Post-Game Notes: Ohio State

SERIES

Michigan State fell to Ohio State, 52-12, Saturday in Spartan Stadium . . . the Buckeyes have won five straight over the Spartans and lead the overall series, 34-15.

OFFENSE

Redshirt freshman quarterback Payton Thorne was 16-of-25 passing for 147 yards, coming off the bench in the second quarter in place of injured starter Rocky Lombardi . . . Thorne completed his first 11 passes, marking the first time an MSU QB had 10 or more consecutive completions since Connor Cook had 11 vs. Illinois on Oct. 26, 2013 . . . Thorne is also the first Spartan QB to open with 10-straight completions to begin a game since Brian Hoyer started with 10 vs. UAB on Sept. 1, 2007.

Thorne's 16 completions, 25 attempts and 147 yards were all new career highs, bettering his 10-of-20 for 110 yards vs. Indiana (11/14/20) . . . Thorne also rushed for a career-best nine attempts for 42 yards, including a 31-yard run, which is his second-longest of his career behind a 38-yard scamper vs. Indiana . . . Thorne scored on a 20-yard TD run in the third quarter, which is MSU's longest rushing TD this season, and was Thorne's first TD of his Spartan career, either rushing or passing . . . the freshman signal-caller also had a new career-long pass play with a 55-yard pass to Jayden Reed in the third quarter.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jayden Reed had a team-leading five catches for 79 yards, including a new MSU career-long 55-yard reception and second-longest overall of his career behind a 62-yarder in his freshman season at Western Michigan vs. Toledo . . . Reed's 79 total receiving yards was his second-most of the season behind 128 yards in the season opener vs. Rutgers (10/24/20).

Reed added 83 yards on three kick returns, highlighted by a career-long 39-yard return, for 162 total all-purpose yards, the second-most of the season behind 185 vs. Rutgers.

Redshirt junior running back Connor Heyward had five catches Saturday, matching a season-high in the season opener vs. Rutgers (10/24/20), and second most of his career, behind seven vs. Northwestern (10/6/18).

Redshirt junior wide receiver Tyler Hunt snared four catches for 24 yards, both career-highs, surpassing his previous season total of three catches, with one in each of last three games.

DEFENSE

Michigan State's defense recorded 9.0 tackles for loss Saturday, the second-most of the season behind 11 in the season-opener vs. Rutgers (10/24/20), while the 30 TFL yards is tied for second-most, behind 37 vs. Rutgers and matching 30 yards last time week vs. Northwestern (8.0 TFL).

The Spartans also had 3.0 sacks Saturday, also the second most of the season behind 4.0 sacks last game vs. Northwestern.

Senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons registered a game-high 12 tackles, adding 2.0 tackles for loss and one fumble return . . . Simmons registered his third-straight game with double-figure stops as part of his fifth in six games this season (11 vs. Rutgers, 11 vs. Michigan, 14 vs. Indiana, 13 vs. Northwestern, 12 vs. Ohio State) . . . Simmons now has 39 tackles in his last three games, as part of 65 total stops this season (26 solo, 39 assists).

With 2.0 tackles for loss Saturday, Simmons has had at least 1.0 TFL in each of the last three outings as part of at least 0.5 in five of the six games this season . . . Simmons continues to lead MSU on the season, now with 8.5 tackles for loss.

The 12 tackles gives Simmons 221 career tackles, the most of any active Spartan in 2020 . . . with 2.0 tackles for loss Saturday, Simmons now how a team-best 25.5 TFL for his career moving up to tie for No. 27 on MSU's career TFL list . . . Simmons also played in his 45th career game, which also is tied for the most among active Spartans.

Redshirt junior linebacker Noah Harvey logged eight tackles for the second straight game, marking his fourth game this season registering eight or more stops.

Redshirt freshman defensive end Michael Fletcher logged a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss, both on sacks, and matched a career-best with four tackles . . . Fletcher's 2.0 sacks Saturday give him 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on the season.

Freshman cornerback Angelo Grose matched his career-high with six stops for the second game in a row, also registering his first forced fumble of his Spartan career, along with a pass break-up for the second time in as many games.

Redshirt junior defensive end Jack Camper logged 1.0 tackle for loss, with 0.5 sack, as part of four total tackles, matching a career-high for both TFLs and sacks, and notching a career-best total tackles, topping previous high of three tackles, done twice, last vs. Iowa (11/7/20).

Redshirt senior defensive tackle Naquan Jones posted 1.0 tackle for loss for his second-straight game and third this season with at least 1.0 TFL, now with 5.0 tackles for loss this season . . . Jones played in his 45th career game, matching Simmons for the most among active Spartans.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Redshirt senior placekicker Matt Coghlin was 1-for-1 on his lone field goal and PAT attempts . . . Coghlin is now 10-of-10 on PAT and 8-of-11 on field goals this season . . . Coghlin now has at least one made field goal in four games this season . . . the 32-yard field goal was Coghlin's 63rd made field goal of his career, separating from a tie for No. 2 on MSU's career field goals made list with Dave Rayner . . . the field goal and PAT give Coghlin 299 career points, needing one more point to become the fifth Spartan football player to score 300 total points.

Redshirt junior punter Bryce Baringer punted for career-highs of 10 times for 435 yards, with a long of 56 yards . . . Baringer also had a career-best four inside the 20 . . . along with the long of 56 yards, Baringer had a 52-yarder for two of 50+ yards.

Players Mentioned

Bryce Baringer

Jack Camper

Matt Coghlin

Michael Fletcher

Angelo Grose

Noah Harvey

Connor Heyward

Tyler Hunt

Naquan Jones

Rocky Lombardi

Jayden Reed

Antjuan Simmons

Payton Thorne

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