Spartans Look to Reclaim Paul Bunyan Trophy, Face No. 15 Michigan on Saturday in Ann Arbor

Game 10: Michigan State (4-5, 2-4 B1G) at No. 15 Michigan (7-2, 4-2 B1G)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. EST
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (107,601)
Surface: FieldTurf
TV/Web/Mobile: FOX/FOX Sports app/FOXSportsGo.com
Announcers: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Jenny Taft (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 383 (XM), Ch. 972 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: UM leads, 70-36-5
Series in Ann Arbor: UM leads, 49-22-3
Last Meeting: UM 21, MSU 7 (2018)
Current Series Streak: 1 by Michigan (2018-)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 111-56 (13th year)
Overall Record: 129-73 (16th year)
Record vs. Michigan: 8-4

Michigan Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Michigan Record: 45-16 (fifth year)
Overall Record: 103-43 (12th year)
Record vs. MSU: 2-2

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Michigan State will look for its ninth win in the last 12 meetings against Michigan as the Spartans take on the No. 15 Wolverines Saturday, Nov. 16 in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. in Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. The Spartans (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) fell at home last Saturday to Illinois, 37-34, while the Wolverines (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) had a bye week.

• Michigan State has a two-game winning streak over Michigan in Ann Arbor, including a 14-10 victory over the No. 7 Wolverines in 2017. The Spartans beat No. 12 Michigan in 2015, 27-23, as Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt and ran it back 38 yards for a TD as time expired. The unforgettable touchdown was named the No. 1 play of the 2015 season at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Atlanta on Dec. 10.

• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 8-4 during his tenure against Michigan, including a 4-1 record in Michigan Stadium. Dantonio's .667 winning percentage is the highest for any Spartan coach against the Wolverines (second: Duffy Daugherty, .579, 10-7-2 record from 1954-72). Dantonio is 6-4 against ranked Michigan teams.

• Saturday's game marks the 112th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 70-36-5, including a 49-22-3 record in Ann Arbor; however, since 1950, Michigan holds just a seven-game edge, 37-30-2. Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 37-27-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.

• From 2008 to 2017, Michigan State defeated Michigan eight times in 10 meetings, the best record for MSU over Michigan in a 10-year span (previous best: 7-1-2).

• The team with the most productive ground attack has won 44 of the last 49 games in the MSU-UM series.
Since Mark Dantonio's arrival to MSU in 2007, the Spartans have outrushed the Wolverines by 767 yards (1,938-1,171). In six of those 12 games, Michigan has been held to 100 rushing yards or fewer, including a school-record low minus-48 yards in 2013.

• Midseason All-American and 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the Big Ten in tackles for loss last season with 20.5, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The award is given annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes ranks second among all FBS players with 44.0 career tackles for loss (1.22 per game) and is second on the team this season with 9.0 tackles for loss, including a team-best 5.5 sacks. He is also tied for third on the team with 55 tackles. Willekes was named a first-team midseason All-American by Rivals.com. He is tied for fourth in school history with 44 tackles for loss in his career; he needs four more TFLs to tie Julian Peterson (48) for the most in school history. In two career games against the Wolverines, Willekes has 18 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

• Junior Star (weakside) linebacker Antjuan Simmons has burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter for the Spartans, leading the team and ranking tied for third in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (12.0 for 38 yards) and ranking second on the team in tackles (65). He also has 2.5 sacks (12 yards), three pass break-ups and one interception. He leads the team in production points (unofficial team stat) with 189. Simmons attended high school in Ann Arbor at Pioneer High School.

• Against Illinois on Nov. 9, fifth-year senior quarterback Brian Lewerke became the first Spartan quarterback to eclipse 7,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in his career. Lewerke currently ranks fourth at MSU with 7,226 yards passing and third among QBs with 1,157 yards rushing. The Phoenix, Arizona, native is ranked among the Big Ten leaders in pass attempts (first with 298), pass completions (second with 166), total offense (third with 253.0 ypg), passing (fourth with 223.6 ypg) and total passing yards (fourth with 2,012). He is one of three Spartan QBs in school history to throw for 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, joining Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook. Lewerke threw for a career-best 2,793 yards as a sophomore in 2017, 2,040 yards as a junior in 2018, and is at 2,012 yards as a senior in 2019.

• With the triumph over Northwestern on Sept. 21, Mark Dantonio became Michigan State's all-time winningest coach, passing Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, who collected a 109-69-5 record in East Lansing from 1954-72 (19 seasons). Dantonio owns a 111-56 (.665) record at Michigan State and has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active 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). Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.638, 67-38 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (67), home wins (66) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.665). Dantonio is 11th in Big Ten history in conference wins (67) and tied for 12th in overall victories (111).

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-Fr. Elijah Collins (143 carries for 715 yards, 5.0 avg., 5 TDs)
Passing – Sr.-5 Brian Lewerke (166-of-298, .557, 2,012 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INTs)
Receiving – Sr.-5 Darrell Stewart (47 catches for 694 yards, 14.8 avg., 4 TDs)
Tackles – Sr. Joe Bachie (71 tackles, 36 solos, 35 assists, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 PBUs, 1 INT)

Michigan:
Rushing – Fr. Zach Charbonnet (117 carries for 559 yards, 4.8 avg., 11 TDs)
Passing – Sr. Shea Patterson (135-of-236, .572, 1,773 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INTs)
Receiving – So. Ronnie Bell (28 catches for 471 yards, 16.8 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Sr. Khaleke Hudson (78 tackles, 34 solos, 44 assists, 3.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 3 PBUs)

STAT LEADERS VS. MICHIGAN –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Sr.-5 Brian Lewerke (3 games, 22 carries for 74 yards, 3.4 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Sr.-5 Brian Lewerke (3 games, 22-of-54, .407, 260 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Sr.-5 Darrell Stewart (3 games, 5 catches for 66 yards, 13.2 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Sr.-5 Kenny Willekes (2 games, 18 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks)

A QUICK GLANCE AT MICHIGAN (7-2, 4-2 BIG TEN) –
• The Wolverines are ranked No. 15 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 14 in the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll rankings. Michigan has a 7-2 record overall and 4-2 Big Ten mark, winning its last two games, and is coming off its second bye of the season. Last time out, the Wolverines routed Maryland, 38-7, on the road, which came on the heels of a 45-14 win over No. 8 Notre Dame on Oct. 26.

• In the win at Maryland, the Wolverines scored on the opening kickoff and jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead that swelled to 35-0 late in the third quarter. UM amassed 331 yards of total offense with 176 through the air and 155 on the ground. The Wolverine defense limited the Terrapins to 233 yards of total offense with 129 rushing and 104 passing, with one interception.

• For the season, Michigan is fifth in the B1G and 11th in the FBS in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), while ranking sixth in the B1G and 50th in the FBS in scoring offense (31.8 ppg).

• The Wolverines are third in the league and seventh in the nation in total defense (266.2 ypg), ranking third in the conference and fifth in the country in passing yards allowed (153.6 ypg) as well as sixth in the B1G and 21st in the FBS in rushing defense (112.7 ypg).

• Offensively, UM is seventh in the B1G in total offense (389.9 ypg), as well as seventh in the league in rushing offense (170.7 ypg) and ninth in passing offense (219.2 ypg).

MSU/MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES –
• Michigan State has a two-game winning streak over Michigan in Ann Arbor, including a 14-10 victory over the No. 7 Wolverines in 2017. The Spartans beat No. 12 Michigan in 2015, 27-23, as Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt and ran it back 38 yards for a TD as time expired. The unforgettable touchdown was named the No. 1 play of the 2015 season at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Atlanta on Dec. 10.

• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 8-4 during his tenure against Michigan, including a 4-1 record in Michigan Stadium. Dantonio's .667 winning percentage is the highest for any Spartan coach against the Wolverines (second: Duffy Daugherty, .579, 10-7-2 record from 1954-72). Dantonio is 6-4 against ranked Michigan teams.

• Saturday's game marks the 112th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 70-36-5, including a 49-22-3 record in Ann Arbor; however, since 1950, Michigan holds just a seven-game edge, 37-30-2.

• From 2008 to 2017, Michigan State defeated Michigan eight times in 10 meetings, the best record for MSU over Michigan in a 10-year span (previous best: 7-1-2).

BATTLE FOR THE PAUL BUNYAN TROPHY –
• Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 37-27-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.

BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS –
• Michigan State's 2019 roster features 54 players from the state of Michigan.

SPARTANS RANK SECOND IN ALL-TIME VICTORIES vs. MICHIGAN –
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan. Only Ohio State (51) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (36).

SPARTANS RANK SECOND IN ALL-TIME VICTORIES AT MICHIGAN STADIUM –
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Only Ohio State (21) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (20) at Michigan Stadium (opened in 1927). In addition, only Ohio State (23) has recorded more wins over Michigan in Ann Arbor than the Spartans (22).

LONG HISTORY OF BIG WINS OVER MICHIGAN –
• Michigan State has defeated Michigan 20 times when the Wolverines were ranked in the AP Top 25, including 11 wins in the top 10.

Jalen Watts-Jackson fumble return vs. Michigan 2015

Jalen Watts-Jackson fumble return vs. Michigan 2015

MSU'S LAST-SECOND WIN AT MICHIGAN IN 2015 PRODUCED NO. 1 PLAY OF THE SEASON –
• Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt and ran it back 38 yards for a TD as time expired to give No. 7 Michigan State a 27-23 victory at No. 12 Michigan on Oct. 17, 2015. The unforgettable touchdown was named the No. 1 play of the 2015 season at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Atlanta on Dec. 10.

THE LAST MEETING IN ANN ARBOR –
Oct. 7, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP): Mark Dantonio has done what seemed improbable a decade ago and in the previous century, figuring out a way to help Michigan State have its way with Michigan on a consistent basis. Brian Lewerke ran for a touchdown and threw for a score in the first half and the Spartans held on to beat the seventh-ranked Wolverines 14-10.

The Wolverines had the ball late with a chance to drive for a go-ahead TD, but a heave from the Spartans 37 as time expired hit the turf near the goal line. Michigan could not overcome many mistakes, including five turnovers and several costly penalties. John O'Korn, replacing injured starter Wilton Speight, threw three interceptions in the second half. Ty Isaac and Sean McKeon fumbled.

The Wolverines opened with a 16-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock, but they had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. They didn't lead again against Dantonio, who has taken control of a rivalry that has historically been tilted in Michigan's favor.

Lewerke scored a go-ahead TD on a 14-yard run late in the first quarter. He threw a 16-yard pass to Madre London to put the Spartans up 14-3 midway through the second quarter. Michigan scored its only touchdown midway through the third quarter on Khalid Hill's 1-yard run to cut it to 14-10.

The Spartans didn't have a first down in the second half until their final drive of the game, a possession that started with 2:13 and ended with a punt from the Michigan 47 that went through the end zone with 34 seconds left.

Michigan began its last drive with 34 seconds and no timeouts left and picked up 30 yards on the first snap on a 15-yard pass to Karan Higdon and a 15-yard penalty on Chris Frey for tacking him out of bounds. The Wolverines wilted after that as Eddie McDoom dropped a pass and they had to back up 5 yards due to a delay-of-game penalty.

LAST TIME OUT: ILLINOIS 37, MICHIGAN STATE 34
• Michigan State led 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth quarter, but Illinois recorded its biggest comeback win in school history with 27 points in the final quarter to win, 37-34.

OFFENSE
• Brian Lewerke finished with 347 yards of total offense (251 passing, 96 rushing), marking his 11th career game with more than 300 yards of total offense and the fifth-highest output of his career . . . Lewerke finished with a career-high 96 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a 42-yard TD in the second quarter . . . Lewerke's 42-yard TD run was the second-longest TD run of his career (61 yards vs. Western Michigan in 2017) and third-longest run overall of his career (61 vs. WMU, 52 vs. Notre Dame in 2017) . . . Lewerke was 19-of-36 passing for 251 yards, marking his 18th career game with 200 yards passing . . . Lewerke also became the first Spartan QB to eclipse 7,000 yards passing (7,226) and 1,000 yards rushing (1,157) in his career.

• Elijah Collins recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game with 170 yards on a career-high 28 carries (6.1 avg.) . . . the 170 rushing yards were the second most by a Spartan against Illinois (Javon Ringer with 194 in 2005) . . . Collins' previous career high in carries was 19 vs. Arizona State . . . Collins scored two TDs for the first time in his career (1 yard in the first quarter; 6 yards in the second quarter).

• Cody White had season highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (128) . . . it marked White's fourth career 100-yard receiving game and first of the season.

• Freshman wide receiver Tre Mosley caught three passes for 32 yards, including his first career touchdown with an 18-yard grab in the second quarter . . . Mosley has seven catches for 69 yards in his first two career games (Penn State, Illinois).

• Michigan State started four true freshmen on offense, all of them making their first career starts: WR Julian Barnett, LG J.D. Duplain, WR Tre Mosley and C Nick Samac.

• The Spartans had 526 yards of offense, the second time this season going over the 500-yard mark for total offense this season (582 vs. Western Michigan) . . . MSU had eight plays from scrimmage of 20-plus yards (five rushing, three passing).

• MSU had a season-high 275 rushing yards on 51 attempts . . . MSU had five rushing plays of 20-plus yards; the Spartans had only six rushes of 20-plus yards entering the game.

DEFENSE
• Making his first career start, sophomore linebacker Noah Harvey led MSU with nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss (11 yards) and 1.5 sacks (11 yards) . . . Harvey also had two pass break-ups.

• Kenny Willekes had 1.5 sacks (6 yards) and now has 5.5 sacks this season and 9.0 tackles for loss.
• Antjuan Simmons started his ninth game of the season, but his first career game at middle linebacker, and collected six tackles, including one for a 3-yard loss.

• Shakur Brown recorded his second career interception with a pick in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

• MSU held Illinois to a season-low 36 rushing yards on 27 carries.

• Mike Panasiuk had his starting streak of 37 consecutive games snapped after being limited in practice earlier in the week due to sickness; Panasiuk did play in the game and had one tackle and one pass break-up.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Tate Hallock forced a fumble on a kickoff in the second quarter and it was recovered by Davion Williams; following the fumble recovery, MSU scored a touchdown three plays later on 6-yard TD run by Elijah Collins.

• Matt Coghlin was 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts, including a 23-yarder in the third quarter and a 46-yarder in the fourth quarter.

SPARTAN ROSTER FULL OF EXPERIENCE –
• The Spartan defense features six seniors and a combined 243 career starts among the projected starters on this week's depth chart (Raequan Williams, 38 starts; Mike Panasiuk, 37 starts; Kenny Willekes, 34 starts; David Dowell, 32 starts; Josiah Scott, 26 starts; Tyriq Thompson, 21 starts; Jacub Panasiuk, 20 starts; Josh Butler, 16 starts; Antjuan Simmons and Xavier Henderson, nine starts each). Three players (Williams, David Dowell, Willekes) have started 27 consecutive games together, and five players (those previous three plus Thompson and Jacub Panasiuk) have started 19 straight games together. Mike Panasiuk had his starting streak of 37 consecutive games snapped vs. Illinois after being limited in practice earlier in the week due to sickness; Panasiuk did play in the game and had one tackle and one pass break-up.

KENNY WILLEKES RANKS SECOND AMONG FBS PLAYERS IN TACKLES FOR LOSS –
• Midseason All-American and 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the Big Ten in tackles for loss last season with 20.5, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The award is given annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes ranks second among all FBS players with 44.0 career tackles for loss (1.22 per game) and is second on the team this season with 9.0 tackles for loss, including a team-best 5.5 sacks. He is also tied for third on the team with 55 tackles. Willekes was named a first-team midseason All-American by Rivals.com. He is tied for fourth in school history with 44 tackles for loss in his career; he needs four more TFLs to tie Julian Peterson (48) for the most in school history. In two career games against the Wolverines, Willekes has 18 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

• Willekes was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive performance in the season opener vs. Tulsa. Willekes scored his first career touchdown after teaming up on a sack with Raequan Williams and pouncing on the fumble in the end zone to give MSU a 22-0 lead with 4:49 left in the second quarter. Earlier in the second quarter, he recovered a fumble after a bad Tulsa snap to set up an MSU field goal. He also had a 1-yard tackle for loss in the second quarter and a 2-yard sack in the fourth quarter. Overall, Willekes led the Spartans with seven tackles, including 2.5 TFLs (6 yards) and 1.5 sacks (5 yards).

• After leading the Big Ten with 20.5 tackles for loss, Willekes was named the 2018 Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American by The Athletic. Willekes became the second Spartan to win the award (Shilique Calhoun in 2013), which is named after MSU's Bubba Smith and Penn State's Courtney Brown and given to the Big Ten's most outstanding defensive lineman, and was the first Spartan defensive end to earn first-team All-America honors since Robaire Smith in 1998. Willekes was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches, media, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, ESPN.com, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, and earned second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Phil Steele, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

• Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the nation. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken fibula in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon, but he fully recovered in time for the 2019 season. He was named a first-team preseason All-American by numerous media outlets (Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, Lindy's, Phil Steele, Sporting News and Street & Smith's) and is featured on watch lists for the Walter Camp Award (college player of the year), Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), Nagurski Trophy (nation's most outstanding college defensive player) and Hendricks Award (nation's best defensive end).

• A 6-4, 260-pound native of Rockford, Michigan, Willekes collected a league-best 20.5 tackles for loss in 2018, good for second most in a Spartan single season and eighth most in the FBS in 2018. He also led the Spartans with 8.5 sacks, which ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten. He registered a career-high 78 tackles to rank first among all defensive lineman in the nation, including a career-high 13 against Ohio State on Nov. 3.

• According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes led all edge rushers in the FBS in 2018 with 23 quarterback hits and ranked sixth with 39 QB hurries. Willekes was also the highest-ranked Big Ten edge rusher with a 90.3 grade.

• At the Spartan Football Awards banquet on Nov. 25, 2018, Willekes was named the recipient of the Governor's Award (MVP), becoming the first Spartan defensive end to win the honor since its inception in 1931.

• 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 (seventh in school history with 21) and tackles for loss (tied for fourth in school history with 44). His 44 tackles for loss ranks second among active FBS players and his 1.22 tackles for loss per game average also ranks for second. He has 206 tackles overall in 36 career games, including 34 starts.

• 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 has recorded two sacks in a game six times in his career (2017: Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland; 2018: Utah State, Maryland; 2019: Western Michigan).

MIKE PANASIUK & RAEQUAN WILLIAMS CONSISTENT IN THE MIDDLE OF SPARTAN D-LINE –
• Defensive tackles Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams have started alongside each other on the interior of the defensive line for 37 games during their careers. The duo had their streak of 37 straight starts snapped last week against Illinois as Panasiuk missed the opening series; the streak dated back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. Williams and Panasiuk are a big reason why MSU ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018 and ranked No. 2 in 2017.

• Williams, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by The Associated Press in 2018, recorded career bests in tackles (53), tackles for loss (10.5) and pass break-ups (5) as a junior. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 27 career tackles for loss, including 10.0 career sacks, in 46 career games (38 consecutive starts). Williams currently ranks tied for second on the Spartans in sacks (3.5) and sixth in tackles for loss (5.5).

• Panasiuk, a stalwart on the Spartan defensive line with 37 starts at defensive tackle, was named honorable mention All-Big Ten for the second year in a row in 2018. Panasiuk's numbers are hard to measure in terms of impact, but the Roselle, Illinois, native is a big reason why MSU ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018, allowing just 77.9 yards per game. Panasiuk had 6.0 tackles for loss and two pass break-ups, and led the Spartan defensive tackles unit in production points. He recorded an interception and blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter in the victory over Purdue.

• In 47 career games, Panasiuk has 87 tackles, including 16.5 for losses with four sacks. This season, Panasiuk already has a career-high 7.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and 23 stops overall. He posted a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss, including a sack and forced fumble, at No. 4 Ohio State on Oct. 5.

11.09.19_MSU FTBL VS ILLINI

SIMMONS MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIS STARTING OPPORTUNITY –
• Junior Star (weakside) linebacker Antjuan Simmons has burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter for the Spartans, leading the team and ranking tied for third in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (12.0 for 38 yards) and ranking second on the team in tackles (65). He also has 2.5 sacks (12 yards), three pass break-ups and one interception. He leads the team in production points (unofficial team stat) with 189.

• Simmons played behind former three-year starting Star linebacker Andrew Dowell in 2017 and 2018. Simmons has 131 career tackles, including 14.0 for losses, in 35 games of action.

BRIAN LEWERKE IN HIS THIRD SEASON AS SPARTAN STARTING QB –
• Quarterback Brian Lewerke is in his third season as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. He is just the second Spartan quarterback under Mark Dantonio to be named a captain twice (Kirk Cousins, three times, 2009-11). After a record-setting sophomore season in 2017, Lewerke's junior year was hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered in the win at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, but he is back and healthy for his senior season.

• Lewerke is ranked among the Big Ten leaders in pass attempts (first with 298), pass completions (second with 166), total offense (third with 253.0 ypg), passing (fourth with 223.6 ypg) and total passing yards (fourth with 2,012). He was named one of 20 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior college quarterback. The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 166-of-298 passes (.557) for 2,012 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

• Against Illinois on Nov. 9, Lewerke became the first Spartan quarterback to eclipse 7,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in his career. Lewerke currently ranks fourth at MSU with 7,226 yards passing and third among QBs with 1,157 yards rushing.

• Lewerke is one of three Spartan QBs in school history to throw for 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, joining Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook. Lewerke threw for a career-best 2,793 yards as a sophomore in 2017, 2,040 yards as a junior in 2018, and is at 2,012 yards as a senior in 2019.

• Lewerke also ranks among the school leaders in pass attempts (fourth with 1,111), pass completions (fourth with 627), passing yards per game (fifth with 195.3 ypg), total offense (fourth with 8,383 yards) and passing TDs (tied for seventh with 42).

• Lewerke had a season-high 378 total yards of offense against Indiana (300 passing, 78 rushing), the ninth-highest single-game total in school history and fourth highest of his career (475 vs. Northwestern in 2017; 425 vs. Penn State in 2017; 396 vs. Notre Dame in 2017).

• Lewerke has thrown for more than 300 yards passing seven times in his career and more than 200 yards passing 18 times (tied for fourth in MSU history).

• 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 10 games in 2018, Lewerke rushed 90 times, gaining 351 yards and losing 167 for a net total of 184.

• 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 2017 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).

• 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.

• 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 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).

DARRELL STEWART: MR. CONSISTENCY –
• Although he missed last week's game against Illinois with an injury, fifth-year senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart still ranks among the Big Ten leaders in receiving yards per game (third at 86.8 ypg), receptions per game (third at 5.9 pg), receptions (fourth with 47) and receiving yards (sixth with 694). Stewart's 694 receiving yards and four touchdowns catches are career highs.

• Stewart has three 100-yard receiving games and put together back-to-back 100-yard receiving games (career-high 185 yards vs. Western Michigan on Sept. 7 and 121 vs. Arizona State on Sept. 14) for the first time at MSU since Aaron Burbridge had four straight 100-yard games in 2015. Stewart's impressive performance to start the season made him a late add to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

• Stewart leads MSU with 14 catches of 20-plus yards; although he led MSU in receptions in 2018 with 48, he had just two catches of 20-plus yards last season.

• Stewart had a career-high 185 yards receiving on 10 catches against Western Michigan on Sept. 7; the 185 receiving yards are tied for the 12th-most by a Spartan in a single game (Plaxico Burress, 13 catches for 185 yards vs. Florida on Jan. 1, 2000). In addition, Stewart's 10 catches were the second most in his career (11 at Northwestern in 2017); he had eight catches for 152 yards and one TD in the first half alone. Stewart had four catches of 20-plus yards (42 yards for TD; 33 yards, 22 yards, 21 yards) and also threw a 17-yard pass to Brian Lewerke. Stewart also had two kick returns for 41 yards to compile a career-high 226 all-purpose yards.

• Stewart led Michigan State in 2018 with 48 receptions and ranked third on the team with 413 receiving yards. Stewart missed two games (Central Michigan, Penn State) with an ankle injury.

• The Houston, Texas, native is tied for fourth in the school record book with 148 career receptions and leads all active Spartans with 1,637 receiving yards (23rd in MSU history) and seven TDs in 42 career games, including 20 starting assignments.

ELIJAH COLLINS EMERGING AS ONE OF THE TOP FRESHMAN TAILBACKS IN THE FBS –
• Redshirt freshman Elijah Collins is averaging a team-best 79.4 yards rushing per game (143 carries for 715 yards; 5.0 avg.), which ranks fifth in the Big Ten. His 79.4 ypg also ranks first in the conference and fifth in the country for freshman running backs. A native of Detroit, Collins has three rushing touchdowns.

• In his first career start at tailback on Sept. 7 against Western Michigan, Collins recorded 192 rushing yards on 17 carries, the second most by a Spartan freshman in a single game (Javon Ringer had 194 yards at Illinois in 2005). In addition, Collins' 192 rushing yards were the most by a freshman starting running back in school history. Collins had three rushes of 20-plus yards (career-long 58-yarder in third quarter; 29-yarder on second play from scrimmage; 24-yarder in second quarter).

• Collins recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game with 170 yards on a career-high 28 carries against Illinois on Nov. 9. The 170 rushing yards were the second most by a Spartan against Illinois (Javon Ringer with 194 in 2005). Collins also scored two TDs for the first time in his career.

• Collins redshirted in 2018 and played a total of six offensive snaps in three games.

CODY WHITE RANKS SECOND ON TEAM IN RECEIVING –
• Junior Cody White ranks second on the team with 37 catches for 527 yards and two touchdowns in the first nine games. The Novi, Michigan, product had season highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (128) against Illinois on Nov. 9.

• White has four career 100-yard receiving games (seven catches for 128 yards vs. Illinois in 2019; nine for 113 yards and one TD at Arizona State in 2018; eight for 115 vs. Ohio State in 2018; nine for 165 at Northwestern in 2017).

• 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 2018 season, but unfortunately White suffered a broken left 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; although he missed four games, he still led the Spartans in receiving yards (555; 61.7 ypg) and ranked second in receptions (42).

• A BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, White 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 31 career games, including 23 starts, White has 114 catches for 1,572 yards and eight touchdowns. He is one of 31 players in MSU history with at least 100 career receptions.

JAKE HARTBARGER NAMED TO RAY GUY AWARD WATCH LIST –
• Sixth-year senior Jake Hartbarger is averaging a 43.4 yards per punt, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten. He has 15 punts of 50-plus yards and has placed 29 percent of his punts (15-of-49) inside the 20. Hartbarger was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List on Sept. 30.

• Hartbarger was granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA for the 2019 season. Hartbarger injured his right leg in the second game of the 2018 season at Arizona State on Sept. 8 and was forced to miss the remainder of the year. A three-year starter, Hartbarger entered the 2018 season as a candidate for the Ray Guy Award. Hartbarger's injury led to MSU starting four punters in 2018, the most of any team in the FBS, and a total of five Spartans punted.

• Hartbarger got off to a great start in his return, averaging 47.4 yards per punt (237 yards on five punts) including two inside the 20, against Tulsa in the 2019 season opener. He only punted once against WMU.

• A native of Waterville, Ohio, Hartbarger averaged 42.0 yards per punt and placed a career-high 28 punts inside the 20 to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades as a junior in 2017. He is ranked fifth in MSU history in punting yards (9,961) and punts (235) and sixth in punting average (42.4). He has punted in 50 career games.

• Hartbarger, who has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times, graduated with a bachelor's degree in hospitality business in December 2018. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in marketing research.

PLACEKICKER MATT COGHLIN NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN IN 2018 –
• A 2018 Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, junior Matt Coghlin is back for the Spartans in 2019 and is featured on the Lou Groza Award Watch List. Coghlin has the fourth-highest field-goal percentage of any kicker in MSU history through his two-plus seasons (.754, 46-of-61).

• Coghlin also ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in PAT percentage (first at 100 percent; 86-of-86), field goals made (tied for seventh with 46), PATs (10th with 86) and points scored (tied for 12th with 230).

• Through nine games, Coghlin ranks among the Big Ten leaders in field goals (second with 13), kick scoring (tied for third at 7.8 ppg) and scoring (tied for fifth with 7.8 ppg).

• In the 2019 season opener against Tulsa, Coghlin tied a career high with four field goals (38 yards, 47 yards, 44 yards, 40 yards) and was named one of the Lou Groza Three Stars of the Week; he also kicked four field goals against Rutgers in 2017. He made three more against Western Michigan (38, 23, 20) and connected on seven straight to open the season.

• Coghlin kicked the game-winning field goal vs. Indiana on Sept. 28, a 21-yarder, with five seconds remaining. Although he missed his first field goal (43 yards) of the game, Coghlin connected on a 44-yarder with 3:33 left that extended MSU's lead to 31-24.

• In 2018, Coghlin ranked among the Big Ten leaders in field goals made (tied for second with 18), field-goal percentage (tied for fourth at .818) and scoring (ninth at 6.5 ppg). He made 18 of his 22 field-goal attempts in 2018 (5-of-5 from 20-29 yards; 9-of-10 from 30-39 yards; 4-of-5 from 40-49 yards; 0-2 from 50-plus yards).

• Coghlin was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week against Indiana in 2018 after he scored on a 6-yard TD run on a fake field goal in the third quarter and made all five of his point-after attempts. He became the first Spartan to score an offensive touchdown and then kick the PAT on his own TD since Sam Williams in 1958 against Wisconsin.

• Coghlin set a new school record with 18 consecutive field goals, stretching from the 2017-18 season, before a kick was blocked in the Purdue game on Oct. 27, 2018. That streak was also tied for the fourth longest in Big Ten history.

• In 2018, Coghlin became the sixth Spartan placekicker to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, and the third under Dantonio (Brett Swenson in 2009; Dan Conroy in 2012). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native currently ranks fourth in MSU history in field-goal percentage (46-of-61, .754).

• 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 in 2017.

MARK DANTONIO ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COACHES IN BIG TEN HISTORY –
• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 111-56 (.665) record. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active 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 winningest coach in school history with 111 victories, Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.638, 67-38 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (67), home wins (66) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.665). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in his 12 years in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids (Daugherty owns school record with 11 winning seasons from 1954-72).

• With the triumph over Northwestern on Sept. 21, Dantonio became Michigan State's all-time winningest coach, passing Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, who collected a 109-69-5 record in East Lansing from 1954-72 (19 seasons). Daugherty won four National Championships (1955, 1957, 1965, 1966), two Big Ten Championships (1965, 1966) and the 1956 Rose Bowl. A two-time National Coach of the Year (1955, 1965), Daugherty coached 29 different players to first-team All-America honors and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

• 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 tied for 12th in Big Ten history with 111 wins.

• Overall, Dantonio owns a 129-73 (.639) record in his 15-plus seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 111-56 in 12-plus seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 129 career wins rank 12th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 170).

• 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. 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 129-73 (.639) in 15-plus seasons.

• Dantonio's .638 winning percentage (67-38) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (record: Duffy Daugherty, 72), which also ranks 11th in Big Ten history.

• 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 (Urban Meyer of Ohio State with seven; Jim Tressel 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).

FORMER SPARTAN ALL-AMERICAN CHARLES ROGERS PASSES AWAY –
• Former Michigan State All-American wide receiver Charles Rogers passed away at the age of 38 earlier this week. Rogers, who won the 2002 Biletnikoff Award, is MSU's all-time leader in touchdown catches with 27 and ranks third in school history in receiving yards (2,821) and eighth in catches (135), totals he accumulated in just two seasons (2001-02) with the Spartans.

"The Spartan football family is deeply saddened to learn the news of Charles Rogers passing away," said Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio. "He was an incredible talent who set numerous records at Michigan State and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver in 2002. I was here as an assistant coach during Charles' first year on campus in 2000, and as a defense, we had to go against him in practice every day. He stopped by the football building a few years ago and was really excited and honored to see his All-America plaque and Biletnikoff Award on display in the lobby. We send our condolences to his family, friends and former teammates during this difficult time."

"Charles Rogers was a gifted young man," said Spartan wide receivers coach Don Treadwell, who was also Rogers' position coach at MSU. "He had the total package as a premier wide receiver with size, speed and range, topped with an awesome competitive spirit, yet he was humble off the field. It was a privilege to have coached him. He's a great Spartan warrior who will be deeply missed."

• Rogers caught a then school-record 68 passes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior in 2002 and was selected No. 2 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2003 National Football League Draft. He owns the top-two MSU single-season marks for receiving yards (1,470 in 2001 and 1,351 in 2002) and TD catches (14 in 2001 and 13 in 2002). His 20.90 yards per catch during his career ranks second in the school record book, trailing only College Football Hall of Famer Kirk Gibson (20.96). Rogers was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2002 and was also named the winner of the Governor's Award (team MVP).

• In 2002, Rogers became only the second receiver to MSU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, joining Plaxico Burress, who accomplished the feat in 1998-99. Rogers led the Big Ten in receiving yards (112.6 per game) and TD receptions (13), while ranking third in receptions (5.67 per game). He also ranked among the NCAA leaders in TD catches (third with 13), receiving yards (eighth with 1,351) and receptions (tied for 27th with 68). Fifty-seven of his 68 receptions (84 percent) resulted in first downs.

• With his 21-yard TD reception in the second quarter vs. Northwestern (Sept. 28), Rogers set both then NCAA and Big Ten records by catching a TD pass in his 13th consecutive regular-season game and his 14th straight game overall. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound junior from Saginaw, Michigan, had six 100-yard receiving games in 2002, tying the single-season mark he set as a sophomore. He had a season-best 175 yards vs. Notre Dame (seven catches).

• Rogers produced a school-record 12 career 100-yard receiving games, including a Spartan single-game record 270 yards vs. Fresno State (10 receptions) in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. Rogers accounted for 3,108 career all-purpose yards and his 29 career touchdowns rank 11th on MSU's career chart. He is the only Spartan receiver to record multiple 200-yard receiving games (school-record 270 vs. Fresno State in 2001 and 206 vs. Wisconsin in 2001).

• Following his All-America career at Michigan State, Rogers became only the fourth Spartan player to be picked second overall in the history of the NFL Draft, joining quarterback Earl Morrall (1956, San Francisco 49ers), running back Clinton Jones (1967, Minnesota Vikings) and offensive tackle Tony Mandarich (1989, Green Bay Packers). Charles "Bubba" Smith is the only Michigan State player ever to be selected No. 1 overall (1967, Baltimore Colts) in the NFL Draft. Rogers spent three seasons (2003-05) in the NFL with the Detroit Lions.