No. 19 Michigan State Takes On Western Michigan Under the Lights

Game 2: Western Michigan (1-0) at No. 19/20 Michigan State (1-0)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 7
Kickoff: 7:40 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. 134 (Sirius), Ch. 195 (XM), Ch. 84 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 13-2
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 12-2
Last Meeting: MSU 28, WMU 14 (2017)
Current Series Streak: 11 by MSU (1921-)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 108-51 (13th year)
Overall Record: 126-68 (16th year)
Record vs. WMU: 5-0

Western Michigan Head Coach: Tim Lester
WMU Record: 14-12 (third year)
Overall Record: 54-35 (ninth year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-1

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Mark Dantonio will look to tie Duffy Daugherty as Michigan State's all-time winningest coach as the No. 19/20 Spartans host Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7:40 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on BTN, with Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), James Laurinaitis (analyst) and Elise Menaker (sidelines) on the call. Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Dantonio has 108 wins, just one shy of Daugherty, who collected a 109-69-5 record in East Lansing from 1954-72.

• MSU opened the 2019 campaign with a 28-7 win over Tulsa on Aug. 30, improving to 12-1 in season openers under Dantonio. The Broncos defeated Monmouth in Kalamazoo on Aug. 31, 48-13.

• Saturday's game marks the 16th meeting between Michigan State and Western Michigan. The Spartans lead the overall series, 13-2, including an 11-game winning streak that dates back to 1921. In the last matchup in 2017, MSU defeated WMU, 28-14, in a game that was also played during the second week of the season. MSU played in Kalamazoo for the first time in series history and defeated the Broncos, 37-24, en route to reaching the College Football Playoff in 2015.

• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-0 in his MSU career against WMU, and his teams have outscored the Broncos, 178-79 (average score: 36-16).

• Michigan State posted a dominant defensive performance in the victory over Tulsa. 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).

• Senior defensive end Kenny 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).

• MSU is 12-2 against WMU in East Lansing, including a 9-0 record in Spartan Stadium. The series dates back to 1908, as Michigan State topped Western Michigan, 35-0, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. After playing five times between 1908 and 1921, with MSU holding a 3-2 advantage in the series, the two teams didn't meet again until 1980.

• Michigan State is 15-7 in night games at Spartan Stadium, including a 12-4 record under Mark Dantonio. MSU defeated WMU in a night game to open the 2013 season, 26-13.

• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 108-51 (.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 second-winningest coach in school history with 108 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (64) 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.

• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 86-34 (.717) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 86 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th 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 .717 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.

Team

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – Connor Heyward (15 carries for 43 yards, 2.9 avg, 0 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (21-of-37, .568, 192 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
Receiving – Darrell Stewart (6 catches for 56 yards, 9.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Kenny Willekes (7 tackles, 2 solos, 5 assists, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 FR)

Western Michigan:
Rushing – LeVant Bellamy (18 carries for 53 yards, 2.9 avg, 1 TD)
Passing – Jon Wassink (20-of-25 for 368 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs)
Receiving – DaShon Bussell (5 catches for 116 yards, 23.2 avg, 0 TDs)
Tackles – D'Wayne Eskridge (8 tackles, 6 solo, 2 assists, 1 PBU)

A QUICK GLANCE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN (1-0) –
• The Broncos bring a 1-0 record into Saturday's game in Spartan Stadium after winning their season opener, 48-13, over Monmouth, on Aug. 31 in Kalamazoo. It was WMU's first season-opening victory since 2016 when the Broncos beat Northwestern, 22-21.

• WMU returns seven starters on offense and nine starters on defense from last season's squad that posted a 7-6 overall and 5-3 MAC mark. Last year, WMU dropped its first two games before a streak of six straight victories.

• Western Michigan has reached bowl eligibility in five consecutive seasons, the longest streak in program history, playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last year, losing to BYU, 49-18, in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos had just four bowl trips in school history prior to 2011.

• Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester is in his third season at the reins of the Broncos, logging a 14-12 ledger. Lester is in his eighth season overall as a head coach, totalling a 54-35 record.

• The Broncos rang up 458 yards of total offense against Monmouth with 368 passing and 90 rushing, scoring five TDs through the air and one on the ground. The WMU defense limited Monmouth to 322 total yards with 194 passing and 128 rushing, with one passing TD and one rushing score. Western Michigan's offense was clicking all night, as WMU didn't punt in the game. The Bronco defense sacked Monmouth QB Kenji Bahar three times, along with five tackles for loss and three pass break-ups.

• Of WMU's 16 returning starters are three returning All-MAC honorees from 2018 in senior center Luke Juriga and senior running back LaVante Bellamy on the first team and senior tight end Giovanni Ricci on the third team.

• Juriga has made 40 consecutive starts, every game of his WMU career. The 40-consecutive game streak is tied for the second-longest streak in the country, tied with Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson and behind Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Ethan Reed.

• WMU senior quarterback Jon Wassink is back on the field after suffering season-ending injuries in each of the last two years. With last week's win, the Broncos are 11-5 in games he has finished. Wassink was 20-for-25 passing for 368 yards with five TDs and no INTs, getting sacked once.

• Wassink completed passed to nine different receivers, led by five each by redshirt freshman Dashon Bussell and Ricci. Bussell's five catches went for 116 yards with a long of 60 yards, which was his first catch of his collegiate career and came in the first quarter on the Broncos' second possession of the game, setting up their second TD of the night. Bussell became the second WMU freshman to have 100+ receiving yards in his debut game under head coach Tim Lester, joining Jayden Reed's 121 receiving yards against Syracuse on Aug. 31, 2018. Reed transferred to MSU prior to this season, sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

• Ricci had the TD catch to cap that drive, one of his two scores in the game, and part of his five receptions for a career-high 97 yards. Ricci entered the game with just three career TDs. Of WMU's five touchdown passes, three went to tight ends with two by Ricci and one by junior Brett Borske, a 24-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.

• Bellamy led the Bronco ground attack, galloping for 53 yards on 18 carries with one TD, a 3-yard scamper on WMU's opening possession. Fellow senior running back Davon Tucker added five carries for 31 yards.

• Senior cornerback D'Wayne Eskridge spearheaded the Bronco defense with a team-leading and game-high tying eight tackles to go with one pass break-up. Eskridge was making his first career start at cornerback after switching from wide receiver last spring.

• Junior linebacker Treshaun Hayward and senior linebacker Drake Spears added seven stops apiece, with Spears adding half a tackle for loss.

• Junior placekicker Thiago Kapps was 6-for-6 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field goals with a 45-yarder in the second quarter and added a 19-yard chip shot in the fourth frame. Kapps made his first career field goal with the 45-yarder.

• Sophomore punter Nick Mihalic didn't see any action in the season opener. Last season, Mihalic had a 37.3 yards per punt average with a long of 79 yards, pinning 12 inside the 20-yard line.

MSU/WESTERN MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 16th meeting between Michigan State and Western Michigan. The Spartans lead the overall series, 13-2, including an 11-game winning streak that dates back to 1921. In the last matchup in 2017, MSU defeated WMU, 28-14, in a game that was also played during the second week of the season. MSU played in Kalamazoo for the first time in series history and defeated the Broncos, 37-24, en route to reaching the College Football Playoff in 2015.

• MSU is 12-2 against WMU in East Lansing, including a 9-0 record in Spartan Stadium. The series dates back to 1908, as Michigan State topped Western Michigan, 35-0, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. After playing five times between 1908 and 1921, with MSU holding a 3-2 advantage in the series, the two teams didn't meet again until 1980.

• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-0 in his MSU career against WMU, and his teams have outscored the Broncos, 178-79 (average score: 36-16).

THE LAST MEETING –
Sept. 9, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Brian Lewerke scored on a 61-yard run in the first quarter, and Michigan State's defense was impressive for a second straight week in a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan.

Lewerke added another touchdown on a quarterback sneak and also threw for a TD on a day when the Spartans (2-0) didn't need to do much offensively. The only touchdowns for the Broncos came courtesy of Darius Phillips, on a 67-yard fumble return in the third and a 100-yard kick return in the fourth.

Lewerke opened the scoring with the longest touchdown run by a Michigan State quarterback since 1973. A fake handoff helped open up the middle of the field, and the sophomore was able to outrun the secondary for a 7-0 lead. Lewerke threw a 15-yard scoring pass to LJ Scott in the second quarter.

Phillips ripped the ball away from Hunter Rison and ran it all the way back to the end zone to make it 14-7, but Michigan State responded with a 75-yard scoring drive that included a 46-yard run by Darrell Stewart and Lewerke's 1-yard touchdown.

Scott scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth, but Phillips took the ensuing kickoff all the way back to make it 28-14.

Defense

POST-GAME NOTES FROM THE TULSA GAME –
• Michigan State won its 21st consecutive home opener with a 28-7 win over Tulsa . . . that streak is tied for the fifth-longest active home-opener winning streak in the FBS.

• MSU improved to 13-0 in home openers under head coach Mark Dantonio . . . MSU is 102-21 all-time in home openers . . Dantonio is 12-1 in season openers during his tenure . . . the Spartans are also 8-0 in Friday night games under Dantonio, including 7-0 in Spartan Stadium.

• Michigan State is 84-36-3 all-time in season openers, including a 19-2 record in its last 21 games.

• Dantonio won his 108th game as Spartan head coach and is just one victory away from tying Duffy Daugherty for the all-time school record (109).

DEFENSE
• Michigan State held Tulsa to -73 yards rushing, a school-record low for a Spartan opponent (previous: -63 yards by Pittsburgh in 1950).

• The Spartans held the Golden Hurricane to eight total first downs (0 rushing, 7 passing, 1 penalty) and 80 yards of total offense . . . the 80 yards of total offense were the fewest by a Spartan opponent since Florida Atlantic had 48 in 2011.

• MSU recorded six sacks (39 yards) and 13 tackles for loss (65 yards), in addition to three forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries.

• Kenny Willekes recorded seven tackles for loss, including 2.5 TFLs (6 yards) and 1.5 sacks (5 yards) . . . he recovered two fumbles, including one in the end zone for his first career touchdown in the second quarter . . . it marked MSU's first defensive touchdown on a fumble since Demetrious Cox returned a fumble 77 yards for a score against Penn State in 2015.

• MSU recorded its first safety since 2012 as Tulsa snapped a ball that eventually went out of the back of the end zone.

• Jacub Panasiuk recorded a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles . . . he also had a sack.

• In his first career start at linebacker, Antjuan Simmons recorded a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss for 12 yards, including his first career sack (5 yards) . . . he also recorded his second career interception with a pick in the second quarter.

• Shakur Brown tallied the first two sacks of his career.

• Mike Panasiuk tied his career high with two tackles for loss (8 yards).

OFFENSE
• Connor Heyward scored his second career receiving TD with a 15-yard pass from Brian Lewerke for a score on MSU's first possession of the game.

• Brian Lewerke completed 21-of-37 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• On the first play of the second quarter, Dominique Long blocked a punt, marking MSU's first blocked punt since Sept. 21, 2013, at Notre Dame (Matt Macksood).

• Matt Coghlin tied a career high with four field goals (38 yards, 47 yards, 44 yards, 40 yards) . . . he also kicked four field goals against Rutgers in 2017.

SPARTAN ROSTER FULL OF EXPERIENCE –
• Michigan State has plenty of experience returning in 2019, as a total of 50 letterwinners and 17 position starters are back for the Spartans. A total of 37 players returning have starting experience (17 offense, 14 defense, six special teams). Out of a combined 286 possible starting positions in 2018 on offense and defense throughout the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 212 of those starts (74 percent). MSU's 17 position starters returning rank tied for second most in the FBS and the 20 starters overall, including three specialists (P, PK, LS), rank tied for first in the country.

• On defense, the Spartans return 20 letterwinners and eight starters from a unit that finished ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg) and No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg). Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 105 of those starts (73 percent). Five of those eight returning starters started in all 13 games last season (LB Joe Bachie, S David Dowell, DT Mike Panasiuk, NT Raequan Williams, DE Kenny Willekes), while linebacker Tyriq Thompson started 12 games and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk started 11 games.

• The Spartans welcome nine starters back on offense, including two-year starting quarterback Brian Lewerke, leading rusher Connor Heyward and the top two receiving leaders in Darrell Stewart and Cody White. MSU returns 100 percent of its passing yards from the quarterback position, 81 percent of its rushing yards and 76 percent of its receiving yards. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 107 of those starts (75 percent).

2019 CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED –
• Following the last practice of preseason camp on Aug. 22, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio announced the 2019 captains to the team – senior linebacker Joe Bachie, senior quarterback Brian Lewerke, senior defensive end Kenny Willekes and senior defensive tackle Raequan Williams. Bachie and Lewerke are just the fifth and sixth players under Dantonio to be named captain twice (Kirk Cousins, 2009-10-11; Greg Jones, 2009-10; Max Bullough, 2012-13; Shilique Calhoun, 2014-15). It marks the fourth time under Dantonio and the first season since 2009 that MSU has had four captains.

ALL IN THE FAMILY, PT. 1 –
• Michigan State has five sets of brothers on its 2019 roster: David (Sr.)/Michael (R-Fr.) Dowell; Tanner (So.)/Tate (Fr.) Hallock; Mike (Sr.)/Jacub (Jr.) Panasiuk; Jacob (R-Fr.)/Zach (R-Fr.) Slade, Charles (Fr.)/Kenny (Sr.) Willekes. MSU's five sets of brothers is tied for the most in the country, matched by Nebraska and Clemson.

ALL IN THE FAMILY, PT. 2 –
• Michigan State has a deep family legacy on the 2019 roster, from siblings to fathers to relatives. In fact, 17 players and five staff members have direct family connections who played Spartan football.

Legacy: Matt Allen (brothers Jack and Brian); Brandon Bouyer-Randle (uncle Willie Bouyer); David/Michael Dowell (brother Andrew); Tanner/Tate Hallock (father Ty); Jacob Isaia (grandfather Bob Apisa); David Kruse (brother Connor); Corey Pryor (father Corey Sr.); Noah Sargent (father Mike); Alante Thomas (brother Lawrence)

Brothers: David/Michael Dowell; Tanner/Tate Hallock; Mike/Jacub Panasiuk; Jacob/Zach Slade, Charles/Kenny Willekes.

Coaches/Staff: Chuck Bullough (father, Hank; brother, Shane; nephews Max, Riley and Byron Bullough); Ron Burton (son, Reid); Dino Folino (sons, Anthony and Danny); Don Treadwell (son, Blake); Sheldon White (son, Cody).

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 86-34 (.716) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 86 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th 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 .717 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 86 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 12th in Big Ten history with 65 conference wins. The Spartans are 52-23 (.693) in regular-season Big Ten play since 2010.

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 108-51 (.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 second-winningest coach in school history with 108 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (64) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.679). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids (Daugherty owns school record with 11 winning seasons from 1954-72).

• Dantonio's incredible run at Michigan State ranks among the best in Big Ten history. Dantonio is one of just six Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons on their resume (Bo Schembechler, Michigan; Jim Tressel, Ohio State; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Urban Meyer, Ohio State) and one of four to have at least five 11-win seasons (Tressel, Paterno, Meyer).

• Dantonio is one of just 14 coaches in Big Ten history to record 100 victories. He is currently No. 14 in Big Ten history with 108 wins.
• Overall, Dantonio owns a 126-68 (.649) record in his 15-plus seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 108-51 in 12-plus seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 126 career wins rank 10th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 165).

STOPPING THE RUN –
• Michigan State posted a dominant defensive performance in the victory over Tulsa. 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).

• 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.

• In 2018, MSU's opponents only ran the ball 392 times (45 percent of snaps, 30.2 avg.), the sixth-fewest allowed in the FBS; however, MSU's opponents attempted 477 passes (55 percent of snaps, 36.7 avg.), 10th most among FBS teams.

• Stopping the run has been the main theme for MSU on defense in the Dantonio era, and it led to ranking No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense in 2014 (88.5 ypg) 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).

• In 159 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 81 times (.509). MSU is 69-12 (.852) in those games, including a 59-7 (.894) record since 2010.

MSU KEEPING OPPONENTS OFF THE SCOREBOARD –
• 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, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).

• After allowing 38 points to Utah State in the season opener – the Aggies ranked second in the FBS in scoring offense (47.5 ppg) – MSU didn't allow a team to score 30 points again all season.

• 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.

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.

SPARTANS FORCE THREE TURNOVERS AGAINST TULSA –
• 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. 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.

HISTORY OF STINGY DEFENSES UNDER DANTONIO –
• In 2018, Michigan State finished ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg), No. 8 in third-down defense (.302), No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg) and No. 10 in first-downs defense (213).

• The Spartans led the Big Ten in rushing defense (77.9 ypg) for the sixth time in the Dantonio era (2011-14, 2017-18).

• 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).

• Michigan State has finished in the FBS Top 10 in total defense six times under Dantonio (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014, No. 7 in 2017, No. 10 in 2018) and No. 1 in the Big Ten on three occasions (2011, 2012, 2013). Since 2011, only Michigan State and Alabama have ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense six times.

• 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 (No. 9 in 2011, No. 8 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014, No. 11 in 2015) and back-to-back top-two finishes (No. 2 in 2017, No. 1 in 2018).

• 2018 marked the fourth time Michigan State has ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in the same season under Dantonio (2011, 2012, 2013, 2018).

LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS SPARTAN DEFENSE IN THE MIDDLE –
• Joe Bachie, who has started 27 consecutive games at middle linebacker, has been 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. 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 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).

• Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career after helping lead MSU past Maryland on Nov. 3, 2018. Bachie was all over the field in the 24-3 victory over the Terrapins. The Brook Park, Ohio, native forced a career-high three fumbles, recovering one, and also had seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards) and tied a career-high with two pass break-ups.

• Bachie, 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 (since 2012) to record double-digit tackles (10) and at least one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and one pass break-up in the same game.

• In 33 career games, including 27 consecutive starts, Bachie has 220 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has recorded double-digits in tackles nine times in his career.

KENNY WILLEKES NAMED NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK VS. TULSA –
• Senior defensive end Kenny 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, defensive end Kenny 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's 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 (ninth in school history with 17.0) and tackles for loss (tied for eighth in school history with 37.5). He ranks among the active career leaders in the FBS in tackles for loss (second 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 five times in his career (2017: Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland; 2018: Utah State, Maryland).

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 30 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 22 career tackles for loss, including 7.0 career sacks, in 38 career games.

• Panasiuk, a stalwart on the Spartan defensive line with 30 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 38 career games, Panasiuk has 66 tackles, including 11.0 for losses with two sacks.

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 was 21-of-37 passing for 192 yards and one touchdown in the season opener against Tulsa.

• In 29 career games (16-10 record in 26 games as the starter), Lewerke has completed 57 percent of his passes (482-for-850) for 5,406 yards, 31 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He has 926 career rushing yards on 242 carries (31.9 ypg; 3.8 avg.). He is currently ranked among the school's all-time leaders in total offense (fifth with 6,332 yards), passing yards per game (fifth at 186.4 ypg), pass attempts (fifth with 850), completions (sixth with 482), passing yards (ninth with 5,406) and passing touchdowns (ninth with 31).

• Lewerke is one of just six Spartans to collect more than 6,000 yards of total offense in his career; he curently ranks fifth in MSU history with 6,332 total yards.

• 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).

MR. VERSATILE: CONNOR HEYWARD NAMED FINALIST FOR PAUL HORNUNG AWARD –
• Running back Connor Heyward was named one of five finalists for the 2018 Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. In 2018, Heyward led the Spartans in rushing (118 carries for 529 yards), rushing touchdowns (5), kick returns (13 for 287 yards) and all-purpose yards (1,065). He also ranked third on the team in scoring (30 points; five TDs) and receptions (32 for 249 yards). His 32 receptions were the most by a Spartan running back since Le'Veon Bell (32 in 2012).

• Heyward received Michigan State's Downtown Coaches Club Award for the most outstanding player on offense. He was also named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a kick returner by the media.

• In the win over Maryland on Nov. 3, Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards on 15 carries and tied his career high with two rushing touchdowns. He scored on an 18-yard TD in the first quarter and on an 80-yard TD in the fourth quarter that put MSU on top 24-3; Heyward's 80-yard TD run was the longest of the season for MSU and the first Spartan rushing TD of at least 80 yards since 2014 (Delton Williams 80 yards vs. Eastern Michigan). Heyward also had a career-high 208 all-purpose yards (157 rushing, 49 kick return, 2 receiving), including a season-long 49-yard kickoff return to open the second half. Heyward's 157 rushing yards were the most ever by a Spartan against Maryland (previous: LJ Scott with 147 yards in 2017).

• Heyward collected 177 all-purpose yards at Nebraska on Nov. 17, his second-best output of the season. On the ground, Heyward had a career-high 21 carries for 80 yards; he also had five receptions for a career-best 78 yards, including a career-long 36-yard catch in the third quarter and a 34-yard catch in the fourth quarter. In addition, he had a 19-yard kickoff return.

• In MSU's 21-17 win at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, Heyward compiled 79 all-purpose yards, including a 26-yard run on a fake punt that set up MSU's first TD scoring drive of the game. Later on that same drive, Heyward completed a 36-yard pass to Cam Chambers to make it first-and-goal for the Spartans.

• A native of Duluth, Georgia, Heyward leads all active Spartans with 1,601 all-purpose yards in his career (723 kick return, 582 rushing, 290 receiving, 6 punt return).

CODY WHITE LEADS TEAM IN RECEIVING YARDS DESPITE MISSING FOUR GAMES IN 2018 –
• Cody White was having a sensational start to his second season in the Green and White with 20 catches for 300 yards in the first four games of the 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, where he caught two passes for 24 yards. 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 just 23 career games, including 15 starts, White has 79 catches for 1,063 yards and six touchdowns.

DARRELL STEWART: MR. CONSISTENCY –
• Darrell 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.

• Stewart is one of 30 Spartans in school history to record at least 100 career catches and is just one yard away from recording 1,000 career receiving yards. The Houston, Texas, native is 25th in the school record books with 107 career receptions and has 999 receiving yards and three TDs in 35 career games, including 13 starting assignments.

• Stewart has MSU's longest active streak with at least one reception in 25 consecutive games.

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 highest field-goal percentage of any kicker in MSU history through his two-plus seasons (.822, 37-of-45).

• Coghlin also ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in PAT percentage (first at 100 percent; 65-of-65), field goals made (10th with 37), PATs (11th with 65) and points scored (tied for 18th with 182).

• In the 2019 season opener against Tulsa, Coghlin tied a career high with four field goals (38 yards, 47 yards, 44 yards, 40 yards); he also kicked four field goals against Rutgers in 2017.

• 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 opened the 2018 season with three field goals in the win over Utah State, including a season-long 49-yarder, and also had multiple field-goal outings against Arizona State (2), Northwestern (2), Purdue (3), Ohio State (2), Nebraska (2) and Oregon (2). He set a new school record with 18 consecutive field goals, dating back to 2017, before a kick was blocked in the Purdue game. That streak was also tied for the fourth longest in Big Ten history.

• 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 first in MSU history in field-goal percentage (33-of-41, .805).

• 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.

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 (42.3), ninth in punting yards (8,070) and 10th in punts (191).

• 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.

• 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.

ROUGH SLEDDING AGAINST SPARTANS –
• In 159 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 81 times (.509 percent). MSU is 69-12 (.852) in those games, including a 59-7 (.894) record since 2010.

TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS –
• Michigan State's record-setting three-year stretch in which it won 36 games from 2013-15 was fueled by creating turnovers and limiting mistakes. The Spartans ranked in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 10 and led the Big Ten in turnover margin for three consecutive seasons from 2013-15 (No. 10 in 2013 at +0.93; No. 2 in 2014 at +1.46; No. 4 in 2015 at +1.00).

• Michigan State has forced at least one turnover in 129 of 159 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (81 percent of the games since 2007).

• Michigan State is 70-16 (.814) 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 64-21 record (.753) 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 31-4 (.886) against nonconference opponents in Spartan Stadium (only losses: 2009 to Central Michigan; 2012 to No. 20 Notre Dame; 2016 to BYU; 2017 to Notre Dame).

• Dantonio is 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.

SPARTANS SUCCESSFUL IN NONCONFERENCE GAMES –
• Mark Dantonio is 40-16 (.714) against nonconference opponents, including a 31-4 (.886) mark in Spartan Stadium. Dantonio is 30-1 (.968) against teams in the Group of Five conferences.

RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 89-21 (.809) when outrushing its opponent, including a 73-14 record (.839) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 19-30 (.388) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 40-6 (.870) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.

• Under Dantonio, when Michigan State runs at least 40 times in a game, the Spartans are 73-9 (.890). Here's the breakdown by year: 2007 (6-2), 2008 (7-0), 2009 (4-0), 2010 (4-0), 2011 (3-0), 2012 (6-1), 2013 (7-0), 2014 (11-0), 2015 (7-0), 2016 (3-5), 2017 (9-0), 2018 (5-1) and 2019 (1-0).