Michigan State Post-Game Notes: Utah State
9/1/2018 1:54:00 AM | Football
In the first matchup between the two schools, Michigan State defeated Utah State, 38-31, Friday night in Spartan Stadium . . . MSU improved to 12-0 in home openers under Mark Dantonio and 11-1 in season openers overall under Dantonio . . . MSU is now 7-0 in Friday season-opening games under Dantonio, including a 6-0 record in Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State has now won 20 consecutive home openers, dating back to 1999 . . . that streak is tied for fourth-longest in the FBS (Florida, 28; Wisconsin and Oklahoma State, 22; Illinois, 20).
Michigan State has posted 18 fourth-quarter comebacks under Mark Dantonio, the most of any FBS team since 2007 (Dantonio's first season at MSU).
MSU has won 10 consecutive season openers, dating back to 2009.
OFFENSE:
Brian Lewerke completed 23-of-33 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns . . . it marked his eighth career 200-yard passing game and the fourth-highest total of his career . . . he also had 10 rushes for 31 yards on the ground.
Connor Heyward rushed for a career-high 42 yards on five carries (8.4 avg.) . . . he scored the first two rushing TDs of his career (17 yards with 9:06 left in the third quarter; game-winning 13-yarder with two minutes left in fourth quarter) . . . he finished with 105 all-purpose yards (63 kick return yards).
Darrell Stewart led the Spartan receivers with seven receptions for 55 yards . . . Cody White had 70 receiving yards on five catches, including an 8-yard TD grab in the second quarter . . . Felton Davis III hauled in three catches for 69 yards, including a 10-yard TD in the second quarter.
LJ Scott led all rushers with 84 yards on 23 carries.
Matt Sokol served as the team's fourth game captain.
DEFENSE:
MSU held Utah State to 25 yards rushing on 25 attempts . . . in the Mark Dantonio era, Michigan State has held its opponent below 100 yards rushing in 73 of 146 games (50 percent).
Joe Bachie recorded his sixth double-digit tackle game of his career with 11 . . . he also recorded his fourth career interception that sealed the win with 1:15 left in the game . . . in addition, Bachie posted 1.5 tackles for loss.
Khari Willis recorded his third career interception and returned it 20 yards in the second quarter.
MSU forced two turnovers (Willis interception in second quarter; Bachie interception in fourth quarter) . . . MSU is 64-13 when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under Mark Dantonio.
Kenny Willekes tied his career high with two sacks (19 yards) and also had three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble . . . he had six tackles overall.
Antjuan Simmons tied his career high with seven tackles.
Brandon Bouyer-Randle had a career high five tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Matt Coghlin was 3-for-3 in field-goal attempts, including a career-long 49-yarder in the first quarter . . . he also connected on a 32-yarder later in the first and on a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter.
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Michigan State has now won 20 consecutive home openers, dating back to 1999 . . . that streak is tied for fourth-longest in the FBS (Florida, 28; Wisconsin and Oklahoma State, 22; Illinois, 20).
Michigan State has posted 18 fourth-quarter comebacks under Mark Dantonio, the most of any FBS team since 2007 (Dantonio's first season at MSU).
MSU has won 10 consecutive season openers, dating back to 2009.
OFFENSE:
Brian Lewerke completed 23-of-33 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns . . . it marked his eighth career 200-yard passing game and the fourth-highest total of his career . . . he also had 10 rushes for 31 yards on the ground.
Connor Heyward rushed for a career-high 42 yards on five carries (8.4 avg.) . . . he scored the first two rushing TDs of his career (17 yards with 9:06 left in the third quarter; game-winning 13-yarder with two minutes left in fourth quarter) . . . he finished with 105 all-purpose yards (63 kick return yards).
Darrell Stewart led the Spartan receivers with seven receptions for 55 yards . . . Cody White had 70 receiving yards on five catches, including an 8-yard TD grab in the second quarter . . . Felton Davis III hauled in three catches for 69 yards, including a 10-yard TD in the second quarter.
LJ Scott led all rushers with 84 yards on 23 carries.
Matt Sokol served as the team's fourth game captain.
DEFENSE:
MSU held Utah State to 25 yards rushing on 25 attempts . . . in the Mark Dantonio era, Michigan State has held its opponent below 100 yards rushing in 73 of 146 games (50 percent).
Joe Bachie recorded his sixth double-digit tackle game of his career with 11 . . . he also recorded his fourth career interception that sealed the win with 1:15 left in the game . . . in addition, Bachie posted 1.5 tackles for loss.
Khari Willis recorded his third career interception and returned it 20 yards in the second quarter.
MSU forced two turnovers (Willis interception in second quarter; Bachie interception in fourth quarter) . . . MSU is 64-13 when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under Mark Dantonio.
Kenny Willekes tied his career high with two sacks (19 yards) and also had three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble . . . he had six tackles overall.
Antjuan Simmons tied his career high with seven tackles.
Brandon Bouyer-Randle had a career high five tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Matt Coghlin was 3-for-3 in field-goal attempts, including a career-long 49-yarder in the first quarter . . . he also connected on a 32-yarder later in the first and on a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter.
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