No. 12 Michigan State Takes On Penn State Saturday in Spartan Stadium

Game 12: No. 12 Michigan State (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) vs. Penn State (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 27
Kickoff: 3:36 p.m. EST
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Live Stats
Parking: Parking lots will be open at 9 a.m. | Parking Information

TV: ABC
Mobile: WatchESPN/ESPN app
Announcers: Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Molly McGrath (sidelines)

Radio: Spartan Media Network | Affiliate Listings
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jason Strayhorn
Sidelines: Steve Courtney
Website/Mobile: msuspartans.com/MSU Spartans app/Tune In radio
Flagship Stations: Lansing: WMMQ (94.9 FM)/WJIM (1240 AM); Detroit: WJR (760 AM); Grand Rapids: WBFX (101.3 FM)
Affiliates: 30 affiliates listed at msuspartans.com
Satellite: Sirius (Ch. 83), XM (Ch. 83), SiriusXM app (Ch. 83)
Pre-game Show: Begins at 2 p.m.

All-Time Series: Tied, 17-17-1
All-Time Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 10-6
Big Ten Games: PSU leads, 16-9

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mel Tucker
MSU Record: 11-7 (second year)
Overall Record: 16-14 (third year)
Record vs. PSU: 0-1

PSU Head Coach: James Franklin
PSU Record: 67-32 (eighth year)
Overall Record: 91-47 (11th year)
Record vs. MSU: 3-4

FIRST-AND-10 –
• The Land Grant Trophy will be on the line Saturday, Nov. 27 as No. 12 Michigan State hosts Penn State in Spartan Stadium at 3:30 p.m. in the regular-season finale. Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge and Molly McGrath will have the call on ABC. The Spartans (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) fell at Ohio State last Saturday, while the Nittany Lions (7-4, 4-4) shut out Rutgers at home, 28-0. Michigan State is looking to go undefeated at home for the first time since 2015.

• The all-time series between Michigan State and Penn State is tied at 17-17-1. The Spartans have won five of the last eight meetings against the Nittany Lions, including two Top-10 victories over PSU (No. 7 in 2017, No. 8 in 2018). MSU is 10-6 against Penn State in East Lansing (6-6 in Big Ten games).

• Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has been presented the Land Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities' unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855: Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned. Since 1993, Penn State leads the series, 16-9, but the Spartans have won five of the last eight.

• Junior running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Kenneth Walker III ranks second in the FBS in rushing, averaging 136.2 yards per game. He has led the FBS in rushing for all but two weeks of the season, but in limited action last week at Ohio State, he had six carries for 25 yards and only played one series in the second half. Walker leads the FBS in rushing yards after contact (first with 1,090), 20-plus yard carries (first with 19) and missed forced tackles (first with 81), and also ranks among the nation's leaders in total rushing yards (second with 1,498), 10-plus yard carries (tied for third with 42), total touchdowns (third with 18), rushing touchdowns (fourth with 17), yards from scrimmage (fourth with 144.3 ypg), all-purpose yards (seventh with 144.3 ypg) and yards per carry (eighth with 6.43). Walker has been named a finalist for both the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award.

• Through 11 games, Walker has collected 1,498 rushing yards, the most by a Spartan since Jeremy Langford had 1,522 yards in 13 games in 2014. That was also the last time MSU had a 1,000-yard rusher. Walker was the fastest Spartan to reach 1,000 yards in a single season in terms of carries (153 carries). Walker's 17 rushing TDs are sixth most in an MSU season and his 1,498 rushing yards are sixth most.

• Ten Spartans are in their last year of NCAA eligibility and will participate in their final home game in Spartan Stadium on Saturday: C Matt Allen, OT AJ Arcuri, DE Drew Beesley, OT Luke Campbell, K Matt Coghlin and DE Jacub Panasiuk all returned for an extra season with MSU in 2021, while transfers Drew Jordan (DE), Spencer Rowland (DB), Anthony Russo (QB) and Cody Waddell (P) also played their final collegiate season wearing the Green and White.

• Placekicker Matt Coghlin and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk both played in their 55th career game in a Spartan uniform last Saturday at Ohio State, establishing a new MSU program record for most games played (previous record: 54 games by Mike Sadler, Marcus Rush, Shilique Calhoun, Darien Harris, Taybor Pepper and Taiwan Jones).

• Michigan State is looking for its 10th win of the season on Saturday against Penn State. It would be the ninth time MSU has reached the 10-win plateau in a season (1965, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) and the first time since 2017. MSU head coach Mel Tucker would be the earliest Spartan coach to record a 10-win season (previous: Mark Dantonio with 11 wins in his fourth season in 2010).

• After spending six consecutive weeks in the top 10 of both national polls, the Spartans are ranked No. 12 in this week's AP Poll and No. 13 in the USA TODAY/AFCA Coaches Poll. MSU has been ranked in the Top 25 for 10 straight weeks. The Spartans are ranked No. 12 in this week's College Football Playoff Top 25.

• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Payton Thorne, a midseason addition to the Manning Award Watch List, has completed 61 percent of his passes (187-of-309) for 2,618 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks among the Big Ten and FBS leaders in passing efficiency (third and 44th with 150.0 rating), passing TDs (second and 22nd with 22), passing (fifth and 44th with 238.0 ypg) and total offense (fifth and 45th with 250.5 ypg). Thorne ranks tied for fifth in the FBS with five passes of 60-plus yards, all touchdowns (85 yards to Jayden Reed vs. Youngstown State; 75 yards to Reed vs. Youngstown State; 65 yards to Jalen Nailor vs. Rutgers; two 63-yarders to Nailor vs. Rutgers). Thorne also ranks 13th in the FBS with 944 yards of his passing coming on completions of 20-plus yards and tied for seventh with 11 TDs of 20-plus yards. Thorne's 22 TD passes are tied for fourth most in a Spartan season (school record: 25 by Kirk Cousins in 2011).

STAT LEADERS–
Michigan State:
Rushing – Jr. Kenneth Walker III (233 carries for 1,498 yards, 6.4 avg., 17 TDs)
Passing – R-So. Payton Thorne (187-of-309, .605, 2,618 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs)
Receiving – R-Jr. Jayden Reed (47 catches for 857 yards, 18.2 avg., 7 TDs)
Tackles – Sr. S Xavier Henderson (89 tackles, 57 solo, 32 assists, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 FF)

Penn State:
Rushing – So. Keyvone Lee (89 carries for 416 yards, 4.7 avg., 2 TDs)
Passing – R-Sr. Sean Clifford (224-of-362, .619, 2,599 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Sr. Jahan Dotson (83 receptions for 1,045 yards, 12.6 avg., 10 TDs)
Tackles – R-Sr. LB Ellis Brooks (91 tackles, 50 solo, 41 assists, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU)

A QUICK GLANCE AT NO. PENN STATE (7-4, 4-4 BIG TEN) –
• The Nittany Lions bring a 7-4 overall and 4-4 Big Ten ledger into the battle for the Land Grant Trophy on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. PSU is currently on a win-loss-win pattern after a three-game losing skein, that followed opening 5-0. Penn State kicked off the 2021 season and Big Ten action with a road win at No. 12/15 Wisconsin (16-10 on Sept. 4), then won its next four games all at home over Ball State (44-13 on Sept. 11), No. 22/20 Auburn (28-20 on Sept. 18), Villanova (38-17 on Sept. 25) and Indiana (24-0 on Oct. 2). The Nittany Lions' losing skid started with a loss at No. 3 Iowa (23-20 on Oct. 9), before a wild home loss to Illinois (20-18 in 9OT), then a hard-fought defeat at No. 5/5 Ohio State (33-24 on Oct. 30). PSU got back on the winning track with a road win at Maryland (31-14 on Nov. 6), then a tough loss to No. 9/8 Michigan (21-17 on Nov. 13), before blanking Rutgers (28-0 on Nov. 20) in its last action.

• Last time out, the Nittany Lions shut out the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, 28-0, in PSU's final home game of the season. Freshman quarterback Christian Veilleaux came off the bench late in the first quarter, replacing redshirt senior quarterback Sean Clifford, who left due to illness, and after a scoreless first quarter, got Penn State got on the board with an 8-yard pass to senior wideout Jahan Dotson late in the second quarter. Veilleaux threw two more TD passes in the third quarter, first to sophomore wide receiver Parker Washington from 17-yards out, then a 67-yard strike to redshirt-freshman Malick Meiga for Meiga's lone catch of the game. Sophomore running back Keyvone Lee capped the scoring with a 7-yard TD run midway through the fourth.

• PSU's offense amassed 407 yards of total offense (258 through the air and 149 on the ground), while the Nittany Lion defense stymied Rutgers to just 160 yards of total offense (93 passing, 67 rushing).

• Veilleaux was 15-of-24 passing for 235 yards with three TDs, while rushing for 36 yards on 10 carries. Lee had 13 carries for 41 yards and the TD. Washington led the Nittany Lion receivers with six catches for 72 yards and the TD, while Dotson had three receptions for 52 yards and the score.

• Senior safety Jaquan Brisker spearheaded the PSU defense with seven tackles and one pass break-up, while senior defensive end Arnold Ebiketie led the defense with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

• For the season, PSU leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the FBS in scoring defense (15.5 ppg), while ranking fifth in the conference and 27th in the country in total defense (334.3 ypg), including fifth in the league in passing defense (202.9 ypg) and seventh in rushing defense (131.4 ypg). Offensively, the Nittany Lions are seventh in the Big Ten in scoring offense (26.2 ppg), while ranking eighth in total offense (381.5 ypg), with the fifth-ranked passing offense in the league (270.9 ypg) and ranking 13th in rushing offense (110.5 ypg).

• Clifford is sixth in the Big Ten in passing (236.3 ypg) on 224-of-362 passing, also ranking sixth in passing yards (2,599), along with ranking fifth in both percentage (.619) and TD passes (17), with five INTs. Clifford also has 79 rushing attempts for 142 yards (1.8 ypc/12.9 ypg) with two TDs. Veilleux is 15-of-24 for 235 yards with three TDs, all coming last time out vs. Rutgers, and he did not throw and INT.

• Lee leads the PSU rushing attack with 89 carries for 416 yards (4.7 ypc/37.8 ypg) with two TDs. Junior running back Noah Cain has 100 carries for 322 yards (3.2 ypc/29.3 ypg) with four TDs.

• Dotson has 83 catches for 1,045 yards (12.6 ypg/95.0 ypg) with 10 TDs, ranking second in the Big Ten in receptions/game (7.5), along with third in the conference in total yards, yards per game and TDs, while ranking 20th in yards per catch. Dotson is also ninth in the FBS in receptions/game, tied for eighth in TDs, 17th in total yards and 18th in yards/game.

• Senior linebacker Ellis Brooks tops the PSU defense with 91 total tackles (50 solo, 41 assists) with 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, adding one pass break-up. Junior linebacker Brandon Smith adds 76 stops with 9.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks.

• Ebiketie tops the Big Ten and ranks tied for fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss (17.0), along with second in the league and tied for sixth in the nation in TFL/game (1.55), and third in the conference and 14th in the country in TFL yards (79). He also is third in the Big Ten in sacks (9.5), also ranking third in both sack yards (62) and sacks/game (0.86). Ebiketie is third on the Nittany Lion defense with 58 tackles, adding a team-best seven QB hurries.

• Senior Jordan Stout handles PSU's punting, placekicking and kickoffs. Stout is second in the Big Ten and 10th in the FBS in punting (46.5 ypp), with 59 punts with a long of 76-yards, one of 24 punts of 50+ yards. He also has 31 inside the 20. Stout is also tied for fourth in the B1G for field goals made on 16-of-22 (.727) with a long of 52 yards, ranking tied for fourth in FB made/game (1.5) and is 32-of-33 on PATs. He has 58 kickoffs with a B1G-leading 64.7 ypk average, tying for the conference lead with 53 touchbacks for a B1G-best 91.4 touchback percentage.

• Penn State head coach James Franklin is in his eighth year leading the Nittany Lions, posting a 67-32 record. Franklin is in his 11th season overall as a collegiate head coach, logging a 91-47 ledger.

MSU/PENN STATE SERIES NOTES –
• The all-time series between Michigan State and Penn State is tied at 17-17-1. The Spartans have won five of the last eight meetings against the Nittany Lions, including two Top-10 victories over PSU (No. 7 in 2017, No. 8 in 2018).

• MSU is 10-6 against Penn State in East Lansing (6-6 in Big Ten games).

• Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has been presented the Land Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities' unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855: Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned. Since 1993, Penn State leads the series, 16-9, but the Spartans have won five of the last eight.

SPARTANS FROM THE KEYSTONE STATE –
• Michigan State's 2021 roster features two players from Pennsylvania: linebacker Cal Haladay and quarterback Anthony Russo.

LAST TIME OUT: NO. 4 OHIO STATE 56, NO. 7 MSU 7

SERIES/TEAM
• Michigan State fell to Ohio State, 56-7, last Saturday in Ohio Stadium . . . OSU leads the all-time series, 35-15, including a six-game winning streak.

• Placekicker Matt Coghlin and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk both played in their 55th career game in a Spartan uniform, establishing a new MSU program record (previous record: 54 games by Mike Sadler, Marcus Rush, Shilique Calhoun, Darien Harris, Taybor Pepper and Taiwan Jones).

OFFENSE
• Freshman wide receiver Keon Coleman had a season-best three catches for 27 yards and scored his first career touchdown with a 12-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

• Kenneth Walker III, who entered the game as the nation's leading rusher with 147.3 yards per game, was held to season lows in yards (25) and carries (6) . . . he had 29 yards from scrimmage overall (4-yard reception) . . . he only played in one series in the second half.

• Tre Mosley had a 46-yard reception in the third quarter, marking his second-longest reception of his career, behind a 51-yarder at Miami (9/18/21).

• Tight end Connor Heyward snared a season-high four receptions for 20 yards, topping his previous high of three catches, done five previous games, and the most in a game since five catches vs. Ohio State last season (12/5/20).

• Fellow graduate tight end Tyler Hunt set or tied a career high for receiving yards for the third straight week (30 yards vs. Ohio State, 30 yards vs. Maryland, 25 yards vs. Purdue).

• MSU was held to season lows in points (7), total offense (224 yards) and rushing (66 yards).

DEFENSE
• Sophomore safety Darius Snow posted a career-high 16 tackles, registering his a double-digit tackle outing and career-high for the third time in the last four games, joining 10 vs. Michigan (10/30/21) and 13 at Purdue (11/6/21) . . . Snow's 16 stops are tied for the second-most by a Spartan defender this season behind senior safety Xavier Henderson's 17 tackles vs. Nebraska (9/25/21) and matching sophomore safety Angelo Grose with 16 stops vs. Western Kentucky (10/2/21).

• Cornerback Justin White recorded his first interception as a Spartan with a pick in the third quarter . . . White is the eighth different Spartan defender with an interception this season.

• With his second-quarter sack, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Maverick Hansen registered his third sack of the season and now has 5.5 tackles for loss on the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS
• Bryce Baringer averaged 49.7 yards per punt (nine punts for 447 yards) . . . he had a season-long 74-yard punt in the fourth quarter . . . he placed five of his nine punts inside the 20 . . . his first punt of 56 yards marked his ninth outing in the 11 games this season with at least one 50+ punt . . . he later added a 61-yarder in the second quarter as he has had at least one 60-yard punt in six games this season.

2021 SPARTAN FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
• A new era of Spartan football began in 2020 as Mel Tucker started his head coaching tenure in East Lansing. Tucker, a 25-year coaching veteran with championship experience, was named Michigan State University's 25th head football coach on Feb. 12 following Mark Dantonio's retirement on Feb. 4.

• Tucker's resume, which began as a graduate assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban, has an impressive track record of success. The journey that led him back to East Lansing included a head coaching position at Colorado (2019), five seasons as a defensive coach in the Southeastern Conference (2000; 2015-18), 10 seasons in the NFL (2005-14), and four seasons at Ohio State (2001-04). He was a defensive coordinator in the NFL for seven seasons and 11 seasons overall in his coaching career.

• In 160 games as a full-time coach in the FBS, Tucker's teams have collected a 117-43 (.731) record, including 10 postseason bowl games (2000 Peach, 2002 Outback, 2003 Fiesta/BCS National Championship, 2004 Fiesta, 2004 Alamo, 2015 Cotton/CFP Semifinal, 2016 CFP/National Championship, 2016 Liberty, 2018 Rose/CFP Semifinal, 2018 CFP/National Championship), three conference championships, three national championship games and two national championships (2002 with Ohio State, 2015 with Alabama).

• Tucker coached 160 games in the National Football League (64 with Cleveland, 64 with Jacksonville, 32 with Chicago).

• Six of MSU head coach Mel Tucker's 16 wins as a head coach have come against AP Top 25 opponents (2021: No. 24 Miami and No. 6 Michigan; 2020: No. 11 Northwestern and No. 13 Michigan; 2019: No. 25 Nebraska and No. 24 Arizona State at Colorado). Tucker is 6-5 overall against AP Top 25 opponents (2-2 at Colorado; 4-3 at MSU). He became the first Spartan head coach to defeat a ranked team (AP No. 11 Northwestern) in his first home win.

• Tucker was named the national coach of the week by the Dodd Trophy and The Athletic following Michigan State's 37-33 victory over No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 30. Tucker became the first Spartan coach to win his first two games against the Wolverines (27-24 victory at No. 13 Michigan on Oct. 31, 2020).

• Tucker was named to the midseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year on Oct. 21. The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's philosophy.

• Nine of Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker's 10 assistant coaches from 2020 are back on the sidelines this fall for the Spartans. Tucker promoted Travares Tillman to an on-field role as cornerbacks coach in January after Tillman was a senior defensive assistant at MSU in 2020.

• In addition, Harlon Barnett, who is in his 13th season overall on the Spartan defensive staff and second with Tucker, will transition from cornerbacks to secondary coach. Barnett has coached four All-Americans, nine first-team All-Big Ten selections and 10 NFL Draft picks during his time at MSU (2007-17; 2020-).

• Chris Kapilovic, who is in his second season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Michigan State, was promoted to assistant head coach in January. Kapilovic, 52, joined Tucker's staff in East Lansing in February 2020 after spending the 2019 season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator in Colorado. Kapilovic has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, including roles as an offensive coordinator and/or run game coordinator at Southern Mississippi (2008-11), North Carolina (2012-18) and Colorado (2019). He has coached multiple NFL players, first-round draft picks and record-setting offenses during his career.

• Jay Johnson is the program's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Johnson, 51, is a veteran coach and administrator of 26 seasons, including 11 as an offensive coordinator at five FBS schools (Michigan State, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi) in addition to coaching quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends as a position coach. He has been nominated for the Broyles Award this season, which is given annually to the nation's best assistant coach.

• A 25-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Scottie Hazelton is in his second season as the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator. Last season, Hazelton installed a new 4-2-5 defensive scheme for the Spartans. Hazelton arrived in East Lansing after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019.

• Ted Gilmore coaches the tight ends for the Spartans. Gilmore, who has coached 26 years, has experience at the FBS and NFL ranks and has developed numerous NFL players, draft picks and All-Americans during his ccareer. He was named the 2011 FootballScoop Wide Receivers Coach of the Year after mentoring consensus All-American Robert Woods and 2011 Freshman All-American Marqise Lee at USC. Gilmore, 54, previously spent five seasons (2015-19) as the wide receivers coach at Wisconsin.

• Former Spartan great Courtney Hawkins is in his second season as the wide receivers coach, while William Peagler enters his second year coaching the running backs.

• With more than three decades of coaching experience, Ross Els is in his second season as the program's linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Els, 54, has previous experience in the Big Ten, serving as the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016 and four seasons at Nebraska under Coach Bo Pelini from 2011-14.

• Ron Burton, who enters his 29th year of coaching, is in his ninth season on the defensive staff at Michigan State and coaches the defensive line. Burton is the only coach to win the FootballScoop National Defensive Line Coach of the Year Award twice, an honor he won for the second time in 2018 after MSU finished with the top-ranked rushing defense in the country. Burton also won the award during his first season in East Lansing in 2013 when the Spartans claimed the Big Ten Championship, won the Rose Bowl, and finished No. 2 in the FBS in total defense and rushing defense.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

TEAM
• Michigan State has shown significant improvement on offense this season under second-year offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, a Broyles Award nominee. The Spartans are third in the Big Ten and 41st in the FBS in scoring offense (32.1 ppg) and fourth in the conference and 45th overall in total offense (429.1 ypg). Last season, MSU ranked 116th in scoring offense (18.0 ppg) and 109th in total offense (330.3 ypg).

• MSU's resurgent rushing attack ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 44th in the FBS, averaging 185.8 yards per game. Last season, MSU averaged 91.4 ypg on the ground, which ranked 122nd in the FBS. The Spartans accumulated 326 rushing yards at Northwestern – the first time MSU put up more than 300 rushing yards in a game since 2014 (330 yards at Indiana) – and had 272 yards on the ground against Youngstown State and 193 at Miami. MSU is averaging 5.16 yards per carry, which is 23rd in the FBS.

• Michigan State has scored nine touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season:
   • 75-yard rush by Kenneth Walker vs. Northwestern (first quarter)
   • 75-yard pass from Payton Thorne to Jayden Reed vs. Youngstown State (first quarter)
   • 85-yard pass from Thorne to Reed vs. Youngstown State (second quarter)
   • 63-yard pass from Thorne to Jalen Nailor vs. Rutgers (first quarter)
   • 63-yard pass from Thorne to Nailor vs. Rutgers (second quarter)
   • 65-yard pass from Thorne to Nailor vs. Rutgers (second quarter)
   • 94-yard rush by Walker vs. Rutgers (third quarter)
   • 58-yard rush by Walker vs. Michigan (fourth quarter)
   • 52-yard pass from Thorne to Montorie Foster vs. Maryland (first quarter)

• Michigan State is tied for third in the FBS in 80-plus yard plays (2), tied for 10th in 70-plus yard plays (4), tied for seventh in 60-plus yard plays (7), and tied for 11th with 50-plus yard plays (11).

QUARTERBACKS: PAYTON THORNE RANKS SECOND IN BIG TEN IN PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Payton Thorne, who started in the 2020 season finale at Penn State, was named the team's starting quarterback in Week 1 against Northwestern after competing with sixth-year graduate transfer Anthony Russo (Temple) during spring practice and preseason camp. Thorne owns a 9-3 record as a starting quarterback at MSU (9-2 in 2021).

• A midseason addition to the Manning Award Watch List, Thorne has completed 61 percent of his passes (187-of-309) for 2,618 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks among the Big Ten and FBS leaders in passing efficiency (third and 44th with 150.0 rating), passing TDs (second and 22nd with 22), passing (fifth and 44th with 238.0 ypg) and total offense (fifth and 45th with 250.5 ypg).

• Thorne's 22 TD passes are tied for fourth most in a Spartan season (school record: 25 by Kirk Cousins in 2011).

• Thorne also ranks third on the team in rushing with a net of 138 yards on 64 carries with three TDs, although he has gained a total of 289 yards on the ground.

• Thorne ranks tied for fifth in the FBS with five passes of 60-plus yards, all touchdowns (85 yards to Jayden Reed vs. Youngstown State; 75 yards to Reed vs. Youngstown State; 65 yards to Jalen Nailor vs. Rutgers; two 63-yarders to Nailor vs. Rutgers). Thorne also ranks 13th in the FBS with 944 yards of his passing coming on completions of 20-plus yards and tied for seventh with 11 TDs of 20-plus yards.

• Thorne tied his career high with four TD passes against Maryland on Nov. 13 (52 yards to Montorie Foster in first quarter; 29 yards to Jayden Reed in first quarter; 2 yards to Connor Heyward in second quarter; 3 yards to Reed in third quarter). Thorne also threw four TD passes against Miami and Youngstown State. He finished the game 22-of-31 passing for 287 yards, the second-most passing yards by a Spartan against Maryland (Brian Lewerke with 342 in 2019).

• At Purdue on Nov. 6, Thorne was 20-of-30 passing for 276 yards, two TDs (both to Tre Mosley) and one interception. He also had a 32-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

• Thorne helped spark a 16-point second-half comeback in the 37-33 win over No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 30 in Spartan Stadium. With the Spartans trailing 30-14, Thorne threw several key passes to rally the Spartans, including a 28-yard pass to Jayden Reed on a fourth-and-4 play from the UM 29 that set up Kenneth Walker's 1-yard TD run in the third quarter. Thorne also converted twice on two-point conversions with passes to Tre Mosley and Reed. Overall, Thorne was 19-of-30 passing for 196 yards and two interceptions against the Wolverines.

• Thorne threw for a career-high 339 yards in the victory over Rutgers on Oct. 9, including touchdown passes of 65, 63 and 63 yards to Nailor.

• Thorne threw for 327 yards in the victory over Western Kentucky while completing 20-of-30 throws. He also had a 12-yard rushing touchdown.

• The product of Naperville, Illinois, was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the conference office on Sept. 20 and was also recognized as the Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week for his performance at No. 24 Miami in Week 3. Thorne became just the second Spartan quarterback in school history, joining Connor Cook, to throw for four touchdowns in back-to-back games during MSU's 38-17 victory over the Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Thorne threw for a career-high four TDs in the Week 2 win over Youngstown State, and matched that effort against Miami by completing 18-of-31 passes for 261 yards and four more touchdowns. Cook threw for four TDs in consecutive games against Indiana and Nebraska in 2015.

• At Miami, Thorne first found Kenneth Walker III on a 7-yard screen pass for a score in the second quarter, then connected with Jalen Nailor on an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Thorne's third TD pass of the game came on a third-and-7 play early in the fourth as he hit Jayden Reed in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown. Although Thorne ended up with a net of 4 rushing yards, he scrambled for a 22-yard gain on a third-and-6 play and also converted on fourth-and-1 with a quarterback sneak to propel a touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to make it 31-17 in favor of MSU. Thorne finished the eight-play, 75-yard drive by finding Nailor in the end zone for a 39-yard pass, one play after getting the first down on the QB sneak.

• In the 42-14 win over Youngstown State in Week 2, Thorne completed 15-of-21 passes for 280 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. It marked the first time a Spartan quarterback threw for four TDs in a game since Brian Lewerke vs. Northwestern in 2017. Thorne also had 19 yards rushing on three carries (6.3 avg.), including a 10-yard TD run.

• In his second career start, Thorne threw for 185 yards on 15-of-25 passing with one TD at Northwestern in Week 1 to earn his first win as the Spartans' starting QB. Thorne also rushed for 28 yards on five carries.

• Thorne made first career start at Penn State on Dec. 12, 2020, in the regular-season finale and was 22-of-39 passing for 325 yards, an MSU record for both a Spartan QB in his first start, and also the most ever passing yards by a Spartan freshman. He also threw for three TDs in the game.

Kenneth Walker III vs Maryland

RUNNING BACKS: K9 IN THE RACE FOR THE HEISMAN TROPHY
• Junior running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Kenneth Walker III (#9) ranks second in the FBS in rushing, averaging 136.2 yards per game. He has led the FBS in rushing for all but two weeks of the season, but in limited action last week at Ohio State, he had six carries for 25 yards and only played one series in the second half.

• Walker leads the FBS in rushing yards after contact (first with 1,090), 20-plus yard carries (first with 19) and missed forced tackles (first with 81), and also ranks among the nation's leaders in total rushing yards (second with 1,498), 10-plus yard carries (tied for third with 42), total touchdowns (third with 18), rushing touchdowns (fourth with 17), yards from scrimmage (fourth with 144.3 ypg), all-purpose yards (seventh with 144.3 ypg) and yards per carry (eighth with 6.43).

• Through 11 games, Walker has collected 1,498 rushing yards, the most by a Spartan since Jeremy Langford had 1,522 yards in 13 games in 2014. That was also the last time MSU had a 1,000-yard rusher. Walker was the fastest Spartan to reach 1,000 yards in a single season in terms of carries (153 carries). Walker's 17 rushing TDs are sixth most in an MSU season and his 1,498 rushing yards are sixth most.

• Walker has been named one of three finalists for both for the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award. The Maxwell Award has presented annually to the college player of the year since 1937. Quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama and quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh are the two other finalists. Walker is looking to become just the second Spartan to win the Maxwell Award; MSU All-American safety Brad Van Pelt became the first defensive back to ever win the prestigious award in 1972.

• The Doak Walker Award has presented annually to the nation's premier running back since 1990. Tyler Badie of Missouri and Breece Hall of Iowa State are the two other finalists. Walker becomes the third Doak Walker finalist in program history (Tico Duckett, 1990; Javon Ringer, 2008).

• The winners of the awards will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. on ESPN. ESPN's Rece Davis will host the two-hour special, joined by analysts Dusty Dvoracek and Desmond Howard, with reporter Jen Lada.

• Walker has seven 100-yard rushing games this season, including two 200-yard games (264 vs. Northwestern on Sept. 3; 172 at Miami on Sept. 18; 126 vs. Western Kentucky on Sept. 25; 233 at Rutgers on Oct. 9; 197 vs. Michigan on Oct. 30; 136 at Purdue on Nov. 6; 143 vs. Maryland on Nov. 13).

• Walker carried the ball a career-high 30 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns (1 yard in second quarter; 3 yards in fourth quarter) in the 40-21 win over Maryland on Nov. 13. He also finished with 173 all-purpose yards (143 rushing, 29 receiving), marking the sixth time he has collected 150-plus all-purpose yards in a game this season.
• Walker collected his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 136 yards on 22 carries at Purdue on Nov. 6, including a 14-yard TD on fourth down in the second quarter.

• Following a record-breaking performance in the 37-33 win over No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 30, Walker III collected several honors, including National Offensive Player of the Week (Walter Camp Football Foundation, Maxwell Award, The Athletic) and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

• Walker rushed for five touchdowns, the most by any player ever against the Wolverines, and finished with a total of 197 yards on just 23 carries (8.6 avg.). His scores came on runs of 27 and 8 yards in the second quarter, 1 yard in the third quarter, and 58 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter. He also had 208 all-purpose yards (197 rushing, 11 receiving). The five TDs tied for the second most in school history (record: six by Blake Ezor vs. Northwestern in 1989; five by Javon Ringer vs. Eastern Michigan in 2008). Walker had 208 yards from scrimmage in the game (11 receiving yards on three catches).

• Walker's first carry against Michigan was for 8 yards, putting him over the 1,000-mark for the season. He became the fastest Spartan to reach 1,000 yards in terms of carries in MSU history (153 carries; previous, Javon Ringer in 2007 with 154).

• Walker's 94-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at Rutgers was the longest rush in the 125-year history of Michigan State football, bettering a 90-yard by Lynn Chandnois vs. Arizona in 1949. It was also the longest offensive play from scrimmage in school history, topping the 93-yard pass from Tony Banks to Nigea Carter vs. Indiana in 1994. Walker's 94-yard TD run is also tied for the fifth-longest rush in the FBS in 2021.

• Walker had a record-setting debut as a Spartan, rushing for a career-high 264 yards – the seventh-highest total in school history – while scoring a career-high four touchdowns to lead the Spartans past Northwestern on Sept. 3. It marked the most rushing yards by a Spartan in a debut wearing the Green and White and the fifth most by a player in the FBS this season. Walker became just the second Spartan to record more than 250 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the same game (Eric Allen, school-record 350 yards and four TDs vs. Purdue on Oct. 30, 1971).

• After seeing limited action in Week 2 vs. Youngstown State (seven carries for 57 yards, 1 TD, 8.1 avg.), Walker was back at it in the victory at Miami on Sept. 18, compiling 172 yards on the ground on 27 carries (6.4 avg.) while also catching three passes for 17 yards, including his first career TD reception on a 7-yard screen pass in the second quarter.

• Walker had his third 100-yard rushing game of the season with 126 yards on 24 carries in the victory over Western Kentucky in Week 5. He scored three touchdowns in the first half (5, 5 and 3 yards).

• Led by a school-record 94-yard touchdown run at Rutgers, Walker finished with a career-high 29 carries for 233 yards against the Scarlet Knights.

• Walker also set a school record at Wake Forest for the longest touchdown run with a 96-yarder vs. Rice as a true freshman in 2019.

• Sophomore Jordon Simmons, who led the team in rushing as a true freshman with 219 yards on 56 carries (3.9 avg.) in five games, ranks second on the team with 255 rushing yards on 54 carries (23.2 ypg; 4.7 avg.). Simmons recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 121 yards on 16 carries in the win over Youngstown State in Week 2.

• Redshirt junior Elijah Collins, who led the team with 988 rushing yards as a redshirt freshman in 2019, had three carries for 32 yards and one catch for a 20-yard TD against Youngstown State in Week 2 before leaving the game with an injury. After missing five games, he returned to action on special teams vs. Michigan. Collins has seven carries for 68 yards this season (9.7 avg.).

• Redshirt junior Harold Joiner, a transfer from Auburn, has 10 carries for 37 yards (3.7 avg.).

WIDE RECEIVERS: JAYDEN REED NAMED FINALIST FOR PAUL HORNUNG AWARD
• Redshirt junior Jayden Reed leads the team with 47 catches for 857 yards (18.2 avg.) and seven touchdowns. He was named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is awarded annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the nation's most versatile player.

• Reed was named a first-team midseason All-American by CBS Sports as an all-purpose player and by The Sporting News as a returner. He was a second-team midseason All-American by The Athletic as an all-purpose player.

• Reed ranks among the Big Ten and FBS leaders in all-purpose yards (third in Big Ten and 17th in FBS, 135.3 ypg), yards per catch (second and 27th, 18.2 avg.) and receiving yards (fifth and 41st with 77.9 ypg).

• He also is tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns (62 yards vs. Nebraska, 88 yards vs. Western Kentucky). Although he doesn't qualify due to a statistic minimum in the NCAA stats (1.2 returns per game), Reed would rank first in the nation in punt returns with his 21.3 average and is tied for the lead with two punt returns for TDs.

• Reed has scored a total of 10 touchdowns this season (seven receiving, two punt return, one rushing), good for seventh most in the Big Ten.

• Reed was recognized on the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for the fourth time of the season for his performance in the 40-21 win over Maryland on Nov. 13. Reed led all players in the game with 210 all-purpose yards, including eight catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns (29 yards in first quarter; 3 yards in third quarter). It marked Reed's eighth career 100-yard receiving game (four at Western Michigan in 2018; one at MSU in 2020; three at MSU in 2021). Reed also had four returns for 96 yards, including a game-long 39-yarder on the last play of the first quarter.

• Reed was listed on the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for the third time this fall after collecting a career-high 285 all-purpose yards (127 receiving, 88 punt return, 63 kick return, 7 rushing), the seventh-most single-game total in school history, in the win over Western Kentucky on Oct. 2. Reed scored the first time he touched the ball against the Hilltoppers with an 88-yard punt return, marking his second consecutive punt return for a touchdown (62 yards vs. Nebraska in fourth quarter). He also had his second 100-yard receiving effort of the season with four catches for 127 yards vs. WKU, including a 46-yard TD in the first quarter.

• Reed was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 27; he was also recognized on the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for the second time this season (Week 2 vs. Youngstown State). With MSU trailing 20-13 to Nebraska late in the fourth quarter, Reed returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown to tie the game with 3:47 remaining, setting the stage for an overtime win over the Huskers. It marked MSU's first punt return for a touchdown since Nov. 26, 2011 (Keshawn Martin 57 yards at Northwestern). Reed finished the game with 192 all-purpose yards (69 kick return, 62 punt return, 59 receiving, 2 rushing). His 41-yard kick return in the second quarter set up an MSU field goal. He also hauled in four passes for 59 yards, including a 35-yard TD catch from Thorne in the second quarter.

• Reed caught four passes for a career-high 181 yards against Youngstown State in Week 2; two of those catches came for 160 yards in the first half alone (75 yard TD on first play of the game; 85 yard TD in second quarter). He also tallied 264 all-purpose yards (181 receiving, 32 kick return, 48 punt return) against YSU.

• Redshirt junior Jalen Nailor has 31 catches for 587 yards and six TDs in eight games. Nailor has not played the last three games due to an injury (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State).

• Nailor was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week against Rutgers after tying a school record with three touchdown receptions to go along with five catches overall for 221 yards, the fourth-highest receiving total in school history, in MSU's 31-13 win over the Scarlet Knights. He caught TD passes of 63, 63 and 65 yards, all in the first half. According to the Big Ten Network, Nailor's 44.2 yards per reception was the highest by a Big Ten player since 2000 (minimum five receptions), surpassing Charles Rogers' 41.2 yards per reception vs. Wisconsin in 2001. Nailor had four catches for a school-record 208 yards in the first half alone. His 221 total receiving yards were the most ever by an opposing receiver in SHI Stadium history, bettering Larry Fitzgerald's (Pittsburgh) 207 yards in 2003.

• Nailor had a career-high eight receptions for 128 yards vs. Western Kentucky in Week 5.

• Nailor had two TD catches at No. 24 Miami, including a 39-yard grab in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

• Nailor topped the 1,000 career yards mark in the Western Kentucky game, becoming the 46th player in MSU history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. He has 80 catches for 1,346 yards in 27 collegiate games.

• Redshirt sophomore Tre Mosley ranks third on the team with 29 catches for 463 yards; he had a career-long 51-yard reception at Miami and a season-best six receptions for 70 yards vs. Nebraska on Sept. 25. Mosley had a career-best two TD catches at Purdue (26 and 11 yards).

TIGHT ENDS: HEYWARD MAKES POSITION SWITCH, LEADS TIGHT ENDS WITH 22 RECEPTIONS
• Redshirt senior Connor Heyward converted from running back to tight end during preseason camp, and has started all 11 games at his new position. Heyward has 26 catches for 229 yards and one TD and has been a key blocker for the Spartans in their nine victories.

• Former walk-on punter Tyler Hunt made the position switch to tight end in 2020 and has 14 catches for 136 yards in 11 games this season, including three starts, and a touchdown at Indiana.

OFFENSIVE LINE: VETERAN GROUP HAS 207 CAREER STARTS
• Michigan State's offensive line had 152 career starts returning in 2021, which ranked third most in the FBS. That number now stands at 207 career starts on the offensive line for the Spartans through 11 games. MSU has nine players of multiple games of starting experience.

• Michigan State used the same starting lineup during the first eight games of the season, but has had to rearrange the lineup the past three games (Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State) due to an injury to starting left tackle Jarrett Horst. MSU regularly rotated nine offensive linemen in its rotation throughout the first half of the season.

• Redshirt senior Kevin Jarvis leads the way with 38 career starts, including starting assignments at three different positions. He has started at left tackle (three games in 2019) and right tackle (seven games in 2020) during the past two seasons, but started the first eight games of 2021 at right guard, where he started 17 games in 2017-18. Jarvis has started at right tackle the past three games.

• Jarrett Horst, a transfer from Arkansas State, started the first eight games at left tackle. A member of the Outland Trophy Watch List, Horst started 20 games in 2019-20 at left tackle at Arkansas State.

• Junior J.D. Duplain has 21 career starts at left guard, including all 11 games in 2021.

• Sixth-year graduate Matt Allen, who only played in one game in 2020 due to a foot injury, has started the first 11 games at center. He has started 28 overall games at center throughout his career.

• Sixth-year graduate AJ Arcuri has started all 11 games (first eight games at right tackle; left tackle last three games). He started all seven games at left tackle in 2020, but made the move to right tackle this season with the addition of Horst. Arcuri, a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy.

• Center Nick Samac, guard Blake Bueter and left tackle Luke Campbell also see regular time in the playing rotation and all have multiple games of starting experience. Bueter, who has 14 career starts, has started the last three games at right guard.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

TEAM
• Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and 16th in the FBS in sacks with 3.09 per game.

• The Spartans are allowing 123.5 yards per game on the ground, fifth best in the Big Ten and 26th in the FBS. MSU has not allowed a player to rush for more than 100 yards this season.

• Michigan State ranks eight in the Big Ten and 45th in the nation in turnover margin (+0.27). MSU has forced 17 turnovers (eight fumbles, nine interceptions), tied for 37th in the FBS, and has lost 14 (six fumbles; eight interceptions; tied for 49th). MSU has a +39-point advantage in points off turnovers this season (76-39).

DEFENSIVE LINE: SENIORS LEADING THE WAYS ON THE ENDS
• Michigan State returned both starting defensive ends in 2021 in sixth-year graduate Drew Beesley and fifth-year graduate Jacub Panasiuk.

• A second-team midseason All-American by The Athletic, Panasiuk has 41 career starts to his credit, most of any active Spartan, including all 11 games this season. He has played in 55 career games the past five seasons (2017-21), which is tied for the most in program history along with kicker Matt Coghlin.

• Panasiuk ranks among the Big Ten leaders in sacks (tied for 11th with 5.5 for 37 yards) and tackles for loss (tied for 18th with 8.5 for 49 yards). According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks second in the FBS with 63 QB pressures this season.

• Overall, he has 28 tackles, nine QB hurries, two pass break-ups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

• Panasiuk was named the Pro Football Focus National Defensive Player of the Week after collecting a career-high two sacks vs. Nebraska; he had seven stops overall against the Huskers.

• Panasiuk ranks among the school's all-time leaders in sacks (13th with 14.5) and tackles for loss (16th with 29.5).

• Beesley returned to action in the Michigan game on Oct. 30 after leaving the Nebraska game on Sept. 25 in the second quarter due to an injury. He has 20 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, in seven games of action in 2021.

• Sophomore Jeff Pietrowski, who earned his first career start in Week 2 vs. Youngstown State, has 28 tackles, including 5.5 sacks (38 yards) and 7.0 TFLs (44 yards). He has also recovered a fumble and forced three fumbles this season.

• Michigan State has five players with starting experience along the interior of the defensive line, including redshirt juniors Jacob Slade (17 career starts) and Dashaun Mallory (two career starts), redshirt sophomores Maverick Hansen (two career starts) and Jalen Hunt (two career starts), and redshirt freshman Simeon Barrow (nine career starts).

• Slade has 31 tackles, including two for losses and one sack; he had a career game against Nebraska with eight tackles. Barrow started the first nine games and has 28 tackles (2.5 TFLs). Hansen earned his first career start in the win over Maryland and has 5.5 TFLs and three sacks.

LINEBACKERS: CROUCH, HALADAY RACKING UP TACKLES FOR THE SPARTANS
• Quavaris Crouch, a junior transfer from Tennessee, started 10 games for the Volunteers last season and started the first nine games of 2021 for the Spartans (missed Maryland game due to injury). Crouch ranks third on the team with 75 tackles, including two sacks (10 yards), three QB hurries, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Crouch had 13 tackles in back-to-back games vs. Indiana and Michigan.

• Redshirt freshman Cal Haladay earned his first career start in Week 1 and has kept his starting role ever since. Haladay, who was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Football Club Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Nov. 9, is fourth on the team with 74 tackles.

• Fifth-year senior Noah Harvey, who has 13 starts to his credit throughout his career, earned his first start of the season against Maryland with Crouch sidelined. Harvey responded with five tackles and his first career interception. Harvey also earned the start at Ohio State.

SECONDARY: HENDERSON LEADS TEAM WITH 89 TACKLES
• Senior safety and Reynoldsburg, Ohio, native Xavier Henderson, who was named a second-team midseason All-American by The Athletic, leads the team and ranks tied for seventh in the Big Ten with 89 tackles. He also ranks first on the team and tied for 11th in the conference with a career-high 10.0 tackles for loss, including three sacks.

• Henderson has been named a game captain every week this season for the Spartans and has started 31 consecutive games at safety heading into Saturday's game vs. Penn State.

• Henderson recorded a career-high 17 tackles vs. Nebraska, the most by a Spartan since Montae Nicholson in 2016.

• Sophomore Angelo Grose, who started four games as a true freshman at nickelback in 2020, made the move to safety in spring practice and has started all 11 games at his new position this year. Grose recorded his first career interception in the win at Miami and ranks fifth on the team with 73 tackles. He had a career-high 16 stops vs. Western Kentucky on Oct. 2. He also tied for the team lead with six pass break-ups.

• At nickelback, Darius Snow (79 tackles, 4 TFLs, one interception, one fumble recovery) has started the past seven games. He has three games with double-figure tackles, including a career-high 16 at Ohio State. Redshirt junior Michael Dowell (39 tackles, 5 PBUs) started the first four games for MSU.

• Senior transfer Ronald Williams (Alabama) has started eight of the first 11 games for the Spartans. He has 36 tackles, including two TFLs, six PBUs, one sack and one interception (vs. Miami).

• Junior transfer Chester Kimbrough (Florida) has started the last 10 games at corner for the Spartans. Kimbrough recorded his first career interception in overtime in the win over Nebraska. He has 40 tackles on the season, including three TFLs, plus three pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

• Redshirt freshman Marqui Lowery has played in six games and has 18 tackles, including a career-high seven vs. Maryland on Nov. 13. He started his first career game on Nov. 20 at Ohio State.

• Freshman Charles Brantley made his first career pick a memorable one, sealing the win over Michigan with an interception in the last minute of the game. He has 18 tackles and four pass break-ups in seven games and earned his first career start at Purdue on Nov. 6.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

KICKER: MATT COGHLIN ALL-TIME LEADER IN FIELD GOALS IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Sixth-year graduate Matt Coghlin has been the team's starting placekicker for the past five seasons, dating back to 2017. Coghlin became the school's all-time leader in field goals with his 72nd career field goal in the win over Rutgers in Week 6, surpassing Brett Swenson (2006-09).

• Coghlin is also closing in on becoming MSU's all-time leading scorer. Swenson holds that record with 377 career points; Coghlin is currently second in school history with 372 points.

• Coghlin did not play at Purdue due to an injury and only kicked PATs (3-for-3) in the win over Maryland. He was also limited at Ohio State (missed 46-yard field goal; one kickoff).

• Coghlin picked up All-Big Ten honors for the fourth time in his career in 2020 (2018, first team, media; 2017 and 2019-20, honorable mention) in addition to earning Academic All-Big Ten honors for the fourth year in a row.

• For the fourth time in his career, Coghlin was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking two field goals in Michigan State's 20-15 win at Indiana on Oct. 16. Coghlin's 51-yard field goal in the third quarter tied his career long and put MSU on top, 10-9. He added a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to go 2-for-2 on field goals for the day, extending MSU's lead to 20-15. It marked Coghlin's third game with multiple field goals in the last four contests and his 22nd career game with two or more field goals. The two field goals also extended his MSU career record with his 74th career upright split, as well as No. 1 for active FBS players. The 74 field goals now gives Coghlin sole possession of No. 2 on the Big Ten career field goals list (record: 78 by Penn State's Kevin Kelly, 2005-08).

• Coghlin was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time in his career after going 3-of-4 on field goals in the win over No. 8 Northwestern on Nov. 28, 2020, including the game-winner from 48 yards out with 3:35 left in the game that put MSU on top, 23-20, in the eventual 29-20 victory.

• Coghlin connected on 3-of-4 field goals against Nebraska in Week 4, including the fifth game-winning field goal of his career with a 21-yarder in overtime. His four previous game-winners include a 34-yarder as time expired to beat No. 7 Penn State in 2017; a 21-yarder with five seconds left to defeat Indiana in 2019; a 33-yarder to beat Maryland in 2019; and a 48-yarder with 3:35 remaining to beat No. 8 Northwestern in 2020.

• Coghlin missed the Purdue game on Nov. 6 due to an injury and freshman placekicker Stephen Rusnak made his Spartan debut in Coghlin's absence. Rusnak ended 3-of-3 on PATs, 0-1 on FGs and had five kickoffs for a 55.4 ypk average; he became the first Spartan other than Coghlin to kick a PAT since 2016.

PUNTER: BARINGER LEADS BIG TEN IN PUNTING AVERAGE
• Redshirt senior Bryce Baringer ranks first in the Big Ten and third in the FBS in punting (49.4 avg.). He's also first in the conference with 25 punts of 50-plus yards, including 10 punts of 60-plus yards. Baringer is 10th in the league with 18 punts inside the 20. He was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List on Oct. 22.

• Baringer booted five punts of 50-plus yards at Ohio State on Nov. 20, including a season-long 74-yarder and a 61-yarder. Overall, he averaged 49.7 yards per punt (nine punts for 447 yards), including five inside the 20.

• Baringer boomed a 69-yard punt in the first quarter vs. Maryland, finishing the day with a 53.0 ypp average on four punts, marking his fourth game with 50+ average. The 69-yarder topped his previous season-long of 67-yards vs. Nebraska (9/25). Baringer added a 63-yarder also in the first quarter.

• Baringer averaged 55.8 yards per punt (five for 279 yards) in the win over Michigan Oct. 30, including a 66-yarder.

• Baringer averaged 58.8 yards per punt (six punts for 353 yards) vs. Nebraska in Week 4, the second-highest single-game punting average in Big Ten history (minimum four punts). Baringer had a career-long of 67 yards, a new season-long for the second week in a row after a 65-yarder at Miami, and part of a career-best five punts over 50-yard for the night, including three of 60-plus yards. Only former Spartan All-American punter Mike Sadler had a higher single-game punting average in the history of the Big Ten (minimum four punts; 59.2 avg. vs. Indiana on Oct. 12, 2013; four punts for 237 yards). Prior to the game on Sept. 25, Michigan State and Nebraska honored the memories of Sadler and 2015 Big Ten Punter of the Year Sam Foltz as Mike's mother, Karen, and sister, Katie, along with Sam's parents Jill and Gerald Foltz, participated in the coin toss. Mike Sadler and Sam Foltz were both tragically killed in a car accident on July 23, 2016, while working a kicking camp near Waukesha, Wisconsin. It marked the first time Nebraska had played in East Lansing since the tragic accident.

• Baringer was a walk-on who joined the team in September 2018 and punted in four games. He was not on the 2019 roster, but rejoined the team as a walk-on in 2020 and earned the starting position in all seven games. Baringer earned a scholarship prior to the 2021 season.

RETURNS: JAYDEN REED NAMED FIRST-TEAM MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN
• Redshirt junior Jayden Reed leads the team in kick returns (16 for 376 yards, 23.5 avg.) and punt returns (10 for 213 yards; 21.3 avg.). He was named a first-team midseason All-American as a returner by The Sporting News and also earned midseason All-America honors by CBS Sports (first team) and The Athletic (second team) as an all-purpose player. Reed is No. 17 in the FBS in all-purpose yards (135.3 ypg) and 14th in combined kick returns (589).

• Reed is tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns, which already ties a school single-season record; he returned back-to-back punts for scores with a game-tying 62-yarder in the fourth quarter vs. Nebraska and an 88-yarder on his first attempt vs. Western Kentucky, tying the fourth-longest punt return in MSU history.

• Reed returned back-to-back punts for a TD (fourth quarter vs. Nebraska, 62 yards; first quarter vs. Western Kentucky, 88 yards) to become just the third player in school history to return two punts for a touchdown in the same season (Bill Simpson, 1972; James Ellis, 1951); both Simpson and Ellis also returned their punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games (Simpson: 48 yards vs. Illinois on Sept. 16, 1972; 74 yards vs. Georgia Tech on Sept. 23, 1972; Ellis: 57 yards vs. Penn State on Oct. 20, 1951; 55 yards vs. Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 1951). Ellis also returned his on back-to-back attempts, although there were other punts downed and returned by other players (Leroy Bolden) between his TD returns, where Reed returned his on back-to-back punts.

• Reed's 62-yard punt return for a TD vs. Nebraska in Week 4 was the first punt return for a score by a Spartan since Nov. 26, 2011, when Keshawn Martin returned a punt 57 yards for a TD at Northwestern.

• Reed is tied for first among active FBS players with three punt returns for touchdowns in his career. He also had a 93-yard punt return for a TD as a freshman at Western Michigan in 2018 against Delaware State. Reed was a Freshman All-American at WMU in 2018 after collecting 1,119 all-purpose yards (797 receiving, 215 punt return, 116 kick return, -7 rushing).

• Reed's 18.4-yard punt return average for his collegiate career ranks second among active players in the FBS.

MICHIGAN STATE ONE OF THE WINNINGEST FBS PROGRAMS IN HISTORY –
• Michigan State is one of 31 programs in the FBS to win more than 700 games. The Spartans currently rank No. 26 all-time with 719 victories (all-time record: 719-471-44, .600). Michigan State is celebrating its 125th season in 2021.

• Michigan State is looking for its 10th win of the season on Saturday against Penn State. It would be the ninth time MSU has reached the 10-win plateau in a season (1965, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) and the first time since 2017.