Spartans Host Rutgers on Senior Day

Game 12: Rutgers (1-10, 0-8 Big Ten) at Michigan State (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 24
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. EST
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: FOX/FOX Sports Go
Announcers: Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (analyst), Sarah Kustok (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 83 (Sirius), Ch. 83 (XM), Ch. 83 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 6-3

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 106-50 (12th year)
Overall Record: 124-67 (15th year)
Record vs. Ohio State: 3-8 (3-6 at MSU)

Rutgers Head Coach: Chris Ash
RU Record: 7-28 (third year)
Overall Record: 7-28 (third year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-2

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Michigan State hosts Rutgers on Senior Day in Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. Already bowl eligible, the Spartans (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) will look to close out the regular season with seven victories. MSU fell at Nebraska last Saturday, 9-6, while the Scarlet Knights (1-10, 0-8 Big Ten) lost to Penn State, 20-7. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Brandon Gaudin calling play-by-play, Brian Baldinger serving as the analyst and Sarah Kustok on the sidelines.

• Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers. The Spartans lead the overall series, 6-3, including a 4-0 mark in Big Ten play. MSU is 3-2 against Rutgers in Spartan Stadium (2-0 Big Ten). Last season, the Spartans beat the Scarlet Knights, 40-7, in the 2017 regular-season finale.

• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 78.9 yards per game. The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing seven times this season. MSU also has only given up 27 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is third fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 21).

• In addition to leading the FBS in rushing defense, the Spartans also rank among the national leaders in third-down conversion defense (16th at .317), scoring defense (17th at 18.7 ppg) and total defense (19th at 320.1 ypg). MSU has held its opponents to 21 or fewer points eight times, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).

• Michigan State will recognize 18 players in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day: DE Dillon Alexander (Forsyth, Ga.), OG David Beedle (Clarkston, Mich.), LB Byron Bullough (Traverse City, Mich.), LS Collin Caflisch (Canton, Mich.), WR Felton Davis III (Richmond, Va.), LB Andrew Dowell (North Ridgeville, Ohio), TE Chase Gianacakos (St. Charles, Ill.), FB Ben Line (Oxford, Mich.), OL Noah Listermann (Cincinnati, Ohio), FB Collin Lucas (Avon Lake, Ohio), QB Mickey Macius (Arlington Heights, Ill.), LB Grayson Miller (Georgetown, Ky.), S Matt Morrissey (Lincolnshire, Ill.), DT Gerald Owens (Thorofare, N.J.), LB Jon Reschke (Sterling Heights, Mich.), CB Tyson Smith (Detroit, Mich.), TE Matt Sokol (Rochester, Mich.) and S Khari Willis (Jackson, Mich.).

• The 2018 Senior Class has helped Michigan State to a 31-19 record since 2015, including three bowl berths (2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl, 2017 Holiday Bowl, 2018 TBA) and one Big Ten Championship (2015).
• 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 nation. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, he leads the conference in tackles for loss (20.5 for 84 yards) and ranks tied for second in sacks (8.5 for 60 yards), totals which also rank among the national leaders (fourth in TFLs, tied for 19th in sacks). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 18 quarterback hits. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in tackles for loss (tied for ninth overall in school history with 35.0) and sacks (10th in school history with 15.5). Willekes' 20.5 tackles for loss rank second most in an MSU season. He has 7.0 tackles for loss the past two weeks (3.5 vs. Ohio State and Nebraska).

• With the win at Maryland on Nov. 3, Michigan State became bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio. In addition, MSU also won its 700th game in school history. The Spartans own an all-time record of 700-458-44 (.601) in 1,202 games. MSU became the 27th school in the FBS to win 700 games.

• 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 29-13 record (.690) in November. His teams have won 23 of the last 33 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; 1-2 in 2018). During MSU's three Big Ten Championship seasons (2010, 2013, 2015) under Dantonio, MSU was 10-1 in November.

• Sophomore placekicker Matt Coghlin, who was one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, has made 16-of-19 field-goal attempts (.842) this season. Coghlin ranks among the Big Ten leaders in PAT percentage (first at 1.000), field-goal percentage (third at .842; minimum 10 attempts), field goals made (third with 16) and scoring (seventh at 7.0 ppg). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native ranks first in MSU history with his .816 career field-goal percentage (31-of-38).

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (95 carries for 439 yards, 4.6 avg., 39.9 ypg, 5 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (162-of-298, .544, 1,868 yards, 207.6 ypg, 8 TDs, 9 INTs)
Receiving – Cody White (32 catches for 447 yards, 14.0 avg., 63.9 ypg, 2 TDs)
Tackles – Andrew Dowell (85 tackles, 35 solo, 50 assists, 7.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 7 PBUs)

Rutgers:
Rushing – Raheem Blackshear (133 carries for 580 yards, 4.4 avg., 52.7 ypg, 3 TDs)
Passing – Artur Sitkowski (134-of-273 for 1,158 yards, 105.3 ypg, 4 TDs, 18 INTs)
Receiving – Raheem Blackshear (41 catches for 338 yards, 8.2 avg, 30.7 ypg, 2 TDs)
Tackles – Trevor Morris (101 tackles, 45 solo, 56 assists, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 5 PBUs)

A QUICK GLANCE AT RUTGERS (1-10, 0-8 B1G)
• The Scarlet Knights tote a 1-10 overall and 0-8 Big Ten ledger into Spartan Stadium for Saturday's regular-season finale at Michigan State . . . Rutgers won its season opener with a 35-7 victory over Texas State, but have lost 10 in a row since, most recently a 20-7 loss at home to No. 14 Penn State last Saturday, which came on the heels of a 42-7 loss at home to No. 4 Michigan.

• Rutgers is 0-4 on the road, including 0-3 in Big Ten road games, losing at No. 4 Ohio State, 52-3, on Sept. 8, losing 34-7 at Maryland on Oct. 13 and dropping a 31-17 contest at Wisconsin on Nov. 3, along with a 55-14 non-conference loss at Kansas on Sept. 15.

• In last Saturday's 20-7 loss to No. 14 Penn State, the Nittany Lions took a 13-0 lead into halftime and adding a fourth quarter TD before Rutgers scored a TD on a 2-yard run by sophomore running back Raheem Blackshear with 9:23 left in the game.

• Rutgers ranks 13th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (33.0 ppg), while ranking 14th in the league in scoring offense (13.8 ppg).

• The Scarlet Knight defense is fourth in the Big Ten and 24th in FBS in passing yards allowed (187.9 ypg), while ranking 13th in the league in rushing defense (221.9 ypg), to rank 10th in the conference and 77th in the country in total defense (409.8 ypg).

• Offensively, Rutgers is 12th in the league in rushing offense (136.5 ypg) and 14th in passing offense (134.3 ypg), to rank 14th in the Big Ten in total offense (270.7 ypg).

• Artur Sitkowski is 12th in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (105.3), passing yards per completion (8.64), passing efficiency (76.4) and passing yards (1,158) . . . Sitkowski is 134-of-273 passing for 1,158 yards with four TDs and 18 INTs . . . he has been sacked 18 times this season as well.

• Off the bench, Giovanni Rescigno is 26-of-57 passing for 261 yards with one INT and no TDs, getting sacked four times.

• Blackshear is 12th in the B1G and 87th in FBS in all-purpose yards (100.1 ypg), leading RU in rushing with 580 yards on 133 carries with three TDs, as well as leading the Scarlet Knights in receiving with 41 catches for 338 yards and two TDs . . . he is 10th in the conference in receptions per game (4.1), as well as 15th in the league in rushing yards per game (52.7) and 27th in rush yards per carry (4.4) . . . Blackshear also 17th in the B1G in kick return yards with 184 yards on 10 kick returns (18.4).

• Isaih Pacheco is 19th in the conference in rushing yards per game (46.6), ranking second on the team with 102 carries for 513 yards, ranking 17th in the league in rushing yards per carry (5.0), with three TDs . . . Pacheco is also ninth in the B1G and 82nd in FBS in kick return yards (306), ranking eighth in the conference and 60th in the country in kick returns (19.1 ypr).

• Trevor Morris leads the Scarlet Knight defense with 101 total tackles (45 solo, 56 assists), ranking tied for second in the Big Ten and tied for 37th in FBS in total tackles, as well as tied for second in the conference and tied for 41st in the country with 9.18 tackles per game . . . Morris is also tied for second in the league and tied for 18th in the nation with the 56 assists, while ranking tied for 14th in the conference with the 45 solo stops . . . Morris adds 3.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, along with five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

• Senior safety Saquan Hampton is fifth in the Big Ten and tied for 22nd in FBS in passes defended (13), along with fifth in the conference and tied for 23rd in the country with 1.18 passes defended per game . . . Hampton has 11 pass break-ups and two interceptions on the season, ranking tied for fourth in the league and tied for 19th in the nation with the 13 PBUs.

• Sophomore placekicker Justin Davidovicz is a perfect 16-of-16 on PATs and 8-of-10 (.800) on field goals, with a long of 52 yards, ranking fifth in the B1G in field goal percentage, as well as 12th in both field goals made (8) and field goals made per game (0.7).

• Sophomore punter Adam Korsak is fourth in the B1G and 36th in FBS in punting with a 42.6 yards per punt average, on 70 punts with a long of 79 yards, one of nine punts of 50+ yards . . . Korsak has pinned 17 inside the 20.

MSU/RUTGERS SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers. The Spartans lead the overall series, 6-3, including a 4-0 mark in Big Ten play. MSU is 3-2 against Rutgers in Spartan Stadium (2-0 Big Ten). Last season, the Spartans beat the Scarlet Knights, 40-7, in the 2017 regular-season finale.

• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-1 in his coaching career against Rutgers (4-0 at MSU). Dantonio went 1-1 against Rutgers during his three seasons at Cincinnati (2004-06), including a 30-11 upset win over the seventh-ranked Scarlet Knights in 2006.

SPARTANS FROM THE GARDEN STATE –
• Michigan State has two players on its 2018 roster from New Jersey: sophomore wide receiver Cam Chambers (Sicklerville/Timber Creek Regional High School) and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Gerald Owens (Thorofare/West Deptford High School).

THE LAST MEETING –
Nov. 25, 2017, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP): No. 21 Michigan State capped a terrific turnaround season with a dominant performance that probably would have been record-setting if the NCAA kept one for time of possession in a game. Brian Lewerke threw for a touchdown and ran for another and the Spartans held the ball for more than 47 minutes in defeating Rutgers 40-7. There is no NCAA single-game record for time of possession but Air Force claimed a mark last season after holding the ball for 45:14 in a win over Georgia State on Sept. 12, 2016.

This was a outstanding performance by Michigan State, which got a career-best four field goals from redshirt freshman Matt Coghlin and short touchdown runs by Lewerke, Gerald Holmes and Madre London in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State had a 431-112 advantage in total yards, limited Scarlet Knights' running game to a season-low 14 yards and no first downs on six third-down chances in sending Rutgers (4-8, 3-6) to its third straight loss.

Rutgers freshman Johnathan Lewis stepped in late in the first quarter and threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Raheem Blackshear that pulled the Scarlet Knights within 16-7 at halftime despite having the ball less than six minutes.

Lewerke (21 of 31 for 222 yards) hit Connor Heyward on a 7-yard touchdown pass on the opening series and ran 3 yards for another TD in the fourth quarter. He had 13 carries for 56 yards and finished the season with 3,069 total yards, breaking the school record for a sophomore, previously held by Connor Cook (2013).

Coghlin converted from 26, 26, 46 and 32 yards.

SENIOR CLASS SAYS GOODBYE TO SPARTAN STADIUM –
• Michigan State will recognize 18 players in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day: DE Dillon Alexander (Forsyth, Ga.), OG David Beedle (Clarkston, Mich.), LB Byron Bullough (Traverse City, Mich.), LS Collin Caflisch (Canton, Mich.), WR Felton Davis III (Richmond, Va.), LB Andrew Dowell (North Ridgeville, Ohio), TE Chase Gianacakos (St. Charles, Ill.), FB Ben Line (Oxford, Mich.), OL Noah Listermann (Cincinnati, Ohio), FB Collin Lucas (Avon Lake, Ohio), QB Mickey Macius (Arlington Heights, Ill.), LB Grayson Miller (Georgetown, Ky.), S Matt Morrissey (Lincolnshire, Ill.), DT Gerald Owens (Thorofare, N.J.), LB Jon Reschke (Sterling Heights, Mich.), CB Tyson Smith (Detroit, Mich.), TE Matt Sokol (Rochester, Mich.) and S Khari Willis (Jackson, Mich.).

• The 2018 Senior Class has helped Michigan State to a 31-19 record since 2015, including three bowl berths (2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl, 2017 Holiday Bowl, 2018 TBA) and one Big Ten Championship (2015).

SPARTANS HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME MULTIPLE INJURIES TO KEY PERSONNEL IN 2018 –
• Michigan State has suffered a rash of injuries this season to key personnel. The Spartans tied for the most returning starters in the FBS with 22, but 11 of those returning starters have missed time this season due to injury, including nine 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 on Oct. 27 due to a shoulder injury; he returned to the starting lineup against Maryland (Nov. 3) and Ohio State (Nov. 10), but missed the Nebraska game (Nov. 17) . . . running back LJ Scott has only played in four games and will use a redshirt season; he 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; he also played against Purdue on Oct. 27 . . . 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 missed four games due to an injury he suffered in the second half at Indiana on Sept. 22; he returned to the starting lineup Nov. 10 vs. Ohio State . . . sophomore wide receiver Cody White, the team's leading receiver, broke his hand in the second quarter vs. Central Michigan on Sept. 29 and missed four games before returning to the starting lineup at Maryland on Nov. 3 . . . starting left guard David Beedle suffered an injury on MSU's first series against Northwestern on Oct. 6 and has missed the last six games . . . junior wide receiver Darrell Stewart missed two games (Central Michigan, Penn State) with an ankle injury . . . starting center Matt Allen missed three games (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State) due to an injury he suffered against Michigan on Oct. 20 . . . in addition, freshman wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who scored two TDs at Indiana including a 75-yard run in the fourth quarter, has missed five games with an injury (CMU, NU, PSU, OSU, Nebraska).

• Defensively, sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, had his meniscus repaired during preseason camp and didn't return to the starting lineup until the ninth game of the season at Maryland on Nov. 3 . . . Scott's replacement in the starting lineup, junior cornerback Josh Butler, started four of the first five games of the season, but hasn't seen action the last six games with an injury.

• 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). This season alone, MSU has had four starting punters, and is the only school to have had five different players punt this season. 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, started three games (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State), but didn't travel to Nebraska. True freshman walk-on William Przystup made his collegiate debut vs. Ohio State on Nov. 10 and made his first career start at Nebraska on Nov. 17.

SPARTANS OWN TWO VICTORIES OVER CURRENT AP TOP 25 TEAMS –
• Two of Michigan State's six 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 15th 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 10-1 are ranked 14th in this week's AP Poll.

• The Spartans have played five teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 (No. 4 Michigan, No. 10 Ohio State, No. 14 Utah State, No. 15 Penn State, No. 21 Northwestern).

LAST TIME OUT: NEBRASKA 9, MSU 6
• Nebraska edged Michigan State, 9-6, before a crowd of 88,793 at Memorial Stadium last Saturday . . . the Cornhuskers lead the all-time series, 9-2.

OFFENSE
• Sophomore Connor Heyward collected 177 all-purpose yards, his second-best output of the season (208 vs. Maryland) . . . on the ground, Heyward had a career-high 21 carries for 80 yards . . . he also had five receptions for a career-best 78 yards, including a career-long 36-yard catch in the third quarter and a 34-yard catch in the fourth quarter . . . in addition, he had a 19-yard kickoff return.

• In his second career start at quarterback, redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi collected 199 yards of total offense . . . he completed 15-of-41 passes for 146 yards and ran for a career-high 53 yards on nine carries (5.9 avg.).

DEFENSE
• Michigan State held Nebraska to a season-low nine points (season average: 32.3 ppg) . . . the Huskers entered the game ranked 13th in the FBS in total offense with 482.6 yards per game, but were limited to 248 yards of total offense, their second-lowest output of the season . . . Nebraska was held to 103 rushing yards, the second-lowest rushing total for the Huskers in 2018.

• The Spartans forced four fumbles, including two for turnovers (Andrew Dowell forced a fumble and recovered it in the first quarter; Jacub Panasiuk forced a fumble on a sack in the second quarter).

• Andrew Dowell led MSU with 10 tackles . . . for the second consecutive game, Kenny Willekes tied his career high with 3.5 tackles for loss (5 yards) . . . he also recovered a fumble in the second quarter.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin made two of his three field-goal attempts (made: 34-yarder in first quarter; missed 41-yard off upright in second quarter; made 26-yarder in fourth quarter) . . . Coghlin is 16-of-19 on field-goal attempts this season . . . true freshman walk-on William Przystup became the fourth Spartan to start at punter in 2018 (Jake Hartbarger; Tyler Hunt; Bryce Baringer) . . . Przystup punted seven times for 294 yards (42.0 avg.), including one inside the 20.

LOMBARDI FILLS IN AT QB FOR LEWERKE VS. PURDUE, NAMED B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK –
• Filling in for the injured Brian Lewerke, redshirt freshman quarterback Rocky Lombardi was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 23-13 victory over Purdue on Oct. 27 in his first career start. 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.

• In his second career start at quarterback vs. Nebraska on Nov. 17, Lombardi collected 199 yards of total offense. He completed 15-of-41 passes for 146 yards and ran for a career-high 53 yards on nine carries (5.9 avg.).

• Lombardi has played quarterback in six games this season (seven games overall; punted once in an emergency situation at Arizona State). He is 49-of-111 (.444) passing for 565 yards, two TDs and two interceptions.

Heyward at Maryland

MR. VERSATILE: CONNOR HEYWARD NAMED FINALIST FOR PAUL HORNUNG AWARD –
• Sophomore running back Connor Heyward has been named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. Heyward leads the Spartans in rushing (95 carries for 439 yards), rushing touchdowns (5), kick returns (12 for 256 yards) and all-purpose yards (917). He also ranks third on the team in scoring (30 points; five TDs) and fourth in receptions (28 for 222 yards).

• In the win over Maryland on Nov. 3, Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards on 15 carries and tied his career high with two rushing touchdowns. He scored on an 18-yard TD in the first quarter and on an 80-yard TD in the fourth quarter that put MSU on top 24-3; Heyward's 80-yard TD run was the longest of the season for MSU and the first Spartan rushing TD of at least 80 yards since 2014 (Delton Williams 80 yards vs. Eastern Michigan). Heyward also had a career-high 208 all-purpose yards (157 rushing, 49 kick return, 2 receiving), including a season-long 49-yard kickoff return to open the second half. Heyward's 157 rushing yards were the most ever by a Spartan against Maryland (previous: LJ Scott with 147 yards in 2016).

• Heyward collected 177 all-purpose yards at Nebraska on Nov. 17, his second-best output of the season. On the ground, Heyward had a career-high 21 carries for 80 yards; he also had five receptions for a career-best 78 yards, including a career-long 36-yard catch in the third quarter and a 34-yard catch in the fourth quarter. In addition, he had a 19-yard kickoff return.

• In MSU's 21-17 win at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, Heyward compiled 79 all-purpose yards, including a 26-yard run on a fake punt that set up MSU's first TD scoring drive of the game. Later on that same drive, Heyward completed a 36-yard pass to Cam Chambers to make it first-and-goal for the Spartans.

• A native of Duluth, Georgia, Heyward scored two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winning 13-yard score with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, over Utah State in the season opener.

• The Paul Hornung Award finalists were chosen by a 17-member selection committee and in addition to Heyward, include Marcus Green (Louisiana-Monroe), KJ Hamler (Penn State), N'Keal Harry (Arizona State) and Rondale Moore (Purdue).The winner will be announced on Dec. 5.

FELTON DAVIS III LOST FOR SEASON WITH ACHILLES INJURY –
• Senior wide receiver Felton Davis III suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the first half against Michigan on Oct. 20. Before his injury, Davis was leading MSU in receptions (31), receiving yards (474) and touchdown catches (4). He 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 BACK IN STARTING LINEUP –
• 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. White was forced to sit out four games but returned to action on Nov. 3 at Maryland, where he caught two passes for 24 yards. Although he missed four games, he still ranks tied for second on the Spartans in receptions (32) and second in receiving yards (447; 63.9 ypg).

• White has two 100-yard receiving games this season (nine catches for 113 yards and one TD at Arizona State; eight for 115 vs. Ohio State).

• 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 20 career games, including 13 starts, White has 67 catches for 937 yards and six touchdowns. He is 63 yards away from becoming the 30th receiver in Spartan history to record 1,000 career receiving yards.

SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE –
• Michigan State has featured eight different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first 11 games of the season. The only player to start all 11 games at the same position is sophomore right tackle Jordan Reid. Every other position on the offensive line has had three different starters.

• 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 three games (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State) 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. Redshirt freshman Blake Bueter, who earned a scholarship earlier this season, has started the last four games at center after starting the previous three at right guard. Allen returned to action at center in the second half of the Nebraska game.

• At left tackle, 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. As Chewins rounded back into form, Tyler Higby started three games at left tackle before returning to his starting role at left guard. Sophomore Luke Campbell started the season opener vs. Utah State.

• At left guard, fifth-year senior David Beedle started the first two games but was limited at Indiana due to an injury; he returned to the starting lineup vs. CMU (Sept. 29) but was injured in the first series against Northwestern (Oct. 6) and has missed the last six games. Campbell started once at left guard (at Indiana on Sept. 22); in Beedle's absence, Tyler Higby has started the last six games at left guard.

• At right guard, regular starter Kevin Jarvis suffered an injury in the second half of the Indiana game; he wound up missing four games overall and didn't crack the starting lineup again until the Ohio State game on Nov. 10. Campbell (three games) and Bueter (three games) each saw time as the starter at right guard in Jarvis' absence.

• 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 six at LG). He has started in 24 career games (19 at LG, three at LT, two at C).

STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 78.9 yards per game. The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100-yards rushing seven times this season.

• MSU also has only given up 27 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is third fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 21).

• MSU's opponents have only run the ball 330 times (44 percent of snaps, 30.0 avg.), the sixth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents have attempted 426 passes (56 percent of snaps, 38.7 avg.), second 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 156 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 79 times (51 percent). MSU is 68-11 (.861) in those games, including a 58-6 (.906) record since 2010.

MSU KEEPING OPPONENTS OFF THE SCOREBOARD –
• MSU has held its opponents to 21 or fewer points eight times, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).

• After allowing 38 points to Utah State in the season opener – the Aggies rank second in the FBS in scoring offense (49.3 ppg) – MSU has not allowed a team to score 30 points again this season.

SPARTANS RANK TIED FOR 22ND IN FBS WITH 12 INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks tied for 22nd in the FBS with 12 interceptions in 11 games this season.

• 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.

HISTORY OF STINGY DEFENSES UNDER DANTONIO –
• Michigan State finished 2017 ranked among the FBS leaders in rushing defense (No. 2 at 95.3 ypg), total defense (No. 7 at 297.6 ypg), first-downs defense (No. 9 at 206), pass efficiency defense (No. 17 with 113.5 rating), third-down defense (No. 18 at .328) and scoring defense (No. 19 at 20.0 ppg).

• The Spartans led the Big Ten in rushing defense for the fifth time in the Dantonio era (2011-14, 2017). MSU also ranked third in the Big Ten in total defense.

• Michigan State finished No. 7 in the FBS in total defense (297.6), marking the fifth time the Spartans have finished in the FBS Top 10 in total defense under Dantonio (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014, No. 7 in 2017).

LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS SPARTAN DEFENSE IN THE MIDDLE –
• 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, ranking second on the Spartans and 15th in the Big Ten with 7.5 tackles per game (82 total; 37 solo and 45 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.

• Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career after helping lead MSU past Maryland on Nov. 3. Bachie was all over the field in the 24-3 victory over the Terrapins. The Brook Park, Ohio, native forced a career-high three fumbles, recovering one, and also had seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards) and tied a career-high with two pass break-ups. Bachie's impressive performance helped Michigan State hold Maryland to season lows in total yards (100) and rushing yards (26). In addition, the Spartans recorded five sacks (43 yards) and nine tackles for loss (54 yards).

• 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 30 career games, including 24 consecutive starts, Bachie has 194 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has recorded double-digits in tackles eight times in his career.

Kenny Willekes at Nebraska

KENNY WILLEKES LEADS BIG TEN IN TACKLES FOR LOSS –
• 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 nation. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, he leads the conference in tackles for loss (20.5 for 84 yards) and ranks tied for second in sacks (8.5 for 60 yards), totals which also rank among the national leaders (fourth in TFLs, tied for 19th in sacks). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 18 quarterback hits.

• The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in tackles for loss (tied for ninth overall in school history with 35.0) and sacks (10th in school history with 15.5). Willekes' 20.5 tackles for loss rank second most in an MSU season. He has 7.0 tackles for loss the past two weeks (3.5 vs. Ohio State and Nebraska).

• Against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, Willekes has racked up 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in five games (2.0 sacks vs. Utah State; 1.5 TFLs vs. Northwestern; 1.0 sack vs. Penn State; 2.0 TFLs and 0.5 sack vs. Michigan; 3.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack vs. Ohio State).

• 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 (10th in school history with 15.5) and tackles for loss (12th in school history with 31.5). He ranks third in the FBS among active career leaders with 1.40 tackles for loss per game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.64 TFL/game), and is eighth among active players with 0.65 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 (defensive end of the year), and began his junior season with a two-sack performance against Utah State. He has recorded two sacks in a game five times in his career (2017: Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland; 2018: Utah State, 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 was also 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 189 tackles, 14 pass break-ups and four interceptions in 44 career games, including 28 starts. Through 11 games this season, Willis has recorded a career-high 77 tackles, eight pass break-ups and two interceptions for the Spartans, including a career-high 15 stops against Ohio State. 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 then-season lows 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 was 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 27 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 9.5 tackles for loss, which is a career high. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 20.5 career tackles for loss, including six career sacks, in 35 career games.

• Panasiuk, a native of Roselle, Illinois, has 57 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, in 36 career games.

ANDREW DOWELL SAVING HIS BEST SEASON FOR LAST –
• Senior linebacker Andrew Dowell leads Michigan State with a career-high 85 stops this season (35 solo, 50 assists), including 24 tackles the past two games (career-high 14 vs. Ohio State, 10 vs. Nebraska). He also leads all active Spartans with 248 career tackles in 49 games, including 27 consecutive starts (32 overall). Dowell also has collected career highs in sacks (three for 10 yards), tackles for loss (7.5 for 25 yards) and pass break-ups (7) in 2018.

JUSTIN LAYNE MAKING IMPACT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL –
• Junior cornerback Justin Layne played both offense and defense in the win over Purdue on Oct. 27. 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. He was named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week for his performance vs. Purdue. 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 66 tackles and ranks tied for second in the Big Ten with a team-leading 13 pass break-ups. He also has one interception.

MATT COGHLIN NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR LOU GROZA AWARD –
• Sophomore placekicker Matt Coghlin, who was one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, has made 16-of-19 field-goal attempts (.842) this season. Coghlin ranks among the Big Ten leaders in PAT percentage (first at 1.000), field-goal percentage (third at .842; minimum 10 attempts), field goals made (third with 16) and scoring (seventh at 7.0 ppg).

• The Cincinnati, Ohio, native ranks first in MSU history with his .816 career field-goal percentage (31-of-38).

• Coghlin kicked two field goals in the first half (43 yards, 48 yards) against Purdue on Oct. 27 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).

• 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.

• 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 ONLY TEAM IN FBS TO USE FIVE DIFFERENT PUNTERS –
• 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). This season alone, MSU has had four starting punters, and is the only school to have had five different players punt this season.

• Hartbarger was injured in the fourth quarter at Arizona State on Sept. 8 – 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, has started three times (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State) and has played in four games overall. He is averaging 32.4 yards per punt (15 punts for 486 yards), including four inside the 20 and two for 50-plus yards.

• True freshman walk-on William Przystup made his collegiate debut vs. Ohio State on Nov. 10 and punted five times for 231 yards (46.2 avg.), including two inside the 20. He earned his first start at Nebraska, punting seven times for 255 yards (42.0 avg.).

• 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.

Game 12: Rutgers (1-10, 0-8 Big Ten) at Michigan State (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten)

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Players Mentioned

Dillon Alexander

Brian Allen

Matt Allen

Joe Bachie

David Beedle

Shakur Brown

Blake Bueter

Byron Bullough

Josh Butler

Collin Caflisch

Luke Campbell

Cam Chambers

Cole Chewins

Matt Coghlin

Felton Davis III

Andrew Dowell

David Dowell

Chase Gianacakos

Jake Hartbarger

Connor Heyward

Tyler Higby

Gerald Holmes

Tyler Hunt

Kevin Jarvis

Justin Layne

Brian Lewerke

Ben Line

Noah Listermann

Rocky Lombardi

Madre London

Collin Lucas

Mickey Macius

Grayson Miller

Matt Morrissey

Jalen Nailor

Gerald Owens

Jacub Panasiuk

Mike Panasiuk

William Przystup

Jordan Reid

Jon Reschke

Josiah Scott

LJ Scott

Antjuan Simmons

Tyson Smith

Matt Sokol

Tyriq Thompson

Cody White

Kenny Willekes

Raequan Williams

Khari Willis

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