Spartans Take On Indiana for Old Brass Spittoon

Game 11: Michigan State (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19
Kickoff: 12:01 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass
Live Stats: Click here: Live Stats
Parking: Campus parking lots open at 7 a.m. Please note that due to winter weather, the Cherry Lane lot will not be available for the Indiana game on Saturday.

TV: Big Ten Network
Mobile: FOX Sports app
Announcers: Cory Provus (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst), Elise Menaker (sidelines)

Radio: Spartan Media Network | Affiliate Listings
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jason Strayhorn
Sidelines: Steve Courtney
Broadcast Host: Will Tieman
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: 24 affiliates listed at msuspartans.com
Satellite: Sirius/XM (Ch. 99/196), SiriusXM app (Ch. 958)
Pregame Show: Begins at 10:30 a.m.

All-Time Series: MSU leads, 49-17-1
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 26-7-1
Last Meeting: MSU 20, IU 15 (2021)
Current Series Streak: 1 by MSU (2021)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mel Tucker
MSU Record: 18-12 (third year)
Overall Record: 23-19 (fourth year)
Record vs. Indiana: 1-1

Indiana Head Coach: Tom Allen
Indiana Record: 29-39 (sixth year)
Overall Record: 29-39 (sixth year)
Record vs. MSU: 1-4

►FIRST-AND-10
• Michigan State will be looking for its fourth win in the last five games when it hosts Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 19 at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network with Cory Provus (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst) and Elise Menaker (sidelines) on the call. The Spartans (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) won their second straight game with a 27-21 victory over Rutgers last Saturday in Spartan Stadium, while Indiana (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) fell at No. 2 Ohio State, 56-14.

• Saturday's game marks the 69th meeting between Michigan State and Indiana. The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Hoosiers, 49-17-2, including a 26-7-1 record in East Lansing.

• Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon. The brass spittoon came from one of Michigan's earliest trading posts and is widely believed to be more than 200 years old. Legend has it that the spittoon was around when both institutions were founded – Indiana in 1820 and MAC in 1855. The trophy was initiated by the junior and senior classes and student council at Michigan State, and soon accepted by the Indiana Student Senate. Since 1950, Michigan State leads the series, 49-14-1.

• Redshirt sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row after recording a career-high 19 tackles in the win over Rutgers, the most by a Big Ten player this season. Haladay is just the second Spartan to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks. In the win at No. 16 Illinois on Nov. 5, Haladay posted nine tackles, including a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss (10 yards). Haladay ranks second in the Big Ten with a career-high 99 tackles (9.9 pg).

• Redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne, who has started 24 consecutive games for the Spartans, is 191-of-302 passing (.632) for 2,152 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions through the first 10 games. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 16 passing touchdowns, including 10 of 25-plus yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Thorne has thrown nine TDs downfield for 20-plus yards (tied for first in the Big Ten and tied for 11th in the FBS). Currently with 5,967 career passing yards, Thorne needs just 33 passing yards to become the seventh quarterback in MSU history to pass for 6,000 career yards.

• Sixth-year graduate senior punter Bryce Baringer continues to lead the FBS in punting with his 49.6-yard average. MSU also leads the FBS in net punting (46.0-yard average) as Baringer has only three touchbacks this season while placing 21 of his 42 punts (50 percent) inside the 20, including eight inside the 10. He also has 21 punts of 50-plus yards (50 percent), tied for second in the Big Ten, including eight of 60-plus yards. A two-time Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week, Baringer was named a first-team midseason Associated Press All-American and he has made five appearances on the "Ray's 8" weekly honor roll.

• Michigan State has won three of its last four games since fifth-year senior safety Xavier Henderson and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Jacob Slade returned to the field in Week 7 vs. Wisconsin after missing extensive time with injuries. Henderson, who entered the season with 33 consecutive starts, left the Week 1 game against Western Michigan in the first half and missed five straight games before returning to the starting lineup against the Badgers. Slade, a second-team preseason Walter Camp All-American, was also out for four games prior to coming back against the Badgers. MSU is allowing an average of 205.5 passing yards in the last four games with Henderson commanding the secondary, compared to 292.0 yards in the first six games.

• Fifth-year graduate senior wide receiver Jayden Reed, a 2021 first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, leads the team with 45 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. He had four receptions for 90 yards in the win over Rutgers, including a 25-yard TD catch in the third quarter. Reed has one touchdown catch in five of the last six games. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in TD receptions (tied for eighth with five), receiving yards (eighth with 60.9 ypg; 548 overall) and receptions (tied for eighth with 5.0 pg; 45 overall). Reed and quarterback Payton Thorne have teamed up for 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons (10 in 2021, five in 2022), including nine of 25-plus yards (seven in 2021; two in 2022). Reed needs just 19 yards to become the 12th Spartan in school history to record 2,000 career receiving yards.

• Sophomore wide receiver Keon Coleman ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown catches (tied for fourth with six), receiving yards (eighth with 600; 60.0 ypg) and receptions (14th with 42; 4.2 pg). He had a career-high 155 receiving yards on just five catches at No. 4 Michigan on Oct. 29. According to Pro Football Focus, Coleman has 11 catches downfield of 20-plus yards, which leads the Big Ten and ranks tied for ninth in the FBS; in addition, his five TD catches downfield of 20-plus yards are most in the conference and tied for sixth in the FBS.

• Through 10 games, Michigan State has forced 14 fumbles, which is tied for third most in the FBS. The Spartans have recovered 10 of those fumbles, which is tied for 13th in the FBS. Last season, Michigan State led the Big Ten and ranked tied for seventh in the FBS with 15 forced fumbles and ranked tied for 16th in the FBS with 10 fumble recoveries.

LAST TIME OUT: MSU 27, RUTGERS 21
►SERIES/TEAM
• Michigan State defeated Rutgers, 27-21, last Saturday afternoon in Spartan Stadium for its third win in the last four games . . . with the six-point victory, MSU improved to 8-0 in one-score games under third-year head coach Mel Tucker.

• Michigan State improved to 10-4 all-time against Rutgers . . . MSU is 5-3 vs. Rutgers in East Lansing . . . the Spartans are 8-1 against the Scarlet Knights in Big Ten games . . . MSU head coach Mel Tucker is 2-1 against Rutgers.

►OFFENSE
• Michigan State had 197 yards rushing, the most in a Big Ten game for the Spartans this season while matching their second-highest of the season overall, behind 260 vs. Akron (9/10/22) and equaling 197 vs. Western Michigan (9/2/22) in the season opener.

• The 453 yards of total offense by the Spartans was the most in a Big Ten game this season for MSU, and third-highest overall behind 430 vs. Western Michigan (9/2/22) and 496 against Akron (9/10/22).

• With 256 passing yards Saturday, redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne had his second-highest passing total in a Big Ten game this season, behind 265 vs. Wisconsin (10/15/22), as part of third-highest overall, behind a season-high 323 vs. Washington (9/17/22) . . . it marked Thorne's seventh 200-plus yard outing of the season in 10 games this year . . . Thorne was 19-for-35 with two TDs, marking his second-straight game with multiple TDs as part of third time in last four games.

• Thorne's two TDs gave him 46 for his Spartan career, moving up to tie for No. 5 on MSU's career passing TD list, matching Bill Burke (1996-99) . . . the 256 yards gives Thorne 5,967 passing yards, moving up to No. 7 on the Spartan career passing yards list . . . with 19 completions, Thorne now has 473 for his career, also moving up to No. 7 on the career pass completions list.

• Graduate senior wide receiver Jayden Reed snared four receptions for 90 yards and one TD, his second-most receiving yards this season behind a season-high 117 vs. Wisconsin (10/15/22) . . . Reed's TD catch was his second game in a row with a scoring reception and he has had one in five of the last six games played as part of five total on the season, as part of his 18th of his Michigan State career (seventh most in MSU history) and 26th of his collegiate career.

• Reed now has at least one catch in 29 straight games, which is every game of his Spartan career, and is No. 21 among active FBS players . . . he has a catch in 41 of 42 career collegiate games played.

• With the 90 yards Saturday, Reed now has 3,073 all-purpose yards during his MSU career, becoming the 25th player in Spartan history with 3,000 all-purpose yards . . . he also moved up to tie for No. 9 on MSU's career receptions list, now with 135 and tying Charles Rogers (2001-02).

• Redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Berger rushed for 85 yards on 16 carries, while graduate senior Jarek Broussard had 80 yards on 11 carries . . . the Spartan duo's combined 165 yards was their most in a Big Ten game this season and third-most overall this year behind a season high 188 vs. Akron (9/10/22) with 107 for Berger and 81 for Broussard, and 174 in the season opener vs. Western Michigan (9/2/22) with 120 for Berger and 54 for Broussard.

• Berger's 85 yards was his Big Ten-high for the second straight game, topping 81 at Illinois (11/5/22), and the third-highest of the year behind 120 vs. WMU and 107 vs. Akron . . . Broussard's 80 yards was also the most in a Big Ten game and his second-highest overall behind the 81 vs. Akron.

• Berger scored a 2-yard TD in the second quarter for his sixth rushing TD of the season and ninth of his collegiate career, with three during his career at Wisconsin.

• Graduate senior tight end Daniel Barker had four catches for 64 yards including a 26-yard TD pass for the Spartans' first score of the day . . . it was Barker's second TD catch of the season and 13th of his collegiate career after 11 during his time at Illinois . . . the 64 yards was Barker's most in a Big Ten game and second-most of the season behind 69 at Washington (9/17/22), while the four receptions was also his Big Ten-high and second-highest of the season behind seven also at Washington . . . Barker's 16.0 yards per catch was a season high.

►DEFENSE
• Redshirt sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay recorded a career-high 19 tackles, the most by a Spartan since Eric Smith had 19 against Notre Dame on Sept. 18, 2004 . . . Haladay also had a 3-yard tackle for loss.

• Fifth-year senior safety Kendell Brooks recorded double-digit tackles for the fourth time this season with 10 (one solo, nine assists) . . . Brooks also had a career-high two pass break-ups as part of five overall for the Spartans.

• Fifth-year senior linebacker Ben VanSumeren was credited with a 13-yard sack on an intentional grounding call in the second quarter . . . VanSumeren had eight stops overall in the game.

• Redshirt sophomore defensive end Avery Dunn collected a career-high six tackles, including his first career sack.

• Graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule was credited with six tackles, including 1.5 for losses (15 yards) and a 13-yard sack.

• Michigan State had six tackles for loss (42 yards) and three sacks overall (33 yards) in the game.

• Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Jacob Slade blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter . . . it marked the first blocked field goal for the Spartans since Mike Panasiuk in 2018 vs. Purdue.

►SPECIAL TEAMS
• Graduate senior punter Bryce Baringer, the Ray Guy Award Watch List member and five-time Ray's 8 honoree, had three punts averaging 45.3 ypp . . . Baringer's game-long punt of 64 yards in the second quarter was downed at the Rutgers 4-yard line, and came after getting run into by a Rutgers defender . . . all three of Baringer's punts were inside the 20, with a 51-yarder being fair caught in the third quarter and a 21-yarder that was out-of-bounds at the Rutgers 17 . . . with two punts of over 50 yards, Baringer now has 21 punts of 50+ yards of his 42 total, good for 50.0 percent of his punts going for over 50 . . . the 64-yarder also gives Baringer eight punts of 60+ yards, good for 19.0 percent.

• Baringer has seven punts inside the 20 in the last two games, as part of 15 in the last five games with 20 total for the season.

• Redshirt junior placekicker Ben Patton made an MSU season-high two field goals, splitting the uprights from 34-yards out midway through the fourth quarter before a 48-yarder late in the game . . . the 48-yarder was Patton's second-longest of his collegiate career behind a 49-yarder during his career at Auburn, coming against Alabama (11/27/21) . . while the two field goals tied his collegiate high for the third time, with both previous times coming while at Auburn, most recently vs. Houston (12/28/21) . . . Patton was also 3-for-3 on PATs and his now 11-of-12 during his MSU career and 19-of-20 for his collegiate career.

►STAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-So. Jalen Berger (120 carries for 550 yards, 4.6 avg., 6 TDs, 55.0 ypg)
Passing – R-Jr. Payton Thorne (191-of-302, .632, 2,152 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs, 215.2 ypg)
Receiving – Gr.-5 Jayden Reed (45 catches for 548 yards, 12.2 avg., 5 TDs, 60.9 ypg)
Tackles – R-So. LB Cal Haladay (99 tackles; 32 solo, 67 assists; 8.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR, 1 FF)

Indiana:
Rushing – Sr. Shaun Shivers (114 carries for 419 yards, 3.7 avg., 4 TDs, 41.9 ypg)
Passing – R-Jr. Connor Bazelak (211-of-384, .550, 2,111 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs, 234.6 ypg)
Receiving – Jr. Cam Camper (46 receptions for 569 yards, 12.4 avg., 2 TDs, 81.3 ypg)
Tackles – R-Sr. LB Aaron Casey (80 tackles, 49 solo, 31 assists; 10.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FF)

►A QUICK GLANCE AT INDIANA (3-7, 1-6 BIG TEN)
• The Hoosiers tote a 3-7 overall ledger and a 1-6 Big Ten mark into Saturday's battle for the Old Brass Spittoon. IU opened the 2022 season with a conference game, beating Illinois, 23-20, on Sept. 2. The Hoosiers then beat Idahao, 35-22 (Sept. 10) and Western Kentucky, 33-30 in overtime (Sept. 17), as IU started 3-0 for the third time under head coach Tom Allen. However, Indiana has been on a seven-game losing skein since, most recently a 56-14 loss at No. 2 Ohio State.

• The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten and rank 12th in the FBS in kickoff returns, averaging 23.4 yards per return.

• Individually, redshirt junior quarterback Connor Bazelak is fifth in the Big Ten in passing yards/game (234.6), while ranking ninth in passing TDs (12). Bazelak is 211-of-384 for 2,111 yards (10.0 ypc/234.6 ypg) with 12 TDs and nine INTs.

• Junior wide receiver Cam Camper leads the IU receiving corps with 46 catches for 569 yards (12.4 ypc/81.3 ypg) with two TDs, one of nine different Hoosiers with at least one receiving TD. Despite suffering a season-ending injury in Week 8 at Rutgers, Camper is still 10th in the conference in total receiving yards. Simmons adds 33 catches for 344 yards (10.4 ypc/34.4 ypg) with one TD.

• Junior tight end AJ Barner shares the team lead and is tied for 17th in the Big Ten in TD catches with three, with a total of 24 receptions for 164 yards (6.8 ypc/20.5 ypg). Senior running back Josh Henderson matches Shivers with three scores, part of 18 total catches for 232 yards (12.9 ypc/23.2 ypg).

• Senior Shaun Shivers leads the Hoosier ground attack with 114 carries for 419 yards (3.7 ypc/41.9 ypg) with four rushing TDs, ranking 14th in the league in rushing yards/carry, while ranking tied for 17th in both rushing TDs and total rushing yards.

• Redshirt senior linebacker Aaron Casey spearheads the IU defense with a team-leading 80 total tackles, also topping the team with 10.0 tackles for loss. In addition to ranking seventh in the Big Ten in tackles for loss, Casey ranks sixth in the conference in total tackles and seventh in the league in tackles/game (8.0).

• Senior cornerback Tiawan Mullen leads the Hoosier secondary and ranks tied for 13th in the Big Ten with eight passes defended on six pass break-ups and two interceptions, ranking tied for 15th in the league in PBUs and tied for 13th in INTs.

• Freshman kick returner Jaylin Lucas leads the Big Ten and is 14th in the FBS in kickoff returns with 26.1 ypr, with one kick return for a TD, the only Big Ten player and one of 23 players in the FBS with a kick return for a score. Lucas returned the opening kickoff at Rutgers back for a TD, registering Indiana's first kick return for a TD since 2012 in addition to the Hoosiers' first opening kickoff return for a TD since 2009.

• Redshirt senior placekicker Charles Campbell is a perfect 22-of-22 on PATs and 12-of-15 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards, and has had one blocked.

• Sophomore punter James Evans has punted 64 times for a 44.8 ypp average, with a long of 69 yards, one of 21 punts of 50+ yards, and has 25 inside the 20. Evans leads the Big Ten with 25 inside the 20, while

• Indiana head coach Tom Allen is 29-39 in his sixth season as head Hoosier, going 1-4 against Michigan State.

►MSU/INDIANA SERIES NOTES
• Saturday's game marks the 69th meeting between Michigan State and Indiana. The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Hoosiers, 49-17-2, including a 26-7-1 record in East Lansing.

• Since 1950, the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game has been presented the Old Brass Spittoon. The brass spittoon came from one of Michigan's earliest trading posts and is widely believed to be more than 200 years old. Legend has it that the spittoon was around when both institutions were founded – Indiana in 1820 and MAC in 1855. Since 1950, Michigan State leads the series, 49-14-1.

►QUARTERBACKS
• #12 Katin Houser (Fr., 6-3, 213, Anaheim, Calif./St. John Bosco)
(1 game, 1-for-2 passing (.500), 2 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs)

• #14 Noah Kim (R-So., 6-2, 185, Centreville, Va./Westfield)
(4 games, 14-for-19 passing (.737), 174 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs)

• #10 Payton Thorne (2L, R-Jr., 6-2, 205, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
(10 games/10 starts, 191-of-302 passing (.632), 2,152 yards, 215.2 ypg, 16 TDs, 9 INTs; 51 carries for 58 yards)

►PAYTON THORNE BACK AFTER RECORD-SETTING SEASON IN 2021
• After a record-setting season in his first year as the starting quarterback, redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne is back for the Spartans in 2022. He has started 24 consecutive games (16-8 record). Thorne set a school single-season record with 27 touchdown passes in 2021, surpassing Kirk Cousins, who previously held the record with 25 TDs in 2011. Overall in his first year as the starting quarterback, Thorne was 234-of-388 passing (.603) for 3,233 yards, 27 TDs and 10 interceptions.

• An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media in 2021, Thorne was especially effective at throwing the ball downfield, ranking tied for sixth in the FBS with 14 TD passes of 20-plus yards and tied for ninth with eight completions for 50-plus yards. He threw for 200-plus yards in eight games and 300-plus yards in three games, including a career-high 354 yards in MSU's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt. He has 16 career games of 200-plus yards passing and five with more than 300 yards.

• The Naperville, Illinois, native was named one of four captains last season and will also be counted on for his leadership for the Spartans this fall. He has been named a game captain in three of MSU's 10 games.

• Through 10 games this season, Thorne is 191-of-302 passing (.632) for 2,152 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 16 passing touchdowns, including 10 of 25-plus yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Thorne has thrown nine TDs downfield for 20-plus yards (tied for first in the Big Ten and tied for 11th in the FBS).

• Thorne surpassed the 5,000-yard passing milestone in the Ohio State game and is now seventh in Michigan State history with 5,967 career passing yards. Thorne is also tied for fifth in MSU history in career touchdown passes (46), seventh in passing completions (473) and eighth in passing attempts (775). Thorne needs just 33 passing yards to become the seventh quarterback in MSU history to pass for 6,000 career yards.

• In Week 3, Thorne completed a career-high 30 passes against Washington on 42 attempts for 323 yards and three touchdowns (7 and 33 yards to Keon Coleman; 26 yards to Tre Mosley)

• In the first game of the season, Thorne tied his career high with four touchdown passes against Western Michigan in Week 1. Thorne was 12-of-24 passing for 233 yards overall, including scoring strikes to Germie Bernard (44 yards), Daniel Barker (13 yards), Coleman (41 yards) and Mosley (43 yards). Thorne joins Connor Cook as the only Spartans to throw four TDs in a single game four times in a career.

►NOAH KIM, KATIN HOUSER BACKING UP THORNE
• Redshirt sophomore Noah Kim serves as the back-up quarterback and is 14-of-19 passing (.737) for 174 yards and three touchdowns in four games. He was 2-for-2 passing for 22 yards against Akron in Week 2 and was 6-of-7 for 70 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard, vs. Minnesota. On his first official passing attempt of his career against the Zips he threw a 16-yard touchdown to Tre Mosley. Kim was 6-of-10 passing for 82 yards, including a 25-yard TD to Montorie Foster Jr., vs. No. 3 Ohio State.

• The Spartans also welcomed in freshman Katin Houser as an early enrollee in January and he participated in spring practice. Houser was rated a consensus four-star prospect and was an Elite 11 finalist last summer. He played six snaps in his collegiate debut vs. Akron.

• Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson is in his third year coaching the quarterbacks for the Spartans.

Jalen Berger vs Nebraska — **Jalen Berger rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown against Rutgers.**

►RUNNING BACKS
• #8 Jalen Berger (R-So., 6-1, 215, Newark, N.J./Wisconsin)
(10 games/9 starts, 120 carries, 550 yards. 4.6 avg., 6 TDs, 55.0 ypg)

• #3 Jarek Broussard (Gr.-5, 5-9, 195, Dallas, Texas/Colorado)
(10 games/1 start, 58 carries, 284 yards, 4.9 avg., 3 TDs, 28.4 ypg)

• #24 Elijah Collins (3L, R-Sr., 6-1, 215, Detroit, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit)
(10 games, 41 carries, 178 yards, 4.3 avg., 4 TDs, 17.8 ypg)

►TRANSFER JALEN BERGER LEADS SPARTAN RUNNING GAME
• The Spartans featured an explosive and resurgent rushing attack last year thanks to unanimous first-team All-American Kenneth Walker III, who had one of the best seasons in Michigan State history en route to winning the Doak Walker Award, the Walter Camp National Player of the Year and the Big Ten Running Back of the Year. Walker ranked second in the FBS with 1,636 rushing yards and his 18 rushing TDs ranked tied for eighth in the nation.

• Redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Berger, a Wisconsin transfer, leads the Spartans in carries (120), rushing yards (550) and rushing touchdowns (6). Berger rushed for a career-high 120 yards and one touchdown in his Spartan debut against Western Michigan, and followed that effort with a career-high three touchdowns and 107 yards vs. Akron in Week 2. He ran for 85 yards, the most in a Big Ten game by a Spartan running back this season, on 16 carries in the win vs. Rutgers on Nov. 12.

• Berger is 15th in the Big Ten in rushing (550 yards; 55.0 ypg) and tied for 10th in the conference in rushing TDs (six).

• Berger was rated a four-star prospect out of high school before attending Wisconsin for two years (2020-21). He rushed for 389 yards and three TDs in seven career games with the Badgers, including a team-leading 301 yards on 60 carries in just four games as a true freshman during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Newark, New Jersey, native enrolled at MSU in January and made strong gains toward the end of spring practice.

• Fellow running back transfer Jarek Broussard (Colorado) ranks second on the team with 58 carries for 284 yards and three TDs. He scored his first two touchdowns as a Spartan in the Week 2 win over Akron and had 15 carries overall for 81 yards against the Zips. Broussard ran for 80 yards, his most in a Big Ten game, on 11 carries (7.3 avg.) in the win over Rutgers on Nov. 12.

• Broussard, who joined the program in May from Colorado, rushed for 1,556 yards and seven TDs the past two seasons (2020-21) in just 17 games for the Buffaloes. He was named the 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 895 rushing yards and five touchdowns in six games during the pandemic-shortened season, and followed up with 661 yards and two TDs last fall.

• Redshirt senior Elijah Collins ranks second on the team with four rushing touchdowns. He has seen his workload increase the second half of the season, including a season-high 14 carries for 43 yards and one TD in the victory over Wisconsin in Week 7. Collins nearly rushed for 1,000 yards (222 carries for 988 yards) in 13 games, including 12 starts, during his redshirt freshman season in 2019. He had 41 carries for 90 yards in 2020 and 18 carries for 102 yards in seven games last season while battling an ankle injury. Collins ranks third on the team in rushing (178 yards) and third among running backs in carries (41).

• Effrem Reed, who was an offensive analyst the past two seasons, was promoted to running backs coach in the offseason.

Jayden Reed vs Rutgers — **Jayden Reed had four catches for 90 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch, in the win over Rutgers.**

►WIDE RECEIVERS
• #5 Germie Bernard (Fr., 6-0, 200, Henderson, Nev./Liberty)
(10 games/1 start, 7 catches, 128 yards, 18.3 avg., 2 TDs, 12.8 ypg)

• #0 Keon Coleman (So., 6-4, 215, Opelousas, La./Opelousas Catholic)
(10 games/10 starts, 42 catches, 600 yards, 14.3 avg., 6 TDs, 60.0 ypg)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (R-So., 6-4, 218, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(5 games, 2 catches, 17 yards, 8.5 avg., 0 TDs, 3.4 ypg)

• #83 Montorie Foster Jr. (2L, Jr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(8 games, 6 catches, 82 yards, 13.7 avg., 1 TD, 10.3 ypg)

• #85 Cade McDonald (2L, R-Jr., 5-11, 195, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
(9 games, 3 catches, 31 yards, 10.3 avg., 0 TDs, 3.4 ypg)

• #17 Tre Mosley (2L, R-Jr., 6-2, 198, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(10 games/6 starts, 28 catches, 260 yards, 9.3 avg., 4 TDs, 26.0 ypg)

• #1 Jayden Reed (2L, Gr.-5, 6-0, 190, Naperville, Ill./Western Michigan)
(9 games/9 starts, 45 catches, 548 yards, 12.2 avg., 5 TDs, 60.9 ypg)

►RETURNING ALL-AMERICAN JAYDEN REED LEADS TALENTED WIDE RECEIVING CORPS
• Fifth-year graduate senior Jayden Reed, who earned first-team All-America honors as an all-purpose player by the American Football Coaches Association as a junior in 2021, leads a talented wide receiving corps for the Spartans. Reed's explosiveness was one of the main reasons for MSU's school-record turnaround season last year – he not only led the Spartans with 59 catches for 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he also ranked first in the Big Ten in punt returns (19.8 avg.; 12 returns for 238 yards) and tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns (62 yards vs. Nebraska, 88 yards vs. Western Kentucky). His 10 TD grabs were sixth most in an MSU single-season and his 1,026 receiving yards ranked ninth most.

• Reed has rounded back into form after missing time with an injury that sidelined him in Week 3 at Washington. He leads the team with 45 catches and ranks second in receiving yards (548), touchdown catches (five) and all-purpose yards (632; 548 receiving, 49 punt return, 20 kick return, 15 rushing).

• Reed leads the team with 13 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 12 receptions and one kick return. He has a team-best 45 explosive plays the past two seasons (32 receptions; 10 kick returns; three punt returns).

• Reed recorded season bests in receptions (9) and receiving yards (117) against Wisconsin on Oct. 15 and accounted for both touchdowns in the double-overtime win – he threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman on the first play of overtime, then caught a 27-yard pass from Payton Thorne on third-and-12 in the second overtime that clinched the victory for the Spartans. His performance against the Badgers landed him on the Paul Hornung Award weekly honor roll.

• Reed has started all 29 Michigan State games he has played in since 2020 and has at least one catch in every one of those games. He started 12 games as a freshman at Western Michigan in 2018 and earned Freshman All-America honors for the Broncos before sitting out the entire 2019 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Reed currently ranks tied for seventh in MSU history in touchdown catches (18), ninth in receptions (137) and 12th in receiving yards (1,981). His 15.6-yard career punt return average ranks second among active FBS players. Reed needs just 19 yards to become the 12th Spartan in school history to record 2,000 career receiving yards.

• Last season, Reed was named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award – given annually to the nation's most versatile player – after averaging 18.0 yards per play (1,674 all-purpose yards on 93 total plays), which led the Big Ten and ranked tied for seventh in the FBS. Forty-two of Reed's 59 catches (.712) went for either a first down or a touchdown, and he led MSU with 32 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 20 receptions, nine kick returns and three punt returns. In addition, seven of his 10 TD catches were from 25-plus yards.

• Sophomore wide receiver Keon Coleman ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown catches (tied for fourth with six), receiving yards (eighth with 600; 60.0 ypg) and receptions (14th with 42; 4.2 pg). According to Pro Football Focus, Coleman has 11 catches downfield of 20-plus yards, which leads the Big Ten and ranks tied for ninth in the FBS; in addition, his five TD catches downfield of 20-plus yards are most in the conference and tied for sixth in the FBS.

• Coleman had a career-high 155 receiving yards on just five catches at Michigan on Oct. 29 (31.0-yard average). Coleman made a leaping 26-yard grap in the end zone in the first quarter and also had a 51-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

• Coleman showed flashes of his athleticism as a true freshman in 2021 and is now a full-time starter for the Spartans. The 6-foot-4-inch, 215-pound Coleman recorded a career-high nine catches for 116 yards and two TDs in Week 3 at Washington, and he also caught two two-point conversion passes.

• Coleman matched his two-TD game against the Huskies with two touchdowns in the Week 7 win over Wisconsin, including a leaping 25-yard catch on the first play of overtime that was thrown by Reed. The Opelousas, Louisiana, product had five catches for 79 yards overall vs. Wisconsin; he also had a 27-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter.

• Coleman spent last winter with the basketball team, playing in six games, to earn letters in both football and basketball as a true freshman in 2021-22.

• Redshirt junior Tre Mosley (R-Jr.) has been consistently productive for the Spartans throughout his career with 91 catches for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns in 33 collegiate games, including 19 starting assignments. He has a career-high four touchdown catches this season to go along with 28 receptions for 260 yards. Mosley surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving milestone for his career in the Ohio State game with a season-best six catches for 40 yards.

• True freshman Germie Bernard has seven catches for 128 yards (18.3 avg.). He made an immediate impact in his first game as a Spartan, catching his first pass and racing 44 yards to the end zone in the first quarter against Western Michigan. He also caught a 27-yard TD pass vs. Minnesota from Noah Kim. Bernard joined the Spartans in January and competed in spring practice.

• After missing the first two games of the season due to an injury, junior Montorie Foster has played in the last eight games and has six catches for 82 yards and one TD.

• Courtney Hawkins is entering his third season as the wide receivers coach for the Spartans.

►OFFENSIVE LINE
• #53 OT Brandon Baldwin (R-So., 6-7, 315, Detroit, Mich./Independence CC, 7 games/3 starts at LT)

• #58 OT Spencer Brown (1L, R-Jr., 6-6, 315, Commerce Twp., Mich, Walled Lake Western, 10 games/10 starts at RT)

• #56 RG Matt Carrick (4L, Gr.-6, 6-5, 320, Minerva, Ohio/Perry, 9 games/9 starts at RG)

• #67 LG J.D. Duplain (3L, Sr., 6-4, 300, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville, 10 games/10 starts at LG)

• #50 OG/C Brian Greene (Gr.-6, 6-3, 300, Yakima, Wash./Washington State, 10 games/1 start at RG)

• #79 LT Jarrett Horst (Sr.-5, 6-6, 300, Milddleton, Wis./Arkansas State, 8 games/7 starts at LT)

• #59 C Nick Samac (3L, Sr., 6-4, 300, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor, 10 games/10 starts at C)

►SPARTANS FEATURE 140 COMBINED CAREER STARTS ON OFFENSIVE LINE
• The Spartans lost eight lettermen from last season's offensive line, including four starters (center Matt Allen, guard Blake Bueter, tackle AJ Arcuri, guard/tackle Kevin Jarvis), but assistant head coach/offensive line coach/run game coordinator Chris Kapilovic still returned plenty of experience in 2022.

• Although Allen started every game at center in 2021, senior Nick Samac split time with Allen during the season and is now the full-time starter at center. Samac has 20 career starts under his belt and has played in 37 collegiate games.

• Senior J.D. Duplain, a second-team All-Big Ten honoree last season by Pro Football Focus, is back for his fourth consecutive season starting games at left guard. Duplain earned five starts at left guard as a true freshman in 2019 and five more as a sophomore in 2020 before starting every game at the position last season while helping pave the way for Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous All-American Kenneth Walker III. Duplain has started a team-best 28 consecutive games for the Spartans at left guard and has 33 career starts overall.

• At right guard, sixth-year graduate senior Matt Carrick brings 27 career starts and 47 games of experience to the table. Carrick rotated at right guard in the first seven games last season, but missed the second half of the year with an ACL injury. He returned to the starting lineup in the season opener against Western Michigan and started the first nine games of the season before missing the Rutgers game due to an injury. Carrick started all seven games at the position in 2020 and 11 times in 2019.

• Redshirt junior Spencer Brown, who still has three years of eligibility remaining, earned his first career start in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt, playing in all 89 snaps at right tackle against the Panthers. Brown has started all 10 games this season at right tackle for a streak of 11 consecutive starts.

• Fifth-year senior Jarrett Horst, who transferred to MSU in 2021 after starting two years (2019-20) at left tackle at Arkansas State, started the first eight games of last season at left tackle during the Spartans' 8-0 start. Although he missed the last five games of the year, Horst still earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by the coaches and media in playing a total of 317 offensive snaps. Horst returned to the lineup in a reserve role at left tackle against Western Michigan in Week 1 and was back in the starting lineup for Week 2 against Akron, earning co-offensive player of the week honors for the Spartans. He has seven starts this season and 35 for his career (20 at Arkansas State, 15 at MSU).

• Another experienced transfer joined the Spartans over the summer, as Brian Greene landed in East Lansing from Washington State. A sixth-year graduate senior, Greene has played in 39 career games overall, including 10 starts at center for the Cougars (four in 2020, six in 2021). He has rotated at guard for the Spartans in 2022 and earned the start at right guard vs. Rutgers on Nov. 12.

• Redshirt sophomore Brandon Baldwin earned his first career start at left tackle in Week 1 against Western Michigan and played 41 snaps vs. the Broncos. Baldwin transferred to MSU in 2021 from Independence Community College but did not see game action last season. He returned to the starting lineup in the win at Illinois on Nov. 5 and also started vs. Rutgers on Nov. 12.

►TIGHT ENDS
• #9 Daniel Barker (Gr.-5, 6-4, 250, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Illinois)
(10 games/4 starts, 18 catches, 209 yards, 11.6 avg., 2 TDs, 20.9 ypg)

• #6 Maliq Carr (1L, R-So., 6-5, 255, Inkster, Mich./Purdue)
(10 games, 10 catches, 161 yards, 16.1 avg., 0 TDs, 16.1 ypg)

• #97 Tyler Hunt (4L, Gr.-6, 6-3, 248, Gobles, Mich./Gobles)
(10 games/10 starts, 15 catches, 98 yards, 6.5 avg., 0 TDs, 9.8 ypg)

►TIGHT ENDS SEE A PROMINENT ROLE IN SPARTAN OFFENSE
• Although the Spartans lost Connor Heyward, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Steelers after a successful season in 2021, there are still plenty of intriguing options at tight end for third-year coach Ted Gilmore.

• Former walk-on Tyler Hunt, who began his Spartan career as a punter, is in his sixth season in 2022. He has started every game this season and has a career-high 15 catches for 98 yards. Hunt made the transition from a specialist to a tight end during preseason practice in 2020.

• The program welcomed transfer Daniel Barker (Gr.-5) from Illinois during the summer, an experienced player who owns the Fighting Illini record for most touchdown catches by a tight end with 11. Barker racked up 64 receptions for 827 yards in 44 games at Illinois from 2018-21, including 21 starting assignments. That production has carried over to East Lansing, as he leads the Spartan tight end room with 18 catches for 209 yards and two TDs. In his Spartan debut against Western Michigan, Barker made a one-handed 13-yard touchdown grab in the left corner of the south end zone in the second quarter. In Week 3 at Washington, he had a career-high seven catches for 69 yards.

• Redshirt sophomore Maliq Carr showed plenty of promise during his first season with the Green and White in 2021 with eight receptions for 135 yards, including a start in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 12 Pitt. Through 10 games this season, he has 10 catches for 161 yards (16.2 avg.). He had a 72-yard reception vs. Wisconsin, which was MSU's longest pass play this season.

**Avery Dunn collected a career-high six tackles, including a 7-yard sack, in his first career start at defensive end vs. Rutgers last Saturday.**

►DEFENSIVE LINE
• #8 DT Simeon Barrow (1L, R-So., 6-3, 290, Grovetown, Ga./Grovetown)
(10 games/9 starts, 32 tackles, 7.0 TFLs for 21 yards, 3.0 sacks for 15 yards, 1 FR)

• #2 DE Khris Bogle (Sr., 6-4, 245, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Florida)
(4 games/1 start, 11 tackles, 3 TFLs for 3 yards, 1 sack for 1 yard)

• #98 DE Avery Dunn (R-So., 6-4, 245, Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights)
(7 games, 20 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 9 yards, 1 sack for 7 yards)

• #5 DE Michael Fletcher (R-Jr., 6-6, 260, Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth)
(6 games/2 starts, 9 tackles, 0.5 TFL)

• #97 DT Maverick Hansen (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 300, Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison)
(10 games/1 start, 34 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 1 yard, 1 FR)

• #41 DT Derrick Harmon (R-Fr., 6-5, 320, Detroit, Mich./Loyola)
(10 games/5 starts, 27 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 10 yards, 2.0 sacks for 10 yards, 1 FR, 1 PBU)

• #99 DE/DT Jalen Hunt (R-Jr., 6-4, 320, Belleville, Mich./Belleville)
(6 games/2 starts at DE, 6 tackles)

• #94 DE Dashaun Mallory (R-Sr., 6-2, 280, Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook)
(6 games, 9 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 1 yards, 2 FR)

• #47 DE Jeff Pietrowski Jr. (2L, Jr., 6-2, 250, Medina, Ohio/St. Edward)
(3 games/3 starts, 6 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards)

• #64 DT Jacob Slade (3L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy)
(6 games/4 starts, 11 tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 2 yards)

• #91 DT Alex VanSumeren (Fr., 6-3, 300, Bay City, Mich./Garber)
(4 games, 3 tackles)

►SPARTANS BATTLING INJURIES ALONG DEFENSIVE LINE
• Due to a combination of injuries, the Spartans have utilized nine different starting defensive ends and four defensive tackles this season.

• At defensive end, the Spartans started a pair of former defensive tackles in Dashaun Mallory (R-Sr.) and Jalen Hunt (R-Jr.) in the win at Illinois. Hunt and Mallory took snaps alongside each other as defensive tackles the past two seasons, but have moved to the outside of the line. The duo helped contain Illinois, the Big Ten's No. 3 rushing offense entering the game with nearly 200 rushing yards per game, to 153 yards, its second-lowest total of the season. Mallory has 37 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs and two sacks, in 25 career games. The Bolingbrook, Illinois, native has nine tackles in six games in 2022. Hunt earned his second career start at defensive end vs. Rutgers and posted a career-high four stops against the Scarlet Knights.

• Redshirt sophomore Avery Dunn earned his first career start in the win over Rutgers on Nov. 12 and he responded with a career-best six tackles, including a 7-yard sack.

• Redshirt junior Michael Fletcher earned starting assignments against Wisconsin and Michigan but did not play at Illinois due to an injury; he returned to action in a reserve role vs. Rutgers. He tied his career high with four tackles at Michigan on Oct. 29 and has registered nine stops in six games this season.

• Junior Jeff Pietrowski Jr. started the first three games at defensive end, but has missed the last seven games due to an injury he suffered in Week 3 at Washington. He has six tackles, including a half tackle for loss, in three games of action. Pietrowski was productive in his second season with the Spartans in 2021, ranking tied for second on the team with 5.5 sacks and third with seven tackles for loss in 13 games and three starts. He played a total of 483 snaps on defense and also ranked tied for second in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles.

• The Spartans added impact transfer Khris Bogle from Florida to bolster the pass rush in 2022, but he has missed the last six games due to an injury. Rated a four-star prospect in the Class of 2019, Bogle was ranked one of the top 100 overall players in the nation coming out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bogle played three seasons (2019-21) with the Gators, collecting 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 35 career games, including seven starts. He enrolled in January and participated in spring practice for the Spartans to get a head start for the 2022 season; he has 11 tackles, three tackles for loss (3 yards) and one sack (1 yard) in four games.

• First-year coach Brandon Jordan, who was hired in January as a pass rush specialist, works with the defensive ends, along with fellow first-year defensive line coach and run game coordinator Marco Coleman.

• The Spartans returned both starters from 2021 at defensive tackle (Simeon Barrow; Jacob Slade), but unfortunately injuries have shuffled the rotation much of the 2022 season. Barrow and Slade started the first two games of the season, but didn't start alongside each other again until Oct. 29 at Michigan. Barrow and Slade also split time in the playing rotation with Derrick Harmon (R-Fr.) and Maverick Hansen (R-Jr.).

• A preseason second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Slade was named to watch lists for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award entering the season, but missed four games after suffering an injury in Week 2 vs. Akron. He returned to the lineup vs. Wisconsin in Week 7, and the Spartans responded with a victory over the Badgers. Slade made a key play in the win over Rutgers on Nov. 12, blocking a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Scarlet Knights.

• A first-team All-Big Ten selection by Pro Football Focus, Slade posted career numbers in 2021 with 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. According to PFF, he racked up 40 QB pressures, the most of any Big Ten defensive tackle and tied for 10th most in the FBS, and 33 QB hurries, No. 1 among Big Ten DTs and No. 3 in the FBS. He was named to the AP All-Bowl Team after recording a career-high two tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, to go along with six stops overall in the victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

• Barrow has started nine games for the Spartans and is building upon his strong redshirt freshman season in 2021 with another solid performance in 2022. Barrow has 32 tackles, including 7.0 for losses (21 yards) and 3.0 sacks (15 yards). He tallied 34 tackles, four TFLs and three sacks in 10 starts last season. After missing the last three games of the regular season due to an injury, Barrow stormed back on the field with six tackles and a TFL in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win against Pittsburgh.

• Redshirt junior Maverick Hansen filled in for Barrow in the starting lineup for three games in 2021 and was equally effective during his time in the lineup. Hansen ranked fourth on the team with 3.5 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss in 13 games overall. He has 34 stops this season, most among Spartan defensive tackles.

• Promising redshirt freshman Derrick Harmon played in four games last fall to preserve his redshirt season. He has earned five starting assignments (Akron, Washington, Maryland, Ohio State, Wisconsin) and has 27 tackles overall with two sacks in nine games. Harmon recorded his first career sack vs. Ohio State.

• Four-star prospect Alex VanSumeren, who was ranked one of the top overall players in the nation by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports, enrolled in January at Michigan State and gained valuable experience during spring practice. He has three tackles in four games of action.

**Cal Haladay was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row after he recorded a career-high 19 tackles against Rutgers, the most by a Big Ten player this season.**

►LINEBACKERS
• #7 Aaron Brule (Gr.-5, 6-2, 242, New Orleans, La./Mississippi State)
(10 games/1 start, 23 tackles, 5.0 TFLs for 33 yards, 3.0 sacks for 26 yards)

• #10 Ma'a Gaoteote (So., 6-1, 230, Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman)
(9 games, 7 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 9 yards)

• #27 Cal Haladay (1L, R-So., 6-1, 230, Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia)
(10 games/9 starts, 99 tackles, 8.5 TFLs for 31 yards, 1.5 sacks for 12 yards, 1 FR for 21 yards, 1 FF)

• #13 Ben VanSumeren (Gr.-5, 6-3, 235, Bay City, Mich./Michigan)
(9 games/8 starts, 71 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 21 yards, 1.0 sack for 13 yards, 2 PBUs)

►HALADAY NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK
• The linebackers, coached by Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator Scottie Hazelton, feature a strong position room, but unfortunately will be missing one of its key players this season as junior starter Darius Snow suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 against Western Michigan. Snow played safety and nickelback last season and racked up 87 tackles before moving to linebacker during spring practice. His versatility will be missed in 2022.

• Returning starter Cal Haladay (R-So.) won the middle linebacker job as a redshirt freshman in 2021 and went on to earn Freshman All-America honors after tying for the team lead with 96 tackles. He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns, including a game-winning 78-yard return for a score with less than a minute remaining in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory to earn Defensive MVP honors in the game.

• Haladay ranks second in the Big Ten with 99 tackles (9.9 pg) and has posted double-digit tackles in five games, including a career-high 19 in the win over Rutgers on Nov. 12, the most by a Big Ten player this season. He became just the second Spartan to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks for his performance against the Scarlet Knights.

• Haladay was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording nine tackles, including a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss (10 yards), in MSU's 23-15 win at No. 16 Illinois on Nov. 5. The Spartans held the Illini, which entered the game with the No. 3 rushing offense in the Big Ten (197.6 ypg), to 153 yards rushing, the second fewest by Illinois this season. MSU's defense had five fourth-down stops in the game, including two by Haladay in the second half.

• Graduate senior Ben VanSumeren has started eight games for the Spartans and ranks third on the team with 71 tackles. He has posted double-digit stops in four games, including a career-high 14 at Maryland in Week 5. VanSumeren played in a reserve role against Wisconsin and did not play at Michigan due to an injury.

• Aaron Brule started eight games and played in 12 last season at Mississippi State, recording 52 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. He brought a wealth of experience from Starkville, where he collected 141 tackles, including 17.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, in 40 career games (19 starts) from 2018-21. Brule, who has seen his playing time increase the second half of the season, has 23 tackles, 5.0 TFLs and three sacks for the Spartans. He had five stops, including 1.5 TFLs and an 8-yard sack, and a fumble recovery in the win at No. 16 Illinois, and had six tackles with 1.5 TFLs and a 13-yard sack vs. Rutgers. Brule started his first Spartan game in the Week 7 victory over Wisconsin.

• Sophomore Ma'a Gaoteote, a former four-star and top-100 recruit out of Bishop Gorman High School, played in nine games as a true freshman to earn his first letter and will compete for time in the rotation. He has seven tackles and one TFL (9 yards) in nine games this season.

►SECONDARY
• #0 CB Charles Brantley (1L, So., 6-0, 170, Sarasota, Fla./Venice)
(10 games/10 starts, 46 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 12 yards, 1 sack for 8 yards, 6 PBUs, 1 INT for 32 yards)

• #33 S Kendell Brooks (1L, Sr.-5, 6-0, 215, Swansea, S.C./North Greenville)
(9 games/8 starts, 87 tackles, 3.5 TFLs for 7 yards, 3 FF, 3 PBUs)

• #3 S Xavier Henderson (4L, Gr.-5, 6-1, 210, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington Central)
(5 games/5 starts, 22 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 6 yards, 1 PBU)

• #12 NB Chester Kimbrough (1L, Sr., 6-0, 185, New Orleans, La./Florida)
(8 games/5 starts, 19 tackles, 2 sacks for 13 yards, 1 FR for 3 yards, 3 PBUs)

• #1 S Jaden Mangham (Fr., 6-2, 175, Bingham Farms, Mich./Wylie E. Groves)
(8 games/2 starts, 19 tackles)

• #6 CB Ameer Speed (Gr.-6, 6-3, 215, Jacksonville, Fla./Georgia)
(10 games/9 starts, 57 tackles, 1 TFL for 2 yards, 3 PBUs)

• #43 S Malik Spencer (Fr., 6-1, 195, Buford, Ga./Buford)
(3 games, 2 tackles)

• #9 CB Ronald Williams (1L, Sr.-6, 6-2, 195, Ferriday, La., Alabama)
(10 games/1 start, 18 tackles, 1 PBU)

►XAVIER HENDERSON'S RETURN SPARKS SPARTAN SECONDARY
• Former Spartan All-American and NFL veteran Harlon Barnett is in 14th year overall on the defensive coaching staff at Michigan State, his third under head coach Mel Tucker. Barnett was the cornerbacks coach in 2020 before returning to coaching the entire secondary in 2021. Ross Els, who is also the special teams coordinator, will coach the nickelbacks this season, while Tucker will also assist with the cornerbacks.

• At cornerback, sixth-year graduate senior Ameer Speed enrolled in January after spending his first five years at Georgia (2017-21). Speed started in three games for the National Champion Bulldogs in 2021 and played in 13 games overall, playing a total of 181 snaps with 13 tackles. He started the first nine games of the season for the Spartans and ranks fourth on the team with 57 tackles. He recorded six tackles in his Spartan debut against Western Michigan and had a career-high 12 stops vs. Maryland in Week 5.

• Lining up opposite of Speed, sophomore Charles Brantley has started all 10 games this season and leads the team with six pass break-ups, including a career-high three vs. Akron in Week 2. He intercepted a C.J. Stroud pass and raced 32 yards into the end zone for a touchdown against the Buckeyes in Week 6. Brantley played in eight games in 2021 and earned a start at Purdue on Nov. 6, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the game and had his freshman season cut short by a month. Brantley sealed the win over No. 6 Michigan last season with a one-handed interception in the final minute of the game.

• Sixth-year graduate senior Ronald Williams started nine games at cornerback in 2021 and returned to the starting lineup for the first time this season vs. Rutgers on Nov. 12, posting a season-best seven tackles against the Scarlet Knights.

• Senior Chester Kimbrough, who transferred from Florida last season, started the first three games at nickelback and returned to the starting lineup the last two weeks in wins over Illinois and Rutgers. He moved to nickelback in spring practice after starting 11 games at cornerback for the Spartans in 2021. Kimbrough has 19 tackles, including two sacks for 13 yards, and three pass break-ups.

• A 2021 team captain, Henderson had started 34 consecutive games at safety before missing Week 2 against Akron. He left the season opener against Western Michigan in the second quarter and missed five games with an injury before returning in Week 7 vs. Wisconsin. Henderson recorded career highs in tackles (96) and tackles for loss (10) last year to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors by the media.

• Henderson returning to the starting lineup and started his 35th career game in the win over the Badgers and had five tackles. In his return, the Spartans allowed just 131 passing yards to Wisconsin, the fewest by a opponent in the Mel Tucker era.

• The Spartans have won three of the past four games with Henderson back in the starting lineup. MSU is allowing an average of 205.5 passing yards in the last four games with Henderson commanding the secondary, compared to 292.0 yards in the first six games.

• Henderson has started 38 games overall for the Spartans and will be playing in his final home game Saturday in Spartan Stadium.

• Following Henderson's exit from the game in Week 1, Kendell Brooks (Sr.-5) stepped up against Western Michigan and posted five tackles, including a forced fumble. Since then, he has gone on to lead the Spartan secondary in tackles and ranks second on the team overall with 87 stops; his 9.7 tackles per game average ranks third in the Big Ten.

• In his first career start against Akron in Week 2, Brooks caused another fumble and had seven tackles. He posted eight stops at Washington and forced a fumble in his third straight game; he ranks tied for third in the FBS with three forced fumbles. Brooks then had a career-high 18 stops vs. Minnesota, the most by a Spartan since Eric Smith had 19 vs. Notre Dame in 2004. Brooks transferred from Division II North Greenville in 2021.

• True freshman Jaden Mangham, a four-star prospect, earned his first career start at safety in Week 5 at Maryland and collected six tackles. He played 38 total snaps at safety before playing 73 snaps against the Terrapins. Mangham started against Ohio State in Week 6, but left the game with an injury and did not play vs. Wisconsin; he returned to action at Michigan.

►SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter: Bryce Baringer is using his extra season of eligibility in 2022 and returned as the starting punter after a record-breaking season in which he set the MSU single-season record with his 48.4-yard punting average, a mark that also led the Big Ten and ranked No. 5 in the FBS. Baringer became the first Spartan punter to lead the Big Ten in punting since the late Mike Sadler in 2012. In addition, Baringer's 48.4-yard average was also the second-best average in Big Ten history, second only to Iowa's Reggie Roby in 1981 (49.8 avg.). Baringer also ranked second in the conference in punts of 50-plus yards (26), including 10 of 60-plus yards, to earn second-team all-league honors.

• A Ray Guy Award candidate, Baringer continues to lead the FBS in punting with his 49.6-yard average. MSU also leads the FBS in net punting (46.0-yard average) as Baringer has only three touchbacks this season while placing 21 of his 42 punts (50 percent) inside the 20, including eight inside the 10. He also has 21 punts of 50-plus yards (50 percent), tied for second in the Big Ten, including eight of 60-plus yards.

• A two-time Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week, Baringer was named a first-team midseason Associated Press All-American and he has made five appearances on the "Ray's 8" weekly honor roll.

• Baringer ranks fourth among all active FBS punters with a 46.0-yard career punting average.

• For the second time this season, Baringer was honored as the Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week for his performance in the win at Illinois on Nov. 5. Baringer, the nation's leading punter (50.0 avg.), punted five times for a 49.6-yard average, successfully punting in winds that were 25-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. He finished with four punts inside the 20, including two inside the 10. Baringer had a game-long 68-yarder with the wind in second quarter that went to the Illinois 6-yard line and also had a 62-yarder that went out of bounds at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.

• Baringer was named the Ray Guy Award National Punter of the Week after averaging 48.9 yards per punt against Ohio State (seven punts for 342 yards) in Week 6. He also tied a career high with five punts placed inside the 20.

• In the season opener, Baringer averaged 50.5 yards per punt on four punts (202 yards) against WMU to be named one of the Ray Guy Award's top-eight punters of Week 1. He had a game-long 70-yard punt, marking the third time he has punted a ball at least 70 yards in a game; his first punt of the game was a 67-yarder that was downed at the 4-yard line.

Placekicker: The Spartans have a new starting placekicker for the first time in five years following the departure of the school's all-time leading scorer and field-goal kicker, Matt Coghlin.

• MSU added graduate transfer Ben Patton from Auburn in August prior to the season opener, and he has earned the starting placekicking duties in the second half of the season. Patton is 11-of-12 on PATs and 3-of-5 on field goals this season. He made his first PAT as a Spartan in Week 5 at Maryland and connected on a 21-yard field goal at Illinois for his first field goal wearing the Green and White.

• Patton tied his career high with two field goals, both in the fourth quarter, against Rutgers in the 27-21 win over the Scarlet Knights on Nov. 12. He made a 34-yarder with 6:28 left in the game to put MSU on top, 24-14, and then made a season-long 48-yarder at the 3:22 mark to give the Spartans a 27-14 lead in the eventual 27-21 victory.

• True freshman Jack Stone is 15-for-16 on PATs and 1-for-3 on field goals; he made a 43-yarder vs. Akron for the first field goal of his young career in Week 2. Stone is averaging 58.7 yards on kickoffs with 11 touchbacks in 44 attempts (.250).

• While Coghlin battled an injury at the end of last season, Stephen Rusnak stepped in the last five games to earn his first letter. Rusnak was 4-of-5 on PATs and averaged 54.3 yards on kickoffs with four touchbacks on 21 kickoffs.

Long Snapper: Hank Pepper handled every snap for the Spartans as a true freshman in 2021 and is back for his second season as the starter; however, backup redshirt freshman Michael Donovan has started the past five games for MSU.

Kick Returner/Punt Returner: Redshirt senior Jayden Reed earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as an all-purpose player last season thanks to a dynamic return game, as Reed led the Big Ten in punt returns (19.8 avg.; 12 returns for 238 yards) and tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns (62 yards vs. Nebraska, 88 yards vs. Western Kentucky). Reed also ranked fourth in the Big Ten in kick returns (23.5 avg.) and second in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS in combined returns (614 yards). He was selected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Nebraska after his 62-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter tied the game in MSU's eventual overtime victory against the Huskers.

• Reed was named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the nation's most versatile player. As a team, Michigan State led the Big Ten and ranked third in the FBS in punt returns (18.2 avg.). Reed's two punt returns not only tied a school record, but he became the first Spartan to ever return touchdowns on back-to-back punts (fourth quarter vs. Nebraska; first quarter vs. Western Kentucky).

• Reed has seven punt returns for 49 yards (7.0 avg.) this season; his 15.6-yard career punt return average ranks second best among all active FBS players. He has had two punt returns for touchdowns called back this season due to penalties (86 yards vs. Akron; 81 yards vs. Wisconsin).

• Redshirt junior Cade McDonald has four punt returns for 44 yards (11.0 avg.), including a 21-yarder vs. Akron.

• Freshman Tyrell Henry leads the team in kick return yards with 127 on seven returns (18.1 avg.) Jarek Broussard ranks second with five returns for 95 yards (19.0 avg.).

Game 11: Michigan State (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten)

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Players Mentioned

Matt Allen

AJ Arcuri

Bryce Baringer

Blake Bueter

Matt Carrick

Matt Coghlin

Elijah Collins

Xavier Henderson

Connor Heyward

Tyler Hunt

Kevin Jarvis

Dashaun Mallory

Mike Panasiuk

Jacob Slade