Michigan State Opens Big Ten Play Saturday in Spartan Stadium Against Minnesota

Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography

Michigan State Opens Big Ten Play Saturday in Spartan Stadium Against Minnesota

9/20/2022 3:41:00 PM | Football

MSU Game Notes Minnesota Game Notes MSU Game Day Website (Parking/Tailgating Information)Parking Information Traffic/Construction Update Live Stats

Game 4: RV/No. 21 Michigan State (2-1) vs. RV/RV Minnesota (3-0)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 24
Kickoff: 3:40 EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass
Tickets: msuspartans.com
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Live Stats
Game Day Information (Parking/Tickets/Tailgating): msuspartans.com/gameday
Parking: Lots open at 7 a.m.

TV: Big Ten Network
Mobile: FOX Sports app
Announcers: Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Joshua Perry (analyst), Rick Pizzo (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. 83), SiriusXM app (Ch. 83)
Pregame Show: Begins at 2 p.m.

All-Time Series: MSU leads, 30-17
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 17-6
Last Meeting: MSU 30, Minnesota 27 (2017)
Current Series Streak: 5 by MSU (2010-17)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mel Tucker
MSU Record: 15-8 (third year)
Overall Record: 20-15 (fourth year)
Record vs. Minnesota: 0-0

Minnesota Head Coach: P.J. Fleck
Minnesota Record: 38-23 (sixth year)
Overall Record: 68-45 (10th year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-3

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Michigan State opens its 70th season of Big Ten play on Saturday, Sept. 24 against Minnesota at 3:40 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Joshua Perry (analyst) and Rick Pizzo (sidelines) on the call. MSU enters the contest at 2-1 following a 39-28 loss at Washington last Saturday in Seattle, while the Gophers are undefeated at 3-0 after topping Colorado at home, 49-7.

• Saturday's game marks the 48th meeting between Michigan State and Minnesota and the first since 2017. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 30-17, including a 17-6 record in games played in East Lansing.

• MSU defeated the Gophers in the last meeting, 30-27, on Oct. 14, 2017 in Minneapolis. Overall, Michigan State has won 24 of the last 30 meetings, including five straight. This marks the first time the two schools have met in East Lansing since Michigan State's Big Ten Championship season in 2013, a 14-3 victory for the Spartans.

• Redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne ranks third in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS with seven passing touchdowns. Thorne completed a career-high 30 passes against Washington on 42 attempts and threw three touchdowns (7 and 33 yards to Keon Coleman; 26 yards to Tre Mosley). Five of Thorne's seven TDs are for 25-plus yards, and four of those were thrown downfield for 20-plus yards, which is tied for first in the Big Ten and sixth in the FBS. Thorne tied a career high with four touchdown passes against Western Michigan in Week 1. Thorne and Connor Cook are the only two Spartans to throw four TDs in a single game four times in a career. Thorne is 60-of-94 passing (.638) for 768 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions through three games.

• In just three games, Michigan State has forced eight fumbles and has recovered six of those fumbles, figures which both tie for first in the FBS. The Spartans converted four Akron fumbles into 28 points in the 52-0 shutout over the Zips in Week 2. Jacoby Windmon leads the nation with four forced fumbles, while teammate Kendell Brooks ranks second in the FBS with three forced fumbles. 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.

• Michigan State led the Big Ten in sacks in 2021 and is right back at it to start the 2022 season, leading the conference and ranking seventh in the FBS with 12 sacks through three games. The Spartans are also third in the Big Ten and tied 33rd in the nation with 21 tackles for loss. MSU had seven sacks in the season opener vs. Western Michigan, led by Jacoby Windmon, who had a career-high four sacks against the Broncos. The Spartans tacked on five more sacks vs. Akron in Week 2. Windmon ranks tied for first in the FBS with 5.5 sacks.

• Senior defensive lineman/linebacker Jacoby Windmon leads the FBS in forced fumbles (4), is tied for first in sacks (5.5), and is tied for fifth in tackles for loss (6.5). He is the first Spartan player to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks (vs. Western Michigan and Akron). In Week 2 against Akron, Windmon forced three fumbles, the most by a Spartan since Joe Bachie against Maryland in 2018. He also recorded 2.5 tackles for loss (17 yards) and 1.5 sacks (14 yards), broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble while collecting five stops overall. In his Spartan debut against Western Michigan in Week 1, Windmon had four sacks, tied for the second most in school history. A transfer from UNLV, Windmon posted 169 career tackles in three seasons (2019-21) for the Runnin' Rebels, adding 18.5 TFLs (100 yards), 12 sacks (85 yards), four pass break-ups and three forced fumbles in 30 career games.

• MSU is looking to build off the momentum from last season's school-record turnaround, as the Spartans posted a nine-game improvement from 2020 (two wins) to 2021 (11 wins), won a New Year's Six bowl game over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and finished No. 8 in the AFCA/USA TODAY Coaches Poll and No. 9 in The Associated Press Poll. Dating back to last season, the Spartans have won 13 of their last 16 games.

• In just his second year in East Lansing in 2021, Mel Tucker led MSU to an 11-2 record, a Top 10 ranking, and a win in the New Year's Six with a victory over ACC Champion and No. 12 Pittsburgh in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Tucker was named a finalist for National Coach of the Year by multiple organizations, including the American Football Coaches Association, the Paul Bear Bryant Awards, the Football Writers Association of America and the Maxwell Football Club. He was also named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by both the coaches and media and the AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year. Tucker became the earliest Spartan coach to win double-figure games in a season (previous: Mark Dantonio with 11 wins in his fourth season at MSU in 2010). Tucker is 15-8 as head coach of the Spartans, including wins in 13 of his last 16 games.

• Michigan State and Minnesota will raise awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month by wearing a "UG" decal on their helmets Saturday to showcase solidarity and support the mission of The Gregory H. Montgomery Jr. Foundation for Ultimate Growth. MSU Athletics would like to thank The Gregory H. Montgomery Jr. Foundation for their philanthropic commitments to support mental health services for Michigan State student-athletes. The foundation was established by the Montgomery family following the tragic suicide of former Spartan All-American punter Greg Montgomery Jr. – a 1988 MSU graduate, two-time first-team All-American (1986-87), three-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree (1985-87), and NFL All-Pro player (1993). In 1997, Greg was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and dedicated more than 20 years to bravely raise awareness about mental health and help to stop the stigma that surrounds mental illness. The Gregory H. Montgomery Jr. Foundation supports mental health services for student-athletes at MSU, as well as other individuals, foundations, and schools. The foundation's motto is "He lives through lives saved," and believes that early intervention and education can make a difference. For more information, please visit: www.ultimategrowthfoundation.org.

Daniel Barker at Washington — **Spartan tight end Daniel Barker caught a career-high seven passes for 69 yards at Washington.**

LAST TIME OUT: WASHINGTON 39, MICHIGAN STATE 28

►SERIES/TEAM
• Michigan State fell at Washington, 39-28, last Saturday in Seattle . . . Washington leads the all-time series against MSU, 3-1.

►OFFENSE
• Redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne completed his first 10 passes of the game, before throwing a ball away for his first incomplete pass on his 11th attempt . . . Thorne also completed 10 straight passes in his first career start at Penn State on Dec. 12, 2020 . . . Thorne is the first Spartan QB to open a game with 10 completions in a row since Brian Hoyer vs. UAB on Sept. 1, 2007 . . . Thorne finished the game 30-for-42 for 323 yards with three TDs . . . the 323 yards was Thorne's season-high for passing yards and his fifth career game with 300-plus passing yards . . . with the three TD passes, Thorne registered his second game of the season with multiple TDs, and his fourth in his last five games played, as part of the 10th overall time of his career . . . with the successful two-point conversion passes in the second quarter and fourth quarter, Thorne now has four career two-point conversions in his career.

• MSU's two-point conversion in the second quarter was the Spartans' first two-point conversion of the season and first since the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Pittsburgh (12/30/21) when Thorne connected with Jalen Nailor in the 31-21 victory for MSU.

• Sophomore wide receiver Keon Coleman had a career-high with his nine receptions for 116 yards and two TDs, all career bests, with the first 100-yard receiving outing of his Spartan career . . . Coleman topped his previous career-highs of four catches, 84 yards and one TD . . . Coleman snared his first multi-TD outing and his third career TD catch . . . Coleman added his first-ever two-point conversion of his career on the ensuing point after attempt following his second-quarter TD catch and added his second two-point conversion in the fourth quarter for MSU's final score of the night.

• Redshirt junior wide receiver Tre Mosley tallied his third TD of the season and seventh of his career with a 26-yard catch on fourth down in the third quarter . . . he finished the night with five catches for 64 yards and one TD.

• Graduate senior tight end Daniel Barker also had a career-high reception total with seven catches, topping his previous career best of five catches accomplished twice during his Illinois career, most recently vs. UTSA (9/24/21) . . . Barker also topped his new MSU season high for yards with 69, marking his fourth career game with 60+ receiving yards, after three occasions at Illinois.

• Redshirt senior running back Elijah Collins registered his second straight game with a rushing TD with his fourth-quarter plunge from 1 yard out . . . it was his second rushing TD of the season and seventh of his career.

• Graduate senior tight end Tyler Hunt tied his career high with four receptions, matching four vs. Ohio State on Dec. 5, 2020, while redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Berger topped his career best with three receptions Saturday, bettering his previous top mark of two catches, which came during his time at Wisconsin, in a game vs. Michigan on Nov. 14, 2020.

►DEFENSE
• Senior safety Kendell Brooks registered a career-high tackle total for the third straight game with eight stops, after posting five tackles in the season opener, then seven stops vs. Akron . . . the eight tackles by Brooks nearly matched his 2021 season total of nine stops . . . Brooks also had a forced fumble for the third time in as many games this season, with one in each of the three games, as part of his fourth forced fumble of his collegiate career.

• Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Simeon Barrow matched his jersey number with a career-high eight tackles, topping his previous top career total of seven stops vs. Nebraska (9/25/21).

• Redshirt sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay registered eight tackles for his second game this season with seven or more stops, as part of the 10th time in his career.

• Senior defensive end Khris Bogle logged his MSU career high and matched his overall collegiate career-best with six stops, matching six tackles during his time at Florida in a game vs. South Florida (9/11/21) . . . Bogle also matched his MSU career high with 1.0 tackle for loss, the Spartan defense's only TFL of the game.

►SPECIAL TEAMS
• Graduate senior punter Bryce Baringer punted three times for a 56.3 yards per punt average with a long of 64 yards . . . the 56.3 ypp average was just behind his season-best of 57.5 ypp vs. Akron, as part of averaging over 50.0 ypp in all three games this season and his ninth career game averaging over 50.0 ypp . . . Baringer's 64-yarder punt was his third 60+ punt this season and the 14th of his career.

►STAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-So. Jalen Berger (46 carries for 254 yards, 5.5 avg., 4 TDs, 84.7 ypg)
Passing – R-Jr. Payton Thorne (60-of-94, .638, 768 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs, 256.0 ypg)
Receiving – So. Keon Coleman (15 catches for 236 yards, 15.7 avg., 3 TDs, 78.7 ypg)
Tackles – R-So. LB Cal Haladay (21 tackles; 5 solo, 16 assists; 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR, 1 FF)

Minnesota:
Rushing – Sr.-6 Mohamed Ibrahim (67 carries for 468 yards, 6.9 avg., 7 TDs, 154.7 ypg)
Passing – Sr.-6 Tanner Morgan (38-of-53, .717, 618 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 206.0 ypg)
Receiving – Sr.-6 Chris Autman-Bell (11 receptions for 214 yards, 19.5 avg., 1 TD, 71.3 ypg)
Tackles – Sr.-5 LB Mariano Sori-Marin (16 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU)

►A QUICK GLANCE AT MINNESOTA (3-0)
• The Golden Gophers are making their first road trip of the season with a 3-0 record in tow after winning three straight home games, opening the season with a 38-0 win over New Mexico State on Sept. 1. After a 62-10 rout of Western Illinois on Sept. 10, Minnesota clobbered Colorado, 49-7, last Saturday.

• In the win over Colorado, sixth-year senior running back Mo Ibrahim rushed for three TDs as part of 202 yards rushing, while fellow sixth-year senior quarterback Tanner Morgan threw three TD passes.

• Minnesota amassed 500 yards of total offense, with 334 rushing, scoring four TDs on the ground, and 166 yards passing, with three TDs through the air.

• The Gopher defense stymied the Buffaloes, limiting them to 226 yards of total offense, including holding them to 1-of-12 on third-down conversions, as well as registering three sacks and five tackles for loss, with one takeaway on a fumble, adding nine pass break-ups. CU had 136 yards rushing and just 90 yards passing.

• Ibrahim's 202 rushing yards came on 23 carries, averaging 8.8 yards per carry, with a long of 34-yards. He had 179 yards on 20 carries in the first half alone, including scoring all three of his TDs before halftime, including on the Gophers' opening possession, capping the drive with a 5-yard scamper. After Minnesota's defense forced a fumble on Colorado's first play from scrimmage, recovering at the CU 11. Ibrahim had a 9-yard run, before a 2-yard TD on the next play. On the Gophers' first possession of the second quarter, their fourth drive of the game, Ibrahim capped it with an 18-yard scoring scamper.

• Morgan finished 11-of-16 for 157 yards and three TDs, with one INT and getting sacked once.

• Sixth-year senior wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell led Minnesota's receivers with three catches for 58 yards and one TD, while redshirt-senior tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford added three receptions for 34 yards. Redshirt junior wide receiver Dylan Wright and sixth-year senior wide receiver Clay Geary also caught TD passes from Morgan.
• Fifth-year senior Mariano Sori-Marin led the Minnesota defense with six stops, including one tackle for loss. Sori-Marin added one pass break-up, one of eight different players with at least one PBU, as junior defensive back Michael Dixon had a pair of pass break-ups.

• Minnesota is averaging 49.7 points per game, ranking second in the B1G and seventh in the FBS in scoring offense, while the Gopher defense is limiting the opposition to just 5.7 points per game, ranking second in the conference and fourth in the country in scoring defense.

• With 554.7 yards of total offense per game, Minnesota is second in both the B1G and FBS, leading the conference and ranking second in the country in rushing offense (312.7 ypg), while averaging 242.0 passing yards per game to ranked 11th in the league and 76th in the nation.

• The Gopher defense is also tops in the B1G and second in the FBS in total defense with 170.3 ypg, ranking second in the conference and fourth in the country in passing yards allowed (100.7 ypg) in addition to second in the league and ninth in the nation in rushing defense (69.7 ypg).

• Morgan leads the B1G and ranks third in the FBS in passing yards per completion (16.3) and is third in the conference and sixth in the country in passing efficiency (190.8), but is 11th in the conference in both passing yards per game (206.0) and passing TDs (4). He is 38-of-53 for 618 yards (206.0 ypg) with four TDs and one INT. Morgan also had 10 rushes for 25 yards with three TDs.

• Ibrahim is ties for tops in the B1G and FBS in rushing TDs (7), ranking second in the league and the nation in rushing yards per game (154.7), while ranking third in the conference and 14th in the country in rushing yards per carry (6.93). He has 67 total carries for 464 yards (6.9 ypc/154.7 ypg) with seven TDs, with a long of 34 yards.

• Autman-Bell is ninth in the B1G in receiving yards per game (71.3) with a total of 11 receptions for 214 yards (19.5 ypc) and one TD, but will miss the rest of the season due to an injury he suffered in the Colorado game. Spann-Ford adds eight catches for 127 yards (15.8 ypc/42.3 ypg) with one TD.

• Sori-Marin spearheads the Gopher defense with 16 total tackles (7 solo, 9 assists) with 2.0 tackles for loss and one pass break-up.

• Fifth-year senior defensive back Jordan Howden and redshirt-sophomore linebacker Cody Lindenberg have eight tackles apiece and also each have 1.0 TFL, with Howden adding one interception, half of the Gophers' two on the season. Lindenberg adds one pass break-up and one QB hurry.

• Fifth-year senior placekicker Matthew Trickett is 3-for-3 on field goals with a long of 46 yards and is 20-for-20 on PATs. Trickett is fifth in the B1G with 1.0 field goals per game.

• Junior punter Mark Crawford has three punts for a 33.7 ypp average with a long of 46 yards, with two inside the 20.

• Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is in his sixth year guiding the Gophers, with a 38-23 record. Fleck is in his 10th year as a head coach after four seasons at Western Michigan, and has an overall record of 68-45.

►MICHIGAN STATE-MINNESOTA SERIES NOTES
• Saturday's game marks the 48th meeting between Michigan State and Minnesota and the first since 2017. • The Spartans lead the all-time series, 30-17, including a 17-6 record in games played in East Lansing.
• MSU defeated the Gophers in the last meeting, 30-27, on Oct. 14, 2017 in Minneapolis.
• Overall, Michigan State has won 24 of the last 30 meetings, including five straight.
• This marks the first time the two schools have met in East Lansing since Michigan State's Big Ten Championship season in 2013, a 14-3 victory for the Spartans.

►SPARTAN COACHING STAFF
• A new era of Spartan football began in 2020 as Mel Tucker started his head coaching tenure in East Lansing. Tucker, a 26-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 signed an updated contact on Nov. 24, 2021, that expires on Jan. 15, 2032. Tucker's contract includes non-performance related compensation of $9.5 million per year, including a $5.9 million base, $3.2 million in supplemental compensation for media and personal appearances, plus a $400,000 contingent annual bonus. The contract was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Dec. 17, 2021.

• In just his second year in East Lansing in 2021, Tucker led MSU to an 11-2 record, a Top 10 ranking, and a win in the New Year's Six with a victory over ACC Champion and No. 12 Pittsburgh in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Tucker was named a finalist for National Coach of the Year by multiple organizations, including the American Football Coaches Association, the Paul Bear Bryant Awards, the Football Writers Association of America and the Maxwell Football Club. He was also named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by both the coaches and media and the AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year.

• Going from two wins in 2020 to 11 wins in 2021, MSU completed the biggest turnaround in school history (previous: seven-game improvement from 2016 to 2017) and finished the season ranked No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 9 in The Associated Press Poll. Tucker is the earliest Spartan coach to win double-figure games in a season (previous: Mark Dantonio with 11 wins in his fourth season at MSU in 2010).

• 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 165 games as a full-time coach in the FBS, Tucker's teams have collected a 121-44 (.733) record, including 11 postseason bowl/playoff 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, 2021 Peach), three conference championships, three national championship games and two national championships (2002 with Ohio State, 2015 with Alabama). Tucker also coached 160 games in the National Football League (64 with Cleveland, 64 with Jacksonville, 32 with Chicago).

• Seven of MSU head coach Mel Tucker's 20 wins as a head coach have come against AP Top 25 opponents (2021: No. 24 Miami, No. 6 Michigan, No. 13 Pittsburgh; 2020: No. 11 Northwestern and No. 13 Michigan; 2019: No. 25 Nebraska and No. 24 Arizona State at Colorado). Tucker is 7-5 overall against AP Top 25 opponents (2-2 at Colorado; 5-3 at MSU). He became the first Spartan head coach to defeat a ranked team (AP No. 11 Northwestern) in his first home win.

• Michigan State has three new assistant coaches for the 2021 season. Effrem Reed, who served as an offensive analyst the past two seasons, was promoted to running backs coach. Brandon Jordan, who has specialized in training elite defensive linemen the past few years, including more than 200 players on NFL rosters, was hired in January as a pass rushing specialist. In February, Marco Coleman joined the Spartan coaching staff as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator. Coleman played 14 seasons in the NFL and spent the past three seasons coaching the defensive ends and outside linebackers at Georgia Tech.

• Chris Kapilovic, who is in his third season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Michigan State, was promoted to assistant head coach in January 2021. Kapilovic, 53, 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 more than 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. Last fall, the Spartan offensive line was named one of 13 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation's top offensive line.

• Jay Johnson, a 2021 Broyles Award nominee for the nation's top assistant coach, is in his third season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Michigan State. Johnson, 52, is a veteran coach and administrator of 27 seasons, including 12 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. Johnson arrived to East Lansing after serving as the offensive coordinator at Colorado for one season (2019) under head coach Mel Tucker.

• A 26-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Scottie Hazelton is in his third season as the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator. Hazelton arrived in East Lansing after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019. He will also coach the linebackers for the Spartans in 2022.

• Ted Gilmore coaches the tight ends for the Spartans. Gilmore, who has coached 27 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, 55, previously spent five seasons (2015-19) as the wide receivers coach at Wisconsin.

• Former Spartan great Courtney Hawkins is in his third season as the wide receivers coach. Hawkins oversaw one of the best wide receiver rooms in the Big Ten in 2021 as redshirt juniors Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor formed a potent duo that fueled MSU's big-play offense that ranked third in the Big Ten in scoring at 31.8 points per game. Reed and Nailor both ranked in the top 10 in the conference in several categories, including receiving yards per game and yards per catch.

• With more than three decades of coaching experience, Ross Els is in his third season as the program's special teams coordinator. In addition, after coaching the linebackers his first two seasons in East Lansing, Els will help assist the nickelbacks in 2022. Els, 55, 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.

• Harlon Barnett, who is in his 14th season overall on the Spartan defensive staff and third with Tucker, coaches the secondary. 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-).

►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)
(2 games, 2-for-2 passing (1.000), 22 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)

• #10 Payton Thorne (2L, R-Jr., 6-2, 205, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
(3 games/3 starts, 60-of-94 passing (.638), 768 yards, 256.0 ypg, 7 TDs, 4 INTs; 17 carries for 34 yards)

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.

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. Thorne also ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in total offense (third with 3,414 yards), passing yards (third with 3,233), passing yards per game (third with 248.7), passing efficiency (sixth with 148.1 rating), pass completions (tied for sixth with 234) and pass attempts (seventh with 388). 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, 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.

In addition, Thorne showed he can be productive on the ground – without sacks, he gained 362 yards on 61 carries (5.9 avg.), including 20 for first downs and four TDs. 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.

Through three games, Thorne is 60-of-94 passing (.638) for 768 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He ranks third in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS with seven passing touchdowns. Five of Thorne's seven TD are for 25-plus yards, and four of those were thrown downfield for 20-plus yards, which is tied for first in the Big Ten and sixth in the FBS.

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.

Redshirt sophomore Noah Kim serves as the back-up quarterback and was 2-for-2 passing for 22 yards against Akron in Week 2. On his first official passing attempt of his career, he threw a 16-yard touchdown to Tre Mosley.

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.

►RUNNING BACKS
• #8 Jalen Berger (R-So., 6-1, 215, Newark, N.J./Wisconsin)
(3 games/3 starts, 46 carries, 254 yards. 5.5 avg., 4 TDs, 84.7 ypg)

• #3 Jarek Broussard (Gr.-5, 5-9, 195, Dallas, Texas/Colorado)
(3 games, 29 carries, 138 yards, 4.8 avg., 2 TDs, 46.0 ypg)

• #24 Elijah Collins (3L, R-Sr., 6-1, 215, Detroit, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit)
(3 games, 9 carries, 58 yards, 6.4 avg., 2 TDs, 19.3 ypg)

• #2 Harold Joiner (1L, R-Sr., 6-4, 220, Birmingham, Ala./Auburn)
(3 games, 1 carry, 1 yard, 1.0 avg., 0 TDs, 0.3 ypg)

• #22 Jordon Simmons (2L, Jr., 5-11, 195, Marietta, Ga./McEachern)
(3 games, 2 carries, 3 yards, 1.5 avg., 0 TDs, 1.0 ypg)

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, is off to a strong start in his first season as a Spartan. 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. Berger is eighth in the Big Ten and 41st in the FBS in rushing (84.7 ypg) and fifth in the conference and 18th in the FBS in rushing TDs (four).

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 29 carries for 138 yards and two TDs. He scored his first two touchdowns as a Spartan in the win over Akron and had 15 carries overall for 81 yards against the Zips. 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.

Three returning letterwinners – Elijah Collins (R-Sr.), Harold Joiner (R-Sr.) and Jordon Simmons (Jr.) – will also compete in the backfield for carries during the season.

Collins is looking to regain the form he showed during his redshirt freshman season in 2019, when he nearly rushed for 1,000 yards (222 carries for 988 yards) in 13 games, including 12 starts. 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 rushed for 57 yards on eight carries (7.1 avg.), including a 1-yard touchdown, in the win over Akron. He has 58 yards rushing for two TDs overall this season.

Joiner, an Auburn transfer, primarily played on special teams and in third-down situations during his first season with the Spartans in 2021. He recorded 43 rushing yards on 13 attempts and also had five catches for 35 yards.

Simmons led the Spartans in rushing as a true freshman in 2020 with 219 yards on 56 carries in five games, but saw a more limited role as a sophomore with the emergence of Walker. Simmons still ranked second on the team with 278 yards on 70 carries last season and earned the start in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl after Walker opted out of the game. He recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 121 yards on 16 carries in the win over Youngstown State in Week 2.

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

Keon Coleman at Washington — **Keon Coleman had a career-high two touchdown receptions at Washington.**

►WIDE RECEIVERS
• #5 Germie Bernard (Fr., 6-0, 200, Henderson, Nev./Liberty)
(3 games/1 start, 3 catches, 73 yards, 24.3 avg., 1 TD, 24.3 ypg)

• #0 Keon Coleman (So., 6-4, 215, Opelousas, La./Opelousas Catholic)
(3 games/3 starts, 15 catches, 236 yards, 15.7 avg., 3 TDs, 78.7 ypg)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (R-So., 6-4, 218, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(3 games, 2 catches, 17 yards, 8.5 avg., 0 TDs, 5.7 ypg)

• #83 Montorie Foster (2L, Jr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(2 games, 3 catches, 28 yards, 9.3 avg., 0 TDs, 14.0 ypg)

• #15 Jaron Glover (Fr., 6-1, 205, Sarasota, Fla./Riverview)
(1 game, 1 catch, 2 yards, 2.0 avg., 0 TDs, 2.0 ypg)

• #85 Cade McDonald (2L, R-Jr., 5-11, 195, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
(3 games, 0 catches)

• #17 Tre Mosley (2L, R-Jr., 6-2, 198, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(3 games/3 starts, 9 catches, 141 yards, 15.7 avg., 3 TDs, 47.0 ypg)

• #1 Jayden Reed (2L, Gr.-5, 6-0, 190, Naperville, Ill./Western Michigan)
(2 games/2 starts, 8 catches, 107 yards, 13.4 avg., 0 TDs, 53.5 ypg)

Wide receiver Jayden Reed, who earned first-team All-America honors as an all-purpose player by the American Football Coaches Association, is back for his senior season at Michigan State. 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.

Named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the nation's most versatile player, Reed averaged 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.

Through two games this season, Reed has eight catches for 107 yards; he missed the Washington game in Week 3 due to an injury he suffered in the second quarter vs. Akron.

Although the Spartans lost three-year letterwinner Jalen Nailor, who had a career-high 37 catches for 695 yards and five TDs last year and was drafted in the sixth round by the Vikings, MSU brings back experienced starter Tre Mosley (R-Jr.) alongside Reed. Mosley has been steady for the Spartans throughout his career and recorded career highs in catches (35), receiving yards (530) and TD receptions (3) last season while earning nine starting assignments. Mosley is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns in the first three games and has nine catches for 141 yards overall.

Sophomore Keon Coleman showed flashes of his athleticism as a true freshman and is now a full-time starter for the Spartans. He leads the team with 15 receptions for 236 yards and is tied for first with three TDs. Coleman recorded career highs with nine catches for 116 yards and two TDs in Week 3 at Washington, and he also caught two two-point conversion passes. He 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.

Junior Montorie Foster also has starting experience after filling in for the injured Nailor during the last month of the regular season. He hauled in 12 catches for 164 yards, including a 52-yard TD reception in the win over Maryland, during his second season with the Spartans in 2021. After missing Week 1 with an injury, Foster returned to action in Week 2 vs. Akron and has three catches for 28 yards in two games.

True freshman Germie Bernard 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. Bernard joined the Spartans in January and competed in spring practice. He has three catches for 73 yards (24.3 avg.) in his first three collegiate games, including a starting assignment at Washington.

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, 3 games/1 start at LT)

• #58 OT Spencer Brown (1L, R-Jr., 6-6, 315, Commerce Twp., Mich, Walled Lake Western, 3 games/3 starts at RT)

• #77 OT Ethan Boyd (R-Fr., 6-7, 325, East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing, 2 games)

• #56 RG Matt Carrick (4L, Gr.-6, 6-5, 320, Minerva, Ohio/Perry, 3 games/3 starts at RG)

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

• #72 C Dallas Fincher (R-So., 6-4, 300, East Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood, 2 games)

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

• #79 LT Jarrett Horst (Sr.-5, 6-6, 300, Milddleton, Wis./Arkansas State, 3 games/2 starts at LT)

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

• #74 OL Geno VanDeMark (R-Fr., 6-6, 325, Lodi, N.J./St. Joseph, 2 games)

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 returns 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 13 career starts under his belt and has played in 30 collegiate games.

Senior J.D. Duplain, a second-team All-Big Ten honoree 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 21 consecutive games for the Spartans at left guard.

At right guard, sixth-year graduate senior Matt Carrick brings 21 career starts and 41 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. 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 the first three games of the season at right tackle.

Redshirt sophomore Brandon Baldwin earned his first career start at left tackle in Week 1 against Western Michigan and played 41 snaps vs. the Bronocs. Baldwin transferred to MSU in 2021 from Indepedence Community College but did not see game action last season.

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 the 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 also started at Washington.

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 33 career games overall, including 10 starts at center for the Cougars (four in 2020, six in 2021).

The Spartans are also returning four additional players who did not see playing time on the line last season, but gained valuable experience during spring practice: OT Ethan Boyd (R-Fr.), OL Dallas Fincher (R-So.), OL Geno VanDeMark (R-Fr.) and OL Kevin Wigenton (R-Fr.).

►TIGHT ENDS
• #9 Daniel Barker (Gr.-5, 6-4, 250, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Illinois)
(3 games, 8 catches, 82 yards, 10.3 avg., 1 TD, 27.3 ypg; 2 carries, 1 yard, 0.3 ypg)

• #6 Maliq Carr (1L, R-So., 6-5, 255, Inkster, Mich./Purdue)
(3 games, 2 catches, 29 yards, 14.5 avg., 0 TDs, 9.7 ypg)

• #97 Tyler Hunt (4L, Gr.-6, 6-3, 248, Gobles, Mich./Gobles)
(3 games/3 starts, 7 catches, 38 yards, 5.4 avg., 0 TDs, 12.7 ypg)

• #92 Evan Morris (1L, R-Jr., 6-5, 245, Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie, 2 games)

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. Hunt posted career highs in receptions (14) and receiving yards (136) in 11 games last season, including four starts, before missing the last two games with an injury. He made the transition from a specialist to a tight end during preseason practice in 2020. Hunt has started the first three games and has seven receptions for 38 yards this season.

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 eight catches for 82 yards and one TD. 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 and expects to contribute more to the offense this fall. Carr had seven receptions for 128 yards in the last six games of 2021 and had eight receptions for 135 yards overall in 12 total games, including a start in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 12 Pitt. Carr has two catches for 29 yards through three games.

►DEFENSIVE ENDS
• #2 Khris Bogle (Sr., 6-4, 245, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Florida)
(3 games, 10 tackles, 3 TFLs for 3 yards, 1 sack for 1 yard)

• #98 Avery Dunn (R-So., 6-4, 245, Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights)
(1 game, 0 tackles)

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

• #4 Jacoby Windmon (Sr., 6-2, 250, New Orleans, La./UNLV)
(3 games/3 starts, 15 tackles, 6.5 TFLs for 34 yards, 5.5 sacks for 31 yards, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU)

• #26 Brandon Wright (3L, Sr., 6-2, 250, Euclid, Ohio/Euclid)
(3 games, 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards)

• #18 Zion Young (Fr., 6-6, 260, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(3 games, 4 tackles, 1 sack for 7 yards)

Michigan State lost both of its primary starters at defensive end to graduation in Drew Beesley and Jacub Panasiuk, but a position change for UNLV transfer Jacoby Windmon has proved beneficial for the Spartans in 2022. Windmon, a linebacker, transferred to MSU in January 2022 and played linebacker in the spring and the beginning of preseason camp before moving to defensive end prior to the season opener. He responded in a big way against Western Michigan in Week 1, recording a career-high four sacks (17 yards), tying for the second most in a single game in MSU history, while earning Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

In Week 2 against Akron, Windmon forced three fumbles, the most by a Spartan since Joe Bachie against Maryland in 2018. He also recorded 2.5 tackles for loss (17 yards) and 1.5 sacks (14 yards), broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble while collecting five stops overall.

Through three games, he leads the FBS in forced fumbles (4), is tied for first in sacks (5.5), and is tied for fifth in tackles for loss (6.5). He is the first Spartan player to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks.

Windmon, who is also still listed as a linebacker, arrived to East Lansing from UNLV, where he picked up second-team All-Mountain West recognition following his highly productive junior season with the Runnin' Rebels in 2021. The New Orleans native ranked third in the MWC and 13th in the FBS in tackles per game (9.8 avg.; 118 total) and also had 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Junior Jeff Pietrowski has started the first three games at defensive end on the opposite side of Windmon. He has six tackles, including a half tackle for loss, through three games, although he left the Washington game in Week 3 in the first half. 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 also added impact transfer Khris Bogle from Florida to bolster the pass rush. 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 10 tackles, three tackles for loss (3 yards) and one sack (1 yard) in three games.

Senior Brandon Wright, who made the transition from running back to defensive end during spring practice in 2021, made his presence known in the last two games of the season, recording a 14-yard sack and a forced fumble vs. Penn State and then picking up four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in the win over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He has three tackles (0.5 TFL) in the first three games of 2022.

True freshman Zion Young made an impact in preseason camp and recorded his first career sack in Week 2 vs. Akron. He has four tackles overall in three games.

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

Simeon Barrow at Washington — **Redshirt sophomore Simeon Barrow had a career-high eight tackles at Washington.**

►DEFENSIVE TACKLES
• #8 Simeon Barrow (1L, R-So., 6-3, 290, Grovetown, Ga./Grovetown)
(3 games/2 starts, 10 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 1 yard, 1 FR)

• #97 Maverick Hansen (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 300, Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison)
(3 games, 10 tackles, 1 FR)

• #41 Derrick Harmon (R-Fr., 6-5, 320, Detroit, Mich./Loyola)
(3 games/2 starts, 2 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 4 yards, 1 FR, 1 PBU)

• #64 Jacob Slade (3L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy)
(2 games/2 starts, 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 1 yard)

• #91 Alex VanSumeren (Fr., 6-3, 300, Bay City, Mich./Garber)
(3 games, 2 tackles)

The Spartans are loaded with experience and talent along the interior of the defensive line with five returning letterwinners, including starters Jacob Slade and Simeon Barrow.

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. Slade entered the 2022 season on watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award; he was also named a second-team preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. After recording three tackles in the first two games, Slade missed the Washington game due to an injury.

Barrow also proved to be a solid force up the middle in his first year for the Spartans, tallying 34 tackles, four TFLs and three sacks in 10 starts. 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 bowl win against the Panthers. He recorded a career-high eight stops against Washington and has 10 tackles overall.

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 10 stops this season, tied for Barrow for the most among Spartan defensive tackles.

Promising redshirt freshman Derrick Harmon played in four games last fall to preserve his redshirt season. He earned his first career start in Week 2 vs. Akron and started again in Week 3 at Washington.

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.

►LINEBACKERS
• #7 Aaron Brule (Gr.-5, 6-2, 242, New Orleans, La./Mississippi State)
(3 games, 5 tackles, 1 sack for 5 yards)

• #10 Ma'a Gaoteote (So., 6-1, 230, Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman)
(2 games, 2 tackles, 1 TFL for 9 yards)

• #27 Cal Haladay (1L, R-So., 6-1, 230, Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia)
(3 games/2 starts, 21 tackles, 1 sack for 10 yards, 1 FR for 21 yards, 1 FF)

• #13 Ben VanSumeren (Gr.-5, 6-3, 235, Bay City, Mich./Michigan)
(3 games/3 starts, 18 tackles, 1 TFL for 8 yards, 1 PBU)

The linebackers, coached by Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator Scottie Hazelton, feature a strong position room, but unfortunately is missing one of its key players 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.

In addition, UNLV transfer Jacoby Windmon, who joined the program in January 2022, made a late change to defensive end in preseason camp, although he still has the ability to play linebacker as well.

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 was back at it with 10 tackles in Week 1 against Western Michigan. In Week 2 vs. Akron, Haladay returned a fumble 21 yards and also forced a fumble on a sack in the third quarter. He leads the team with 21 tackles.

Graduate senior Ben VanSumeren earned the start for the Spartans in the season opener and he responded with a career-high 11 tackles against the Broncos. He ranks tied for fourth on the team with 18 tackles.

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 brings 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 delivered a 5-yard sack in his Spartan debut against Western Michigan and has five stops overall.

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 had two tackles, including a 9-yard TFL, against Akron in Week 2.

►SECONDARY
• #0 CB Charles Brantley (1L, So., 6-0, 170, Sarasota, Fla./Venice)
(3 games/3 starts, 14 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 3 yards, 4 PBUs)

• #33 S Kendell Brooks (1L, Sr.-5, 6-0, 215, Swansea, S.C./North Greenville)
(3 games/2 starts, 20 tackles, 3 FF, 1 PBU)

• #15 S Angelo Grose (2L, Jr., 5-10, 185, Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield Senior)
(3 games/3 starts, 20 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 4 yards, 2 PBUs)

• #28 S Tate Hallock (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 210, Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central)
(2 games, 4 tackles)

• #3 S Xavier Henderson (4L, Gr.-5, 6-1, 210, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington Central)
(1 game/1 start, 1 PBU)

• #12 NB/CB Chester Kimbrough (1L, Sr., 6-0, 185, New Orleans, La./Florida)
(3 games/3 starts, 11 tackles, 2 sacks for 13 yards, 1 FR for 3 yards, 3 PBUs)

• #29 CB Marqui Lowery (1L, R-So., 6-0, 180, Charlotte, N.C./Louisville)
(2 games, 2 tackles)

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

• #6 CB Ameer Speed (Gr.-6, 6-3, 215, Jacksonville, Fla./Georgia)
(3 games/3 starts, 18 tackles, 1 TFL for 2 yards)

• #30 NB/S Justin White (1L, R-Jr., 5-9, 180, Agoura Hills, Calif./Colorado Mesa)
(3 games, 3 tackles)

• #9 CB Ronald Williams (1L, Sr.-6, 6-2, 195, Ferriday, La., Alabama)
(3 games, 4 tackles)

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, the Spartans brought in another transfer this season that will bolster the cornerback position as 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 recorded six tackles in his Spartan debut against Western Michigan and had a career-high nine stops vs. Akron in Week 2. Speed is tied for fourth on the team with 18 tackles through three games.

Opposite of Speed, sophomore Charles Brantley has started the first three games of the season and leads the team with four pass break-ups, including a career-high three vs. Akron in Week 2. 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 on Oct. 30 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 is back for the Spartans this fall, while redshirt sophomore Marqui Lowery started twice last season.

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

Justin White (R-Jr.), a Division II transfer from Colorado Mesa who sat out the 2020 season, saw his playing time increase toward the end of last year and has seen time at nickelback.

The Spartans will be strong in the back end as starters Angelo Grose (Jr.) and Xavier Henderson (Gr.-5) return at safety for MSU in 2022, although Henderson exited the game with an injury in Week 1.

A 2021 team captain, Henderson had started 34 consecutive games at safety before missing Week 2 against Arkon with an injury. He also missed the Washington game in Week 3. 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.

Grose started all 12 games of the regular season at safety, but returned to nickelback in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a position where he earned four starting assignments as a true freshman in 2020. He led the team with more than 1,000 snaps on defense while collecting 83 tackles and seven passes defended (one interception, six pass break-ups). In three starts at safety this season, Grose ranks tied for second on the team with 20 stops.

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. In his first career start against Akron in Week 2, Brooks caused another fumble and had a then career-high seven tackles. Brooks posted a career-high eight stops at Washington and forced a fumble in his third straight game; he ranks second in the FBS with three forced fumbles, trailing only his teammate Jacoby Windmon, who has four. Brooks transferred from Division II North Greenville in 2021. True freshman Jaden Mangham, a four-star prospect, also played safety in Week 1 in his collegiate debut.

►SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter: Bryce Baringer is using his extra season of eligibility in 2022 and returns 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.

Although Baringer doesn't yet meet the minimum to be ranked in the NCAA statistics with just nine punts in three games, he would be leading the FBS with his 54.0-yard average (nine punts for 486 yards). Four of his punts have eclipsed 60-plus yards, including a 70-yarder in the season opener vs. Western Michigan. He has placed four punts 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. True freshman Jack Stone earned the job in preseason camp; he is 12-for-12 on PATs and 1-for-2 on field goals, including making a 43-yarder vs. Akron for the first field goal of his young career. Stone is averaging 60.8 yards on kickoffs with six touchbacks in 18 attempts (.333).

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. In addition, MSU added graduate transfer Ben Patton from Auburn in August prior to the season opener.

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. Redshirt freshman Michael Donovan provides backup for the Spartans at the position.

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 had one kickoff return for 20 yards and two punt returns for 21 yards, including an 18-yarder, against Western Michigan in Week 1. He had an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown called back due to a penalty against Akron.