No. 18 Spartans Host No. 10 Buckeyes in Big Ten East Division Showdown

Game 10: No. 10 Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at No. 18 Michigan State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. EST
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: FOX/FOX Sports Go
Announcers: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Jenny Taft (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 135 (Sirius), Ch. 210 (XM), Ch. 969 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: OSU leads, 31-15

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 106-48 (12th year)
Overall Record: 124-65 (15th year)
Record vs. Ohio State: 3-8 (3-6 at MSU)

OSU Head Coach: Urban Meyer
OSU Record: 78-9 (seventh year)
Overall Record: 182-32 (17th year)
Record vs. MSU: 4-2

FIRST-AND-10 –
• No. 18 Michigan State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) brings a two-game winning streak into Saturday's Big Ten East Division showdown against No. 10 Ohio State at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. MSU won at Maryland last Saturday, 24-3, while the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) topped Nebraska at Ohio Stadium, 36-31. With the win over Maryland, Michigan State is now bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio.

• Following its 24-3 win at Maryland, Michigan State made its debut at No. 18 in the second week of the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings, released Nov. 6. Since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the Spartans have been ranked in the CFP Top 25 on 20 occasions, tied for second most in the Big Ten along with Wisconsin.

• Saturday's game is the 47th meeting between Michigan State and Ohio State, and for the fifth time in the last six matchups, both teams enter the contest ranked in the AP Top 25 (OSU eighth, MSU 24th). The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 31-15, including a 16-5 record in games played in East Lansing. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 3-6 during his tenure against Ohio State and 3-8 overall (0-2 at Cincinnati). Dantonio is the only Big Ten coach to defeat Urban Meyer twice during his tenure at OSU (2013 Big Ten Championship Game, 2015 at Ohio State).

• The Spartans have defeated the Buckeyes three times in the last seven meetings. Michael Geiger hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 9 Michigan State a 17-14 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in 2015 in Columbus en route to winning the Big Ten Championship, while also snapping the Buckeyes' 23-game winning streak. The Spartans held the Buckeyes to 132 yards of total offense in that game, the fewest ever by an Urban Meyer-coached team. In the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, No. 10 MSU snapped No. 2 Ohio State's school-record 24-game winning streak with a 34-24 win as the Spartans clinched their first Rose Bowl berth in 26 years. Three of MSU's four losses to Meyer-coached teams at Ohio State have been by a combined 14 points, including two games decided by 17-16 scores in East Lansing (2012 and 2016). Dantonio is one of only two coaches to defeat Ohio State twice under Meyer (Dabo Swinney, Clemson). The Spartans have defeated Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including four times when the Buckeyes were either ranked No. 1 (1974, 1998) or No. 2 (2013, 2015).

• Michigan State won its 700th game in school history last Saturday at Maryland. The Spartans own an all-time record of 700-456-44 (.602) in 1,200 games. MSU became the 27th school in the FBS to win 700 games.

• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 71.4 yards per game. The last two weeks, MSU has held its opponents to season lows in rushing (Purdue with 62 yards; Maryland with 26 yards). The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing seven times this season. MSU also has only given up 19 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 18).

• The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. MSU is 10-6 in its last 16 games against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, including a 9-6 record since 2013 (beat No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Stanford in 2013; lost to No. 3 Oregon and beat No. 4 Baylor in 2014; beat No. 7 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Iowa, and lost to No. 2 Alabama in 2015; lost to No. 2 Michigan, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State in 2016; beat No. 7 Michigan and No. 7 Penn State in 2017; beat No. 8 Penn State and lost to No. 6 Michigan in 2018). Michigan State's nine wins over AP Top 10 teams since 2013 ranks tied for third most in the FBS (Alabama with 15, Ohio State with 11, Oklahoma and Clemson with nine). Michigan State has won 14 of its last 23 games played against AP Top 25 opponents.

• Junior linebacker Joe Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career after helping lead MSU past Maryland. 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 tied season highs with five sacks (43 yards) and nine tackles for loss (54 yards). For the season, Bachie leads the Spartans with 68 tackles and also ranks among the team leaders in tackles for loss (third with 6.5) and pass break-ups (fourth with five). He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice last season (vs. Michigan on Oct. 7 and against Indiana on Oct. 21).

• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes 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, he leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (7.5) through the first nine games of the season. Willekes ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5) and tied for second in tackles for loss (13.5), totals which also rank among the national leaders (tied for 14th in sacks; tied for 15th in TFLs). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 15 quarterback hits. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in sacks (12th overall in school history with 14.5) and tackles for loss (18th in school history with 28).

• 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 29-11 record (.725) in November. His teams have won 23 of the last 31 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; 1-0 in 2018). During MSU's three Big Ten Championship seasons (2010, 2013, 2015) under Dantonio, MSU was 10-1 in November.

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (70 carries for 358 yards, 5.1 avg., 39.8 ypg, 5 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (151-of-270, .559, 1,740 yards, 217.5 ypg, 8 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving – Felton Davis III (31 catches for 474 yards, 15.3 avg., 67.7 ypg, 4 TDs)*
Tackles – Joe Bachie (68 tackles, 34 solo, 34 assists, 6.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 3 FFs, 1 FR)
* out for season with injury

Ohio State:
Rushing – J.K. Dobbins (143 carries for 684 yards, 4.8 avg., 76.0 ypg, 7 TDs)
Passing – Dwayne Haskins (242-of-347 for 3,053 yards, 339.2 ypg, 32 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Parris Campbell (56 catches for 631 yards, 11.3 avg, 70.1 ypg, 8 TDs)
Tackles – Malik Harrison (48 tackles, 32 solo, 16 assists, 4 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU)

A QUICK GLANCE AT OHIO STATE (8-1, 5-1 BIG TEN) –
• The Buckeyes bring an 8-1 overall and 5-1 Big Ten ledger into Saturday's showdown with the Spartans . . . they are ranked No. 7 in the Coaches Poll, No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 10 in the CFP Top 25 . . . Ohio State opened the season 7-0, including wins over No. 15 TCU, 40-28, on Sept. 15 in Arlington, Texas, and at No. 9 Penn State, 27-26, on Sept. 29, climbing to a No. 2 ranking before getting upset at Purdue, 49-20, on Oct. 20 . . . after a bye on Oct. 27, the Buckeyes got back in the win column last Saturday with a 36-31 victory over Nebraska, rallying from a 21-16 halftime deficit.

• Ohio State overcame the 21-16 halftime deficit with 14 unanswered points in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter TD with a 42-yard scoring run by sophomore running back J.K. Dobbins with less than five minutes remaining to seal the win . . . Dobbins scored a career-high three TDs in the game, ending with 19 carries for 142 yards . . . junior running back Mike Weber Jr. added nine carries for 91 yards.

• Ohio State is leads the Big Ten and is 10th in FBS in scoring offense (42.2 ppg), while ranking fifth in the conference and 45th in the country in scoring defense (23.8 ppg).

• The Buckeyes also lead the league and rank fifth in the nation in total offense (547.2 ypg), topping the Big Ten and ranking third in the FBS in passing offense (369.1 ypg) to go with ranking seventh in the conference and 55th in the country in rushing offense (178.1 ypg).

• Defensively, Ohio State is eighth in the league and 69th in the nation in total defense (397.3 ypg), ranking sixth in the conference and 56th in the country in rushing defense (153.4 ypg) to go with 10th in the Big Ten and 85th in FBS in passing defense (243.9 ypg).

• The Buckeyes also lead the league and rank fourth in the nation in net punting (43.06), including ranking third in the B1G and 14th in FBS in punt return defense (3.8 ypr).

• Quarterback Dwayne Haskins is 242-of-347 passing for 3,053 yards with 32 TDs and six INTs . . . he tops both the Big Ten and FBS with the 32 passing TDs, also leading the conference and ranks second in the country in passing yards per game (339.2 ypg) . . . he also leads the B1G and ranks third in FBS in completions per game (26.9), as well as leading the conference and ranking fifth in the country in passing efficiency (170.6), along with tops in the league and sixth in the nation in completion percentage (.697) . . . Haskins is also a league-best and ranks No. 4 in the nation in points responsible for per game (22.0), as well as topping the conference and ranking fifth in the country in total offense (344.2 ypg) and leading the league and ranking 11th in yards per pass attempt (8.8).

• Parris Campbell and senior wide receiver Terry McLaruin are two of the four players who lead the Big Ten with eight receiving TDs, with Campbell ranking fifth in the conference and 24th in the country in receptions per game (6.2) and seventh in the league in receiving yards per game (70.1) . . . Campbell has 56 receptions for 631 yards overall, and also ranked tied for 18th in the conference in scoring (5.3 ppg).

• Junior wide receiver K.J. Hill is sixth in the league in both receiving yards per game (77.2) and receptions per game (5.7), totalling 51 catches for 695 yards with four TDs, ranking 14th in the B1G in receiving TDs . . . Hill also is 17th in all-purpose yards (81.2 pg) and 20th in yards per reception (13.6).

• Sophomore J.K. Dobbins has 143 carries for 684 yards (4.8 ypc/76.0 ypg), adding 16 receptions for 186 yards (11.6 ypc/20.7 ypg) with one TD . . . he is sixth in the B1G in total TDs (8/7 rushing, 1 receiving), seventh in rushing TDs (7), along with eighth in rushing yards per game, 11th in rushing yards per carry, 13th in all-purpose yards per game (96.7), tied for 18th in scoring (5.3 ppg) and 22nd in total offense (76.0 ypg).

• Junior Mike Weber has 105 carries for 607 yards (5.8 ypc/67.4 ypg) with three TDs, along with 16 catches for 84 yards (5.6 ypc/9.3 ypg) with one TD . . . he is sixth in rushing yards per carry (5.8), 10th in rushing yards per game (67.4) and 20th in all-purpose (76.8 ypg).

• Malik Harrison and junior safety Jordan Fuller share the team lead on defense with 48 total tackles apiece, ranking tied for 28th in the B1G in tackles per game (6.0) . . . Harrison has 4.0 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks, adding one interception and one pass break-up . . . Fuller adds 1.5 TFL to go with four pass break-ups and one fumble recovery . . . Fuller is tied for 18th in the league with 35 solo stops.

• Jones leads OSU and ranks eighth in the B1G with 10.0 TFLs and 1.11 TFL/game, ranking fifth in TFL yards (55) . . . Jones also is tied for sixth in the conference in both sacks (6.5) and sacks per game (0.72), while ranking third with 49 TFL yards . . . he has 28 total tackles, adding one interception, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass break-up.

• Sophomore placekicker Blake Haubil has filled in for senior placekicker Sean Nuernberger after Nuernberger was injured in the Minnesota game . . . Haubil is 9-of-9 on PATs and 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) on FGs with a long of 47 yards . . . Nuernberger is 39-of-39 on PATs and 3-of-5 (60.0 percent) on FGs with a long of 30 yards, missing his last two attempts.

• Sophomore punter Drue Chrisman is second in the B1G and 22nd in FBS in punting average with a 44.0 ypp average . . . Chrisman has a long of 65 yards as part of nine punts of 50+ yards, and pinned 18 of his 35 punts inside the 20.

SPARTANS FROM THE BUCKEYE STATE –
• Michigan State's 2018 roster features 28 players from Ohio, including eight potential starters: Jr. LB Joe Bachie (Brook Park/Berea-Midpark), So. RG Luke Campbell (Lewis Center/Olentangy), So. PK Matt Coghlin (Cincinnati/Archbishop Moeller), Sr. LB Andrew Dowell (North Ridgeville/St. Edward), Jr. S David Dowell (North Ridgeville/St. Edward), Jr. CB Justin Layne (Cleveland/Benedictine), So. CB Josiah Scott (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) and Sr. RB LJ Scott (Youngstown/Hubbard).

THE LAST MEETING –
Nov. 11, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio (AP): J.T. Barrett threw for two touchdown passes and ran for two more, and Mike Weber rushed for 162 yards and pair of scores as No. 11 Ohio State bounced back from a deflating loss the week before at Iowa to defeat No. 13 Michigan State, 48-3. The Buckeyes scored on five of their first six possessions, led 35-3 at the half and cruised the rest of the way to claim sole possession of first place in the Big Ten East with two games remaining. Barrett was 14 for 21 for 183 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. J.K. Dobbins, who split time with Weber, rushed 18 times for 124 yards.

MSU/OHIO STATE CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spent three years as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2001-03) where he served under Jim Tressel. During Dantonio's tenure at Ohio State, the Buckeyes posted a combined record of 32-6 (.842), including the 2002 National Championship. Dantonio also was a graduate assistant at Ohio State under Earle Bruce in 1983-84.

• Michigan State co-offensive coordinator Jim Bollman served as Ohio State's offensive coordinator for 11 seasons (2001-11).

• Michigan State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel is the nephew of former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. Mike spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Ohio State, working for his uncle from 2002-03.

• Michigan State assistant head coach/offensive line coach Mark Staten served as a graduate assistant for Jim Tressel at Ohio State from 2002-03.

• Michigan State secondary coach/special teams coordinator Paul Haynes was at Ohio State from 2005-2011, holding the position of co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach in 2011 after being the secondary coach from 2005-10. He helped the Buckeyes win six Big Ten Championships while coaching in six BCS Games, including two BCS National Championship Games (2007, 2008).

• Michigan State director of personnel/player development and relations Dino Folino began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under legendary Coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes won two straight Big Ten championships in 1974-75 and made back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances (1975-76).

• Michigan State sophomore running back Connor Heyward's oldest brother, Cameron, was a 2011 NFL first-round draft choice (No. 31 overall) out of Ohio State and is in his eighth season in the NFL with the Steelers (2011-18) as a defensive end.

SPARTANS RANK 18TH IN SECOND COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS –
• Following its 24-3 win at Maryland, Michigan State made its debut at No. 18 in the second week of the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings, released Nov. 6. The Spartans (6-3) own a victory over No. 20 Penn State (6-3) and also defeated Utah State (8-1), who is ranked 14th in The Associated Press Poll; the Aggies are unranked in the CFP Top 25. Four of MSU's six wins are over teams with winning records (Utah State, Penn State, Purdue, Maryland).

• Since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the Spartans have been ranked in the CFP Top 25 on 20 occasions, tied for second most in the Big Ten along with Wisconsin (Ohio State first at 27).

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 21st 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 8-1 are ranked 14th in this week's AP Poll. Four of MSU's wins have come against teams with a winning record.

LAST TIME OUT: MSU 24, MARYLAND 3

• With the 24-3 victory over Maryland, Michigan State improved to 8-2 all-time against the Terrapins, including a 3-1 record in College Park . . . the Spartans are 4-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014.

OFFENSE
• MSU rushed for a season-high 269 yards on 46 attempts against Maryland . . . the Spartans are 72-8 under Dantonio when rushing 40-plus times in a game . . . the 269 rushing yards were the most by MSU since it had 271 against Maryland last season on Nov. 18, 2017 . . . MSU is 87-19 when outrushing its opponent under Dantonio.

• Sophomore Connor Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards and tied his career high with 15 carries and 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) . . . he had 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).

• MSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the first time this season, going 79 yards on 12 plays in 6:00, capped by an 18-yard Heyward TD run.
• Sophomore wide receiver Cody White returned to action for the first time since Sept. 29 (hand injury) and caught two passes for 20 yards . . . he had a game-long 24-yard reception for a first down in the first quarter.

• After not playing quarterback against Purdue due to an injury, Brian Lewerke returned to his starting role at Maryland, completing 11-of-20 passes for 87 yards and one interception . . . he also ran for a season-high 45 yards on nine carries, including a 22-yard run.

• Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges recorded season highs in both carries (eight) and rushing yards (36).

• Redshirt freshman fullback Max Rosenthal scored his first career touchdown after pouncing on a Heyward fumble in the end zone that made it 17-3 MSU with 4:17 left in the third quarter.

• Michigan State held a 36:56-23:04 advantage in time of possession.

DEFENSE
• Michigan State, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, held Maryland to a season-low 26 yards on the ground . . . the Terrapins were also held to a season-low 100 yards of total offense (74 passing, 26 rushing) . . . the 100 total yards were the fewest by an MSU opponent since Minnesota only had 96 on Nov. 24, 2012 . . . MSU has held seven of its nine opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season . . . it marked the first time MSU has held an opponent under 100 yards passing this season . . . the 74 passing yards were the fewest by a Spartan opponent since Rutgers had 40 on Nov. 12, 2016.

• The Spartans tied season highs with five sacks (43 yards) and nine tackles for loss (54 yards).

• Joe Bachie recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards), three forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and recovered one of the fumbles he forced.

• Kenny Willekes tied his career high with two sacks (17 yards) and also had 2.5 tackles for loss . . . he had seven tackles overall.

• Sophomore defensive tackle Naquan Jones registered career highs in tackles (6) and tackles for loss (2.0 for 14 yards) . . . he also was credited with his first unassisted sack in the fourth quarter.

• The Spartans forced six three-and-outs for the Maryland offense, including three straight to start the game.

• Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott saw his first action of the season after suffering a knee injury in preseason camp . . . Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, started the game and was credited with one pass break-up.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin hit a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter . . . he is now 12-of-13 in field-goal attempts this season.

SPARTANS HAVE SEASON-BEST EFFORT ON THE GROUND AT MARYLAND –
• MSU rushed for a season-high 269 yards on 46 attempts against Maryland . . . the Spartans are 72-8 under Dantonio when rushing 40-plus times in a game . . . the 269 rushing yards were the most by MSU since it had 271 against Maryland last season on Nov. 18, 2017 . . . MSU is 87-19 when outrushing its opponent under Dantonio.

• Sophomore Connor Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards and tied his career high with 15 carries and 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) . . . he had 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).

BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke had his streak of 20 consecutive starts snapped against Purdue on Oct. 27 due to an injury, but he returned to the starting lineup at Maryland Nov. 3. Lewerke did still serve as the team's holder on special teams against the Boilermakers (seeing time only as a holder does not officially count as a game played by NCAA).

• Lewerke ranks seventh in the Big Ten in passing (217.5 ypg) and total offense (232.1 ypg). The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 56 percent of his passes (151-of-270) for 1,740 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games at QB. 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 eight 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 eight games this season, Lewerke has rushed 68 times for 117 yards, although he has been sacked 16 times for 121 yards. He has gained 256 yards and lost 139 for a net total of 117.

• 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 25 career games (15-8 record as the starter), Lewerke has completed 58 percent of his passes (428-for-744) for 4,914 yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He has 825 career rushing yards on 213 carries (33.0 ypg; 3.9 avg.).

• Lewerke needs 86 passing yards to become the 10th Spartan quarterback in school history to pass for 5,000 career yards. He currently ranks 10th in MSU history with 4,914 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 5,739 total yards.

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.

LJ SCOTT BATTLING INJURIES HIS SENIOR SEASON –
• 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 straight games due to an ankle injury he suffered at Arizona State on Sept. 8. He returned to the starting lineup against Michigan (Oct. 20) and Purdue (Oct. 27) but had to sit out the Maryland (Nov. 3) game. 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, have received the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Heyward has 70 carries for 358 yards and five TDs, while Jefferson has 65 carries for 223 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 16 carries for 53 yards.

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 second on the Spartans in receiving yards (320; 64.0 ypg) and tied for third in receptions (22).

• 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 18 career games, including 11 starts, White has 57 catches for 810 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 nine games of the season. The only player to start all nine 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 last two games 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 twice in the last six games (brief action vs. Michigan). Campbell has returned to the starting lineup the last two games at right guard.

• 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 (Sept. 29) but was injured in the first series against Northwestern (Oct. 6) and has missed the last four games.

• 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 and Maryland 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 four at LG). He has started in 22 career games (17 at LG, three at LT, two at C).

Bachie, Joe

STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 71.4 yards per game. The last two weeks, MSU has held their opponents to season lows in rushing (Purdue with 62 yards; Maryland with 26 yards). The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100-yards rushing seven times this season.

• MSU also has only given up 19 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 18)

• MSU's opponents have only run the ball 255 times (42 percent of snaps, 28.3 avg.), the fifth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents have attempted 350 passes (58 percent of snaps, 38.9 avg.), sixth 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 154 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 –
• After allowing just 16 points the last two games (Purdue with 13, Maryland with 3), MSU now ranks among the national leaders in scoring defense at No. 16 (19.0 ppg), which also ranks third best in the Big Ten. The Spartans have limited their opponents to 20 or fewer points five times this season.

SPARTANS RANK TIED FOR 14TH IN FBS WITH 12 INTERCEPTIONS –
• Michigan State ranks tied for third in the Big Ten and tied for 14th in the FBS with 12 interceptions in nine games this season. MSU's 1.33 average is tied for 15th 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 13th in the Big Ten with 7.6 tackles per game (68 total; 34 solo and 34 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 28 career games, including 22 consecutive starts, Bachie has 180 tackles, 17 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 NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR BURLSWORTH TROPHY –
• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5) and tied for second in tackles for loss (13.5), has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.

• 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 not only leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (7.5) through the first nine games of the season, but also leads the defensive ends in tackles (51). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 15 quarterback hits, and also leads the Big Ten with 48 quarterback pressures.

• 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 (12th in school history with 14.5) and tackles for loss (18th in school history with 28). He ranks sixth in the FBS among active career leaders with 1.20 tackles for loss per game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.64 TFL/game), and is tied for eighth among active players with 0.61 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 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 168 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and four interceptions in 42 career games, including 26 starts. Through nine games this season, Willis has recorded 56 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 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 25 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 33 career games.

• Panasiuk, a native of Roselle, Illinois, has 53 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, in 34 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. 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 55 tackles and ranks tied for sixth in the Big Ten with a team-leading eight pass break-ups. He also has one interception.

MATT COGHLIN NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR LOU GROZA AWARD –
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to the nation's top placekicker. Coghlin ranks among the Big Ten leaders in PAT percentage (first at 1.000), field-goal percentage (first at .923; minimum 10 attempts), field goals made (fourth with 12) and scoring (seventh at 7.2 ppg).

• The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is 12-for-13 in field-goal attempts this season (.923), which ranks first in the Big Ten (minimum 10 attempts). He ranks first in MSU history with his .844 career field-goal percentage (27-of-32).

• 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). 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 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.

PLAYING THEIR BEST UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT –
• The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. MSU is 10-6 in its last 16 games against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, including a 9-6 record since 2013 (beat No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Stanford in 2013; lost to No. 3 Oregon and beat No. 4 Baylor in 2014; beat No. 7 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Iowa, and lost to No. 2 Alabama in 2015; lost to No. 2 Michigan, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State in 2016; beat No. 7 Michigan and No. 7 Penn State in 2017; beat No. 8 Penn State and lost to No. 6 Michigan in 2018). Michigan State's nine wins over AP Top 10 teams since 2013 ranks tied for third most in the FBS (Alabama with 14, Ohio State with 11, Oklahoma and Clemson with nine).

• Michigan State has won 14 of its last 23 games played against AP Top 25 opponents.

• Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans are 21-27 in 48 games played against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25; however, MSU is 20-18 against ranked teams since 2010 and 14-10 since 2013. The 21 wins over AP Top 25 teams rank second among head coaches in MSU history (Duffy Daugherty with 25 from 1954-72). Dantonio is 10-10 against AP Top 10 teams at MSU (10-6 since 2011).

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 37 of its last 51 games against Big Ten opponents (including the Big Ten Championship Game), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 24 wins by double-figures. MSU has won 35 of its last 49 regular-season Big Ten Conference games (.714). Michigan State is 51-21 (.708) 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 .667 winning percentage (64-32) in Big Ten regular-season games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).

• MSU is 32-16 (.667) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a 26-10 record (.722) 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 106-48 (.688) 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 106 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.667, 64-32 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (64), home wins (62) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.688).

• 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 106 wins.

• Overall, Dantonio owns a 124-65 (.656) record in his 15th season as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 106-48 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 124 career wins rank 15th among active FBS coaches and third most in the Big Ten (Urban Meyer, 182; 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 124-65 (.656) in his 15th season.

• Dantonio's .667 winning percentage (64-32) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72).

• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and George Perles with two each).

• Dantonio became the first coach in Big Ten history to record five 11-win seasons in a six-year span (11 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014; 12 in 2015), and his five 11-win seasons are tied with Joe Paterno of Penn State for third most in Big Ten history (Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer of Ohio State with six; Paterno with five at Penn State as Big Ten member). Prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU had not recorded an 11-win season in its history, and had just two 10-win seasons (1965, 1999).

• A two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2010, 2013), Dantonio has led Michigan State to Top 25 finishes seven times (2008: No. 24 in both polls; 2010: No. 14 in both polls; 2011: No. 10 USA TODAY/No. 11 AP; 2013: No. 3 in both polls; 2014: No. 5 in both polls; 2015: No. 6 in both polls; 2017: No. 15 AP/No. 16 USA TODAY). His seven AP Top-25 finishes are tied for the most in school history. Duffy Daugherty's teams posted seven Top-25 finishes during his 19-year tenure from 1954-72.

• Michigan State extended its school record by playing in a bowl game for the ninth consecutive season in 2015 (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl, 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl).

• Dantonio also ranks first in school history with 10 bowl appearances, including a school-record streak of nine straight bowl games from 2007-15. He is 5-5 in bowl games at Michigan State, including a school-record four-game winning streak (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton). Dantonio has led his teams to 12 bowl berths in 14 seasons as a head coach (10 at MSU, two at Cincinnati).

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE TRESSEL NOMINATED FOR BROYLES AWARD –
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel has been nominated for the 2018 Broyles Award, which is given annually to the assistant coach of the year in college football. Tressel, who served as Michigan State's co-defensive coordinator the past three seasons (2015-17), was promoted to defensive coordinator on Jan. 19, 2018. He has been on the same staff with Dantonio for the past 14 seasons, including the last 11 at Michigan State. Tressel will remain coaching the linebackers.

• Tressel's defense currently ranks No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (71.7 ypg), No. 16 in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) and No. 22 in total defense (325.1 ypg).

• The consistent play of the Spartan linebackers under Tressel is one of the main reasons why Michigan State has been so successful on defense during his tenure. Under the guidance of Tressel, Spartan linebackers have earned All-Big Ten honors 19 times and All-America accolades on four occasions.

• In two of the three seasons (2015-17) that Tressel shared the coordinating duties with Harlon Barnett, Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 25 in both rushing defense and scoring defense (2015, 2017).

ROUGH SLEDDING AGAINST SPARTANS –
• In 154 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.

SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 62-20 record (.756) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which ranks second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history. MSU is currently riding a six-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium.

• MSU is 47-14 (.770) at home since 2010 and 31-9 (.775) since 2013.

• Mark Dantonio is 30-4 (.882) against nonconference opponents in Spartan Stadium (only losses: 2009 to Central Michigan; 2012 to No. 20 Notre Dame; 2016 to BYU; 2017 to Notre Dame).

• Dantonio is 12-0 in home openers at MSU and the Spartans' 20-game winning streak in home openers is tied for the fifth-long longest in the nation.

RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 87-19 (.821) when outrushing its opponent, including a 71-12 record (.855) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 19-29 (.396) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 40-6 (.870) 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 72-8 (.900). 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 (5-0).

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 10th in the FBS in time of possession in 2018 (33:26-26:34).

• The Spartans have led in time of possession in 68 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans own an .810 winning percentage (85-20) in those games.