No. 25 Spartans Host Indiana For Homecoming

Game 5: Indiana (3-1, 0-1 B1G) at No. 25 Michigan State (3-1, 1-0 B1G)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Kickoff: 3:40 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: BTN/FOX Sports App
Announcers: Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), James Laurinaitis (analyst), Elise Menaker (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 133 (Sirius), Ch. 195 (XM), Ch. 957 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 47-16-2
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 25-6-1
Last Meeting: MSU 35, IU 21 (2018)
Current Series Streak: 2 by MSU (2017-)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 110-52 (13th year)
Overall Record: 128-69 (16th year)
Record vs. IU: 9-1

Indiana Head Coach: Tom Allen
IU Record: 13-16 (third year)
Overall Record: 13-16 (third year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-2

FIRST-AND-10 –
• No. 25 Michigan State welcomes Indiana for Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:40 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on BTN, with Brandon Gaudin, James Laurinaitis and Elise Menaker on the call. MSU enters the contest at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten after winning at Northwestern last Saturday, 31-10, while the Hoosiers are 3-1 (0-1 B1G) following their 38-3 victory at home against Connecticut.

• With the triumph over Northwestern, Mark Dantonio became Michigan State's all-time winningest coach with 110 victories in his 13-year tenure. Dantonio passed Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, who collected a 109-69-5 record in East Lansing from 1954-72 (19 seasons). Dantonio owns a 110-52 (.679) 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 (.660, 66-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (66), home wins (65) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.679). Dantonio also tied Murray Warmath of Minnesota (1954-71) for 11th place in Big Ten history with his 66th conference win.

• Saturday's game marks the 66th meeting between Michigan State and Indiana. The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Hoosiers, 47-16-2, including a 25-6-1 record in East Lansing. Michigan State topped IU at Bloomington last season, 35-21. Dantonio is 9-1 during his tenure against Indiana, including a 5-0 mark at Spartan Stadium.

• Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon. The brass spittoon 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 and the National Football Foundation will recognize the program's all-time leading rusher, Lorenzo White, during Saturday's game as part of NFF's On-Campus Salute. White is a member of the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Class and his name was added to Spartan Stadium's Ring of Fame this season. A two-time All-American, White is the most accomplished running back in the rich history of Michigan State football, ranking first in the school record books in rushing yards (4,887), rushing attempts (1,082), rushing touchdowns (43) and 100-yard games (23). The two-time first-team All-American and All-Big Ten selection (1985, 1987) finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in both of those seasons. His 4,887 rushing yards ranked second in Big Ten history following his departure from East Lansing and still rank eighth all-time in league history. He was named the No. 1 running back in the Big Ten in the 1980s by the Big Ten Network and led the Spartans in rushing four consecutive seasons (1984-87). White rushed for a career-high 292 yards on a school-record 56 carries in MSU's 27-3 over No. 16 Indiana on Nov. 14, 1987, that clinched the Big Ten title for the Spartans.

• This year's theme for Michigan State's 104th Homecoming is "Spartans Inspire Success." The 2019 MSU Homecoming Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27; the parade starts at the Hannah Community Center, travels down Abbot to Grand River, and into campus at the Farm Lane entrance. For more information on Homecoming, please visit homecoming.msu.edu. Susan Packard, former HGTV COO, author and MSU alumna, was selected as grand marshal for the university's 2019 homecoming celebration. Michigan State is 67-33-3 (.665) in 103 Homecoming games, including a 9-3 record under Dantonio.

• For the fourth time in his career, senior linebacker Joe Bachie has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Bachie was all over the field in MSU's 31-10 win at Northwestern. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles (13 solo, one assist) to lead the Spartan defense, marking his 11th career game with double-figure tackles and second straight this season (12 vs. Arizona State on Sept. 14). Bachie had a 9-yard sack in the first quarter to set the tone for the Spartans, and finished with two tackles for loss (10 yards) overall. The native of Brook Park, Ohio, also picked off his fifth career pass and returned it 19 yards in the fourth quarter. In addition, Bachie had two pass break-ups and one quarterback hurry. Bachie leads the Spartans and ranks second in the Big Ten in total tackles (39) and fifth in tackles per game (9.8 avg.). He also is tied for the team lead with four pass break-ups in addition to 3.5 tackles for loss (13 yards) and 1.5 sacks (10 yards).

• Defensively, the Spartans continue to rank among the national leaders in rushing defense (No. 3 at 52.3 ypg), total defense (No. 5 at 228.3 ypg), sacks (No. 9 at 3.8 pg), scoring defense (No. 10 at 11.0 ppg) and turnovers gained (tied for No. 14 at 9).

• Fifth-year senior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks third in the Big Ten in passing (256.3 ypg) and total offense (273.5 ypg) and second in total passing yards (1,025). The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 86-of-138 passes (.623) for 1,025 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Lewerke became just the fifth Spartan player to eclipse 7,000 yards of total offense in his career during the Northwestern game and is currently ranked fifth in the school record book with 7,200 total yards. Lewerke also ranks among the school leaders in pass attempts (fourth with 951), passing yards (fifth with 6,239 yards), pass completions (fourth with 547), passing yards per game (fifth with 195.0 ypg) and passing TDs (eighth with 37). Lewerke has 961 rushing yards and needs just 39 more yards on the ground to become only the second quarterback in MSU history to throw for 6,000 passing yards and rush for 1,000 yards (Drew Stanton with 6,524 passing yards and 1,502 rushing yards from 2003-06).

• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart leads the Big Ten in receptions (30) and receiving yards (439) and is second in the conference, only to Purdue's Rondale Moore, in receptions per game (7.5 pg) and receiving yards per game (109.8 ypg). Stewart 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 (156 vs. Rutgers on Oct. 10; 132 vs. Michigan on Oct. 17; 128 yards vs. Indiana on Oct. 24; 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7). Stewart opened Big Ten play with five catches for 77 yards at Northwestern. Stewart also ranks among the FBS leaders in total receptions (tied for sixth with 30), total receiving yards (sixth with 439), receptions per game (tied for ninth with 7.5 pg) and receiving yards per game (10th with 109.8 ypg). Stewart's impressive performance to start the season has made him a late add to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

Mike Panasiuk, Raequan Williams

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-Fr. Elijah Collins (61 carries for 357 yards, 5.9 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – Sr.-5 Brian Lewerke (86-of-138, .623, 1,025 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Sr.-5 Darrell Stewart (30 catches for 439 yards, 14.6 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Sr. Joe Bachie (39 tackles, 19 solos, 20 assists, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 4 PBUs, 1 INT)

Indiana:
Rushing – So. Stevie Scott (58 carries for 215 yards, 3.7 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – Jr. Peyton Ramsey (55-of-74, .743, 635 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – So. Peyton Hendershot (18 catches for 234 yards, 13.0 avg., 3 TDs)
Tackles – Sr.-5 Reakwon Jones (24 tackles, 14 solos, 10 assists, 0.5 TFL)

CURRENT SPARTANS VS. INDIANA –
Career Stat Leaders:
Rushing – Jalen Nailor (3 carries for 79 yards, 26.3 avg, 1 TD)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (30-of-54, .556, 398 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Cody White (10 catches for 176 yards, 17.6 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Joe Bachie (22 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack)

A GLANCE AT INDIANA (3-1, 0-1 B1G) –
• The Hoosiers bring a 3-1 overall and 0-1 Big Ten ledger into Saturday's game with the Spartans. Saturday is also Indiana's first true road game, after a neutral site game vs. in-state foe Ball State played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the season opener on Aug. 31. IU then had three home games, routing Eastern Illinois, 52-0, on Sept. 7, before beaten by the sixth-ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State in the B1G opener on Sept. 14, 51-10, then bouncing back to clobber UConn, 38-3, on Sept. 21.

• In the win over UConn, Indiana yielded an early field goal by the Huskies, then reeled off 38 unanswered points, as junior quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw three TD passes to three different receivers alternating with a field goal by senior placekicker Logan Justus and a 44-yard pick-six interception return for a TD by sophomore linebacker Cam Jones. Sophomore running back Stevie Scott III capped the scoring with a 6-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

• Indiana amassed 430 yards of total offense, with 242 through the air and 178 on the ground. The IU defense limited UConn to just 145 yards of total offense, with 94 passing and 51 rushing. A big difference in the game was third-down conversions, as the Hoosiers held the Huskies to just 3 of 14 (.214), while converting on 8 of 10 (.800).
• For the season, Indiana is eighth in the B1G in scoring offense (33.5 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (19.5 ppg). IU is also sixth in total offense (429.0 ypg), ranking second in passing offense (308.5 ypg) and 12th in rushing offense (120.5 ypg). Defensively, the Hoosiers are fifth in total defense (294.8 ypg), ranking fourth in passing defense (167.5 ypg) and ninth in rushing defense (127.3 ypg).

• Indiana is 20th in the FBS in passing offense (308.5 ypg), along with 23rd in third-down conversion percentage (.491) and 29th in completion percentage (.678).

• Defensively, IU is 21st in passing yards allowed (167.5 ypg), 23rd in passing efficiency defense (110.22) 26th in total defense (296.8 ypg) and 27th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.304).

• Ramsey is second in the B1G and 11th in the FBS in completion percentage (.743) on 55-of-74 passing, along with fifth in the conference and 29th in the country in passing efficiency (163.3). He has thrown for 635 yards (211.7 ypg) with five TDs and two INTs. Ramsey also has 18 rushes for 22 yards (1.2 ypc/7.3 ypg).

• Scott is sixth in the B1G and 23rd in FBS in rushing TDs with four scores, tallying 58 carries for 215 yards (3.7 ypg/53.8 ypg). He adds eight catches for 74 yards (9.2 ypc/18.5 ypg).

• Hendershot leads the IU receiving corps with 18 catches for 234 yards (13.0 ypc/58.5 ypg) with three TDs, while Philyor adds 17 receptions for 229 yards (13.5 ypc/57.2 ypg) with one TD. Fryfogle adds 15 catches for 136 yards (9.1 ypc/34.0 ypg).

• Westbrook ranks 23rd in the FBS in yards per reception (20.8) with eight catches for 166 yards (41.5 ypg) with two TDs, while fellow senior wide receiver Donovan Hale is 27th in yards per reception (20.4) on nine catches for 184 yards (46.0 ypg) with one TD.

• The IU defense is spearheaded by Reakwon Jones with 24 total tackles (14 solo, 10 assists) with 0.5 TFL. Sophomore safety Devon Matthews adds 16 stops (13 solo, 3 assists).

• Junior defensive end Michael Ziemba tops the team with 3.5 TFLs, as part of 11 total stops (7 solo, 4 assists), while sophomore defensive tackle Demarcus Elliott, junior defensive tackle Jerome Johnson and senior defensive end Allen Stallings IV all have 2.0 sacks apiece.

• Justus is one of six placekickers in the B1G and one of 25 in the FBS to have a perfect 100 percent field goal percentage, making 6-of-6, with a long of 50. He is also perfect on PATs so far this season at 14-of-14. Justus is tied for fourth in the league in kick scoring (8.0 ppg).

• Whitehead is eighth in the B1G with a 43.3 ypp average, on 14 punts, with a long of 63 yards, one of five punts of 50+ yards, pinning five inside the 20.

MSU/INDIANA CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State defensive line coach Ron Burton spent five seasons at Indiana (1997-2001) as the linebackers coach. Burton mentored two Butkus Award nominees, Jabar Robinson and Justin Smith, during his time with the Hoosiers. Robinson led the team in tackles two straight years and is sixth in school history with 339 career tackles, while Smith played one season (2003) in the NFL and ranks ninth in IU history with 326 tackles.

MSU/INDIANA SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 66th meeting between Michigan State and Indiana. The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Hoosiers, 47-16-2, including a 25-6-1 record in East Lansing. Michigan State topped IU at Bloomington last season, 35-21. Dantonio is 9-1 during his tenure against Indiana, including a 5-0 mark at Spartan Stadium.

• Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon. The brass spittoon 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.

THE LAST MEETING –
Sept. 22, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP): Brian Lewerke threw two touchdown passes, had his first career catch and made the perfect pitch to kicker Matt Coghlin for a 6-yard scoring run in No. 24 Michigan State's 35-21 victory over Indiana. The Spartans jumped to a quick 14-0 lead on Lewerke's 16-yard TD pass to Jalen Nailor and Shakur Brown's 69-yard interception return for a score. Indiana cut the deficit in half on Peyton Ramsey's 8-yard TD pass midway through the second quarter, and Michigan State answered with an 11-yard TD pass from Lewerke to Matt Dotson with 19 seconds left in the first half.

Lewerke's well-timed pitch to Coghlin on the fake field goal made it 28-7 - putting Indiana in its largest deficit of the season. But Lewerke's first interception set up a chip shot field goal and Peyton Ramsey converted the second interception into a 65-yard TD pass to Whop Philyor and a 2-point conversion pass to Nick Westbrook to make it 28-18 with 8:20 left.

Indiana got within seven, 28-21, on a 36-yard field goal with 3:28 to go, but the Spartans closed it out with Nailor's 75-yard TD run.

Lewerke finished 14 of 25 with 213 yards. Nailor had three carries for 79 yards and Felton Davis III had five catches for 79 yards. Ramsey was 32 of 46 with 272 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and Philyor caught 13 passes for a career-high 148 yards for IU.

POST-GAME NOTES: NORTHWESTERN

DEFENSE
• Senior linebacker Joe Bachie recorded a career-high 14 tackles (13 solo, one assist) to lead the Spartan defense. He also recorded his fifth career interception, a 9-yard sack, two tackles for loss (10 yards) and two pass break-ups.

• Junior cornerback Josiah Scott picked off his fifth career pass with a diving interception in the second quarter. Scott also had two pass break-ups, including one on a deflected pass that was intercepted by Drew Beesley in the fourth quarter.

• Junior defensive end Drew Beesley had a career-high two tackles for loss (9 yards) and also had his first career interception in the fourth quarter that led to MSU's fourth and final TD of the game.

• Playing near his hometown of Chicago, senior defensive tackle Raequan Williams had a 9-yard sack and two TFLs (11 yards).

• On fourth-and-goal for Northwestern in the first quarter, senior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk recorded a 2-yard tackle for loss on Wildcat QB Hunter Johnson to halt the potential scoring drive.

• The Spartan defense has not allowed an opening possession score by the opposition in all four games this season.

• By keeping Northwestern scoreless in the first quarter, Michigan State has yet to yield an opposition score in the first frame through all four games so far this season.

OFFENSE
• Senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart again led MSU in the passing game with five catches for 77 yards. Stewart has a Big Ten-leading 30 receptions for 439 yards (109.8 ypg) through four games this season.

• Brian Lewerke completed 18-of-31 passes for 228 yards; it marked his 15th career game with more than 200 yards passing. Lewerke tied a season high with three TD passes (Western Michigan) and has 37 for his career, moving him up to eighth most in MSU history. He also moved into fifth place at MSU in passing yards (6,239). In addition, he crossed the 7,000-yard milestone for total yards (fifth at MSU with 7,200 yards).

• Redshirt freshman running back Elijah Collins paced the Spartans on the ground with 76 yards on 17 carries. In his three starts, Collins is averaging 113.3 yards per game. He started MSU's scoring with a 5-yard TD run in the first quarter.

• Senior tight end Matt Seybert caught the first two touchdown passes of his career (8 yards in third quarter; 7 yards on fourth quarter). He finished with four receptions for 28 yards.

• MSU has scored a touchdown on its opening drive in three of its first four games (Tulsa, Western Michigan, Northwestern).

• Michigan State rushed 40 times in the game; MSU is 74-9 when rushing at least 40 times a game under Dantonio.

STOPPING THE RUN –
• After leading the FBS in rushing defense last season, the Spartans are ranked No. 3 through the first three games in 2019, allowing a total of 209 yards rushing (52.2 ypg).

• Michigan State posted a dominant defensive performance in the victory over Tulsa on Aug. 30. The Spartans held the Golden Hurricane to -73 yards rushing, a school-record low for a Spartan opponent (previous: -63 yards by Pittsburgh in 1950). That mark also tied a Big Ten single-game record (Iowa held Purdue to -73 yards rushing in 1989) and it's the fewest rushing yards by any FBS team since 2000, when Mississippi State held Florida to -78 yards rushing. MSU also limited Tulsa to 80 yards of total offense, the lowest output by a Spartan opponent since 2011 (Florida Atlantic, 48).

• MSU has held three of its four opponents in 2019 below 100 yards rushing (-73 by Tulsa; 67 by Western Michigan; 76 by Arizona State). In 162 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 83 times (.512). MSU is 70-13 (.843) in those games, including a 60-8 (.882) record since 2010.

• Michigan State ranked first in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018, allowing just 77.9 yards per game, the fifth-lowest in school history and the lowest since 1999 (76.2 ypg). MSU's 77.9 ypg average was the lowest by a non-Alabama team since 2009 (Texas, 72.4 ypg). The Spartans held their opponents to under 100 yards rushing eight times. MSU also ranked first in the Big Ten in conference games in rushing defense (93.8 ypg). MSU only gave up 30 rushes of 10-plus yards in 2018, tied for second fewest in the FBS.

• 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) and 2018 (77.9 ypg). In addition, MSU has led the Big Ten in rushing defense six times (2011-14, 2017-18) under Dantonio. 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 been ranked in the Top 25 in rushing defense eight times in the last 10 seasons, including a run of five straight years in the top 11 (2011-15). MSU has led the Big Ten in rushing defense the past two seasons and ranked No. 1 in the FBS in 2018 (77.9 ypg) and No. 2 in 2017 (95.3 ypg).

MSU KEEPING OPPONENTS OFF THE SCOREBOARD –
• Michigan State has held opponents under 30 points for 16 consecutive games, which is the third-longest active streak in the FBS (Washington, 18; Notre Dame, 17). The last team to score more than 30 points against MSU was Utah State with 31 in the 2018 season opener; the Aggies ranked second in the FBS in 2018 in scoring offense with 47.5 ppg. MSU is currently 10th in the FBS in scoring defense (11.0 ppg).

• For the third time under Dantonio, Michigan State led the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2018, allowing just 17.2 points per game, which tied for eighth fewest in the FBS. The Spartans also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2012 (16.3 ppg) and 2013 (13.2 ppg). MSU also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in conference games in scoring defense (16.6 ppg) in 2018.

• MSU held its opponents to 21 or fewer points 10 times in 2018, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).

• Michigan State allowed just 12 touchdowns in the red zone, tied for second fewest in the FBS. Spartan opponents only visited the red zone 30 times all season, tied for third fewest in the FBS, and in giving up 12 TDs, the 40 percent TD mark was third lowest in the nation.

PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE QB –
• Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten and ninth in the FBS with 3.75 sacks per game (15 total). Kenny Willekes leads the way for MSU with four, followed 2.5 from Raequan Williams and two each from Jacub Panasiuk and Shakur Brown. Joe Bachie (1.5), Antjuan Simmons (1.5), Chase Kline (1.0) and Tyriq Thompson (0.5) have also contributed sacks for the Spartans.

GETTING IT DONE ON THIRD DOWN –
• Michigan State ranked first in the Big Ten and eighth in the FBS in third-down defense (.302) in 2018. In the 2019 season opener against Tulsa, the Spartans forced nine three-and-outs. The Spartans currently rank 32nd in the FBS in third-down defense (.317).

THREE-AND-OUT –
• In four games this season, the Spartans have forced their opponents to go three-and-out on 19 of 48 possessions (.396 percent; 4.8 per game). [Three-and-out: either holding opponent without a first down within its first three plays on a new series or forcing a turnover in the first three plays.]

SPARTANS FORCE NINE TURNOVERS IN FIRST FOUR GAMES –
• Although Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 10 in several defensive categories in 2018, this season the Spartans are emphasizing turnovers after finishing 28th in the FBS with 23 turnovers caused last season. After four games, MSU ranks tied for 14th in the FBS with nine turnovers caused (three fumbles, six interceptions). The six interceptions are tied for fifth most in the FBS.

• In the first game against Tulsa, the Spartans forced three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by Kenny Willekes, one which resulted in a touchdown, and an interception by Antjuan Simmons. In addition, the Spartans caused six Tulsa fumbles overall. MSU forced three more turnovers against Western Michigan, with two interceptions (Xavier Henderson, Tyriq Thompson) and a fumble recovery (Davion Williams). MSU recorded three picks at Northwestern (Josiah Scott, Drew Beesley, Joe Bachie).

LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS SPARTAN DEFENSE IN THE MIDDLE –
• Joe Bachie, who has started 30 consecutive games at middle linebacker, was named a first-team preseason All-American by The Associated Press and is featured on watch lists for the Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), Butkus Award (nation's best linebacker), Nagurski Trophy (nation's most outstanding college defensive player) and Lott IMPACT Trophy. Bachie led the Spartans in tackles for the second year in a row in 2018 with 102 and currently owns the team lead with 39 through four games, which ranks tied for fifth in the Big Ten at 9.8 per game. He became the third Spartan middle linebacker under Mark Dantonio, joining Greg Jones and Max Bullough, to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors (coaches, ESPN.com, Phil Steele).

• Bachie leads the Spartans and ranks second in the Big Ten in total tackles (39) and fifth in tackles per game (9.8 avg.). He also is tied for the team lead with four pass break-ups in addition to 3.5 tackles for loss (13 yards) and 1.5 sacks (10 yards)

• Bachie was voted a team captain for the second year in a row in 2019 and is one of just six Spartans in the Dantonio era to serve as a captain twice (Greg Jones, 2009-10; Kirk Cousins, 2009-11; Max Bullough, 2012-13; Shilique Calhoun, 2014-15).

• For the fourth time in his career, Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his performance at Northwestern on Sept. 21. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles (13 solo, one assist) to lead the Spartan defense, marking his 11th career game with double-figure tackles and second straight this season (12 vs. Arizona State on Sept. 14). Bachie had a 9-yard sack in the first quarter to set the tone for the Spartans, and finished with two tackles for loss (10 yards) overall. The native of Brook Park, Ohio, also picked off his fifth career pass and returned it 19 yards in the fourth quarter. In addition, Bachie had two pass break-ups and one quarterback hurry. Bachie compiled a Dantonio-era record 50 production points in the game (unofficial team stat).

• Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week last season against Maryland on Nov. 3, 2018. Bachie forced a career-high three fumbles, recovering one, and also had seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards) and tied a career-high with two pass break-ups.

• Bachie, 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 2017 Governor's Award, which is given annually to the program's most valuable player as voted on by the team. He was the first Spartan sophomore to win the Governor's Award since quarterback Drew Stanton in 2004.

• A third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches and media in 2017, Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2017. In the win at No. 7 Michigan, Bachie became just the second Big Ten linebacker and fifth in the FBS in the last five years 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. He also had 13 tackles in the victory against Indiana to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.

• In 36 career games, including 30 consecutive starts, Bachie has 253 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, five interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has recorded double-figures in tackles 11 times in his career.

KENNY WILLEKES LEADS ALL ACTIVE FBS PLAYERS IN TACKLES FOR LOSS –
• Preseason 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, is back at it again in 2019 for the Spartans. Willekes is fourth in the conference and tied for 10th in the FBS with 6.5 tackles for loss, and third in the league and tied for 11th in the FBS with four sacks. His 1.34 tackles for loss per game ranks first among active players in the FBS. He is also fourth on the team with 22 tackles, most among Spartan defensive linemen.

• 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. 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.

• Willekes was credited with a tackle for loss in 10 of MSU's 13 games in 2018, including a career-high 3.5 against Ohio State and Nebraska in back-to-back games. He opened the season with six tackles, two sacks (19 yards) and a forced fumble in the win over Utah State, and also posted multiple TFLs against Indiana (2.0), Michigan (2.0) and Maryland (2.5).

• 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 (tied for seventh in school history with 19.5) and tackles for loss (sixth in school history with 41.5). He ranks first among the active career leaders in the FBS in tackles for loss at 1.34 per game.

• After playing in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Willekes earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 with a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

• Willekes 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 33 consecutive games, dating back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. The duo is 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, recorded career bests in tackles (53), tackles for loss (10.5) and pass break-ups (5) in 2018. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 25 career tackles for loss, including 9.0 career sacks, in 41 career games.

• Panasiuk, a stalwart on the Spartan defensive line with 33 straight 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 a career-high 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. He tied a career high with two tackles for loss in the season opener against Tulsa.

• In 42 career games, Panasiuk has 72 tackles, including 12.0 for losses with two sacks.

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, ranking second on the team in tackles (24) and tackles for loss (5.0) and tied for fifth in sacks (1.5). He also ranks second on the team in production points (unofficial team stat) with 87.

• Simmons played behind former three-year starting Star linebacker Andrew Dowell in 2017 and 2018. Simmons has 90 career tackles, including seven for losses, in 30 games of action.

BRIAN LEWERKE IN HIS THIRD SEASON AS 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 ranks third in the Big Ten in passing (256.3 ypg) and total offense (273.5 ypg) and second in total passing yards (1,025). The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 86-of-138 passes (.623) for 1,025 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

• Lewerke became just the fifth Spartan player to eclipse 7,000 yards of total offense in his career during the Northwestern game and is currently ranked fifth in the school record book with 7,200 total yards. Lewerke also ranks among the school leaders in pass attempts (fourth with 951), passing yards (fifth with 6,239 yards), pass completions (fourth with 547), passing yards per game (fifth with 195.0 ypg) and passing TDs (eighth with 37).

• Lewerke has 961 rushing yards and needs just 39 more yards on the ground to become only the second quarterback in MSU history to throw for 6,000 passing yards and rush for 1,000 yards (Drew Stanton with 6,524 passing yards and 1,502 rushing yards from 2003-06).

• Lewerke has thrown for more than 300 yards passing six times in his career and more than 200 yards passing 15 times (fifth 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 2019, 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).

• A week after setting numerous school records at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017, Lewerke had another impressive game against Penn State on Nov. 4, becoming the first Spartan quarterback to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. He threw for a school-record 445 yards at Northwestern, and for 400 against Penn State; the 400 yards tied for the second-most yards by a Spartan QB in a single game (Bill Burke with 400 in win over Michigan in 1999). Lewerke became one of just three Big Ten quarterbacks in the last 20 years to throw for 400 yards in two consecutive games (Drew Brees, Purdue, 1998; C.J. Bacher, Northwestern, 2007).

• Lewerke set school single-game records for passing yards (445), total offense (475) and completions (39) in the triple-overtime loss at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017. His 57 passing attempts also marked a career high and tied for the second most in school history (record: 61 by Brian Hoyer vs. Penn State in 2006); MSU's previous single-game records were 400 passing yards (Bill Burke vs. Michigan, 1999), 416 yards of total offense (Connor Cook vs. Indiana, 2015) and 35 completions (Jeff Smoker vs. Ohio State, 2003). Lewerke also threw a career-high four touchdowns against the Wildcats, tied for the second most in school history (accomplished 13 previous times). Lewerke's 445 yards passing and 475 total yards against Northwestern were both the most by a Big Ten quarterback in a single game in 2017.

• Lewerke played in four games and started twice (Northwestern, Maryland) as a redshirt freshman in 2016 before suffering a season-ending injury (broken tibia) in the fourth quarter of the Michigan game on Oct. 29. He bounced back quickly from the injury and fully participated in all of spring practice in 2017. In 2016, Lewerke became the first Spartan freshman quarterback to start a game (Northwestern) since 2004 (Stephen Reaves vs. Central Michigan).

DARRELL STEWART: MR. CONSISTENCY –
• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart leads the Big Ten in receptions (30) and receiving yards (439) and is second in the conference, only to Purdue's Rondale Moore, in receptions per game (7.5 pg) and receiving yards per game (109.8 ypg). Stewart also ranks among the FBS leaders in total receptions (tied for sixth with 30), total receiving yards (sixth with 439), receptions per game (tied for ninth with 7.5 pg) and receiving yards per game (10th with 109.8 ypg). Stewart's impressive performance to start the season has made him a late add to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

• Stewart 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 (156 vs. Rutgers on Oct. 10; 132 vs. Michigan on Oct. 17; 128 yards vs. Indiana on Oct. 24; 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7). Stewart opened Big Ten play with five catches for 77 yards at Northwestern.

• Stewart leads MSU with 10 catches of 20-plus yards; although he led MSU in receptions in 2018, he had just two catches of 20-plus yards last season.

• Stewart had a career-high 185 yards receiving on 10 catches against the Broncos; 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 12th in the school record book with 131 career receptions and leads all active Spartans with 1,382 receiving yards (28th in MSU history) and four TDs in 38 career games, including 16 starting assignments.

• Stewart has MSU's longest active streak with at least one reception in 28 consecutive games.

ELIJAH COLLINS FLASHES IN FIRST CAREER START –
• In his first career start at tailback on Sept. 7 against Western Michigan, redshirt freshman Elijah 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 is averaging a team-best 89.2 yards rushing per game (61 carries for 357 yards; 5.9 avg.), which ranks fourth in the Big Ten. His 89.2 ypg also ranks first in the conference and fourth in the country for freshman running backs.

• 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 16 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the first four games.

• 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).

• White had two 100-yard receiving games in 2018 (nine catches for 113 yards and one TD at Arizona State; eight for 115 vs. Ohio State).

• White, a BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, closed his first year in the Green and White with the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history with 490. His 35 catches were second most by a true freshman (Sedrick Irvin with 40 in 1996) and most by a true freshman wide receiver (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008). White recorded 30 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season.

• In his first career start, White was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after setting a Spartan freshman single-game record with 165 receiving yards at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017. That total was also the 20th-most overall by an MSU player in a single game and the third most by a Spartan against Northwestern.

• In 26 career games, including 18 starts, White has 93 catches for 1,235 yards and eight touchdowns.

JAKE HARTBARGER RETURNS FOR HIS SIXTH SEASON –
• Michigan State punter Jake 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 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.

• 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 sixth in MSU history in punting average (42.4), eighth in punting yards (8,574) and ninth in punts (202).

• Hartbarger is ranked third in the Big Ten with his 46.3-yard average through four games (16 punts for 741 yards). He also shares the league lead for punts of 50-plus yards with seven.

• 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.

• 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.

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 110-52 (.679) 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 110 victories, Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.660, 66-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (65) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.679). 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 with 110 victories in his 13-year tenure. Dantonio passed 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 13th in Big Ten history with 110 wins.

• Overall, Dantonio owns a 128-69 (.650) record in his 15-plus seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 110-52 in 12-plus seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 128 career wins rank 10th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 167).

• Dantonio won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25, 2014, against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109). Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach on Oct. 17, 2015, at Michigan Stadium as the Spartans rallied to defeat the Wolverines, 27-23, on a 38-yard fumble return as time expired. His career record stands at 128-69 (.650) in 15-plus seasons.

• Dantonio's .660 winning percentage (66-34) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72), which also ranks tied for 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).

DECADE OF SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE –
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 88-35 (.715) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 88 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 12th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .715 winning percentage this decade is third best in school history. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.

• In addition, the Spartans have earned 11 bowl bids since 2007, including a school-record four consecutive bowl victories (2012 Outback against No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings against TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 4 Baylor), which also tied a Big Ten record.

• MSU's highest winning percentage by decade is currently the 1950s (.766, 70-21-1 record), but the 88 wins this current decade are already the most of any previous decade in school history (previous: 70 in 1950s).

• The Spartans have had sustained success in the Big Ten Conference under Dantonio. MSU has won two of the past six Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and three overall this decade, also claiming a championship in 2010. Dantonio is second in school history and tied for 11th in Big Ten history with 66 conference wins. The Spartans are 53-23 (.697) in regular-season Big Ten play since 2010.

SCORING TRENDS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Since 2010, Michigan State is 53-5 when scoring 30-plus points in a game (only losses: 2011 Big Ten Championship Game to Wisconsin; 2014 to eventual National Champion Ohio State; 2015 at Nebraska; 2016 vs. Northwestern; 2017 at Northwestern). Overall, MSU is 65-12 when scoring 30-plus points under Dantonio.

• MSU has allowed 20 or fewer points under Dantonio 82 times (51 percent); MSU's record in those games is 72-10 (.878).

• MSU has allowed 17 or fewer points under Dantonio 77 times (48 percent); MSU's record in those games is 68-9 (.883).

• MSU has only allowed 30 or more points under Dantonio 37 times (23 percent; record: 10-27).

TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS –
• Although Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 10 in several defensive categories in 2018, this season the Spartans are emphasizing turnovers after finishing 28th in the FBS with 23 turnovers caused last season. After four games, MSU ranks tied for 14th in the FBS with nine turnovers caused (three fumbles, six interceptions). The six interceptions are tied for fifth most in the FBS.

• 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 131 of 162 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (81 percent of the games since 2007).

• Michigan State is 72-16 (.818) 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 65-22 record (.747) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which ranks second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history.

• Mark Dantonio is 32-5 (.865) 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; 2019 to Arizona State).

• Dantonio is 13-0 in home openers at MSU and the Spartans' 21-game winning streak in home openers is tied for the fifth-long longest in the nation.

Game 5: Indiana (3-1, 0-1 B1G) at No. 25 Michigan State (3-1, 1-0 B1G)

Players Mentioned

Joe Bachie

Drew Beesley

Shakur Brown

Matt Coghlin

Elijah Collins

Felton Davis III

Matt Dotson

Andrew Dowell

Jake Hartbarger

Xavier Henderson

Chase Kline

Brian Lewerke

Jalen Nailor

Jacub Panasiuk

Mike Panasiuk

Josiah Scott

Matt Seybert

Antjuan Simmons

Tyriq Thompson

Cody White

Kenny Willekes

Davion Williams

Raequan Williams

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