-2 record from 1954-72). Dantonio is 6-3 against ranked Michigan teams and owns 10 victories over AP Top 10 teams in his tenure at Michigan State (No. 4 Wisconsin in 2011; No. 2 Ohio State in 2013 Big Ten Championship Game; No. 5 Stanford in 2014 Rose Bowl; No. 4 Baylor in 2015 Cotton Bowl; No. 7 Oregon in 2015; No. 2 Ohio State in 2015; No. 4 Iowa in 2015 Big Ten Championship Game; No. 7 Michigan in 2017; No. 7 Penn State in 2017; No. 8 Penn State in 2018).
• Saturday's game marks the 111th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 69-36-5, including a 20-14-2 record in games played in East Lansing and an 18-14-1 mark in Spartan Stadium; however, since 1950, Michigan holds just a six-game edge, 36-30-2. Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 36-27-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.
• The team with the most productive ground attack has won 43 of the last 48 games in the MSU-UM series. Since Mark Dantonio's arrival to MSU in 2007, the Spartans have outrushed the Wolverines by 935 yards (1,923-988). In six of those 11 games, Michigan has been held to 100 rushing yards or fewer, including a school-record low minus-48 yards in 2013. Last season, MSU held a 158-102 advantage on the ground.
• Saturday's game marks the 18th time Michigan State and Michigan have both been ranked in the AP Top 25 during their annual meeting. MSU is 10-6-1 against Michigan when both teams are ranked. Michigan State has defeated Michigan 11 times when UM is ranked in the AP Top 10, including last season when the Wolverines were ranked seventh in the AP Poll.
• The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. MSU is 10-5 in its last 15 games against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, including a 9-5 record since 2013 (beat No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Stanford in 2013; lost to No. 3 Oregon and beat No. 4 Baylor in 2014; beat No. 7 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Iowa, and lost to No. 2 Alabama in 2015; lost to No. 2 Michigan, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State in 2016; beat No. 7 Michigan and No. 7 Penn State in 2017; beat No. 8 Penn State in 2018). Michigan State has won 14 of its last 22 games played against AP Top 25 opponents. Michigan State's nine wins over AP Top 10 teams since 2013 ranks third most in the FBS (Alabama with 14, Ohio State with 11).
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 62.3 yards per game (374 yards total through six games: Utah State, 25; Arizona State, 44; Indiana, 29; Central Michigan, 63; Northwestern, 8; Penn State, 205). MSU also has only given up 12 rushes of 10-plus yards, second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 9).
• Senior safety Khari Willis was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Spartans with a season-high nine tackles, including seven solo stops, in MSU's 21-17 win at No. 8 Penn State last Saturday. The Jackson, Michigan, native also forced a fumble on PSU quarterback Trace McSorley in the first quarter, and recorded his team-leading fifth pass break-up of the season later in the game. Willis' effort helped the Spartans hold Penn State to a season low in points (17) and first downs (14). The 17 points scored by Penn State were the fewest by the Nittany Lions since scoring 10 in a loss at Michigan on Sept. 24, 2016. In addition, the 397 yards of total offense was the second-lowest offensive output for PSU this season. MSU also held PSU under 200 yards passing for just the second time this season (179 vs. Pittsburgh).
• Senior wide receiver Felton Davis III recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and fourth of his career with eight catches for 100 yards in the victory at No. 8 Penn State. Davis tied his career high with two touchdown receptions, including the game-winning 25-yard score with 19 seconds left in the game, and also caught a 20-yard TD pass from Brian Lewerke in the third quarter that tied the game at 14. Davis now has 14 TD receptions in his career, tied for 11th in school history. The game-winning TD catch was the 100th career reception for Davis; he is one of 30 players in school history to record at least 100 career catches.
STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (50 carries for 191 yards, 3.8 avg., 31.8 ypg, 3 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (135-of-225, .600, 1,587 yards, 264.5 ypg, 8 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving – Felton Davis III (31 catches for 474 yards, 15.3 avg., 79.0 ypg, 4 TDs)
Tackles – Joe Bachie (43 tackles, 26 solo, 17 assists, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBUs)
Michigan:
Rushing – Karan Higdon (120 carries for 687 yards, 5.7 avg., 114.5 ypg, 6 TDs)
Passing – Shea Patterson (109-of-159 for 1,311 yards, 187.3 ypg, 10 TD, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Zach Gentry (21 catches for 311 yards, 14.8 avg, 44.4 ypg, 1 TD)
Tackles – Devin Bush (44 tackles, 22 solo, 22 assists, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBUs)
A QUICK GLANCE AT MICHIGAN (6-1, 4-0 BIG TEN) –
• The No. 6/7 Wolverines bring a 6-1 overall and 4-1 B1G ledger into Saturday's battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy . . . Michigan has won its last six games since a 24-17 loss at No. 11 Notre Dame in the season opener . . . the Wolverines picked up their first win of the streak in their home opener on Sept. 8 with a 49-3 victory over Western Michigan, then beat SMU, 45-20, on Sept. 15 . . . UM opened Big Ten action with a 56-10 win over Nebraska, then escaped an upset bid by Northwestern, 20-17, on the road on Sept. 29, before returning home to beat Maryland, 42-21 on Oct. 6 and Wisconsin, 38-13, last Saturday.
• Last time out, the Wolverines pulled away from a 13-7 halftime lead and won going away, 38-13, against No. 15 Wisconsin Saturday night at home . . . after a scoreless first quarter, the teams traded TDs early in the second stanza with the Wolverines scoring first before the Badgers scored to tie it up, then Michigan reeled off 31 unanswered points to open a 38-7 lead before Wisconsin scored with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
• UM totaled 444 yards of total offense, with 320 yards rushing and 124 passing, while limiting Wisconsin to 283 yards of total offense, on 183 rushing and 100 passing . . . the Wolverine defense also snared two interceptions and limited the Badgers to just 2-of-11 on third-down conversions . . . Michigan had a commanding 37:01-22:59 time of possession advantage.
• Michigan's defense leads not only the B1G but the FBS in passing yards allowed (129.1 ypg), while ranking third in the conference and 15th in the country in rushing defense (108.9 ypg), to rank tops in the B1G and second in FBS in total defense (238.0 ypg) . . . UM is also first in the league and ninth in the nation in scoring defense (15.4 ppg).
• Offensively, the Wolverines are fifth in the conference and 28th in the country in rushing (217.0 ypg), along with ninth in the league and 93rd in the nation in passing offense (207.0 ypg), to rank sixth in the B1G and 51st in FBS in total offense (424.0 ypg) . . . Michigan is third in the conference and 23rd in the country in scoring offense (38.1 ppg).
• Michigan is tied for first in the B1G and tied for fifth in FBS in turnovers lost with just five, while ranking eighth in the league and 85th in the nation in turnovers gained (8), to rank fourth in the conference and 39th in the country in turnover margin (0.43) . . . the Wolverines are also tied for tops in the league and tied for second in the nation in fewest fumbles lost (1).
• UM shares the league lead and is tied for fifth in the nation in defensive TDs (3).
• The Wolverines are second in the conference and 11th in the country in net punting (42.1 ypp).
• For the season, quarterback Shea Patterson is fourth in the B1G and 27th in FBS in passing efficiency (154.8), along with fifth in the league and 48th in the nation in passing TDs (10), seventh in the conference and 59th in the country in passing yards (1,311) and 10th in the league and 76th in the nation in passing yards per game (187.3) . . . Patterson is 109-of-159 (.686) for 1,311 yards (12.0 ypc/187.3 ypg) with 10 TDs and three INTs . . . he also has 32 rushes for 121 yards (3.8 ypc) with one TD.
• Karan Higdon is third in the B1G and 10th in FBS in rushing yards per game (114.5), along with third in the league and 12th in the nation in rushing yards (687), as well as third in the conference and 36th in the country in rushing TDs (6) . . . he has 120 carries for 687 yards (5.7 ypc/114.5 ypg).
• Senior tight end Zach Gentry and sophomore wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones share the team lead with 21 receptions apiece, with Gentry tallying 311 yards (14.8 ypc/44.4 ypg), while Peoples-Jones has 247 yards (11.8 ypc/35.3 ypg).
• Defensively, Chase Winovich is second in the B1G and tied for 15th in FBS in total tackles for loss (10.5), also ranking third in the conference and 26th in the country in tackles for loss per game (1.5) . . . Winovich is also tied for third in the league and tied for 32nd in the nation in TFL yards (44) . . . he adds three sacks, ranking tied for 14th in the B1G, as well as tied for 12th in sack yards (27) and tied for 20th in sacks/game (0.43) . . . Winovich has 39 total tackles (23 solo, 16 assists), ranking tied for 23rd in the conference.
• Bush leads the UM defense with 44 total tackles, evenly split with 22 solo and 22 assists, and ranks 11th in the B1G, as well as 27th in the league in tackles per game (6.3) and ninth in assists (22) . . . Bush is also tied for 10th in the Big Ten in sacks (3.5), tied for 12th in sacks/game (0.5) and tied for 20th in sack yards (19) . . . additionally, Bush is 14th in the conference with 6.0 tackles for loss, ranking 21st in TFL/game (0.86) and 24th in TFL yards (25).
• Placekicker Quinn Nordin is 11-of-14 (.786) on FGs with a long of 50 yards, adding 30-of-31 on PATs . . . he leads the conference and ranks 17th in the country in scoring (9.0 points per game), as well as 10th in the league in points responsible for per game (9.0) . . . Nordin is second in the B1G and 17th in FBS in field goals/game (1.57), as well as fourth in the league and 31st in the nation in field goal percentage.
• Will Hart tops the conference with a 51.1 yards per punt average, with 20 total punts, with a long of 64 yards, one of 13 punts of 50+ yards and has eight inside the 20.
BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS –
• Michigan State's 2018 roster features 50 players from the state of Michigan.
SPARTANS RANK SECOND IN ALL-TIME VICTORIES vs. MICHIGAN –
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan. Only Ohio State (50) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (36).
LONG HISTORY OF BIG WINS OVER MICHIGAN –
• Michigan State has defeated Michigan 11 times when the Wolverines were ranked in the AP Top 10, including a 14-10 win over No. 7 Michigan in 2017. Michigan enters Saturday's game ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll.
MSU'S LAST-SECOND WIN AT MICHIGAN IN 2015 PRODUCED NO. 1 PLAY OF THE SEASON –
• Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt and ran it back 38 yards for a TD as time expired to give No. 7 Michigan State a 27-23 victory at No. 12 Michigan on Oct. 17, 2015. The unforgettable touchdown was named the No. 1 play of the 2015 season at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Atlanta on Dec. 10.
BATTLE OF RANKED TEAMS –
• Saturday's game marks the 18th time Michigan State and Michigan have both been ranked in the AP Top 25 during their annual meeting, and the first since 2015. MSU is 10-6-1 against Michigan when both teams are ranked, including a four-game winning streak.
GROUND GAME KEY FACTOR IN THIS SERIES –
• The team with the most productive ground attack has won 43 of the last 48 games in the MSU-UM series.
Since Mark Dantonio's arrival to MSU in 2007, the Spartans have outrushed the Wolverines by 935 yards (1,923-988). In six of those 11 games, Michigan has been held to 100 rushing yards or fewer, including a school-record low minus-48 yards in 2013. Last season, MSU held a 158-102 advantage on the ground.
THE LAST MEETING –
Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP): Mark Dantonio has done what seemed improbable a decade ago and in the previous century, figuring out a way to help Michigan State have its way with Michigan on a consistent basis. Brian Lewerke ran for a touchdown and threw for a score in the first half and the Spartans held on to beat the seventh-ranked Wolverines 14-10. Michigan State has beaten Michigan eight times in a 10-year stretch for the first time in a series that dates to 1898.
The Wolverines had the ball late with a chance to drive for a go-ahead TD, but a heave from the Spartans 37 as time expired hit the turf near the goal line. Michigan could not overcome many mistakes, including five turnovers and several costly penalties. John O'Korn, replacing injured starter Wilton Speight, threw three interceptions in the second half. Ty Isaac and Sean McKeon fumbled.
The Wolverines opened with a 16-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly 7 minutes off the clock, but they had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. They didn't lead again against Dantonio, who has taken control of a rivalry that has historically been tilted in Michigan's favor.
Lewerke scored a go-ahead TD on a 14-yard run late in the first quarter. He threw a 16-yard pass to Madre London to put the Spartans up 14-3 midway through the second quarter. Michigan scored its only touchdown midway through the third quarter on Khalid Hill's 1-yard run to cut it to 14-10.
The Spartans didn't have a first down in the second half until their final drive of the game, a possession that started with 2:13 and ended with a punt from the Michigan 47 that went through the end zone with 34 seconds left.
Michigan began its last drive with 34 seconds and no timeouts left and picked up 30 yards on the first snap on a 15-yard pass to Karan Higdon and a 15-yard penalty on Chris Frey for tacking him out of bounds. The Wolverines wilted after that as Eddie McDoom dropped a pass and they had to back up 5 yards due to a delay-of-game penalty.
INJURIES STARTING TO MOUNT FOR MSU –
• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries in the first half of the season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but eight of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including six on offense, one on defense and one on special teams.
• On offense, senior running back LJ Scott left the Arizona State game on Sept. 8 in the second half with an ankle injury and hasn't returned to the field since . . . junior left tackle Cole Chewins entered the season with 16 straight starts, but didn't play his first full game in 2018 until game six at Penn State as he worked his way back from an injury he suffered in preseason camp . . . both junior wide receiver Darrell Stewart and sophomore right guard Kevin Jarvis were injured in the second half at Indiana; Jarvis has missed the last three games and Stewart did not play vs. Central Michigan or Penn State . . . sophomore wide receiver Cody White, the team's second-leading receiver, broke his hand in the second quarter vs. CMU and is out for an indefinite amount of time . . . starting left guard David Beedle suffered an injury on MSU's first series against Northwestern on Oct. 6 and is likely out for a month . . . in addition, freshman wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who scored two TDs at Indiana including a 75-yard run in the fourth quarter, has not dressed the last three weeks, and starting fullback Collin Lucas also missed two games (Central Michigan, Northwestern).
• Defensively, sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, had his meniscus repaired during preseason camp and has yet to see the field for the Spartans in 2018. His timetable to return is still indefinite . . . fifth-year senior Dillon Alexander, a reserve defensive end, missed the first four games but returned to action against Northwestern on Oct. 6.
• Entering the 2018 season, Michigan State had only three starting punters in the Mark Dantonio era: Aaron Bates (2007-10), Mike Sadler (2011-14) and Jake Hartbarger (2015-present); however, Hartbarger was injured in the fourth quarter at Arizona State – just one quarter after he booted a career-long 74-yarder – and Dantonio announced on Oct. 9 that Hartbarger would be out the rest of the season and will apply for a sixth year of eligibility. Redshirt freshman walk-on Tyler Hunt has been Hartbarger's replacement the last four games.
LAST TIME OUT: MSU 21, NO. 8/8 PENN STATE 17
• In the 33rd meeting between Michigan State and Penn State, the Spartans rallied to defeat the Nittany Lions, 21-17, before a crowd of 106,685 at Beaver Stadium . . . MSU leads the all-time series, 17-15-1 . . . MSU has won seven games at Penn State in series history, including three under Mark Dantonio.
• The Spartans have won five of the last six meetings against the Nittany Lions, including back-to-back wins over Top 10 Penn State teams (No. 7 in 2017, No. 8 in 2018) to keep the Land Grant Trophy in East Lansing.
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio improved to 6-3 against Penn State during his tenure at MSU, including a 3-2 record in Beaver Stadium.
• Michigan State has posted 19 fourth-quarter comebacks under Dantonio, including three over Penn State (2007, 2017, 2018).
OFFENSE
• Felton Davis III recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and fourth of his career with eight catches for 100 yards . . . he tied his career high with two touchdown receptions, including the game-winning 25-yard score with 19 seconds left in the game . . . he also caught a 20-yard TD pass from Brian Lewerke in the third quarter that tied the game at 14 . . . Davis now has 14 TD receptions in his career, tied for 11th in school history . . . he has a team-best four TD grabs this season . . . the past two games against Penn State, Davis had 20 catches for 281 yards and three TDs . . . the game-winning TD catch was the 100th career reception for Davis; he is one of 29 players in school history to record at least 100 career catches.
• Brian Lewerke completed 24-of-52 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, both to Felton Davis III . . . it marked Lewerke's 12th career 200-yard passing game, and the fifth this season . . . Lewerke has thrown for 659 yards and four TDs against Penn State the past two seasons . . . he has engineered four fourth-quarter comebacks in his career (2017: Indiana and Penn State; 2018: Utah State and Penn State).
• La'Darius Jefferson led MSU on the ground with career highs in rushing yards (60) and carries (15) . . . he scored MSU's first TD of the game on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.
• Connor Heyward collected 79 all-purpose yards (44 rushing, 20 receiving, 15 kick return) . . . on a fake punt in the first quarter (fourth-and-10 from the MSU 36), he ran for 26 yards to the PSU 40 for a first down . . . two plays later, he threw a 36-yard completion to Cam Chambers, which set up a first-and-goal from the PSU 1 . . . the 11-play, 81-yard drive in 4:03 was capped by Jefferson's 1-yard TD run.
• Laress Nelson recorded career highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (60).
• MSU out-gained Penn State, 418-397, and had 25 first downs compared to PSU's 14.
• MSU had a significant advantage in time of possession, 34:12-25:48 . . . MSU is 83-20 under Dantonio when leading in time of possession.
• Michigan State started its sixth different starting combination along the offensive line (LT Cole Chewins; LG Tyler Higby; C Matt Allen; RG Blake Bueter; RT Jordan Reid).
DEFENSE
• The Spartans held Penn State to a season low in points (17) and first downs (14) . . . the 17 points scored by Penn State were the fewest by the Nittany Lions since scoring 10 in a loss at Michigan on Sept. 24, 2016 . . . the 397 yards of total offense was the second-lowest offensive output for PSU this season . . . MSU also held PSU under 200 yards passing for just the second time this season (179 vs. Pittsburgh).
• Khari Willis led the Spartans with a season-high nine tackles . . . he forced a fumble on Trace McSorley in the first quarter . . . he also recorded a pass break-up.
• Kenny Willekes was credited with a 7-yard sack on a fourth-down play in the third quarter . . . Willekes now has a team-leading five sacks and nine tackles for loss this season.
• Tyriq Thompson posted a career-high five stops and recovered a fumble in the first quarter.
• Michigan State entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 169 rushing yards all season . . . the Nittany Lions snapped MSU's eight-game streak of holding its opponent under 100 yards rushing with 205 yards on the ground . . . MSU also gave up its first rush of more than 20 yards all season . . . MSU is still holding opponents to 62.3 rushing yards per game (374 total) through the first half of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Tyler Hunt punted a career-high 10 times (avg. 40.4) . . . he placed three punts inside the 20.
BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks fourth in the Big Ten in passing (264.5 ypg) and sixth in total offense (278.3 ypg). Lewerke has completed 60 percent of his passes (135-of-225) for 1,587 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He threw for a season-high 329 yards, the fourth-highest output of his career, against Northwestern on Oct. 6, and has thrown for more than 200 yards in five of six games in 2018.
• In his first full year as the starter in 2017, Brian Lewerke became the first quarterback in school history to throw for more than 2,500 yards and rush for more than 500 yards in the same season. Lewerke finished 2017 with the second-most yards of total offense in an MSU season with 3,352 (Drew Stanton with 3,415 in 2005). He also finished the 2017 campaign ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in passing completions (third with 246), passing attempts (fourth with 417), passing yards (seventh with 2,793) and touchdown passes (tied for eighth with 20). He rushed for 559 yards on 124 carries with five TDs. Through six games this season, Lewerke has rushed 55 times for 83 yards, although he has been sacked 14 times for 107 yards. He has gained 199 yards and lost 116 for a net total of 83.
• In 2017, Lewerke set MSU sophomore records for total offense (3,352 yards), passing yards (2,793), passing attempts (417) and passing completions (246). He also finished the season with 559 yards rushing on 124 carries, the fourth most by a Spartan quarterback in a single season and the most since Drew Stanton had 687 in 2004.
• Lewerke was named the Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP after finishing with 286 yards of total offense against Washington State. He was 13-of-21 passing for 213 yards and three touchdowns, and set a Spartan bowl record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (14 carries for 73 yards). Lewerke was 9-of-10 passing for 162 yards and two TDs in the second quarter alone. Lewerke's three touchdown passes tied a Spartan bowl record (accomplished three previous times).
• A week after setting numerous school records at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017, 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 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, 2017. 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). Lewerke's 445 yards passing and 475 total yards against Northwestern were both the most by a Big Ten quarterback in a single game in 2017.
• 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. 29. He bounced back quickly from the injury and fully participated in all of spring practice in 2017. In 2016, Lewerke became the first Spartan freshman quarterback to start a game (Northwestern) since 2004 (Stephen Reaves vs. Central Michigan).
• In 23 career games (14-7 record as the starter, including 19 straight starts), Lewerke has completed 59 percent of his passes (412-for-699) for 4,761 yards, 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He has 791 career rushing yards on 200 carries (34.4 ypg; 4.0 avg.).
• Lewerke crossed the 4,000 career yards passing milestone during the Central Michigan game, becoming the 12th Spartan quarterback to reach that mark. He currently ranks 10th in MSU history with 4,761 passing yards.
• Lewerke is also one of just eight Spartans to collect more than 5,000 yards of total offense in his career; he curently ranks seventh in MSU history with 5,552 total yards.
LJ SCOTT STILL LOOKING TO RETURN TO STARTING LINEUP –
• Senior LJ Scott is looking to become just the third Spartan in school history to lead the team in rushing four straight years (Javon Ringer, 2005-08; Lorenzo White, 1984-87). He has played in just two games, however, after leaving the Arizona State game in the second half. Scott currently ranks third on the team 103 yards rushing on 30 carries (51.5 ypg; 3.4 avg.).
• The 6-1, 225-pound Scott is one of 12 Spartan running backs in school history to rush for more than 2,500 career yards. He eclipsed the 2,500-yard mark during the Holiday Bowl and currently ranks 10th in the MSU record book with 2,694 rushing yards. In addition, his 25 career rushing touchdowns are tied for 12th in the school record book.
• Scott has nine career 100-yard rushing games, including three in 2017 (career-high 194 yards at Minnesota on Oct. 14; 147 vs. Maryland on Nov. 18; 110 vs. Washington State on Dec. 28).
• In 40 career games, including 20 starts, Scott has rushed for 2,694 yards (67.4 ypg; 4.8 avg.) and 25 touchdowns. Scott ranks 10th in MSU history in carries (561) and rushing yards (2,694) and tied for 12th in rushing touchdowns (25).
• In Scott's absence, sophomore Connor Heyward, who played five different positions in high school (QB, WR, RB, S, P), and true freshman La'Darius Jefferson, a high school quarterback, have received the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Heyward has 50 carries for 191 yards, while Jefferson has 47 carries for 185 yards. Heyward scored two rushing TDs in the season opener against Utah State, including the game-winning 13-yard score with 2:00 left in the fourth quarter, while Jefferson ran for a season-high 60 yards on 15 attempts and one TD vs. No. 8 Penn State. Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges has also seen brief time in the playing rotation with eight carries for 17 yards.
VETERAN FELTON DAVIS IS MSU'S ACTIVE LEADING RECEIVER –
• Senior Felton Davis III is MSU's active leader in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,450) and touchdown catches (14). He has played in 38 career games, including 19 consecutive starts. Davis is one of 29 Spartans with 100 career receptions.
• Davis recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and fourth of his career with eight catches for 100 yards in the victory at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13. Davis tied his career high with two touchdown receptions, including the game-winning 25-yard score with 19 seconds left in the game, and also caught a 20-yard TD pass from Lewerke in the third quarter that tied the game at 14. Davis now has 14 TD receptions in his career, tied for 11th in school history. The game-winning TD catch was the 100th career reception for Davis.
• Davis got off to an excellent start his senior season with three catches for 69 yards vs. Utah State, including a diving 31-yard grab late in the fourth quarter on MSU's game-winning touchdown drive against the Aggies.
During the game, Davis become the 43rd Spartan in school history to cross the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career.
• The 6-4, 200-pound native of Richmond, Virginia is first on the team in receiving yards (474; 79.0 ypg) and catches (31; 5.2 pg). He also ranks sixth in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (79.0 ypg) and seventh in receptions (5.2 pg). Twenty-five of his 31 receptions (81 percent) have resulted in either a TD or first down.
• Davis led a young receiving corps last season with career highs in receptions (55), receiving yards (776) and touchdown catches (9), all of which ranked among the Big Ten leaders (tied for third in TD catches with nine; tied for seventh in receptions at 4.2 pg; seventh in receiving yards at 59.7 ypg). Forty-three of his 55 receptions (78 percent) were for either a first down or a touchdown. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third team by the coaches.
SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER CODY WHITE OUT INDEFINITELY WITH BROKEN HAND –
• Sophomore Cody White was having a sensational start to his second season in the Green and White with 20 catches for 300 yards in the first four games of the season, but unfortunately White suffered a broken hand in the second quarter of the Central Michigan game on Sept. 29 while diving for a catch in the end zone and is out indefinitely. At the time of his injury, White ranked among the Big Ten leaders in receiving yards per game (75.0 ypg) and receptions (5.0 pg). Fifteen of his 20 catches (75 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown.
• White recorded his second career 100-yard receiving game with 113 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the third quarter, at Arizona State. He also tied his career high with nine receptions (Northwestern, 2017).
• White, a BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, closed his first year in the Green and White with the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history with 490. His 35 catches were second most by a true freshman (Sedrick Irvin with 40 in 1996) and most by a true freshman wide receiver (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008). White recorded 30 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season.
• In his first career start, 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, 2017. 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.
• In just 17 career games, including 10 starts, White has 55 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns.
SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE –
• Michigan State has featured six different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first six games of the season. The only player to start all six games at the same position is sophomore right tackle Jordan Reid.
• The only starter the Spartans lost from last season, Brian Allen, started every game at center, but was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and is now playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Junior Tyler Higby, who started at 13 games at left guard over the course of 2016 and 2017, started the first two games at center, but sophomore Matt Allen took over the starting job at Indiana on Sept. 22 and has started the last four games at center. Allen became the third member of the Allen family to start at center for the Spartans, joining his older brothers Jack and Brian.
• Three different players have started at left tackle in 2018. Junior Cole Chewins, who started every game in 2017, played his first full game in 2018 at Penn State on Oct. 13 after battling back from an injury he suffered in preseason camp. He started at Arizona State on Sept. 8 but only played one snap from scrimmage. Sophomore Luke Campbell started the season opener vs. Utah State, but moved to left guard at Indiana on Sept. 22, then started at right guard vs. Central Michigan on Sept. 29 with regular starter Kevin Jarvis out with an injury.
• Fifth-year senior David Beedle started the first two games at left guard but was limited at Indiana due to an injury; he returned to the starting lineup vs. CMU but was injured in the first series against Northwestern and is likely out for at least a month. Redshirt freshman Matt Carrick replaced Beedle at left guard and saw the first extensive action of his career (35 snaps).
• Redshirt freshman Blake Bueter, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship during MSU's bye week, started his first career game at right guard against Northwestern on Oct. 6 and played 78 snaps. He started his second straight game at Penn State on Oct. 13 and played a career-high 88 snaps.
• Junior Tyler Higby, who entered the season with 13 career starts at left guard, started his first game of 2018 at left guard at Penn State on Oct. 13. Higby has started every game this season (first two at C, three at LT, one at LG). He has started in 19 career games (14 at LG, three at LT, two at C).
• On defense, the Spartans returned 23 letterwinners in 2018 and nine starters from a unit that finished ranked in the FBS Top 10 in rushing defense (No. 2 at 95.3 ypg) and total defense (No. 7 at 297.6 ypg) in 2017. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans returned 120 of those starts (84 percent). Five of those nine returning starters started in all 13 games last season (LB Joe Bachie, LB Andrew Dowell, DT Mike Panasiuk, NT Raequan Williams, S Khari Willis).
STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 62.3 yards per game (374 yards total through six games: Utah State, 25; Arizona State, 44; Indiana, 29; Central Michigan, 63; Northwestern, 8; Penn State, 205). MSU also has only given up 12 rushes of 10-plus yards, second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 9).
• MSU's opponents have only run the ball 160 times (39 percent of snaps, 26.7 avg.), the fourth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents have attempted 252 passes (61 percent of snaps, 42.0 avg.), seventh most most among FBS teams
• The Spartans had held their opponents under 100 yards rushing in eight straight games, dating back to last season, before Penn State collected 205 yards on the ground on Oct. 13.
• 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). The Spartans have ranked in the Top 25 in rushing defense seven times in the last nine seasons, including a run of five straight years in the top 11 (2011-15). MSU led the Big Ten and ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense in 2017 (95.3 ypg).
• In 151 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 77 times (51 percent). MSU is 66-11 (.857) in those games, including a 56-6 (.903) record since 2010.
SPARTANS RANK 10TH IN FBS WITH NINE INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten and tied for 10th in the FBS with nine interceptions in six games this season. MSU's 1.50 average is tied for ninth in the FBS.
• Eight different players – LB Joe Bachie, CB Shakur Brown, S David Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Matt Morrissey, DT Mike Panasiuk, LB Antjuan Simmons and S Khari Willis – have recorded interceptions this season for MSU.
• Redshirt freshman cornerback Shakur Brown returned an interception 69 yards for a TD in the first quarter at Indiana to give MSU a 14-0 lead. It was MSU's first pick six since Tyson Smith vs. Bowling Green in 2017 and it marked MSU's 30th defensive TD in the Dantonio era.
• Michigan State has recorded two interceptions in a game four times this season (Utah State, Indiana, Central Michigan, Northwestern).
HISTORY OF STINGY DEFENSES UNDER DANTONIO –
• Michigan State finished 2017 ranked among the FBS leaders in rushing defense (No. 2 at 95.3 ypg), total defense (No. 7 at 297.6 ypg), first-downs defense (No. 9 at 206), pass efficiency defense (No. 17 with 113.5 rating), third-down defense (No. 18 at .328) and scoring defense (No. 19 at 20.0 ppg).
• The Spartans led the Big Ten in rushing defense for the fifth time in the Dantonio era (2011-14, 2017). MSU also ranked third in the Big Ten in total defense.
• Michigan State finished No. 7 in the FBS in total defense (297.6), marking the fifth time the Spartans have finished in the FBS Top 10 in total defense under Dantonio (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014, No. 7 in 2017).
LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS TEAM IN TACKLES –
• Joe Bachie, who started all 13 games at middle linebacker as a sophomore for the Spartans in 2017 and led the team in tackles (100; 7.7 avg.), was named the recipient of the Governor's Award, which is given annually to the program's most valuable player as voted on by the team. He was the first Spartan sophomore to win the Governor's Award since quarterback Drew Stanton in 2004.
• A team captain, Bachie is right back at it this season, leading the Spartans and ranking tied for 11th in the Big Ten with 7.2 tackles per game (43 total; 26 solo and 17 assists). Against Utah State, Bachie had 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses. He sealed the victory after he batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and then dove for the interception with 1:15 left in the game. Bachie had 10 tackles and a 2-yard sack at Arizona State, and posted nine stops at Indiana.
• A third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches and media, Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2017.
• In last season's win at No. 7 Michigan, 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.
• In 24 career games, including 19 consecutive starts, Bachie has 155 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
FROM WALK-ON TO LEADING THE TEAM IN TACKLES FOR LOSS AND SACKS –
• Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on for the 2015 season, emerged as a force on the defensive line for the Spartans in 2017. A chemistry major, Willekes earned a scholarship in the spring of 2017 and hasn't looked back since. The native of Rockford, Michigan, who is MSU's active leader in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (23.5), started 12 games at defensive end and led the team in tackles for loss (14.5 for 42 yards) and sacks (7.0 for 28 yards) in 2017. He ranks fifth in FBS among active career leaders with 1.18 tackles for loss per game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.63 TFL/game).
• After playing in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Willekes earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 with a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
• Willekes entered this season on the preseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, and began his junior season with a two-sack performance against Utah State. He also recorded two sacks in a game three times last season (Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland).
• Willekes leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (five) through the first six games of the season. He ranks tied for second in the Big Ten in sacks (0.83 pg) and tied for third in TFLs (1.50 pg).
SENIOR CAPTAIN KHARI WILLIS UP FOR TWO NATIONAL AWARDS –
• Michigan State senior safety Khari Willis has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the nation's top scholar-athlete. The award is also widely known as the "Academic Heisman."
• Willis was also selected one of 30 national candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the prestigious award – which former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won in 2011 – a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
• This marks the seventh time in the past eight years that the Spartans have had a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy. The Spartans had a finalist three of four years from 2011-14 (QB Kirk Cousins in 2011, LB Max Bullough in 2013, P Mike Sadler in 2014). Center Jack Allen, tight end Josiah Price and center Brian Allen were semifinalists the past three seasons.
• A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Willis owns a 3.24 grade-point average as an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, with an emphasis on community governance & advocacy. He was voted a captain by his teammates entering his senior season and has 148 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and four interceptions in 39 career games, including 23 starts. Through six games this season, Willis has recorded 36 tackles, five pass break-ups and a team-leading two interceptions for the Spartans.
• Willis was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Spartans with a season-high nine tackles, including seven solo stops, in MSU's 21-17 win at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13. The Jackson, Michigan, native also forced a fumble on PSU quarterback Trace McSorley in the first quarter, and recorded his team-leading fifth pass break-up of the season later in the game. Willis' effort helped the Spartans hold Penn State to a season low in points (17) and first downs (14).
• Willis was the keynote player speaker at the 2018 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago, and delivered an inspirational speech calling on his fellow Big Ten players to make a difference in their communities. He received a standing ovation and video of his speech went viral across social media. The Jackson, Michigan, native is a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement, and was MSU's nominee for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.
MIKE PANASIUK & RAEQUAN WILLIAMS CONSISTENT IN THE MIDDLE OF SPARTAN D-LINE –
• Junior defensive tackles Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams have started alongside each other on the interior of the defensive line for 22 consecutive games, dating back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. The duo is a big reason why MSU ranks No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense and ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense last season.
• Williams ranks second on the team with six tackles for loss, which already ties a career high. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 17 career tackles for loss, including six career sacks, in 30 career games.
• Panasiuk, a native of Roselle, Illinois, has 48 tackles, including six for losses, in 31 career games. Â
MATT COGHLIN PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE BIG TEN'S BEST PLACEKICKERS –
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin has made 16 consecutive field goals, dating back to the Penn State game last season, which is the longest streak in school history. Brett Swenson held the previous school record with 15 straight, set during the 2008 season.
• Coghlin is 8-for-8 in field-goal attempts this season, which ranks tied for first in the Big Ten. He ranks first in MSU history with his .852 career field-goal percentage (23-of-27). He is one of four placekickers in the FBS to have a perfect field-goal percentage (minimum 1.0 field goal per game).
• Coghlin was named the Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at Indiana. He scored on a 6-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal in the third quarter to give MSU a 28-7 lead over Indiana, becoming the first Spartan to score a touchdown and then kick the PAT on his own TD since Sam Williams in 1958 against Wisconsin. Coghlin also connected on all five of his PATs in MSU's 35-21 win at Indiana.
• The Cincinnati, Ohio, native ranks among the Big Ten leaders in PAT percentage (first at 1.000), field-goal percentage (first at 1.000), field goals made (tied for third with eight) and scoring (tied for fourth at 7.8 ppg).
• Coghlin also was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired against No. 7 Penn State last season.
SPARTANS FIND REPLACEMENT FOR HARTBARGER AT PUNTER IN WALK-ON TYLER HUNT –
• Entering the 2018 season, Michigan State had only three starting punters in the Mark Dantonio era: Aaron Bates (2007-10), Mike Sadler (2011-14) and Jake Hartbarger (2015-present); however, Hartbarger was injured in the fourth quarter at Arizona State – just one quarter after he booted a career-long 74-yarder – and Dantonio announced on Oct. 9 that Hartbarger would be out the rest of the season and will apply for a sixth year of eligibility. Redshirt freshman walk-on Tyler Hunt has been Hartbarger's replacement the last four games.
• Two Spartan punters made their collegiate debuts against Indiana on Sept. 29. Redshirt freshman Tyler Hunt was the starter, punting four times for 155 yards (38.8 avg.), including a long of 46 yards, while fellow redshirt freshman Bryce Baringer, who joined the team as a walk-on during the bye week, punted twice for 34.0 yards.
• Hunt has started the last four games at punter. He placed a career-high five of his seven punts inside the 20 against Northwestern on Oct. 6, averaging 40.9 yards on seven punts, including a career-long 63-yarder. He punted a career-high 10 times at Penn State on Oct. 13. Hunt is averaging 39.5 yards per punt and has placed 11 of his 25 punts inside the 20.
• Back-up quarterback and redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi was the emergency punter at Arizona State, and filled in once for Hartbarger, punting his only attempt 32 yards in the fourth quarter. MSU also has a walk-on true freshman punter, William Przystup, on the 2018 roster.
SPARTAN FOOTBALL PROGRAM NOTES –
• After finishing the 2017 campaign with a 10-3 record and a No. 15 ranking by The Associated Press, Michigan State is looking to use the momentum built from last year into another successful season in 2018. The Spartans capped the greatest single-season turnaround in school history with a dominating 42-17 win over No. 18 Washington State (CFP ranking) in the Holiday Bowl to record their sixth double-digit win season in the last eight years.
• After featuring one of the youngest teams in the nation last season, Michigan State returned a total of 48 letterwinners and 19 position starters in 2018. A total of 33 players returning have starting experience (16 offense, 14 defense, three special teams). Out of a combined 286 possible starting positions in 2017 on offense and defense throughout the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 239 of those starts (84 percent). The 19 position starters returning on offense and defense were tied for the most in the FBS along with Florida, and the 22 overall starters (including specialists) are also tied for first (Baylor).
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 82-30 (.732) since the beginning of the 2010 season. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .732 winning percentage this decade is second best in school history (.766 in 1950s, 70-21-1). 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) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.
• In addition, the Spartans have earned 10 bowl bids since 2007, including 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.
• The 82 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 12th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
• MSU's highest winning percentage by decade is currently the 1950s (.766, 70-21-1 record), but the 82 wins this current decade are already the most of any previous decade in school history (previous: 70 in 1950s).
• The Spartans have had sustained success in the Big Ten Conference under Dantonio. MSU has won two of the past five Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and three overall this decade, also claiming a championship in 2010. The Spartans own victories in 35 of their last 48 games against Big Ten opponents (including the Big Ten Championship Game), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 22 wins by double-figures.
PLAYING THEIR BEST UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT –
• The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. MSU is 10-5 in its last 15 games against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, including a 9-5 record since 2013 (beat No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Stanford in 2013; lost to No. 3 Oregon and beat No. 4 Baylor in 2014; beat No. 7 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Iowa, and lost to No. 2 Alabama in 2015; lost to No. 2 Michigan, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State in 2016; beat No. 7 Michigan and No. 7 Penn State in 2017; beat No. 8 Penn State in 2018). Michigan State's nine wins over AP Top 10 teams since 2013 ranks third most in the FBS (Alabama with 14, Ohio State with 11).
• Michigan State has won 14 of its last 22 games played against AP Top 25 opponents.
• Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans are 21-26 in 47 games played against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25; however, MSU is 20-17 against ranked teams since 2010 and 14-9 since 2013. The 21 wins over AP Top 25 teams rank second among head coaches in MSU history (Duffy Daugherty with 25 from 1954-72). Dantonio is 10-9 against AP Top 10 teams at MSU (10-5 since 2011).
MARK DANTONIO ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COACHES IN BIG TEN HISTORY –
• Now in his 12th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 104-47 (.689) record. He is one of just nine active FBS coaches to own at least 100 victories at his current school. For the fourth time in his career, Dantonio was named a semifinalist in 2017 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 (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 10 bowl appearances. He is the only 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 104 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.667, 62-31 record, minimum 10 games), tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven), second in Big Ten wins (62) and home wins (61), and fifth in overall winning percentage (.689).
• Dantonio's incredible run at Michigan State ranks among the best in Big Ten history. Dantonio is one of just six Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons on their resume (Bo Schembechler, Michigan; Jim Tressel, Ohio State; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Urban Meyer, Ohio State) and one of four to have at least five 11-win seasons (Tressel, Paterno, Meyer).
• Dantonio is one of just 14 coaches in Big Ten history to record 100 victories. He is currently No. 14 in Big Ten history with 104 wins.
• Overall, Dantonio owns a 122-64 (.656) record in his 15th season as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 104-47 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 122 career wins rank 15th among active FBS coaches and third most in the Big Ten (Urban Meyer, 181; Kirk Ferentz; 160).
• 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 122-64 (.656) in his 15th season.
• Dantonio's .667 winning percentage (62-31) 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 George 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 for third most in Big Ten history (Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer of Ohio State 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 seven times (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; 2015: No. 6 in both polls; 2017: No. 15 AP/No. 16 USA TODAY). His seven AP Top-25 finishes are tied for the most in school history. Duffy 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 ranks first in school history with 10 bowl appearances, including a school-record streak of nine straight bowl games from 2007-15. He is 5-5 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 12 bowl berths in 14 seasons as a head coach (10 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 11 seasons, a total of 203 players have earned their undergraduate degrees. In addition, 163 Spartans have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, including eight Academic All-America selections (five first-team honorees). Michigan State has placed three student-athletes in the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class during Dantonio's tenure.
• 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 151 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; Dantonio: 151; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114).
ROUGH SLEDDING AGAINST SPARTANS –
• In 151 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 77 times (51 percent). MSU is 66-11 (.857) in those games, including a 56-6 (.903) record since 2010.
TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS –
• 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 (No. 10 in 2013 at +0.93; No. 2 in 2014 at +1.46; No. 4 in 2015 at +1.00).
• Michigan State has forced at least one turnover in 122 of 151 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (81 percent of the games since 2007).
• Michigan State is 66-14 (.825) when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under head coach Mark Dantonio.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 61-19 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 ranks second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU is currently riding a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.
• MSU is 46-13 (.780) at home since 2010 and 30-8 (.789) since 2013.
• Mark Dantonio is 30-4 (.882) 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 12-0 in home openers at MSU and the Spartans' 20-game winning streak in home openers is tied for the fifth-long longest in the nation.
RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 85-19 (.817) when outrushing its opponent, including a 69-12 record (.852) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 19-28 (.404) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 39-6 (.867) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
• Under Dantonio, when Michigan State runs at least 40 times in a game, the Spartans are 70-8 (.897). Here's the breakdown by year: 2007 (6-2), 2008 (7-0), 2009 (4-0), 2010 (4-0), 2011 (3-0), 2012 (6-1), 2013 (7-0), 2014 (11-0), 2015 (7-0), 2016 (3-5), 2017 (9-0) and 2018 (3-0).
BALL CONTROL –
• Michigan State has traditionally won the time of possession battle under Mark Dantonio. The Spartans ranked second in the Big Ten and third in the FBS in time of possession in 2017, holding onto the ball for an average of 35:18 a game. In fact, although the NCAA doesn't officially keep track of single-game time of possession records, MSU's time of possession (47:50 to 12:10) vs. Rutgers on Nov. 25, 2017, is believed to be an FBS record. Air Force had the previous record of 45:14 set in 2016 (according to Air Force Athletics).
• The Spartans are first in the Big Ten and sixth in the FBS in time of possession in 2018 (34:27-25:33).
• The Spartans have led in time of possession in 68 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans own an .806 winning percentage (83-20) in those games.
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/ FootballJonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 17 2025
Monday, November 17
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | PSU | Nov. 15 2025
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