Saturday, October 6
East Lansing, Mich.
12 P.M.
Michigan State University
vs
Northwestern
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
No. 20 Spartans Face Northwestern on Homecoming
10/3/2018 10:45:00 AM | Football
Game 5: No. 20/19 Michigan State (3-1, 1-0 B1G) vs. Northwestern (1-3, 1-1 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005) | Stadium Map
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: FS1/FoxSportsGo
Announcers: Tim Brando (play-by-play), Spencer Tillman (analyst), Holly Sonders (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
Tickets: msuspartans.com
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 37-19
Parking Information: Lots open at 7 a.m. | Parking Map
COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 103-45 (12th year)
Overall Record: 121-62 (15th year)
Record vs. NU: 5-4
NU Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
NU Record: 88-68 (13th year)
Overall Record: 88-68 (13th year)
Record vs. MSU: 4-6
FIRST-AND-10 –
• No. 20/19 Michigan State hosts Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 6 at noon in Spartan Stadium in MSU's 103rd Homecoming game. The contest will be televised on FS1, with Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman and Holly Sonders on the call. The Spartans improved to 3-1 overall after defeating Central Michigan in East Lansing last Saturday, 31-20, to wrap up nonconference play, while the Wildcats (1-3, 1-1 B1G) fell at home to No. 14/15 Michigan, 20-17.
• Saturday's game marks the 57th meeting between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 37-19, including an 18-8 record in games played in East Lansing. MSU 12th-year head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-4 in his tenure against Northwestern, while 13th-year Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald is 4-6 in his career against Michigan State.
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 40.3 yards per game (161 yards total through four games: Utah State, 25; Arizona State, 44; Indiana, 29; Central Michigan, 63). The 161 rushing yards allowed in the first four games of the season are the fewest in school history dating back to 1945 when complete single-game records are available. It's also the lowest total by a Power 5 team since 2008, according to STATS. MSU's star-studded 1966 defense that won the Big Ten and National Championship allowed 166 rushing yards in its first four games (41.5 ypg), and MSU's 2003 team gave up just 165 yards in its first four games.
• The Spartans have limited their opponents under 100 yards rushing in seven straight games, dating back to last season, the longest stretch for MSU since 2012-13 (last three games of 2012; first nine games of 2013). In the Dantonio era, Michigan State has held its opponent below 100 yards rushing in 76 of 149 games (51 percent); MSU is 66-10 (.868) during those games.
• MSU is one of only three teams in the FBS, along with Georgia and San Diego State, to not allow a rush of more than 20 yards this season. The longest rush MSU has given up was a 16-yard run by Central Michigan's Jonathan Ward. MSU also has only given up eight rushes of 10-plus yards, second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 5).
• This year's theme for Michigan State's 103rd Homecoming is "Celebrate Unwavering Courage." The 2018 MSU Homecoming Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5; the parade starts at the Hannah Community Center, travels down Abbot to Grand River, and into campus at the Farm Lane entrance. For more information on Homecoming, please visit homecoming.msu.edu. Member of the Little Rock Nine, Civil Rights activist, and Michigan State University alumnus Ernest Green has been named the 2018 Homecoming Grand Marshal. Green was one of nine teens who helped integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.
• Michigan State ranks tied for first in the Big Ten, along with Purdue and Illinois, with five interceptions in just four games this season. MSU's 1.75 average is tied for first in the conference (Illinois) and tied for seventh best in the FBS. Seven different players – LB Joe Bachie, CB Shakur Brown, S David Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Matt Morrissey, LB Antjuan Simmons and S Khari Willis – have recorded interceptions this season for MSU. Michigan State has recorded two interceptions in a game three times this season (Utah State, Indiana, Central Michigan).
• The last two years against Northwestern, Michigan State has set a school record for most passing yards in a game. The Spartans threw for 424 yards against the Wildcats in 2016, and topped that mark with 445 yards last season in Evanston. Brian Lewerke accounted for all of the 445 yards passing in 2017, which was also a school single-game record, along with his school-record 475 yards of total offense.
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 61-18 record (.772) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU is currently riding a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.
• Michigan State is 67-32-3 (.672) in 102 Homecoming games, including a 9-2 record under Mark Dantonio.
STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (37 carries for 135 yards, 3.6 avg, 3 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (80-of-122, .656, 999 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs)
Receiving – Cody White (20 catches for 300 yards, 15.0 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Joe Bachie (33 tackles, 21 solo, 12 assists, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT)
Northwestern:
Rushing – Jeremy Larkin (72 carries for 346 yards, 4.8 avg, 5 TDs)*
Passing – Clayton Thorson (87-of-143 for 927 yards, 3 TD, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Flynn Nagel (26 catches for 291 yards, 11.2 avg, 0 TDs)
Tackles – Blake Gallagher (38 tackles, 20 solo, 18 assists, 2 TFLs)
* medically retired due to injury on Sept. 24
A QUICK GLANCE AT NORTHWESTERN (1-3, 1-1 BIG TEN) –
• The Wildcats tote a 1-3 overall and 1-1 Big Ten mark into Saturday's game, losing their last three after a season-opening victory at Purdue . . . the win at Purdue is Northwestern's only other road game prior to Saturday's game at MSU, losing at home to Duke, 21-7, on Sept. 8, then dropping a 39-34 battle to Akron on Sept. 15 . . . in their last time out, the Wildcats battled No. 14 Michigan tough, jumping out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, before being overtaken by the Wolverines late, with the game-winning TD coming with 4:06 left in the game.
• NU scored on its first three possessions of the Michigan game to take a commanding lead . . . Northwestern held Michigan to just 21 yards of total offense in the first quarter, marking the lowest total for the Wolverines in an opening quarter this season.
• The Wildcats had 202 yards of total offense, with just 28 rushing yards and 174 passing yards, while yielding 376 yards of total offense to the Wolverines, with 180 on the ground and 196 through the air . . . NU was 5-of-13 on third-down conversions, while Michigan was 7-of-16 . . . the Wildcats were whistled for just two penalties for 25 yards, while the Wolverines were called for 11 penalties for 100 yards.
• Northwestern was playing its first game without sophomore running back Jeremy Larkin, who medically retired from football on Sept. 24 due to a recent diagnosis of cervical stenosis . . . Larkin is tops in the B1G in scoring (10.0 ppg) with five TDs, as well as third in the conference in rushing at 115.3 ypg on 72 carries for 346 yards (4.8 ypc), adding 19 catches for 127 yards (6.7 ypc/31.8 ypg), to rank third in the league in all-purpose yards (157.7 ypg).
• Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson scored his 19th rushing touchdown of his career, which is the third most by a quarterback in program history . . . Thorson finished the Michigan game 16-of-27 passing for 174 yards, but was sacked six times.
• Junior running back John Moten IV scored his second touchdown of the season and the fourth of his career, posting 36 yards on a season-high 13 rushing attempts.
• On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore linebacker Blake Gallagher led the team with a season-high 12 total tackles, including six solo . . . sophomore defensive back JR Pace finished the game with a career-high 11 tackles, including seven solo, while also posting one tackle for loss.
• Northwestern is 12th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (22.3 points per game), while ranking 11th in scoring defense (26.8 ppg) . . . the Wildcats are 14th in the B1G in rushing offense (94.8 ypg) and third in passing offense (274.0 ypg) to rank 12th in total offense (368.8 ypg) . . . NU's defense is seventh in rushing defense (142.3 ypg) and 10th in passing defense (236.8 ypg) to rank 10th in total defense (379.0 ypg).
• NU not only leads the B1G but is tied for tops in the FBS in fewest penalties, with just 13, ranking first in the league and second in the nation in 3.25 penalties per game and first in the conference and fourth in the country in fewest penalty yards (136).
• The Wildcats are third in the league in opponent fourth-down conversion, limiting the opposition to .286 (2-of-7).
• Northwestern leads the B1G and is tied for fifth in the FBS in fumbles lost with just one lost fumble this season.
• For the season, Thorson is fourth in the B1G in passing yards per game (231.8 ypg) and seventh in total offense (215.0 ypg) . . . Thorson is 87-of-143 (.608) for 927 yards (231.8 ypg) with three TDs and three INTs, for a 118.02 efficiency rating . . . Thorson threw for 383 yards vs. Akron on Sept. 15, which is the second-most in the B1G this season behind David Blough of Purdue with 572 yards vs. Missouri on the same day.
• Moten is the Wildcats' active rushing leader with 57 yards on 25 carries (2.3 ypc/14.2 ypg).
• Senior wide receiver Flynn Nagel leads the NU receiving corps with 26 receptions for 291 yards (11.2 ypc/72.8 ypg), still searching for his first TD of the season . . . Nagel is second in the B1G and 21st in FBS with 6.5 receptions/game and fifth in the league with 72.8 receiving yards/game
• Defensively, sophomore linebacker Blake Gallagher leads NU along with ranking second in the B1G and 31st in the FBS with 9.5 tackles per game, posting 38 total stops (20 solo, 18 assists) to tank tied for fifth in the league in total tackles . . . Gallagher adds 2.0 tackles for loss.
• Sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher is sixth in the league with 8.5 tackles per game and tied for 11th in total tackles with 34 stops (15 solo, 19 assists) with 0.5 TFL and one forced fumble.
• Junior defensive end Joe Gaziano leads NU and ranks tied for 10th in the B1G in tackles for loss with 5.5 for a loss of 27 yards, ranking tied for seventh with 1.4 TFL/game . . . Gaziano adds a team-best 2.5 sacks, which ranks tied for 12th in the conference, as well as tied for eighth with 0.63 sacks/game and 10th with 21 sack yards.
• Sophomore placekicker Charlie Kuhbander is a perfect 11-of-11 on PATs, along with 2-for-4 field goals, with a long of 45 yards.
• Senior punter Jake Collins has a 37.9 ypp average on 22 punts with a long of 48 yards, pinning seven inside the 20.
MSU/NORTHWESTERN COACHING CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz spent the 1981 season together at Purdue, working under Jim Young. Dantonio served as a graduate assistant, while Hankwitz coached the outside linebackers.
• Michigan State co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach Dave Warner, MSU assistant athletic director/director of football operations Tim Allen and Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz worked together for two years under Glen Mason at Kansas (1995-96).
MSU/NORTHWESTERN CONNECTIONS, PART II –
• Michigan State director of coaching technology and creative media Matt Harper spent six seasons in a similar position at Northwestern (2002-05 and 2007-08).
• Northwestern senior associate athletics director for health, safety and performance Tory Lindley earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State in 1991. Lindley later spent four years as an assistant trainer at Michigan State (1996-2000).
SPARTANS FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN –
• Michigan State's 2018 roster features 11 players from Illinois: sophomore cener Matt Allen (Hinsdale/Hinsdale Central), fifth-year senior tight end Chase Gianacakos (St. Charles/St. Charles North), sophomore offensive guard Kevin Jarvis (Chicago/Maine South), sophomore defensive tackle Naquan Jones (Mount Prospect/Evanston Township), senior quarterback Mickey Macius (Arlington Heights), freshman defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory (Bolingbrook/Bolingbrook), fifth-year safety Matt Morrissey (Lincolnshire/Adlai E. Stevenson), sophomore defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (Roselle/Lake Park West), junior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (Roselle/Lake Park West), redshirt freshman fullback Max Rosenthal (Winnetka/New Trier Township Winnetka) and junior defensive tackle Raequan Williams (Chicago/DePaul College Prep).
MSU/NORTHWESTERN SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 57th meeting between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 37-19, including an 18-8 record in games played in East Lansing.
• MSU 12th-year head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-4 in his tenure against Northwestern, while 13th-year Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald is 4-6 in his career against Michigan State (3-1 in East Lansing).
THE LAST MEETING –
Oct. 28, 2017, in Evanston, Ill. (AP): Brian Lewerke threw for a school-record 445 yards in No. 16 Michigan State's loss at Northwestern, 39-31, in a 3OT thriller. Clayton Thorson threw a 22-yard touchdown to Flynn Nagel in the third overtime, and on the ensuing MSU possession, Nate Hall intercepted Lewerke in the end zone to end the game.
The Wildcats had a third down at the 22 when Thorson hit Nagel on a slant for the go-ahead TD. Cameron Green caught the two-point conversion to make it an eight-point game, and two big plays by the Wildcats' defense preserved the victory.
Lineman Joe Gaziano stripped Lewerke as he dropped back on the game's last play. Lewerke picked up the loose ball and fired toward the goal line, where Hall intercepted a pass intended for Matt Sokol. The loss snapped MSU's four-game winning streak.
Thorson threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson had 41 yards rushing and 51 receiving. But the star running back threw for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on his first career pass. Nagel added 87 yards receiving, and Cameron Green had 76 yards and a TD catch.
Lewerke threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Cody White had 165 yards receiving and two TDs.
After Michigan State deferred to start the first OT, Thorson threw a 14-yard touchdown to Green. Lewerke then hit Felton Davis with a 6-yarder to tie it and gave the Spartans a 31-24 lead with an 11-yarder to White. But Jackson tied it again with a 3-yard run for his 38th career touchdown, tying Damien Anderson's program record.
Jackson also gave Northwestern a 17-10 lead early in the fourth. He took a handoff from Thorson and threw a wobbly 12-yard touchdown to Bennett Skowronek in the back of the end zone. Michigan State's Matt Coghlin hit the right upright attempting a 32-yard field goal with about six minutes left in regulation. But the Spartans got another chance.
Lewerke scrambled for 5 yards on a fourth-and-4 from the 30 and threw a 13-yard touchdown to Davis in the left corner of the end zone to tie it with 25 seconds left in regulation.
INJURIES STARTING TO MOUNT FOR MSU –
• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries early in the season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but seven of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including five 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 has yet to see consistent action this season, playing just 25 snaps in three games (did not play in season opener vs. Utah State) . . . both junior wide receiver Darrell Stewart and sophomore right guard Kevin Jarvis were injured in the second half at Indiana and didn't dress against Central Michigan . . . sophomore wide receiver Cody White, the team's leading receiver, broke his hand in the second quarter vs. CMU and is out for an indefinite amount of time . . . in addition, freshman wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who scored two TDs at Indiana including a 75-yard run in the fourth quarter, missed last week's game against Central Michigan.
• 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, has also missed the first four games with an injury, but did dress against CMU last week.
• 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 Sept. 10 that Hartbarger would be out 6-8 weeks with a lower-leg injury. Redshirt freshman walk-on Tyler Hunt has been Hartbarger's replacement the last two games.
SPARTANS STILL ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TEAMS IN THE NATION –
• Last season, Michigan State's roster was one of the youngest in the nation with 77 underclassmen, but MSU still managed to win 10 games and finished No. 15 in the final AP Poll.
• Although nearly everyone returned from last season, including 19 of 22 position starters, MSU's 2018 roster is still one of the youngest in the country, as 81 out of the 120 players (67.5 percent) are underclassmen (28 true freshmen, 22 redshirt freshmen, 31 sophomores, 21 juniors, 18 seniors). That 67.5 percentage puts MSU as the 17th youngest team in the FBS.
• In the 11th meeting between Michigan State and Central Michigan, the Spartans defeated the Chippewas, 31-20, on Sept. 29 in Spartan Stadium . . . MSU leads the all-time series, 8-3, including a 7-3 mark in East Lansing . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 4-1 against Central Michigan.
• Mark Dantonio improved to 103-46 at Michigan State and is now just six wins away from tying Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty for most wins in school history (109).
LAST TIME OUT: MSU 31, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 20
OFFENSE
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke accounted for 224 total yards . . . Lewerke was 16-of-25 passing for 185 yards and rushed for 39 yards on eight carries . . . he recorded the second multi-TD rushing game of his career, running for scores of 3 yards and 5 yards in the second quarter . . . Lewerke also ran for two scores against Western Michigan in 2017 . . . Lewerke crossed the 4,000 career yards passing milestone during the game, becoming the 12th Spartan quarterback to reach that mark.
• In his third collegiate game, La'Darius Jefferson ran for a season-high 56 yards on 13 carries, including his first-career touchdown, a 2-yard run in the third quarter that gave MSU a 31-3 lead.
• Sophomore Connor Heyward rushed for a career-high 48 yards on 15 carries . . . he scored his third rushing TD of the season on a 2-yard run in the third quarter . . . he also led MSU and tied a career high with four receptions (16 yards) . . . Heyward finished with 100 all-purpose yards (48 receiving; 36 kick return; 16 receiving).
• Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges recorded the first carries of his career, gaining 18 yards on six attempts.
• Redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi played in one series in the fourth quarter, his first time at QB for the Spartans.
• Felton Davis III led all players with 66 receiving yards on three catches.
• Michigan State had a 37:39-22:21 advantage in time of possession.
• Michigan State featured its fourth different starting combination on the offensive line: Tyler Higby (second start at LT); David Beedle (third start at LG); Matt Allen (second start at C); Luke Campbell (first start at RG); and Jordan Reid (third start at RT).
DEFENSE
• The Spartans held the Chippewas to 63 yards rushing on 22 carries . . . MSU has only allowed 161 rushing yards through four games (40.3 ypg).
• Junior cornerbacker Justin Layne recorded his first interception of the season and the third of his career . . . Layne had a season-high nine tackles.
• Junior safety David Dowell picked off his first pass of the season in the second quarter and returned it 30 yards . . . the interception led to MSU's first touchdown of the game . . . Dowell has six career interceptions.
• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes recorded an 8-yard sack and had 1.5 tackles for loss (9 yards) . . . he had five stops overall . . . on the season, Willekes continues to lead the Spartans with four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
• In addition to the two interceptions, MSU recorded a season-high six pass break-ups.
• MSU has recorded eight sacks the past two games (five vs. Indiana; three vs. Central Michigan).
• MSU won the turnover battle, 2-1, and both of the Spartans' takeaways led to scores (season-high 10 points off turnovers) . . . MSU has recorded two interceptions three times this season (Utah State, Indiana, Central Michigan).
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin connected on a 33-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the second quarter, his 14th consecutive field goal (school record: 15 by Brett Swenson).
• In his second career start, redshirt freshman punter Tyler Hunt averaged 35.5 yards on four punts, including a career-long 48-yarder . . . he placed three punts inside the 20.
BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks third in the Big Ten in passing (249.8 ypg) and fourth in total offense (262.8 ypg). Lewerke has completed 66 percent of his passes (80-of-122) for 999 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw for a season-high 314 yards, the fourth-highest output of his career, at Arizona State on Sept. 8.
• 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 four games this season, Lewerke has rushed 36 times for 52 yards, although he has been sacked nine times for 77 yards. He has gained 139 yards and lost 87 for a net total of 52.
• 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 21 career games (13-6 record as the starter, including 17 straight starts), Lewerke has completed 60 percent of his passes (357-for-596) for 4,173 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has 760 career rushing yards on 181 carries (36.2 ypg; 4.2 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 11th in MSU history with 4,173 passing yards.
• Lewerke also needs just 67 total yards to become the eighth Spartan to record 5,000 total yards in his career.
LJ SCOTT LEADS RUSHING ATTACK –
• 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 and true freshman La'Darius Jefferson, a high school quarterback, have received the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Heyward has 37 carries for 135 yards, while Jefferson has 26 carries for 110 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 56 yards on 13 attempts and one TD vs. Central Michigan. Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges has also seen brief time in the playing rotation with six carries for 28 yards.
SPARTANS FEATURE POTENT PASSING ATTACK –
• All three of Michigan State's starting wide receivers from last season are back this year, and the trio of senior Felton Davis III, junior Darrell Stewart and sophomore Cody White is picking up right where they left off in 2017. The trio has accounted for 50 receptions (62 percent of team total), 705 receiving yards (70 percent) and three touchdowns (60 percent). Unfortunately, White suffered a broken hand in the second quarter of the Central Michigan game while diving for a catch in the end zone and is out indefinitely; in addition, Stewart missed the CMU game with an injury.
• MSU ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 50th in the FBS in passing, averaging 251.2 ypg.
• White leads the team and ranks second in the Big Ten with 75.0 receiving yards per game (300 total). He also ranks first on the team and tied for eighth in the conference in receptions (5.0 per game; 20 total). Fifteen of his 20 catches (75 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown.
• Davis is second on the team in receiving yards (278; 69.5 ypg) and catches (16; 4.0 pg). He also ranks seventh in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (69.5 ypg). Fourteen of his 16 receptions (88 percent) have resulted in either a TD or first down.
• Stewart is third on the Spartans in both receptions (14; 4.7 pg) and receiving yards (127; 43.2 ypg).
VETERAN FELTON DAVIS IS MSU'S ACTIVE LEADING RECEIVER –
• Senior Felton Davis III is MSU's active leader in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,254) and touchdown catches (11). He has played in 36 career games, including 17 consecutive starts.
• 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. Davis' career-high nine TD catches also tied for 25th in the FBS. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third team by the coaches.
• 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.
• Davis recorded his third 100-yard receiving game of the 2017 season in the Holiday Bowl, hauling in four catches for 118 yards against Washington State, including a career-long 49-yard touchdown pass from Brian Lewerke in the second quarter. The 118 receiving yards were fifth most by a Spartan in a bowl game.
• This season, Davis is second on the team in receiving yards (278; 69.5 ypg) and catches (16; 4.0 pg). He also ranks seventh in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (69.5 ypg).
LEADING RECEIVER CODY WHITE OUT INDEFINITELY WITH BROKEN HAND –
• Sophomore Cody White leads the team and ranks second in the Big Ten with 75.0 receiving yards per game (300 total). He also ranks first on the team and tied for eighth in the conference in receptions (5.0 per game; 20 total). Fifteen of his 20 catches (75 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown. 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.
• 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 four different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first four games of the season. The only player to start all four 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. 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, has been battling back from an injury and has only seen brief time in 2018 (25 snaps). 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. Junior Tyler Higby has started at left tackle the past two games after starting the first two games at center.
• On defense, the Spartans return 23 letterwinners 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 40.3 yards per game (161 yards total through four games: Utah State, 25; Arizona State, 44; Indiana, 29; Central Michigan, 63). The 161 rushing yards allowed in the first four games of the season are the fewest in school history dating back to 1945 when complete single-game records are available. It's also the lowest total by a Power 5 team since 2008, according to STATS. MSU's star-studded 1966 defense that won the Big Ten and National Championship allowed 166 rushing yards in its first four games (41.5 ypg), and MSU's 2003 team gave up just 165 yards in its first four games.
• MSU is one of only three teams in the FBS, along with Georgia and San Diego State, to not allow a rush of more than 20 yards this season. The longest rush MSU has given up was a 16-yard run by Central Michigan's Jonathan Ward. MSU also has only given up eight rushes of 10-plus yards, second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 5).
• The Spartans have held their opponents under 100 yards rushing for seven straight games, the longest stretch for the program since 2012-13 (12 games; last three of 2012 season, first nine of 2013 season). MSU has only allowed 282 rushing yards in that seven-game stretch (40.3 ypg).
• 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 149 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 76 times (51 percent). MSU is 66-10 (.868) in those games, including a 56-5 (.918) record since 2010.
SPARTANS RANK TIED FOR FIRST IN BIG TEN WITH SEVEN INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks tied for first in the Big Ten, along with Purdue and Illinois, with five interceptions in just four games this season. MSU's 1.75 average is tied for first in the conference (Illinois) and tied for seventh best in the FBS.
• Seven different players - LB Joe Bachie, CB Shakur Brown, S David Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Matt Morrissey, 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 three times this season (Utah State, Indiana, Central Michigan).
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 seventh in the Big Ten with 8.3 tackles per game (33 total; 21 solo and 12 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 22 career games, including 17 consecutive starts, Bachie has 145 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions.
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 (11) and tackles for loss (21), 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 1.17 tackles for loss per game, one of just 12 active players in the country with more than 1.0 TFL/game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.52 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 (6.5) and sacks (4) through the first four games of the season. He ranks tied for first in the Big Ten in sacks (1.0 pg) and tied for third in TFLs (1.63 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 129 tackles, nine pass break-ups and three interceptions in 36 career games, including 20 starts. Through four games this season, Willis has recorded 22 tackles, four pass break-ups and one interception for the Spartans.
• 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.
• The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 31, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 60th NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 29th William V. Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
MATT COGHLIN PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE BIG TEN'S BEST PLACEKICKERS –
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin has made 14 consecutive field goals, dating back to the Penn State game last season, which is the second-longest streak in school history. Brett Swenson holds the school record with 15 straight, set during the 2008 season.
• Coghlin is 6-for-6 in field-goal attempts this season, which ranks tied for first in the Big Ten.
• 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), scoring (second at 9.3 ppg) and field goals made (third with six).
• 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 LOOKING FOR INTERIM REPLACEMENT AT PUNTER –
• 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 Sept. 10 that Hartbarger would be out 6-8 weeks with a lower-leg injury.
• 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 was also the starter against Central Michigan, punting four times for 142 yards (35.5 avg.), including three inside the 20 and a season-long 48-yarder.
• 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.
PROGRAM NOTES –
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 81-29 (.736) 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 .736 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 81 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and 13th 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 81 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 34 of their last 46 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.
• Michigan State and Florida are the only schools in the country to win multiple National Championships in football and men's basketball. MSU has won six national titles in football (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966) and two in men's basketball (1979, 2000). Michigan State is also the only school in the nation to win multiple National Championships in football, men's basketball and hockey.
• Michigan State is one of only five schools to have had at least one player chosen every year since the inception of the common NFL Draft in 1967. MSU joins Florida, Michigan, Nebraska and USC as the only programs with at least one draft choice for 51 consecutive years.
SPARTANS MAINTAIN SUCCESS IN BIG TEN PLAY –
• MSU has won nine Big Ten Championships in school history (1953, 1965, 1966, 1979, 1987, 1990, 2010, 2013, 2015), including a school-record three by Mark Dantonio.
• Michigan State has won 34 of its last 46 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. MSU has won 32 of its last 44 regular-season Big Ten Conference games (.727). Michigan State is 48-19 (.716) in Big Ten regular-season games since 2010.
Â
• Michigan State's 13-game Big Ten winning streak from Nov. 24, 2012 to Oct. 25, 2014, was the second-longest Big Ten winning streak in school history (16 straight from Oct. 2, 1965 to Oct. 21, 1967). In addition, MSU had won 14 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents (2013 Big Ten Championship Game vs. No. 2 Ohio State).
• Mark Dantonio's .670 winning percentage (61-30) in Big Ten regular-season games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).
• MSU is 30-16 (.652) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a 24-10 record (.706) since 2010. Dantonio has won at least one road game at every Big Ten stadium.
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 103-46 (.691) record. He is one of just eight 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 103 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.670, 61-30 record, minimum 10 games), tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven), second in Big Ten wins (61) and home wins (61) and fifth in overall winning percentage (.691).
• 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 103 wins.
• Overall, Dantonio owns a 121-63 (.658) record in his 15th season as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 103-46 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 121 career wins rank 15th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Urban Meyer, 179).
• 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 121-63 (.658) in his 15th season.
• Dantonio's .670 winning percentage (61-30) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72).
• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and 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 149 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; Dantonio: 149; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114).
• Dantonio is the third-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: 20th season; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: 13th season) and eighth-longest in the FBS at the same school.
ROUGH SLEDDING AGAINST SPARTANS –
• In 149 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 76 times (51 percent). MSU is 66-10 (.868) in those games, including a 56-5 (.918) 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 120 of 149 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (81 percent of the games since 2007).
• Michigan State is 66-13 (.835) 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 61-18 record (.772) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU is currently riding a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.
• MSU is 46-12 (.793) at home since 2010 and 30-7 (.811) 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 85-18 (.825) when outrushing its opponent, including a 69-11 record (.863) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 18-28 (.391) 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.
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 third in the Big Ten and 10th in the FBS in time of possession in 2018 (34:42-25:18).
• The Spartans have led in time of possession in 68 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans own an .812 winning percentage (82-19) in those games.
SPARTANS RANKED FOR 15TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK IN AP POLL –
• Coming in at No. 20 this week, Michigan State has been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 for 15 consecutive weeks.
• Michigan State entered the national polls for the first time in 2017 on Oct. 8 following its 14-10 win at No. 7 Michigan. The Spartans debuted at No. 21 in The Associated Press Poll and No. 22 in the Amway Coaches Poll. It marked the first time MSU was ranked since Sept. 25, 2016, when the Spartans were ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll. At that time, MSU had been ranked for a school-record 46 consecutive weeks, spanning back to Oct. 27, 2013. For 33 of those 46 weeks, MSU had been ranked in the Top 10.
• Michigan State is 63-18 (.808) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Dantonio.
• As a ranked team, Michigan State has only lost to an unranked opponent five times under Dantonio (45-5; at Notre Dame, 2011; at Nebraska, 2015; at Indiana, 2016; at Northwestern, 2017; at Arizona State, 2018). Northwestern won 10 games and finished No. 17 in the final 2017 AP Poll.
Â
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OG
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OT
/ Football
OT
/ Football
K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
S
/ Football
TE
/ Football
P
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
K
/ Football
OG
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
CB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
P
/ Football
OT
/ Football
FB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
S
/ FootballJonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 17 2025
Monday, November 17
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | PSU | Nov. 15 2025
Saturday, November 15
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 10 2025
Monday, November 10
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Minnesota
Saturday, November 01