Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
No. 21 Spartans Host Central Michigan in Final Nonconference Game
9/27/2018 1:32:00 PM | Football
Game 4: No. 21/18 Michigan State (2-1) vs. Central Michigan (1-3)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005) | Stadium Map
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: FS1/FoxSportsGo
Announcers: Sean Kelley (play-by-play), James Laurinaitis (analyst)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio:Â Ch. 83 (Sirius), Ch. 83 (XM), Ch. 83 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
Tickets: msuspartans.com
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 7-3
Parking Information: Lots open at 7 a.m. | Parking Map
COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 102-45 (12th year)
Overall Record: 120-62 (15th year)
Record vs. CMU: 3-1
CMU Head Coach: John Bonamego
CMU Record: 22-21 (Fourth year)
Overall Record: 22-21 (Fourth year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-1
FIRST-AND-10 –
• No. 21/18 Michigan State wraps up the nonconference portion of its schedule against Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 29 at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1, with Sean Kelley and James Laurinaitis on the call. The Spartans (2-1) opened Big Ten play with a 35-21 win at previously undefeated Indiana last Saturday in Bloomington, while the Chippewas (1-3) won their first game of the season over Maine in Mount Pleasant, 17-5.
• Michigan State University will induct five members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 27. The Class of 2018 includes: Dale Anderson (wrestling), Savatheda (Fynes) Coke (track & field), Rachel Miller (rowing), Jimmy Raye (football) and Bill Wehrwein (track & field). The annual "Celebrate State" weekend also includes the ninth-annual Varsity Letter Jacket Presentation and Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27 and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 29 with a special recognition of the Hall of Famers during the Michigan State-Central Michigan football game in Spartan Stadium.
• Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between Michigan State and Central Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 7-3, and have won three straight over CMU, including a 30-10 victory in the last meeting at Spartan Stadium in 2015. The Chippewas won the first two meetings, 20-3 in 1991 and 24-20 in 1992, before MSU then took the next four: 48-34 in 1993, 38-7 in 1998, 35-21 in 2001 and 24-7 in 2004. CMU broke the streak by edging the Spartans, 29-27, in 2009. In 2011, MSU topped the Chippewas, 45-7, and in 2012, MSU traveled to Mount Pleasant and came away with a 41-7 win.
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 32.7 yards per game (98 yards total through three games). The Spartans have held their opponents under 50 yards rushing for five consecutive games, dating back to last season, and under 100 yards rushing for six straight games. MSU has only allowed 136 rushing yards in its last five games (27.2 ypg), dating back to last season. Last season, MSU ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense (95.3 ypg). In the Dantonio era, Michigan State has held its opponent below 100 yards rushing in 75 of 148 games (51 percent). MSU is 65-10 (.867) during those games.
• Michigan State moved up in the latest national rankings following its 35-21 win at Indiana. The Spartans climbed from No. 23 to No. 18 in the Amway Coaches Poll, and went from No. 24 to No. 21 in The Associated Press Poll. Michigan State has been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 for 14 consecutive weeks.
• Junior linebacker Joe Bachie continues to lead the Big Ten in tackles, averaging 10.0 per game. Bachie has 20 solo tackles and 10 assists. He has led or tied for the team lead in tackles in all three games this season (11 vs. Utah State; 10 vs. Arizona State; 9 vs. Indiana).
• For the second time in his career, sophomore placekicker Matt Coghlin has been named the Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Coghlin 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 connected on all five of his PATs in MSU's 35-21 win at Indiana. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is tied for first in the Big Ten in scoring (10.0 ppg), field-goal percentage (1.000; 5-for-5) and PAT percentage (1.000; 9-for-9). 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.
• MSU is 41-6 (.872) against current members of the Mid-American Conference (2-0 vs. Akron, 3-0 vs. Bowling Green, 7-3 vs. Central Michigan, 10-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 1-0 vs. Kent State, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 13-2 vs. Western Michigan). Dantonio is 13-1 (.929) against MAC opponents during his tenure at MSU.
• Mark Dantonio is 38-15 (.717) against nonconference opponents, including a 29-4 (.879) mark in Spartan Stadium. Dantonio is 28-1 (.966) against teams in the Group of Five conferences.
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 60-18 record (.769) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history.
STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – LJ Scott (30 carries for 103 yards, 3.4 avg, 0 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (64-of-97, .660, 814 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving – Cody White (18 catches for 260 yards, 14.4 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Joe Bachie (30 tackles, 20 solo, 10 assists, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT)
Central Michigan:
Rushing – Jonathan Ward (52 carries for 156 yards, 3.0 avg, 0 TDs)
Passing – Tony Poljan (40-of-70 for 344 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs)
Receiving – Cameron Cole (11 catches for 127 yards, 11.5 avg, 0 TDs)
Tackles – Malik Fountain (47 tackles, 26 solo, 21 assists, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 PBU)
A QUICK GLANCE AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-3, 0-1 MAC) –
• The Chippewas bring a 1-3 overall record and 0-1 Mid-American Conference ledger into Spartan Stadium for Saturday's matchup with MSU . . . Central Michigan got its first win of the season last Saturday with a 17-5 victory over Maine, who brought a No. 16 FCS ranking into Mount Pleasant . . . CMU opened the season with a 35-20 loss at Kentucky on Sept. 1, before dropping a 31-7 contest to Kansas in the Chips' home opener on Sept. 8 . . . CMU lost the MAC opener at Northern Illinois, 24-16, on Sept. 15.
• Central Michigan beat Maine despite getting out-gained, 265-177, as Maine entered the game leading FCS in rushing defense, allowing just 13.5 ypg and ranked 12th in FCS in total defense at 248.5 ypg, with CMU gaining 95 rushing yards and 82 passing yards . . . However, the Chips' defense posted six sacks as part of 15 tackles for loss and snared two interceptions, adding a blocked punt and a goal-line stand.
• CMU had a 10-0 lead at halftime on junior placekicker Ryan Tice's 41-yard field goal as time expired in the first half . . . Both of Central Michigan's TDs were from 5-yards out, on a 5-yard scamper by junior quarterback Tommy Lazzaro in the second quarter and sophomore wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan catching a 5-yard pass from Lazzaro in the fourth quarter . . . CMU yielded a 38-yard field goal to Maine in the third quarter and the Black Bears added a safety, blocking a Chips' punt out of the end zone in the fourth quarter for the final scoring.
• Lazzaro was 7-of-16 passing for 82 yards with one INT and one TD in his first start for the Chips . . . The junior signal-caller was also CMU's leading rusher with 44 yards on 14 carries with one TD . . . Redshirt-freshman wide receiver Julian Hicks was the Chips' top receiver with 38 yards on two catches.
• Senior linebacker Malik Fountain spearheaded the CMU defensive effort with a game-best 12 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception with a 24-yard return to thwart Maine's final drive and seal the victory for the Chips.
• Junior defensive end Mike Danna added seven total tackles, with five TFLs including four sacks, adding two QB hurries.
• For the season, CMU is averaging 15.0 points per game, while allowing 23.8 ppg to the opposition . . . The Chips are averaging 258.5 ypg of total offense, with 120.0 ypg rushing and 138.5 ypg passing.
• Defensively, CMU is fifth in the FBS in passing yards allowed, at just 140.0 ypg, while ranking tied for 19th in FBS with five interceptions, along with 26th in passing efficiency defense (106.85) . . . The Chips defense is also one of 12 teams in the country to not yet allow a first down on an opponent's fourth down attempt . . . Overall, the CMU defense is 36th in the nation in total defense (334.2 ypg), yielding 194.3 ypg rushing and 140.0 ypg passing.
• Fountain is one of 28 players in FBS averaging double-digit tackles per game, ranking tied for ninth with 11.8 per game, and also ranking tied for ninth with 47 total tackles (26 solo, 21 assists), ranking tied for seventh in solo stops . . . Fountain adds 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack, along with one interception, one pass break-up and two QB hurries.
• Lazzaro is 20-of-38 for 210 yards in his two games of action, coming in off the bench against Northern Illinois before getting the starting nod against Maine . . . Lazzaro has two TDs and two INTs, along with 26 carries for 99 yards (3.8 ypc) with a team-best two rushing TDs.
• Sophomore quarterback Tony Poljan started the first three games of the season, and is 40-of-70 for 344 yards with one TD and four INTs on the year . . . Poljan adds 84 yards rushing on 32 carries.
• Junior running back Jonathan Ward leads the CMU rushing attack with 52 carries for 156 yards (39.0 ypg/3.0 ypc), while sophomore running back Kemehnnu Gwilly has 38 rushes for 122 yards (30.5 ypg/3.2 ypc) with one TD.
• Junior wide receiver Cameron Cole leads CMU with 11 receptions for 127 yards (31.8 ypg/11.5 ypc), while Hicks has nine catches for 101 yards (50.5 ypg/11.2 ypc) with one TD.
• Along with Fountain, redshirt freshman safety Devonni Reed adds 35 tackles (24 solo, 11 assists) with one pass break-up and one fumble recovery . . . Senior linebacker Trevor Apsey adds 23 stops (18 solo, 5 assists) with two TFL and two pass break-ups.
• Danna has a team-best 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, ranking tied for 10th in total sacks and tied for 15th in sacks/game (1.0) . . . Overall, Danna has 19 tackles (13 solo, 6 assists), adding a team-best five QB hurries.
• CMU's placekicking duties have been split between senior Michael Armstrong and Tice . . . Armstrong making 3-of-3 PATs and 2-of-3 FGs with a long of 26 yards . . . Tice is 3-of-3 on PATs and 2-of-2 on FGs, with a long of 41, coming in last Saturday's game vs. Maine.
• Senior punter Jack Sheldon has punted 30 times with a 41.5 ypp average with a long a 64 yards, one of three punts of 50+ yards, pinning six inside the 20.
MSU/CENTRAL MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel spent the 2010 season at Central Michigan, working in the same role under former head coach Dan Enos.
• Michigan State special teams analyst Shayne Graham spent last season as a quality control coach at Central Michigan under John Bonamego.
• Michigan State second-year defensive graduate assistant Jesse Johnson served as the on-campus recruiting coordinator in 2016 for the Chippewas under John Bonamego. In addition, Johnson spent time as a graduate assistant coach at CMU working with the defensive line and defensive backs, as well as assisting special teams, for two seasons (2013-14). During his time in Mount Pleasant, Johnson worked two bowl games (2014 Bahamas, 2016 Miami Beach).
• Central Michigan assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Greg Colby spent three seasons (1995-97) at Michigan State under Nick Saban coaching the defensive line/inside linebackers and special teams. Colby also spent time on the same staff with Mark Dantonio, who was the Spartan secondary coach from 1995-2000.
• Central Michigan defensive line coach George Ricumstrict helped coach the defensive backs at Michigan State in 1996 under former MSU head coach Nick Saban.
MSU/CENTRAL MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between Michigan State and Central Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 7-3, and have won three straight over CMU, including a 30-10 victory in the last meeting at Spartan Stadium in 2015.
• The Chippewas won the first two meetings, 20-3 in 1991 and 24-20 in 1992, before MSU then took the next four: 48-34 in 1993, 38-7 in 1998, 35-21 in 2001 and 24-7 in 2004. CMU broke the streak by edging the Spartans, 29-27, in 2009. In 2011, MSU topped the Chippewas, 45-7, and in 2012, MSU traveled to Mount Pleasant and came away with a 41-7 win.
THE LAST MEETING –
Sept. 26, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Shilique Calhoun helped Michigan State disrupt Central Michigan's offense - and its kicking game, too. The star defensive lineman had 2.5 sacks and blocked a field goal, and the second-ranked Spartans beat Central Michigan 30-10.
Gerald Holmes ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Michigan State. It was 17-10 in the third quarter and the Chippewas had the ball when the Spartans held on fourth-and-2 from the Michigan State 37. Cooper Rush threw incomplete under pressure from Calhoun and linebacker Riley Bullough. That was as close as Central Michigan came to tying it. The Spartans added touchdown runs of 3 and 6 yards by Holmes in the final 8:37.
The Spartans led 17-0 after Connor Cook's 5-yard scoring pass to Josiah Price in the second quarter, but the Chippewas steadied themselves with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Rush to Anthony Rice with eight seconds left in the half.
MSU TO INDUCT FIVE INTO ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME –
• Michigan State University will induct five members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 27. The Class of 2018 includes: Dale Anderson (wrestling), Savatheda (Fynes) Coke (track & field), Rachel Miller (rowing), Jimmy Raye (football) and Bill Wehrwein (track & field).
• The annual "Celebrate State" weekend also includes the ninth-annual Varsity Letter Jacket Presentation and Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27 and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 29 with a special recognition of the Hall of Famers during the Michigan State-Central Michigan football game in Spartan Stadium.
Below are bullet point sketches on each of the inductees:
Dale Anderson | Wrestling | 1965-68 | Waterloo, Iowa
• Two-time NCAA Champion at 137 pounds (1967, 1968), helping MSU to the 1967 National Championship
• Three-time All-American (1966-68) and Big Ten Champion (1966-68)
• 1968 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient
• Went undefeated in 1967 (25-0) and finished his career with a .932 winning percentage (61-4-1)
• 1967 MSU Outstanding Wrestler Award
• 1986 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
Savatheda (Fynes) Coke | Track and Field | 1996-97 | Coopers Town, Bahamas
• The only Spartan track and field athlete to win three NCAA Championships, including two during the 1997 outdoor season
• One of just two female Big Ten athletes to capture the NCAA title in both the 100 and 200m in the same year
• Four-time Big Ten champion, capturing both the 55 and 200m titles at the Indoor Championships, and the 100 and 200m titles at the Outdoor Championships
• Two-time Olympic medalist, representing the Bahamas, earning a silver medal in 1996 and a gold medal in 2000 in the 4x100 relay
• 1997 George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year
Rachel Miller | Rowing | 1999-2003 | Meeteetse, Wyoming
• Three-time All-American (2001-03), including first-team honors in 2001 & 2003
• First MSU rower to earn First-Team All-America honors and the first to be a three-time All-American
• Three-time All-Big Ten and CRCA Central Region honoree
• Four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances
• 2001 CRCA National Rowing Scholar Athlete
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2001-02)
Jimmy Raye | Football | 1964-67 | Fayetteville, North Carolina
• Member of Michigan State's 1965 and 1966 Big Ten and National Championship teams
• Michigan State's first African-American starting quarterback and one of the Big Ten Conference's first African-American quarterbacks
• First African-American starting quarterback from the South to win a National Championship
• 1966 Second-Team All-Big Ten, leading Big Ten quarterbacks in rushing yards
• Michigan State Assistant Coach 1971-75
• One of the first African-American offensive coordinators in the NFL, he coached for 10 different teams in his 36-year career
Bill Wehrwein | Track and Field | 1967-70 | Roseville, Michigan
• Four-time All-American, including winning the NCAA Indoor title in the 600-yard run in 1969
• Six-time Big Ten Champion in three different events, winning individual honors twice in the 600 (indoor) and once in the 440 (outdoor)
• Set the American record in the 600-yard run with a time of 1:08.6 in 1969
• Helped guide the Spartans to three Big Ten Indoor titles in the mile relay (1968-70)
SPARTANS STILL ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TEAMS IN THE NATION –
• Last season, Michigan State's roster was one of the youngest in the nation with 77 underclassmen, but MSU still managed to win 10 games and finished No. 15 in the final AP Poll.
• Although nearly everyone returned from last season, including 19 of 22 position starters, MSU's 2018 roster is still one of the youngest in the country, as 81 out of the 120 players (67.5 percent) are underclassmen (28 true freshmen, 22 redshirt freshmen, 31 sophomores, 21 juniors, 18 seniors). That 67.5 percentage puts MSU as the 17th youngest team in the FBS.
KHARI WILLIS UP FOR TWO NATIONAL AWARDS –
• Michigan State senior safety Khari Willis has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the nation's top scholar-athlete. The award is also widely known as the "Academic Heisman."
• Willis was also selected one of 30 national candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the prestigious award – which former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won in 2011 – a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
• This marks the seventh time in the past eight years that the Spartans have had a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy. The Spartans had a finalist three of four years from 2011-14 (QB Kirk Cousins in 2011, LB Max Bullough in 2013, P Mike Sadler in 2014). Center Jack Allen, tight end Josiah Price and center Brian Allen were semifinalists the past three seasons.
• A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Willis owns a 3.24 grade-point average as an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, with an emphasis on community governance & advocacy. He was voted a captain by his teammates entering his senior season and has 129 tackles, nine pass break-ups and three interceptions in 36 career games, including 20 starts. Through three games this season, Willis has recorded 17 tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception for the No. 21/18 Spartans.
• Willis was the keynote player speaker at the 2018 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago, and delivered an inspirational speech calling on his fellow Big Ten players to make a difference in their communities. He received a standing ovation and video of his speech went viral across social media. The Jackson, Michigan, native is a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement, and was MSU's nominee for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.
• The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 31, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 60th NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 29th William V. Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
• In the 65th meeting between Michigan State and Indiana, the Spartans defeated the Hoosiers, 35-21, last Saturday night at Memorial Stadium . . . MSU leads the all-time series, 47-16-2, including a 25-10-1 record in Bloomington.
• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 9-1 in his tenure against Indiana, including a 4-1 mark in Memorial Stadium . . . the nine wins are the most against any opponent for Dantonio (second: eight vs. Michigan).
• Michigan State retained the Old Brass Spittoon with the 35-21 victory over IU. Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon, which came from one of Michigan's earliest trading posts and is widely believed to be nearly 190 years old. Legend has it that the spittoon was around when both institutions were founded – Indiana in 1820 and MAC in 1855. Since 1950, Michigan State leads the series 47-13-1.
• Michigan State is 8-4 in Big Ten openers under Dantonio . . . MSU is 7-5 after bye weeks under Dantonio.
• Michigan State played in its third consecutive regular-season night game for the first time in school history. The Spartans are 18-10 overall in 28 regular-season night games under Dantonio, including a 7-6 record on the road.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. INDIANA
OFFENSE
• Freshman wide receiver Jalen Nailor scored the first two touchdowns of his career, including a 75-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that sealed the win . . . with MSU up 28-21, Nailor busted loose for a 75-yard score on MSU's first play from scrimmage after IU cut the lead to seven, and put the Spartans on top, 35-21, with 3:17 left in the game . . . Nailor had three carries for 79 yards total . . . he also had a 16-yard TD reception in the first quarter that gave MSU a 7-0 lead.
• Brian Lewerke recorded his ninth 200-yard passing game of his career, completing 14-of-25 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions . . . Lewerke also had his first career reception on a pass from Cody White in the third quarter . . . also the team's holder, Lewerke ran an option pitch on a fake field goal to placekicker Matt Coghlin, who ran in for a 6-yard TD in the third quarter that put MSU on top, 28-7.
• Senior wide receiver Felton Davis III led the Spartans with five catches for 79 yards . . . sophomore Cody White had four grabs for 77 yards.
• Sophomore center Matt Allen started his first career game at center. He became the third member of the Allen family, joining his older brothers Jack and Brian, to start at center for the Spartans.
DEFENSE
• Michigan State held the Hoosiers to 29 yards rushing on 32 attempts. IU entered the game entered the game averaging 235.0 rushing yards per game.
• MSU held IU running back Stevie Scott to 18 rushing yards on 11 carries. Scott entered the game with 388 rushing yards on 69 carries (129.3 ypg).
• The Spartans recorded five sacks (Andrew Dowell with a career-high two; Brandon Bouyer-Randle, Kenny Willekes and Raequan Williams with one each), the most in a single game for MSU since recording seven against Western Michigan in the 2015 season opener.
• Junior linebacker Joe Bachie tied for the team lead in tackles with nine stops.
• Senior linebacker Andrew Dowell had a career-high two sacks and had nine stops overall.
• Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes racked up two more tackles for loss (6 yards), including a 1-yard sack . . . he has a team-leading five TFLs and three sacks this season.
• Junior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk had a career-high two TFLs (3 yards).
• MSU had a season-high five sacks and nine tackles for loss in the game.
• Redshirt freshman cornerback Shakur Brown returned an interception 69 yards for a TD in the first quarter to give MSU a 14-0 lead . . . it marked MSU's first pick six since Tyson Smith vs. Bowling Green in 2017 . . . it marked MSU's 30th defensive TD in the Dantonio era.
• Sophomore linebacker Antjuan Simmons recorded his first career interception in the fourth quarter.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin scored on a 6-yard TD run on a fake field goal in the third quarter to give MSU a 28-7 lead over Indiana . . . Coghlin became the first Spartan to score a touchdown and then kick the PAT on his own TD since Sam Williams in 1958 against Wisconsin . . . other Spartans who kicked both PATs and scored an offensive TD in the same season prior to Williams include Earl Lattimer in 1962 and Art Brandstatter in 1960 . . . Dave Kaiser also scored a TD and kicked the PAT following his own score vs. California in 1957.
• With fifth-year senior punter Jake Hartbarger out with an injury, two Spartan punters made their collegiate debuts against Indiana . . . redshirt freshman Tyler Hunt was the starter, punting four times for 155 yards (38.8 avg.), including a long of 46 yards . . . redshirt freshman Bryce Baringer, who joined the team as a walk-on during the bye week, punted twice for 34.0 yards.
BRIAN LEWERKE RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN PASSING AND TOTAL OFFENSE –
• Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks second in the Big Ten in passing (271.3 ypg) and total offense (275.7 ypg). Lewerke has completed 66 percent of his passes (64-of-97) for 814 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He threw for a season-high 314 yards, the fourth-highest output of his career, at Arizona State on Sept. 8.
• In his first full year as the starter in 2017, Brian Lewerke became the first quarterback in school history to throw for more than 2,500 yards and rush for more than 500 yards in the same season. Lewerke finished 2017 with the second-most yards of total offense in an MSU season with 3,352 (Drew Stanton with 3,415 in 2005). He also finished the 2017 campaign ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in passing completions (third with 246), passing attempts (fourth with 417), passing yards (seventh with 2,793) and touchdown passes (tied for eighth with 20). He rushed for 559 yards on 124 carries with five TDs. Through three games this season, Lewerke has rushed 28 times for 13 yards, although he has been sacked eight times for 75 yards. He has gained 98 yards and lost 85 for a net total of 13.
• 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, 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. 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 20 career games (12-6 record as the starter, including 16 straight starts), Lewerke has completed 60 percent of his passes (341-for-571) for 3,988 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has 721 career rushing yards on 173 carries (36.0 ypg; 4.2 avg.).
• Lewerke needs just 12 passing yards to become the 12th Spartan quarterback to record 4,000 career passing yards.
• Lewerke also needs just 291 total yards to become the eighth Spartan to record 5,000 total yards in his career.
LJ SCOTT LEADS RUSHING ATTACK –
• Senior LJ Scott is looking to become just the third Spartan in school history to lead the team in rushing four straight years (Javon Ringer, 2005-08; Lorenzo White, 1984-87). Although he missed the Big Ten opener at Indiana with an ankle injury, he still leads the team after two games with 103 yards rushing on 30 carries.
• The 6-1, 225-pound Scott is one of 12 Spartan running backs in school history to rush for more than 2,500 career yards. He eclipsed the 2,500-yard mark during the Holiday Bowl and currently ranks 10th in the MSU record book with 2,694 rushing yards. In addition, his 25 career rushing touchdowns are tied for 12th in the school record book.
• Scott has nine career 100-yard rushing games, including three in 2017 (career-high 194 yards at Minnesota on Oct. 14; 147 vs. Maryland on Nov. 18; 110 vs. Washington State on Dec. 28).
• In 40 career games, including 20 starts, Scott has rushed for 2,694 yards (67.4 ypg; 4.8 avg.) and 25 touchdowns. Scott ranks 10th in MSU history in carries (561) and rushing yards (2,694) and tied for 12th in rushing touchdowns (25).
• Scott left the Arizona State game in the second half and didn't play in the Big Ten opener at Indiana. In his place, sophomore Connor Heyward and true freshman La'Darius Jefferson, a high school quarterback, have received the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges has also seen brief time in the playing rotation. Heyward has 22 carries for 87 yards, while Jefferson has 13 carries for 54 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.
SPARTANS FEATURE POTENT PASSING ATTACK –
• All three of Michigan State's starting wide receivers from last season are back this year, and the trio of senior Felton Davis III, junior Darrell Stewart and sophomore Cody White is picking up right where they left off in 2017. The trio has accounted for 45 receptions (69 percent of team total), 599 receiving yards (73 percent) and three touchdowns (60 percent).
• White leads the team and ranks second in the Big Ten with 86.7 receiving yards per game (260 total). He also ranks first on the team and fourth in the conference in receptions (6.0 per game; 18 total). Thirteen of his 18 catches (72 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown.
• Davis is second on the team in receiving yards (212; 70.7 ypg) and third in catches (13; 4.3 pg). Eleven of his 13 receptions (85 percent) have resulted in either a TD or first down.
• Stewart is second on the Spartans in receptions (14; 4.7 pg) and third in receiving yards (127; 43.2 ypg).
VETERAN FELTON DAVIS IS MSU'S ACTIVE LEADING RECEIVER –
• Senior Felton Davis III is MSU's active leader in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,188) and touchdown catches (11). He has played in 35 career games, including 16 consecutive starts.
• Davis led a young receiving corps last season with career highs in receptions (55), receiving yards (776) and touchdown catches (9), all of which ranked among the Big Ten leaders (tied for third in TD catches with nine; tied for seventh in receptions at 4.2 pg; seventh in receiving yards at 59.7 ypg). Forty-three of his 55 receptions (78 percent) were for either a first down or a touchdown. Davis' career-high nine TD catches also tied for 25th in the FBS. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third team by the coaches.
• Davis got off to an excellent start his senior season with three catches for 69 yards vs. Utah State, including a diving 31-yard grab late in the fourth quarter on MSU's game-winning touchdown drive against the Aggies.
During the game, Davis become the 43rd Spartan in school history to cross the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career.
• Davis recorded his third 100-yard receiving game of the 2017 season in the Holiday Bowl, hauling in four catches for 118 yards against Washington State, including a career-long 49-yard touchdown pass from Brian Lewerke in the second quarter. The 118 receiving yards were fifth most by a Spartan in a bowl game.
CODY WHITE LEADS SPARTANS IN CATCHES AND RECEIVING YARDS –
• Sophomore Cody White leads the team and ranks second in the Big Ten with 86.7 receiving yards per game (260 total). He also ranks first on the team and fourth in the conference in receptions (6.0 per game; 18 total). Thirteen of his 18 catches (72 percent) have resulted in either a first down or touchdown.
• White recorded his second career 100-yard receiving game with 113 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the third quarter, at Arizona State. He also tied his career high with nine receptions (Northwestern, 2017).
• White, a BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, closed his first year in the Green and White with the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history with 490. His 35 catches were second most by a true freshman (Sedrick Irvin with 40 in 1996) and most by a true freshman wide receiver (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008).
• White, who started the last six games in 2017, ranked third on the team in catches (35) and receiving yards (490) and second in touchdown receptions (4). 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.
SHUFFLING ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE –
• Michigan State has featured three different starting lineup combinations along the offensive line during the first three games of the season. The right side of the line has been consistent with sophomores Kevin Jarvis (RG) and Jordan Reid (RT) starting all three games and seeing a majority of the time at their respective positions.
• The only starter the Spartans lost from last season, Brian Allen, started every game at center, but was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and is now playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Junior Tyler Higby, who started at 13 games at left guard over the course of 2016 and 2017, started the first two games at center, but sophomore Matt Allen took over the starting job at Indiana on Sept. 22. Allen became the third member of the Allen family to start at center for the Spartans, joining his older brothers Jack and Brian.
• Three different players have started at left tackle in 2018. Junior Cole Chewins, who started every game in 2017, has been battling back from an injury and only seen brief time in 2018. 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. Fifth-year senior David Beedle started the first two games at left guard but was limited at Indiana due to an injury. Tyler Higby started at left tackle in the Big Ten opener at Indiana.
• On defense, the Spartans return 23 letterwinners and nine starters from a unit that finished ranked in the FBS Top 10 in rushing defense (No. 2 at 95.3 ypg) and total defense (No. 7 at 297.6 ypg) in 2017. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 120 of those starts (84 percent). Five of those nine returning starters started in all 13 games last season (LB Joe Bachie, LB Andrew Dowell, DT Mike Panasiuk, NT Raequan Williams, S Khari Willis).
STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 32.7 yards per game (98 yards total through three games; Utah State with 25, Arizona State with 44, Indiana with 29).
• MSU is one of only four teams in the FBS, along with Fresno State, Georgia and San Diego State, to not allow a rush of more than 20 yards this season. The longest rush MSU has given up was a 14-yard quarterback scramble by Arizona State's Manny Wilkins. MSU is also one of just two teams (Air Force) to allow only four runs of 10-plus yards.
• The Spartans have held their opponents under 50 yards rushing for five consecutive games, dating back to last season, and under 100 yards rushing for six straight games. MSU has only allowed 136 rushing yards in its last five games (27.2 ypg), dating back to last season.
• Last season, MSU ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense (95.3 ypg). In the Dantonio era, Michigan State has held its opponent below 100 yards rushing in 75 of 148 games (51 percent). MSU is 65-10 (.867) during those games.
• 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 148 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 75 times (51 percent). MSU is 65-10 (.867) in those games, including a 55-5 (.917) record since 2010.
SPARTANS RANK FOURTH IN BIG TEN WITH FIVE INTERCEPTIONS IN JUST THREE GAMES –
• Michigan State ranks fourth in the Big Ten with five interceptions in just three games this season. MSU's 1.67 average is tops in the Big Ten and tied for 13th best in the FBS.
• Five different players - LB Joe Bachie, CB Shakur Brown, S Matt Morrissey, LB Antjuan Simmons and S Khari Willis - have recorded interceptions this season for MSU.
• Redshirt freshman cornerback Shakur Brown returned an interception 69 yards for a TD in the first quarter at Indiana to give MSU a 14-0 lead. It was MSU's first pick six since Tyson Smith vs. Bowling Green in 2017 and it marked MSU's 30th defensive TD in the Dantonio era.
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 BIG TEN 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.
• Bachie is right back at it this season, leading the Big Ten with 10.0 tackles per game (30 total; 20 solo and 10 assists). Against Utah State, Bachie had 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses. He sealed the victory after he batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and then dove for the interception with 1:15 left in the game. Bachie had 10 tackles and a 2-yard sack at Arizona State, and posted nine stops at Indiana.
• A third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches and media, Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2017.
• In last season's win at No. 7 Michigan, Bachie became just the second Big Ten linebacker and fifth in the FBS in the last five years (since 2012) to record double-digit tackles (10) and at least one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and one pass break-up in the same game.
• In 21 career games, including 16 consecutive starts, Bachie has 142 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions.
FROM WALK-ON TO LEADING THE TEAM IN TACKLES FOR LOSS AND SACKS –
• Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on for the 2015 season, emerged as a force on the defensive line for the Spartans in 2017. A chemistry major, Willekes earned a scholarship in the spring of 2017 and hasn't looked back since. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (19.5), started 12 games at defensive end and led the team in tackles for loss (14.5 for 42 yards) and sacks (7.0 for 28 yards). He ranks fifth in FBS among active career leaders with 1.15 tackles for loss per game, one of just 11 active players in country with more than 1.0 TFL/game, including just one of six with more than 1.1 TFL/game (Ed Oliver of Houston leads active players with 1.52 TFL/game).
• After playing in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Willekes earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 with a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
• Willekes entered this season on the preseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, and began his junior season with a two-sack performance against Utah State. He also recorded two sacks in a game three times last season (Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland).
• Willekes leads the Spartans in tackles for loss (5) and sacks (3) through the first three games of the season. He ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (1.0 pg) and tied for fourth in TFLs (1.67 pg).
MATT COGHLIN PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE BIG TEN'S BEST PLACEKICKERS –
• Sophomore Matt Coghlin has made 13 consecutive field goals, dating back to the Penn State game last season, which is tied for the second-longest streak in school history. Paul Edinger also made 13 straight in 1998, while Brett Swenson holds the school record with 15 straight, set during the 2008 season.
• Coghlin is 5-for-5 in field-goal attempts this season, which ranks tied for first in the Big Ten.
• Coghlin was named the Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at Indiana. He scored on a 6-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal in the third quarter to give MSU a 28-7 lead over Indiana, becoming the first Spartan to score a touchdown and then kick the PAT on his own TD since Sam Williams in 1958 against Wisconsin. Coghlin also connected on all five of his PATs in MSU's 35-21 win at Indiana.
• The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is tied for first in the Big Ten in scoring (10.0 ppg), field-goal percentage (1.000; 5-for-5) and PAT percentage (1.000; 9-for-9).
• Coghlin also was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired against No. 7 Penn State last season.
SPARTANS LOOKING FOR INTERIM REPLACEMENT AT PUNTER –
• Entering the 2018 season, Michigan State had only three starting punters in the Mark Dantonio era: Aaron Bates (2007-10), Mike Sadler (2011-14) and Jake Hartbarger (2015-present); however, Hartbarger was injured in the fourth quarter at Arizona State - just one punt after he booted a career-long 74-yarder - and Dantonio announced on Sept. 10 that Hartbarger would be out 6-8 weeks with a lower-leg injury. Â
• Two Spartan punters made their collegiate debuts against Indiana. Redshirt freshman Tyler Hunt was the starter, punting four times for 155 yards (38.8 avg.), including a long of 46 yards, while fellow redshirt freshman Bryce Baringer, who joined the team as a walk-on during the bye week, punted twice for 34.0 yards.
• Back-up quarterback and redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi was the emergency punter at Arizona State, and filled in once for Hartbarger, punting his only attempt 32 yards in the fourth quarter. MSU also has a walk-on true freshman punter, William Przystup, on the 2018 roster.
RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 84-18 (.824) when outrushing its opponent, including a 68-11 record (.861) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 18-28 (.391) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 39-6 (.867) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
ROUGH SLEDDING AGAINST SPARTANS –
• In 148 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 75 times (51 percent). MSU is 65-10 (.867) in those games, including a 55-5 (.917) record since 2010.
TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS –
• Michigan State's record-setting three-year stretch in which it won 36 games from 2013-15 was fueled by creating turnovers and limiting mistakes. The Spartans ranked in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 10 and led the Big Ten in turnover margin for three consecutive seasons from 2013-15 (No. 10 in 2013 at +0.93; No. 2 in 2014 at +1.46; No. 4 in 2015 at +1.00).
• Michigan State has forced at least one turnover in 119 of 148 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (80 percent of the games since 2007).
• Michigan State is 65-13 (.833) when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under head coach Mark Dantonio.
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 60-18 record (.769) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history.
• MSU is 45-12 (.789) at home since 2010 and 29-7 (.806) since 2013.
• Mark Dantonio is 29-4 (.879) 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.
SPARTANS SUCCESSFUL IN NONCONFERENCE GAMES –
• Mark Dantonio is 38-15 (.717) against nonconference opponents, including a 29-4 (.879) mark in Spartan Stadium. Dantonio is 28-1 (.966) against teams in the Group of Five conferences.
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 16th in the FBS in time of possession in 2018 (33:44-26:16).
• The Spartans have led in time of possession in 68 percent of games under Mark Dantonio; the Spartans own an .819 winning percentage (81-19) in those games.
SPARTANS RANKED FOR 14TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK IN AP POLL –
• Coming in at No. 21 this week, Michigan State has been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 for 14 consecutive weeks.
• Michigan State entered the national polls for the first time in 2017 on Oct. 8 following its 14-10 win at No. 7 Michigan. The Spartans debuted at No. 21 in The Associated Press Poll and No. 22 in the Amway Coaches Poll. It marked the first time MSU was ranked since Sept. 25, 2016, when the Spartans were ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll. At that time, MSU had been ranked for a school-record 46 consecutive weeks, spanning back to Oct. 27, 2013. For 33 of those 46 weeks, MSU had been ranked in the Top 10.
• Michigan State is 62-18 (.775) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Dantonio.
• As a ranked team, Michigan State has only lost to an unranked opponent five times under Dantonio (44-5; at Notre Dame, 2011; at Nebraska, 2015; at Indiana, 2016; at Northwestern, 2017; at Arizona State, 2018). Northwestern won 10 games and finished No. 17 in the final 2017 AP Poll.
DANTONIO & STAFF PARTICIPATE IN COACH TO CURE MD PROJECT –
• This Saturday, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and his staff will join thousands of coaches nationwide in all levels of collegiate football by wearing an armband with the Coach to Cure MD logo to raise awareness and research funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer diagnosed in childhood.
• Coach To Cure MD is a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), a professional organization for over 10,000 college football coaches and staff, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest national charity devoted exclusively to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
• In 2008 the AFCA adopted PPMD's Coach To Cure MD program as one of their charity efforts. One reason the AFCA was drawn to Coach To Cure MD was because of the unique parallels between Duchenne, a disorder which robs young men of precious muscle strength and college football, a game where young men are at the peak of their muscle strength. The goals of Coach To Cure MD are simple: Raise national awareness of the disorder and raise money to fund research for a cure.
• Over the last 10 years, Coach To Cure MD has raised over $2 million for Duchenne research. Please visit CoachToCureMD.org for more information.
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