Spartans Battle Boilermakers Saturday in Spartan Stadium

Game 8: Purdue (4-3, 3-1 B1G) at Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 B1G)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 27
Kickoff: 12:02 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: ESPN/WatchESPN
Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sidelines)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 136 (Sirius), Ch. 207 (XM), Ch. 965 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 35-28-3
Parking Information: Lots open at 7 a.m. | Parking Map

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 104-48 (12th year)
Overall Record: 122-65 (15th year)
Record vs. Purdue: 7-0

PU Head Coach: Jeff Brohm
PU Record: 11-9 (second year)
Overall Record: 41-19 (sixth year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-0

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Michigan State will look for its eighth consecutive victory over Purdue as the Spartans host the Boilermakers Saturday, Oct. 27 in East Lansing. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. in Spartan Stadium and the game will be televised on ESPN with Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek and Molly McGrath on the call. MSU (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) lost to No. 6/7 Michigan last Saturday at home, 21-7, while Purdue (4-3, 3-1 Big Ten) extended its winning streak to four with a 49-20 victory over No. 2/2 Ohio State.

• Saturday's game marks the 67th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue. The Spartans lead the all-time series 35-28-3, including a 21-12 record in games played in East Lansing.

• Michigan State has won a school-record seven straight in the series, all under 12th-year head coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio is 7-0 against Purdue (4-0 in East Lansing, 3-0 in West Lafayette), including a 24-21 victory in 2015 in Spartan Stadium in the last meeting. Purdue's last win in the series came on Nov. 4, 2006, 17-15, in East Lansing. Six of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less.

• Michigan State ranks tied for first in the Big Ten with Iowa and tied for second in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 79.6 yards per game (Utah ranks first at 74.6 ypg). MSU also has only given up 16 rushes of 10-plus yards, tied for third fewest in the FBS.

• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries in the first seven games of the season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but nine of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including seven on offense, one on defense and one on special teams. Senior wide receiver Felton Davis III will miss the rest of the season after injuring his Achilles tendon in the first half of the Michigan game, while fifth-year senior punter Jake Hartbarger had already been lost for the season in Week 2 at Arizona State. Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, has yet to see action this season after injuring his knee in preseason camp. Other starters currently out of the lineup include sophomore wide receiver Cody White and fifth-year senior guard David Beedle. Senior running back LJ Scott saw his first action in four games last week against Michigan after leaving the ASU game on Sept. 8 with an injured ankle. From the preseason depth chart, 11 of MSU's 24 starters (including specialists) have missed time due to injury.

• Senior Felton Davis III, who leads MSU in receptions (31), receiving yards (474) and touchdown catches (4), suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the first half against Michigan on Oct. 20. Davis closes his career as one of 29 players in MSU history to record 100 receptions (100 even). He also ranks tied for 11th in the career record book in touchdown catches (14) and 26th in receiving yards (1,450). Davis played in 39 career games, including 20 consecutive starts, prior to the injury. The Richmond, Virginia, native 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. The game-winning TD catch was the 100th career reception for Davis, who was named the Spartan Offensive Player of the Week vs. PSU.

• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (5.5) through the first seven games of the season. He ranks tied for first in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (1.57 pg) and third in sacks (0.59 pg). The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (25.5). He ranks fifth in FBS among active career leaders with 1.21 tackles for loss per game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.64 TFL/game).

• Three Spartans were named to the Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten midseason team, which was announced last week: senior linebacker Andrew Dowell, junior defensive end Kenny Willekes and senior safety Khari Willis. Dowell ranks second on the team with 51 tackles and three sacks, and is third in tackles for loss with six. Willekes ranks tied for first in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (11), while Willis ranks tied for third in the conference with nine passes defended (team-leading seven pass break-ups and two interceptions).

• Michigan State senior safety Khari Willis has been named one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, 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. Former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won the award in 2011.

• Now in his 12th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 104-48 (.684) record. 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 (.660, 62-32 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (62), home wins (61) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.684).

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (53 carries for 194 yards, 3.7 avg., 27.7 ypg, 3 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (140-of-250, .560, 1,653 yards, 236.1 ypg, 8 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving – Felton Davis III (31 catches for 474 yards, 15.3 avg., 67.7 ypg, 4 TDs)*
Tackles – Joe Bachie (53 tackles, 28 solo, 25 assists, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBUs)
* out for season with injury

Purdue:
Rushing – D.J. Knox (103 carries for 668 yards, 6.5 avg., 95.4 ypg, 8 TDs)
Passing – David Blough (153-of-230 for 2,073 yards, 296.1 ypg, 13 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Rondale Moore (57 catches for 728 yards, 12.8 avg, 104.0 ypg, 7 TDs)
Tackles – Markus Bailey (58 tackles, 38 solo, 20 assists, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU)

A QUICK GLANCE AT PURDUE (4-3, 3-1 BIG TEN) –
• The Boilermakers steam into East Lansing with a 4-3 overall and 3-1 B1G record, riding a four-game winning streak after upsetting No. 2 Ohio State, 49-20, Saturday night in front of a nationally televised audience on ABC . . . Purdue opened the season with a four-game homestand, however, the Boilermakers lost the first three of those by a combined eight points, kicking off the season with a 31-27 loss to Northwestern in the B1G opener on Aug. 30, then lost to Eastern Michigan, 20-19, on Sept. 8, and a 40-37 loss to Missouri on Sept. 15 . . . Purdue got its first win of the season with a 30-13 rout of No. 23 Boston College on Sept. 22, then won its first road game, 42-28, at Nebraska on Sept. 29, before a 46-7 victory at Illinois on Oct. 13 and the 49-20 blasting of the Buckeyes last Saturday, for Purdue's biggest upset since taking down then-No. 2 Ohio State, 28-23, on Oct. 6, 1984.

• In the historic win over OSU, Purdue opened a 14-3 lead at halftime, before the Buckeyes opened the third-quarter scoring with a field goal to get within 14-6, but the Boilermakers scored a TD on their ensuing drive to open a 21-6 advantage . . . that remained the score until a wild fourth quarter that saw the teams ring up 42 combined points, trading TDs before Purdue a TD with 3:37 left to go ahead 42-20 and then an interception return for TD with 2:08 to ice the win.

• For their performances in the win over Ohio State, four Boilermakers earned B1G Player of the Week honors, nearly sweeping the conference's weekly awards . . . senior quarterback David Blough collected the Offensive Player of the Week, with 25-of-43 passing with 378 yards and three TDs, sealing the victory with a 43-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Rondale Moore with 3:37 to play . . . it was Blough's third straight 300-yard game and his fourth this season.

• Junior linebacker Markus Bailey was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week after he tallied a career-high 15 tackles and iced the win with a 41-yard interception return for a TD with 2:08 left.
• Senior punter Joe Schopper was the Special Teams Player of the Week recipient, as he not only had a 43.3 ypp average with a long of 56 yards, but also had a 4-yard scamper on a fake field goal as the holder, getting the first down and setting up a Boilermaker TD.

• Moore earned Co-Freshman of the Week accolades, ringing up 252 all-purpose yards on snaring 12 catches for 170 yards and two TDs, adding two rushes for 24 yards, along with three kick returns for 49 yards and one punt return for 9 yards.

• Purdue amassed 539 yards of total offense with 378 passing and 161 rushing, while Ohio State rang up 546 yards with 470 passing and 76 rushing . . . however, the Buckeyes were 2-of-5 in the red zone, missing three field goals, and were called for 10 penalties for 86 yards.

• Senior running back D.J. Knox rushed for 128 yards on 16 carries with three TDs, with two coming on runs of 40+ yards, while adding one catch for 26 yards.

• Senior wide receiver Isaac Zico snared a 13-yard TD pass for Purdue's opening TD in the first quarter and added a 37-yarder in the second quarter, on the Boilermakers' drive for the second TD.

• Along with Bailey, the Purdue defense was led by redshirt freshman cornerback Kenneth Major with 12 tackles, while senior cornerback Antonio Blackmon and sophomore safety Simeon Smiley had two pass break-ups apiece.

• Purdue is second in the B1G and sixth in FBS in passing offense (337.6 ypg), as well as second in the conference and 10th in the country in total offense (514.3 ypg), along with seventh in the league and 63rd in the nation in rushing offense (176.7 ypg).

• The Boilermaker defense is 12th in the B1G and 103 in FBS in total defense (433.1 ypg), ranking fourth in the conference and 40th in the country in rushing defense (136.7 ypg) to go with ranking 14th in the league and 126th in the nation in passing yards allowed (296.4 ypg).

• Purdue is fourth in the B1G and 31st in FBS in scoring offense (35.7 ppg) to go with sixth in the conference and 39th in the country in scoring defense (22.7 ppg).

• The Boilermakers lead the B1G and rank 14th in FBS in red zone defense (73.1 percent).

• Blaugh tops the B1G and ranks eighth in FBS in yards per pass attempt (9.01), as well as leading the league and 25th in the nation in passing yards per completion (13.55), as well as ranking second in the conference and 10th in the country in passing yards (2,073), second in the league and 12th in the nation in passing yards per game (296.1), second in the B1G and 18th in FBS in passing efficiency (159.1) and third in the conference and 30th in the country in passing TDs (13) . . . Blaugh is also fourth in the B1G and 21st in FBS in both completion percentage (.665) and completions per game (21.9).

• Moore leads the B1G and ranks second in FBS in all-purpose yards (179.86), as well as leading the conference and ranking second in the country in receptions per game (8.1), also topping the league and ranking seventh in the nation in receiving yards per game (104.0) . . . Moore also is tied for second in conference and tied for 10th in country in receiving TDs (7) and sharing the league lead and tying for 28th in the nation in total touchdowns (8), good for tying for seventh in the conference in total scoring (6.9) . . . he also is eighth in kick returns (19.9 ypr) . . . Moore shares the B1G lead for 100-yard receiving performances (5) and posted a B1G season best 313 all-purpose yards vs. Northwestern (8/30/18).

• Knox is tied for first in the B1G and tied for 16th in FBS in rushing TDs (8), ranking fourth in the conference and 25th in the country in rushing yards per game (95.4), fifth in the league and 22nd in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.49) and also fifth in the conference and 24th in the country in rushing yards (668) . . . Knox shares the B1G lead and ranks tied for 28th in FBS in total TDs (8) and is also seventh in the league in scoring (7.1 ppg) . . . he is also eighth in the conference in all-purpose yards (105.57).

• Bailey leads the Purdue defense with 58 total tackles (30 solo, 20 assists), ranking tied for second in the B1G and tied for 30th in FBS in solo stops, while ranking tied for seventh in total tackles and tied for sixth in tackles per game (8.29) . . . he also is tied for 22nd in the B1G with 6.0 tackles for loss and 21st in TFL/game (0.86), along with tied for 17th in league with 3.5 sacks, good for tying for 16th in sacks/game (0.5) . . . Bailey's 41-yard interception return in the OSU game was his lone INT of the season, adding one pass break-up and one forced fumble.

• Senior safety Jacob Thieneman adds 54 total stops (36 solo, 18 assists), good for third in the league in solo tackles/game (5.1), posting 4.5 tackles for loss, ranking tied for 21st in TFL yards (30).

• Sophomore linebacker Cornell Jones shares the B1G lead with MSU's Kenny Willekes in tackles for loss/game (1.6), as well as tying for tops in the league with 11.0 total TFL, ranking 17th in the league in TFL yards (33) . . . he also has 3.5 sacks, matching Bailey for 17th in the conference and tying for 16th in the league with 0.5 sacks/game . . . Jones has 45 total tackles (28 solo, 17 assists), adding one pass break-up.

• Blackmon is tied for 12th in the B1G in passes defended (6), as well as also ranking 12th in the league in pass break-ups (5) and 13th in passes defended/game (0.86).

• Senior placekicker Spencer Evans is 11-of-14 (.786) on field goals, with a long of 38, and is tied for the B1G lead and tied for 13th in FBS in field goals/game (1.57), as well as fourth in the league in field goal percentage . . . Evans is also 24-of-27 on PATs, ranking seventh in both PATs made (24) and PAT/game (3.4).

• Schopper is fourth in the B1G and 42nd in FBS in yards per punt (42.6), with 30 total punts with a long of 56-yards, one of six punts of 50+ yards, with 11 inside the 20.

MSU/PURDUE SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 67th meeting between Michigan State and Purdue. The Spartans lead the all-time series 35-28-3, including a 21-12 record in games played in East Lansing.

• Michigan State has won a school-record seven straight in the series, all under 12th-year head coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio is 7-0 against Purdue (4-0 in East Lansing, 3-0 in West Lafayette), including a 24-21 victory in 2015 in Spartan Stadium in the last meeting.

• Purdue's last win in the series came on Nov. 4, 2006, 17-15, in East Lansing.

• Six of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less.

MSU/PURDUE COACHING CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spent the 1981 season at Purdue as a graduate assistant under Jim Young.

• Michigan State wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel was a four-year letterman (1991-94) as a receiver for Coach Jim Colletto at Purdue. He earned his bachelor's degree in communication and psychology from Purdue in 1995. While at Purdue, Samuel was the recipient of the 1994 Kiwanis Citizenship Award, which is presented to a Boilermaker football player who excels most in the combined roles of player, student and community volunteer. As a senior in 1994, Samuel finished fourth on the team with 13 catches for 200 yards (15.4 avg.). He also returned 14 kickoffs for 273 yards (19.5 avg.). As a sophomore in 1992, Samuel's first career reception resulted in a game-winning touchdown, as his 32-yard grab from Matt Pike with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter gave the Boilermakers a 24-20 victory over Minnesota.

THE LAST MEETING –
Oct. 3, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Arjen Colquhoun thought he'd sealed a win for Michigan State after defending a fourth-down pass late in the final quarter. Then his brief celebration was halted by a penalty flag: holding on Colquhoun. Moments later, it was fourth down again, and Purdue threw another pass Colquhoun's way. He was in good position to close in on the intended receiver, and the ball fell incomplete.

The second-ranked Spartans could finally relax after Purdue's final drive fell short, and No. 2 Michigan State beat the Boilermakers 24-21. LJ Scott ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Spartans. Michigan State's school-record streak of 12 games with at least 30 points was snapped.

The Spartans led 21-0 at halftime, but Purdue had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead late in the fourth quarter. The penalty on Colquhoun gave the Boilermakers first down at their 47, but they turned the ball over on downs with about a minute remaining.

Michigan State's Connor Cook went 13 of 19 for 139 yards and a touchdown, and he became the school's career leader with his 28th victory as the starting quarterback. Kirk Cousins won 27 games.

Scott opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run, breaking free when Purdue safety Leroy Clark tried to grab his leg. Later in the first quarter, Michigan State drove 94 yards in eight plays to make it 14-0 on Scott's 1-yard run.

R.J. Shelton added a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter on what looked like an end-around, but Cook had apparently flipped the ball forward as the receiver came across to take it, and the play was credited as a touchdown pass.

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 nine of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including seven 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 didn't return until Oct. 20 vs. Michigan . . . 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 went on to miss 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 . . . senior wide receiver Felton Davis III injured his Achilles tendon in the first half of the Michigan game and is out for the season . . . starting fullback Collin Lucas also missed two games (Central Michigan, Northwestern) . . . in addition, freshman wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who scored two TDs at Indiana including a 75-yard run in the fourth quarter, missed three games (CMU, NU, PSU).

• 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 five games.

• From the preseason depth chart, 11 of MSU's 24 starters (including specialists) have missed time due to injury.

40TH ANNIVERSARY: SPARTANS TO RECOGNIZE 1978 BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ON SATURDAY –
• Michigan State will recognize the 1978 Big Ten Championship team on Saturday during the first timeout in the first quarter. Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the 1978 Spartans went 7-1 in Big Ten play, including a 24-15 win over No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor, to win the school's first conference title since 1966. MSU went 8-3 overall and finished No. 12 in the AP Poll. The 1978 Spartans were coached by Darryl Rogers, who passed away this summer at the age of 84. After leading MSU to the conference crown in 1978, Rogers was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

• Michigan State featured a prolific offense in 1978, leading the conference (league games only) in scoring (41.0 ppg), total offense (523.1 ypg) and passing offense (247.9 ypg).

• Twelve Spartans earned All-Big Ten honors, including seven first-team selections (E Eugene Byrd; TE Mark Brammer; OT James Hinesly; WR Kirk Gibson; DT Melvin Land; DB Thomas Graves and P Ray Stachowicz). Both Brammer and Gibson earned first-team All-America honors as well, and Gibson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

• Quarterback Ed Smith, a second-team All-Big Ten honoree, set several single-season school records in 1978, including touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,226), total offense (2,247), passes completed (169) and passes attempted (292).

Michigan Game 2018

POST-GAME NOTES FROM THE MICHIGAN GAME
• Michigan defeated Michigan State, 21-7, before a sold-out crowd of 76,131 in Spartan Stadium . . . Mark Dantonio is 8-4 against Michigan during his 12-year tenure at MSU.

• The game was delayed with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter due to lightning . . . the delay officially lasted 1:15 (12:32 p.m. to 1:47 p.m.).

OFFENSE
• Junior wide receiver Darrell Stewart threw his first career touchdown pass, a 4-yarder to junior quarterback Brian Lewerke that tied the game at 7 with 11:12 left in the third quarter . . . it marked the first time a Spartan QB caught a TD pass since Drew Stanton against Illinois in 2004.

• Senior running back LJ Scott returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Sept. 8 at Arizona State . . . Scott missed the last four games with an injury . . . he finished with 25 yards on 10 carries.

DEFENSE
• Senior linebacker Andrew Dowell tied a career high with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss (7 yards), including a 5-yard sack.

• Junior linebacker Joe Bachie tallied 10 tackles, marking the eighth time in his career he has recorded double-digit stops.

• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes recorded a season-high nine tackles, including two for losses (9 yards).

• Junior safety David Dowell had a season-high eight tackles.

• Sophomore defensive end Jacub Panasiuk recorded a career-high eight tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Tyler Hunt tied a school record with 11 punts for 457 yards (41.5 avg.) . . . he placed four punts inside the 20 . . . his 41.5-yard average was a season high . . . he had a 60-yard punt in the third quarter (career-long 63-yarder vs. Northwestern on Oct. 6) . . . the 11 punts as a team tied for second most in a single game in school history (record: 12 vs. Florida State in 1987; Greg Montgomery had 11 punts and one was blocked).

• The Spartans welcomed 10 starters back on offense in 2018, tied for most in the nation, including senior running back LJ Scott and junior quarterback Brian Lewerke. The only starter lost on offense was center Brian Allen. MSU returned 100 percent of its passing yards from the quarterback position, 82 percent of its receptions, 81 percent of its receiving yards, and 71 percent of its rushing yards. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 119 of those starts (83 percent).

BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks fifth in the Big Ten in passing (236.1 ypg) and seventh in total offense (246.4 ypg). The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 56 percent of his passes (140-of-250) for 1,653 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 seven 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 seven games this season, Lewerke has rushed 59 times for 72 yards, although he has been sacked 16 times for 121 yards. He has gained 202 yards and lost 130 for a net total of 72.

• 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 24 career games (14-8 record as the starter, including 20 straight starts), Lewerke has completed 58 percent of his passes (417-for-724) for 4,827 yards, 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He has 780 career rushing yards on 204 carries (32.5 ypg; 3.8 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 4,827 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 sixth in MSU history with 5,607 total yards.

LJ SCOTT RETURNS TO STARTING LINEUP AGAINST MICHIGAN –
• 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 three games, however, after missing four games due to an ankle injury he suffered at Arizona State on Sept. 8. Scott currently ranks third on the team 128 yards rushing on 40 carries (42.7 ypg; 3.2 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 2,719 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 41 career games, including 21 starts, Scott has rushed for 2,719 yards (66.3 ypg; 4.8 avg.) and 25 touchdowns. Scott ranks 10th in MSU history in carries (571) and rushing yards (2,719) 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, received the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Heyward has 53 carries for 194 yards and three TDs, while Jefferson has 49 carries for 189 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.

FELTON DAVIS III LOST FOR SEASON WITH ACHILLES INJURY –
• Senior Felton Davis III, who leads MSU in receptions (31), receiving yards (474) and touchdown catches (4), suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the first half against Michigan on Oct. 20. Davis closes his career as one of 29 players in MSU history to record 100 receptions (100 even). He also ranks tied for 11th in the career record book in touchdown catches (14) and 26th in receiving yards (1,450). Davis played in 39 career games, including 20 consecutive starts, prior to the injury.

• 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. The game-winning TD catch was the 100th career reception for Davis, who was named the Spartan Offensive Player of the Week vs. PSU.

• The 6-4, 200-pound native of Richmond, Virginia, 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.

• 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.

SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE –
• Michigan State has featured six different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first seven games of the season. The only player to start all seven 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 five 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. Jarvis missed three games before returning to action in a reserve role on Oct. 20 vs. Michigan.

• 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. Bueter has started the last three games at right guard.

• 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, last two at LG). He has started in 20 career games (15 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 tied for first in the Big Ten with Iowa and tied for second in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 79.6 yards per game (557 yards total through seven games: Utah State, 25; Arizona State, 44; Indiana, 29; Central Michigan, 63; Northwestern, 8; Penn State, 205; Michigan, 183). Utah ranks first at 74.6 ypg. MSU also has only given up 16 rushes of 10-plus yards, tied for third fewest in the FBS.

• MSU's opponents have only run the ball 213 times (43 percent of snaps, 30.4 avg.), the eighth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents have attempted 277 passes (57 percent of snaps, 39.6 avg.), tied for eighth 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 152 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 15TH IN FBS WITH NINE INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten and tied for 15th in the FBS with nine interceptions in seven games this season. MSU's 1.29 average is also tied for 15th 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 12th in the Big Ten with 7.6 tackles per game (53 total; 28 solo and 25 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 also posted 10 tackles vs. Michigan.

• 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 25 career games, including 20 consecutive starts, Bachie has 165 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He has recorded double-digits in tackles eight times in his career.

FROM WALK-ON TO LEADING THE TEAM IN TACKLES FOR LOSS AND SACKS –
• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (5.5) through the first seven games of the season. He ranks tied for first in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (1.57 pg) and third in sacks (0.59 pg).

• A chemistry major, Willekes earned a scholarship in the spring of 2017 and hasn't looked back since. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (25.5). He ranks fifth in FBS among active career leaders with 1.21 tackles for loss per game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.64 TFL/game), and is 10th among active players with 0.60 sacks per 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).

Willis, Khari

SENIOR CAPTAIN KHARI WILLIS NAMED FINALIST FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD –
• Michigan State senior safety Khari Willis is having a career year - both on and off the field. On Oct. 24, Willis was named one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, 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. Former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won the award in 2011.

• Willis has also 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." 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 156 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and four interceptions in 40 career games, including 24 starts. Through seven games this season, Willis has recorded 44 tackles, seven pass break-ups and a team-leading two interceptions for the Spartans. He was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten midseason team.

• 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 (158,000 views on Twitter; 98,000 views on Facebook; nearly 10,000 on YouTube). 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 23 consecutive games, dating back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. The duo is a big reason why MSU ranks No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense this season and ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense last season.

• Williams ranks second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss, which already is a career high. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 18.5 career tackles for loss, including six career sacks, in 31 career games.

• Panasiuk, a native of Roselle, Illinois, has 50 tackles, including six for losses, in 32 career games.

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 fourth with eight) and scoring (tied for seventh at 6.9 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 five 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.

• A 6-2, 219-pound native of Gobles, Michigan, Hunt has started the last five games at punter. He tied a school record with 11 punts for 457 yards (41.5 avg.) against Michigan on Oct. 20. His 41.5-yard average was a season high. The 11 punts as a team tied for second most in a single game in school history (record: 12 vs. Florida State in 1987; Greg Montgomery had 11 punts and one was blocked).

• Hunt 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 10 times at Penn State on Oct. 13. Hunt is averaging 40.1 yards per punt and has placed 15 of his 36 punts inside the 20 (42 percent).

• 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.

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 104-48 (.684) 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 (.660, 62-32 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (62), home wins (61) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.684).

• 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 122-65 (.652) record in his 15th season as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 104-48 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; 161).

• 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 122-65 (.652) in his 15th season.

• Dantonio's .660 winning percentage (62-32) 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 152 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; Dantonio: 152; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114).

Game 8: Purdue (4-3, 3-1 B1G) at Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 B1G)

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Players Mentioned

Dillon Alexander

Brian Allen

Matt Allen

Joe Bachie

David Beedle

Weston Bridges

Shakur Brown

Blake Bueter

Luke Campbell

Matt Carrick

Cole Chewins

Matt Coghlin

Felton Davis III

Andrew Dowell

David Dowell

Jake Hartbarger

Connor Heyward

Tyler Higby

Tyler Hunt

Kevin Jarvis

La'Darius Jefferson

Justin Layne

Brian Lewerke

Rocky Lombardi

Collin Lucas

Matt Morrissey

Jalen Nailor

Jacub Panasiuk

Mike Panasiuk

Jordan Reid

Josiah Scott

LJ Scott

Antjuan Simmons

Tyson Smith

Cody White

Kenny Willekes

Raequan Williams

Khari Willis

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