Spartans Take On Terrapins Saturday in Maryland

Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography

10/31/2018 10:48:00 AM | Football

Michigan State Game Notes Maryland Game Notes Maryland Game Day Website

Game 9: Michigan State (5-3, 3-2 B1G) at Maryland (5-3, 3-2 B1G)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 3
Kickoff: 12:01 p.m. EDT
Location: College Park, Md.
Stadium: Maryland Stadium (51,802)
Surface: FieldTurf
TV/Web/Mobile: ESPN2/WatchESPN
Announcers: Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Ahmad Brooks (analyst), Roddy Jones (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 211 (Sirius), Ch. 210 (XM), Ch. 969 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 7-2

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 105-48 (12th year)
Overall Record: 123-65 (15th year)
Record vs. Maryland: 3-1

UMD Interim Head Coach: Matt Canada
UMD Record: 5-3 (first year)
Overall Record: 5-3 (first year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-0

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Fresh off a 23-13 home victory over Purdue, Michigan State travels to Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 3 to face the Terrapins at noon in College Park. The game will be televised on ESPN2, with Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks and Roddy Jones on the call. The Spartans snapped the Boilermakers' four-game winning streak to improve to 5-3 (3-2 Big Ten) on the season, while the Terrapins (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) are coming off a 63-33 win over Illinois.

• Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between Michigan State and Maryland. The Spartans lead the overall series, 7-2, including a 2-1 record in College Park. The Spartans are 3-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. After winning the first two Big Ten games against Maryland in 2014 (37-15) and 2015 (24-7), the Spartans fell to the Terrapins in College Park in 2016, 28-17. MSU topped Maryland last season in Spartan Stadium, 17-7. In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, Michigan State shut out Maryland in College Park, 8-0, on Oct. 20, 1944.

• Michigan State will look to win its 700th game in school history on Saturday. The Spartans own an all-time record of 699-456-44 (.601) and will also be playing in the 1,200th game in school history. MSU is looking to become the 27th school in the FBS to win 700 games.

• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 77.4 yards per game. The Spartans limited Purdue to a season-low 62 yards on the ground, marking the sixth time this season MSU has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing. MSU also has only given up 17 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 12).

• After holding Purdue to a season-low 13 points – the Boilermakers entered the game averaging 35.7 points per game – MSU now ranks among the national leaders in scoring defense at No. 27 (21.0 ppg), which also ranks third best in the Big Ten. The Spartans have limited their opponents to 20 or fewer points four times this season.

• Quarterback Rocky Lombardi was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 23-13 victory over Purdue in his first career start last Saturday in Spartan Stadium. Lombardi threw for 318 yards against the Boilermakers and completed 26-of-46 passes, including two touchdowns (11 yards to Darrell Stewart in second quarter; 48 yards to Jalen Nailor in fourth quarter). The 318 yards were the second most by a Spartan QB making his first career start (Ed Smith threw for 324 yards in his first career start at North Carolina State in 1976).

• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries in the first eight games of the season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but 10 of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including eight 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 on Oct. 20, while fifth-year senior punter Jake Hartbarger had already been lost for the season in Week 2 at Arizona State. In addition, redshirt freshman punter Tyler Hunt, who started five games in place of Hartbarger, was also lost for the season after suffering a non-contact knee injury (torn ACL) in practice before the Purdue game. Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke had his streak of 20 consecutive starts snapped as he was regulated to just holding duties against Purdue due to an injury. Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, has yet to play this season after injuring his knee in preseason camp but could see his first action at Maryland. Sophomore wide receiver Cody White has missed the last four games with a hand injury but could also return against Maryland. Fifth-year senior guard David Beedle has missed the last three games after suffering an injury vs. Northwestern on Oct. 6, and sophomore right guard Kevin Jarvis has only played once in the last five games. Senior running back LJ Scott saw his first action in four games against Michigan on Oct. 20 after leaving the ASU game on Sept. 8 with an injured ankle. From the preseason depth chart, 12 of MSU's 24 starters (including specialists) have missed time due to injury.

• 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 eight games of the season. He ranks tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (1.38 pg) and tied for sixth in sacks (0.69 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 the 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).

• A trademark of Mark Dantonio's Michigan State teams has been their ability to produce wins late in the season. Under Dantonio, Michigan State has compiled a 28-11 record (.718) in November. His teams have won 22 of the last 30 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014; 3-1 in 2015; 1-3 in 2016; 3-1 in 2017). During MSU's three Big Ten Championship seasons (2010, 2013, 2015) under Dantonio, MSU was 10-1 in November.

• Three Spartans were named to the Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten midseason team: senior linebacker Andrew Dowell, junior defensive end Kenny Willekes and senior safety Khari Willis. Dowell ranks second on the team with 55 tackles and three sacks, and is third in tackles for loss with six. Willekes ranks tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (11) and tied for fifth in sacks (5.5), while Willis ranks tied for fifth in the conference with nine passes defended (seven pass break-ups and two interceptions).

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (55 carries for 201 yards, 3.7 avg., 25.1 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 (61 tackles, 30 solo, 31 assists, 4.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 PBUs)
* out for season with injury

Maryland:
Rushing – Anthony McFarland (67 carries for 497 yards, 7.4 avg., 62.1 ypg, 2 TDs)
Passing – Kasim Hill (72-of-137 for 966 yards, 120.8 ypg, 9 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Taivon Jacobs (18 catches for 225 yards, 12.5 avg, 28.1 ypg, 2 TDs)
Tackles – Tre Watson (78 tackles, 49 solo, 29 assists, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 4 INTs, 1 PBU)

A QUICK GLANCE AT MARYLAND (5-3, 3-2 BIG TEN) –
• The Terrapins tote a 5-3 overall and 3-2 B1G ledger, and are currently on an alternating win-loss pattern over their last seven games, most recently winning, 63-33, over Illinois on Saturday in College Park . . . Maryland kicked off the season with a 34-29 triumph over No. 23 Texas on Sept. 1 and then a 45-14 win at Bowling Green on Sept. 8, before suffering a 35-14 loss to Temple on Sept. 15 to complete nonconference action . . . the Terps opened B1G play with a 42-13 win over Minnesota on Sept. 22, then lost at Michigan, 42-21, on Oct. 6 . . . UMD got back in the win column with a 34-7 rout of Rutgers on Oct. 13, then got shutout by Iowa, 23-0, on Oct. 20, before last Saturday's win over Illinois.

• In Saturday's 63-33 victory over Illinois, Maryland scored 14 points in the first, second and fourth quarters, while scoring 21 points in the third quarter, as Illinois opened the second-half scoring with a field goal to close to 28-12, but the Terps then reeled off 21 unanswered points to extend their lead to 49-12 and didn't look back . . . playing Illinois for the first time, Maryland set a school record for most points in a Big Ten game since joining the conference . . . the Terps finished with 712 yards in offense, rushing for 431 yards and passing for 281 yards.

• Sophomore running back and kick returner Javon Leake was named the Big Ten Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday . . . Leake is the first player in Big Ten history to garner both awards in the same week . . . the Big Ten added a Special Teams Player of the Week award prior to the 1994 football season.

• Leake rushed for 140 yards on just five carries (28.0 ypc) and scored four total touchdowns in Maryland's 63-33 win over Illinois on Saturday, becoming the first Terrapin player to score four TDs in a game since 2010 . . . Leake also returned three kickoffs for 134 yards, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that gave Maryland its first score of the game . . . he had touchdown runs of 64, 27 and 43 yards.

• Redshirt freshman quarterback Kasim Hill was 11-for-19 passing for a career-high 265 yards, and tied a career-best with three TD passes . . . Hill also had four carries for 8 yards.

• Maryland is fifth in the B1G in scoring offense (31.6 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (24.5 ppg).

• The Terps are second in the conference and 11th in the country in rushing offense (246.3 ypg), while ranking 14th in the league in passing offense (131.4 ypg) to rank 11th in the conference in total offense (377.6 ypg).

• Defensively, Maryland is fifth in the B1G and 22nd in FBS in passing yards allowed (186.0 ypg), along with ranking seventh in the league in rushing defense (151.8 ypg), to rank third in the conference and 29th in the country in total defense (337.8 ypg).

• Maryland is the only B1G team and one of only three FBS teams with a perfect 100 percent red zone offense, scoring on all 17 trips to the red zone this season, on 14 touchdowns (seven rushing, seven passing) and three field goals.

• The Terps' defense leads the B1G and shared the FBS lead for most interceptions with 14, snaring at least one oskie in each of the eight games this season, including three multi-INT games, highlighted by five picks against Rutgers on Oct. 13

• Maryland is also tied for tops in the B1G and tied for 20th in FBS in fewest interceptions thrown with just four.

• UMD leads the conference and ranks seventh in the country in turnover margin (+1.13) . . . the Terps share the league lead and rank tied for 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers lost (7), while ranking third in the B1G and 22nd in FBS in turnovers gained (16).

• Hil is second in the B1G and 23rd in FBS in passing yards per completion (13.4), as well as eighth in the league in both passing efficiency (129.1) and yards per pass attempt (7.05), 10th in passing TDs (9), 12th in both passing yards (966) and passing yards per game (120.8 ypg), along with 14th in total offense (119.1 ypg) . . . Hill is 72-of-137 (.526) passing for 966 yards with nine TDs and three INTs, while tallying 32 rush attempts for -13 yards, being sacked 11 times for loss of 56 yards.

• Leake has a total of 12 carries for 206 yards, averaging 17.2 ypc, a mark that would lead the B1G and FBS, but he doesn't reach the minimum of 10 rushes per game to qualify . . . Leake is 11th in the B1G with five rushing TDs, as part of ranking 15th in the conference in total TDs (6).

• Leake and senior running back/kick returner Ty Johnson are tied for the conference lead and tied for fourth in FBS with one kickoff TD apiece, with Leake averaging 30.8 ypr, while Johnson is averaging 27.2 ypr, as Johnson ranks third in the conference and 14th in the country, while Leake doesn't have enough to qualify.

• Johnson is second on the team in rushing yards with 468 on 61 carries (7.7 ypc/58.5 ypg) with three TDs, adding six catches for 22 yards (3.7 ypc) . . . he also is seventh in the B1G in all-purpose yards (108.9 ypg)

• Redshirt-freshman running back Anthony McFarland leads the Terps rushing attack with 497 yards on 67 rushing attempts (7.4 ypc/61.2 ypg) with two TDs . . . McFarland adds six receptions for 71 yards (11.8 ypc).

• Senior wide receiver Taivon Jacobs had 18 catches for 225 yards (12.5 ypc/28.1 ypg) with two TDs, while junior wide receiver DJ Turner has 13 catches for 159 yards (12.2 ypc/26.5 ypg) with one TD and freshman wide receiver Jeshaun Jones has 11 catches for 163 yards (14.8 ypc/20.4 ypg), and ranks 16th in the B1G in receiving TDs with three.

• Defensively, senior defensive back Darnell Savage and senior linebacker Tre Watson share the B1G lead and are tied for fourth in FBS in interceptions (4), as well as tied for tops in the league and tied for fifth in the nation in interceptions per game (0.5).

• Junior defensive back Tino Ellis leads the conference and ranks tied for 21st in the country in passes defended (10) on nine pass break-ups and one interception . . . Ellis is fourth in the league and tied for 23rd in the nation in passes defended/game (1.25).

• Watson leads not only the Terps' defense, but is tied for tops in the B1G in tackles per game (9.75), ranking tied for 31st in FBS . . . Watson also leads the conference and ranks tied for 30th in the country with 78 total tackles (49 solo, 29 assists), leading the league and ranking tied for 10th in the nation in solo stops . . . he adds 3.0 TFLs, on sack, one pass break-up and one forced fumble.

• Brooks leads UMD and ranks tied for 10th in the B1G with 8.5 tackles for loss, also ranking tied for 10th in TLF/game (1.06).

• Freshman placekicker Joseph Petrino ranks 12th in the B1G in field goals per game (0.63), as well as 13th in scoring (6.1 ppg), making 34-of-34 PATs and 5-of-5 FGs, with a long of 40 yards . . . Petrino hasn't attempted a field goal in the last two games and has attempted a field goal in three of the eight games, making two vs. Texas, one vs. Bowling Green and two vs. Rutgers . . . Petrino also handles kickoff duties, with a 48.3 ypk average on 46 kicks, with eight touchbacks.

• Junior punter Wade Lees is eighth in the B1G in yards per punt (40.4), with 46 total punts with a long of 62-yards, one of five punts of 50+ yards, with 15 inside the 20.

MSU/MARYLAND SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between Michigan State and Maryland. The Spartans lead the overall series, 7-2, including a 2-1 record in College Park.

• The Spartans are 3-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. After winning the first two Big Ten games against Maryland in 2014 (37-15) and 2015 (24-7), the Spartans fell to the Terrapins in College Park in 2016, 28-17. MSU topped Maryland last season in Spartan Stadium, 17-7.

• In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, Michigan State shut out Maryland in College Park, 8-0, on Oct. 20, 1944.

THE LAST MEETING –
Nov. 18, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): LJ Scott ran for 147 yards and a touchdown to lead No. 22 Michigan State to a snowy 17-7 victory over Maryland. The Spartans rushed for 271 yards, and that was about the only way they could move the ball in yet another Michigan State game affected by the elements. Quarterback Brian Lewerke was 2 of 14 for 20 yards, and one of his completions was a shovel pass late in the third quarter. Maryland wasn't much better through the air until the fourth quarter. Max Bortenschlager finished 13 of 25 for 121 yards. It was raining before the game, and by halftime, the teams had to deal with snow in addition to consistently windy conditions.

Scott gave Michigan State a 7-0 lead with a 2-yard run in the first quarter, and Lewerke scored on a 25-yard run in the second. Michigan State's Matt Coghlin missed a field goal in the third quarter, but a penalty for running into the kicker gave him another chance, and he converted from 27 yards. That became crucial when Maryland's Lorenzo Harrison scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth and the Terps drove back into the red zone in the final minutes -- but a missed field goal helped the Spartans close out the game.

INJURIES STARTING TO MOUNT FOR MSU –
• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries in the first eight games of the season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but 10 of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including eight on offense, one on defense and one on special teams. From the preseason depth chart, 13 of MSU's 24 starters (including specialists) have missed time due to injury.

• On offense, 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 on Oct. 20 . . . junior quarterback Brian Lewerke had his streak of 20 consecutive starts snapped as he was regulated to just holding duties against Purdue due to an injury . . . 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 . . . sophomore right guard Kevin Jarvis has only played once in the last five games after suffering an injury in the second half at Indiana . . . sophomore wide receiver Cody White, the team's second-leading receiver, broke his hand in the second quarter vs. Central Michigan on Sept. 29 and has missed the last four games . . . starting left guard David Beedle suffered an injury on MSU's first series against Northwestern on Oct. 6 and has missed the last three games . . . junior wide receiver Darrell Stewart missed two games (Central Michigan, Penn State) with an ankle injury . . . starting fullback Collin Lucas has missed three games (Central Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue) . . . starting center Matt Allen missed the Purdue game . . . 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. He will likely return to action this Saturday at Maryland.

• Entering the 2018 season, Michigan State had only three full-time 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, who started five games in place of Hartbarger, was also lost for the season after suffering a non-contact knee injury (torn ACL) in practice before the Purdue game. Redshirt freshman walk-on Bryce Baringer, who joined the team in mid-September, is now the starting punter.

SPARTANS OWN TWO VICTORIES OVER CURRENT AP TOP 25 TEAMS –
• Two of Michigan State's five wins this season have come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. MSU defeated Penn State, 21-17, on Oct. 13 in Beaver Stadium; the Nittany Lions were ranked eighth at the time and currently sit at 14th in this week's AP Poll. MSU also defeated Utah State in the season opener, 38-31; the Aggies have not lost since and at 7-1, entered the AP Poll this week at No. 18.

FORMER SPARTAN ALL-AMERICAN JULIAN PETERSON FROM MARYLAND –
• Former Michigan State All-America linebacker Julian Peterson is from Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, and attended Crossland High School. A first-team All-America pick by the Football News as a senior, Peterson produced an MSU single-season record 30 tackles for losses (140 yards) in 1999, including 15 sacks (104). He earned Defensive MVP honors in the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl after recording eight tackles, including five for losses (32 yards), in a 37-34 victory over Florida. Peterson, who finished third on the team with 82 tackles in 1999, was one of 15 semifinalists for Defensive Player of the Year by the Football News.

• Despite playing only two seasons, Peterson set a Spartan career record with 48 tackles for losses (215 yards). His 25 career sacks (161 yards) rank third on MSU's all-time list.

• Peterson was chosen in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2000 National Football League Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent 11 seasons in the NFL while playing for the 49ers (2000-05), Seahawks (2006-08) and Lions (2009-10) and earned five trips to the Pro Bowl (2002, 2003, 2006-08). He recorded 595 career tackles in 158 games, including 51.5 sacks.

Jalen Nailor vs Purdue

LAST TIME OUT: MSU 23, PURDUE 13
• Michigan State extended its school-record winning streak over Purdue with its eighth consecutive victory over the Boilermakers . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 8-0 against Purdue . . . MSU leads the all-time series 36-28-3, including a 22-12 record in games played in East Lansing.

OFFENSE
• In his first career start at quarterback, redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi threw for 318 yards and completed 26-of-46 passes, including two touchdowns (11 yards to Darrell Stewart in second quarter; 48 yards to Jalen Nailor in fourth quarter) . . . the 318 yards were the second most by a Spartan QB making his first career start (Ed Smith threw for 324 yards in his first career start at North Carolina State in 1976) . . . Lombardi is the first redshirt freshman QB to start for the Spartans since Brian Lewerke vs. Northwestern in 2016 . . . at the end of the first half, Lombardi directed a nine-play, 87-yard TD drive in just 1:26, capped by Stewart's 11-yard TD with 56 seconds left in the second quarter; Lombardi was 6-of-8 for 85 yards on the TD drive . . . the 87-yard drive was the longest of the season for MSU . . . Lombardi's 318 passing yards were the second-most ever by a Spartan QB against Purdue (Bill Burke 345 vs. Purdue in 1998).

• Michigan State held a 38:13-21:47 advantage in time of possession.

• Freshman Jalen Nailor led MSU with 94 all-purpose yards (70 receiving, 24 rushing) . . . on MSU's final drive of the game, Nailor rushed for 15 yards and a first down, then five plays later, he caught a flip pass from Lombardi and ran it 48 yards for a touchdown . . . the 48-yard TD reception was the longest of the season for the Spartans . . . Nailor also has the longest TD rush of the season for the Spartans (75 yards at Indiana on Sept. 22).

• Senior Brandon Sowards caught a career-high six passes for 48 yards.

• Sophomore Cam Chambers tied a career high with five catches for 53 yards.

• Sophomore tight end Matt Dotson had a career-high four receptions for 48 yards.
• Starting cornerback Justin Layne also played 11 snaps at wide receiver and caught his first career pass with an 11-yard reception . . . Layne registered a career-high four pass break-ups and had seven tackles.

• MSU tied a season-high with two TD drives under 2:00 (1:26 in 2Q, 1:44 in 4Q), matching a pair of TD drives under 2:00 at Indiana on Sept. 22 . . . MSU scored on its opening possession for the second time this season, also scoring a field goal on its first possession against Utah State (Aug. 31).

• Brian Lewerke had his streak of 20 consecutive starts at quarterback snapped as he didn't play QB due to an injury; he still served as the team's holder in the game (seeing time only as a holder does not officially count as a game played by NCAA).

DEFENSE
• Michigan State held Purdue to season lows in points (13), total offense (339), rushing yards (62) and first downs (13) . . . Purdue entered the game averaging 35.7 points (31st in the FBS), 514.3 yards of total offense (10th in the FBS) and 176.7 rushing yards.

• In holding Purdue to nearly 24 points below its season average of 35.7 points per game, the Spartan defense also held the Boilermakers scoreless in the fourth quarter and it marked the first time this season that the MSU defense held the opposition scoreless in the final frame . . . overall, it was the Spartan defense's ninth scoreless quarter this season . . . it was just the third time this season that Purdue's offense had been held scoreless in a quarter and first time in Big Ten action (3Q vs. Eastern Michigan and 4Q vs. Boston College).

• MSU held its sixth opponent of the season under 100 yards rushing.

• Michigan State recorded a season-high three interceptions (David Dowell in the first quarter; Tyriq Thompson and Matt Morrissey in the fourth quarter) . . . it marked Dowell and Morrissey's second interception of the season . . . it was the first interception of Thompson's career . . . MSU now has 12 interceptions in eight games this season.

• In addition to the three interceptions, MSU had nine pass break-ups . . . the Spartans also had eight QB hurries.

• Tre Person had a career-high eight tackles and also had a pass break-up.

• Raequan Williams tied his career high with six tackles.

• Purdue had the ball three times in MSU territory in the fourth quarter, but came away with zero points . . . on a fourth-and-3 play on the MSU 44 with under 13 minutes remaining, Khari Willis stopped Rondale Moore 1-yard short of a first down . . . on a first-and-10 from the MSU 28 with just over 10 minutes left, Tyriq Thompson recorded his first career pick at the MSU 22 . . . with MSU clinging to a 16-13 lead, Mike Panasiuk blocked Spencer Evans' 41-yard field-goal attempt with 3:42 left in the game . . . it marked MSU's first blocked field goal since Shilique Calhoun vs. Central Michigan in 2015 . . . on the ensuing drive, MSU's went on a six-play, 75-yard TD drive to seal the 23-13 win.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin kicked two field goals in the first half (43 yards, 48 yards) to extend his school-record streak to 18 straight, but he had a 37-yard attempt blocked in the third quarter to snap the streak . . . Coghlin bounced back to connect on a 34-yard attempt later in the third quarter that put MSU on top, 16-6 . . . it marked Coghlin's second game of the season and fourth of his career with at least three field goals . . . Coghlin's 48-yard field goal was the second longest of his career behind a 49-yarder vs. Utah State (Aug. 31) . . . he now has three field goals of 40+ this season and is now 7-of-9 on field goals of 40-49 yards for his career.

• In his first extended action of his career, redshirt freshman punter Bryce Baringer averaged 38.5 yards per punt (four punts for 154 yards), including one inside the 20 . . . Baringer punted twice at Indiana on Sept. 22 in his collegiate debut.

ROCKY LOMBARDI NAMED BIG TEN CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK –
• Filling in for the injured Brian Lewerke, redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 23-13 victory over Purdue in his first career start last Saturday in Spartan Stadium. Lombardi threw for 318 yards against the Boilermakers and completed 26-of-46 passes, including two touchdowns (11 yards to Darrell Stewart in second quarter; 48 yards to Jalen Nailor in fourth quarter).

• Lombardi's 318 yards passing were the second most by a Spartan QB making his first career start (Ed Smith threw for 324 yards in his first career start at North Carolina State in 1976). In addition, Lombardi's 318 passing yards were the second-most ever by a Spartan QB against Purdue (Bill Burke 345 vs. Purdue in 1998).

• Lombardi was the first redshirt freshman QB to start for the Spartans since Lewerke vs. Northwestern in 2016.

• At the end of the first half, Lombardi directed a nine-play, 87-yard TD drive in just 1:26, capped by Stewart's 11-yard TD with 56 seconds left in the second quarter; Lombardi was 6-of-8 for 85 yards on the TD drive. The 87-yard drive was the longest of the season for MSU.

BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke had his streak of 20 consecutive starts snapped last Saturday against Purdue due to an injury; he did still serve as the team's holder on special teams (seeing time only as a holder does not officially count as a game played by NCAA). Lewerke still 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 in seven games. 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. In 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), 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 BACK IN STARTING LINEUP AFTER MISSING FOUR GAMES WITH AN INJURY –
• 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 four 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 with 180 yards rushing on 55 carries (45.0 ypg; 3.3 avg.).

• The 6-1, 225-pound Scott is one of 10 Spartan running backs in school history to rush for more than 2,700 career yards. He currently ranks 10th in the MSU record book with 2,771 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 42 career games, including 22 starts, Scott has rushed for 2,771 yards (66.0 ypg; 4.7 avg.) and 25 touchdowns. Scott ranks ninth in MSU history in carries (586), 10th rushing yards (2,771) 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 55 carries for 201 yards and three TDs, while Jefferson has 54 carries for 193 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.

SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER CODY WHITE EXPECTED TO RETURN SOON –
• Sophomore Cody White was having a sensational start to his second season in the Green and White with 20 catches for 300 yards in the first four games of the season, but unfortunately White suffered a broken hand in the second quarter of the Central Michigan game on Sept. 29 while diving for a catch in the end zone. He has missed the last four games but could return to action as soon as this Saturday against Maryland. At the time of his injury, White ranked among the Big Ten leaders in receiving yards per game (75.0 ypg) and receptions (5.0 pg). Fifteen of his 20 catches (75 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown.

• White recorded his second career 100-yard receiving game with 113 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the third quarter, at Arizona State. He also tied his career high with nine receptions (Northwestern, 2017).

• White, a BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, closed his first year in the Green and White with the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history with 490. His 35 catches were second most by a true freshman (Sedrick Irvin with 40 in 1996) and most by a true freshman wide receiver (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008). White recorded 30 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season.

• In his first career start, White was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after setting a Spartan freshman single-game record with 165 receiving yards at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017. That total was also the 20th-most overall by an MSU player in a single game and the third most by a Spartan against Northwestern.

• In just 17 career games, including 10 starts, White has 55 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE –
• Michigan State has featured seven different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first eight games of the season. The only player to start all eight 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 started five games at center before missing the Purdue game with an injury. 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 has only played once in the last five games (brief action 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 started three straight games at right guard (NU, Penn State, Michigan) before moving to center vs. Purdue with Matt Allen out due to an injury.

• 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 three at LG). He has started in 21 career games (16 at LG, three at LT, two at C).

STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 77.4 yards per game. The Spartans limited Purdue to a season-low 62 yards on the ground, marking the sixth time this season MSU has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing.

• After holding Purdue to a season-low 13 points – the Boilermakers entered the game averaging 35.7 points per game – MSU now ranks among the national leaders in scoring defense at No. 27 (21.0 ppg), which also ranks third best in the Big Ten. The Spartans have limited their opponents to 20 or fewer points four times this season.

• MSU has only given up 17 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 12).

• MSU's opponents have only run the ball 226 times (41 percent of snaps, 28.3 avg.), the fifth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents have attempted 326 passes (59 percent of snaps, 40.8 avg.), fifth most among FBS teams

• 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 153 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 78 times (51 percent). MSU is 67-11 (.859) in those games, including a 57-6 (.905) record since 2010.

SPARTANS RANK TIED FOR EIGHTH IN FBS WITH 12 INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten and tied for eighth in the FBS with 12 interceptions in eight games this season. MSU's 1.50 average is tied for seventh in the FBS.

• Nine different players – LB Joe Bachie, CB Shakur Brown, S David Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Matt Morrissey, DT Mike Panasiuk, LB Antjuan Simmons, LB Tyriq Thompson 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 at least two interceptions in a game five times this season (Utah State, Indiana, Central Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue), including a season-high three vs. Purdue.

LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS TEAM IN TACKLES –
• Joe Bachie, who started all 13 games at middle linebacker as a sophomore for the Spartans in 2017 and led the team in tackles (100; 7.7 avg.), was named the recipient of the Governor's Award, which is given annually to the program's most valuable player as voted on by the team. He was the first Spartan sophomore to win the Governor's Award since quarterback Drew Stanton in 2004.

• A team captain, Bachie is right back at it this season, leading the Spartans and ranking tied for 11th in the Big Ten with 7.6 tackles per game (61 total; 30 solo and 31 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 27 career games, including 21 consecutive starts, Bachie has 173 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, five 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 eight games of the season. He ranks tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (1.38 pg) and tied for sixth in sacks (0.69 pg). Willekes is a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.

• 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 the 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 tied for 12th among active players with 0.57 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).

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 159 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and four interceptions in 41 career games, including 25 starts. Through eight games this season, Willis has recorded 47 tackles, seven pass break-ups and 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 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 24 consecutive games, dating back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. The duo is a big reason why MSU ranks No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense this season and ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense last season.

• Williams ranks second on the team with eight tackles for loss, which already is a career high. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 19 career tackles for loss, including six career sacks, in 32 career games.

• Panasiuk, a native of Roselle, Illinois, has 52 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, in 33 career games.

JUSTIN LAYNE MAKING IMPACT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL –
• Michigan State junior cornerback Justin Layne played both offense and defense in the win over Purdue. Layne tallied a career-high four pass break-ups and registered seven tackles in playing 64 defensive snaps against the Boilermakers, and caught one pass for 11 yards and was targeted four times in 16 offensive snaps. Layne began his career as a wide receiver in 2016 before transitioning to cornerback midway through the season.

• The 6-3, 185-pound native of Cleveland, Ohio, is having a career year on defense. Layne has collected a career-high 54 tackles and ranks fifth in the Big Ten with a team-leading eight pass break-ups. He also has one interception.

MATT COGHLIN PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE BIG TEN'S BEST PLACEKICKERS –
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin kicked two field goals in the first half (43 yards, 48 yards) against Purdue to extend his school-record streak to 18 straight, but he had a 37-yard attempt blocked in the third quarter to snap the streak. Coghlin bounced back to connect on a 34-yard attempt later in the third quarter that put MSU on top, 16-6. It marked Coghlin's second game of the season and fourth of his career with at least three field goals. Coghlin's 48-yard field goal was the second longest of his career behind a 49-yarder vs. Utah State (Aug. 31). He he has three field goals of 40+ this season, and is 7-of-9 on field goals of 40-49 yards for his career.

• Coghlin is 11-for-12 in field-goal attempts this season (.917), which ranks second in the Big Ten. He ranks first in MSU history with his .839 career field-goal percentage (26-of-31).

• 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 (second at .917), field goals made (tied for third with 11) and scoring (sixth at 7.3 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 LOSE TWO PUNTERS TO SEASON-ENDING INJURIES –
• Entering the 2018 season, Michigan State had only three full-time 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, who started five games in place of Hartbarger, was also lost for the season after suffering a non-contact knee injury (torn ACL) in practice before the Purdue game. Redshirt freshman walk-on Bryce Baringer, who joined the team in mid-September, is now the starting punter.

• In his first extended action of his career, redshirt freshman punter Bryce Baringer averaged 38.5 yards per punt (four punts for 154 yards), including one inside the 20, against Purdue on Oct. 27. Baringer punted twice at Indiana on Sept. 22 in his collegiate debut. He is averaging 37.0 yards per punt (six punts for 222 yards).

• 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 started five games at punter before his season-ending injury. 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 averaged 40.1 yards per punt and 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.

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 36 of its last 50 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 34 of its last 48 regular-season Big Ten Conference games (.708). Michigan State is 50-21 (.704) in Big Ten regular-season games since 2010.

• 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 .663 winning percentage (63-32) in Big Ten regular-season games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).

• MSU is 31-16 (.660) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a 25-10 record (.714) 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 105-48 (.686) 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 105 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.663, 63-32 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (63), home wins (62) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.686).

• 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 105 wins.

• Overall, Dantonio owns a 123-65 (.654) record in his 15th season as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 105-48 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 123 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 123-65 (.654) in his 15th season.

• Dantonio's .663 winning percentage (63-32) 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).

RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 86-19 (.819) when outrushing its opponent, including a 70-12 record (.854) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 19-29 (.396) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 39-6 (.867) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.

• Under Dantonio, when Michigan State runs at least 40 times in a game, the Spartans are 71-8 (.899). Here's the breakdown by year: 2007 (6-2), 2008 (7-0), 2009 (4-0), 2010 (4-0), 2011 (3-0), 2012 (6-1), 2013 (7-0), 2014 (11-0), 2015 (7-0), 2016 (3-5), 2017 (9-0) and 2018 (4-0).

BALL CONTROL –
• Michigan State has traditionally won the time of possession battle under Mark Dantonio. The Spartans ranked second in the Big Ten and third in the FBS in time of possession in 2017, holding onto the ball for an average of 35:18 a game. In fact, although the NCAA doesn't officially keep track of single-game time of possession records, MSU's time of possession (47:50 to 12:10) vs. Rutgers on Nov. 25, 2017, is believed to be an FBS record. Air Force had the previous record of 45:14 set in 2016 (according to Air Force Athletics).

• The Spartans are third in the Big Ten and 14th in the FBS in time of possession in 2018 (32:59-27:01).

• The Spartans have led in time of possession in 68 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans own an .808 winning percentage (84-20) in those games.