Spartans, Wolverines Clash for Paul Bunyan Trophy Saturday Night

Game 7: Michigan State (2-4, 0-3) vs. No. 2/2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Kickoff: 7:33 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass

►GAME DAY INFORMATION
Michigan State Game Day Website (Parking/Tailgating/Timeline): msuspartans.com/gameday

Please note that beginning this season, Michigan State University is introducing walk-through metal detectors at Spartan Stadium. This new addition adds to the university's already-existing expansive safety and security portfolio. Guests are encouraged to arrive at Spartan Stadium early to expedite their entry. When entering the stadium, guests will not have to initially remove items from their pockets unless the metal detector alarms. In this case, guests will be checked individually with a security wand. For more information, please visit dpps.msu.edu

Parking: Lots open at 11 a.m.

Game Day Updates: Fans can sign up to receive game day updates from MSU Police and Public Safety this season by texting SPARTANFB23 to 888777. Updates will include safety information, potential game delays, traffic suggestions, etc.

►BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Mobile: Peacock TV app
Announcers: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (analyst)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Live Stats

Radio: Spartan Media Network | Affiliate Listings
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jason Strayhorn
Sidelines: Jehuu Caulcrick
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. 137/195), SiriusXM app (Ch. 957)
Pregame Show: Begins at 6 p.m.

►SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series: Michigan leads, 72-38-5
Series in East Lansing: Michigan leads, 21-15-2
Series in Big Ten Games (since 1953): Michigan leads, 39-29-2
Last Meeting: Michigan 29, MSU 7 (2022 in Ann Arbor)
Current Series Streak: 1 by Michigan

►HEAD COACHES
MSU Interim Head Coach: Harlon Barnett
MSU Record: 0-4 (first year)
Overall Record: 0-4 (first year)
Record vs. Michigan: First meeting

Michigan Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Michigan Record: 78-25 (ninth year)
Overall Record: 136-52 (16th year)
Record vs. MSU: 4-4

►FIRST-AND-10
• Michigan State will look for its 11th victory in 16 games over No. 2/2 Michigan when the two rivals meet on Saturday, Oct. 21 for the first time under the lights at Spartan Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:33 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock with Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Kathryn Tappen (sidelines) on the call. MSU has won 10 of the past 15 matchups against the Wolverines. Saturday marks the 28th night game in Spartan Stadium history (MSU: 20-7 record).

• Michigan State (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) fell in its second straight road game last Saturday at Rutgers, 27-24, while Michigan beat Indiana, 52-7, to improve to 7-0 (4-0 Big Ten).

• Saturday's game marks the 116th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 72-38-5, but hold just a six-game advantage in games in East Lansing, 21-15-2. Since 1950, Michigan owns a seven-game advantage in the series, 39-32-2. Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 39-29-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.

• Michigan State has defeated Michigan 22 times when the Wolverines were ranked in the AP Top 25, including 12 wins in the top 10.

• Secondary coach Harlon Barnett, who is in his 15th year overall on the Spartan coaching staff, was named acting head coach by MSU Vice President/Director of Athletics Alan Haller on Sunday, Sept. 10. Barnett came back to East Lansing in 2020 after spending two seasons (2018-19) as the defensive coordinator at Florida State. He previously spent 11 seasons (2007-17) as the secondary coach at Michigan State, including three seasons as the co-defensive coordinator (2015-17) and one as the associate head coach (2017), before departing for FSU. Barnett has coached in four New Year's Six/BCS bowl games with the Spartans (2014 Rose, 2014 Cotton, 2015 CFP Semifinal, 2021 Peach) and has been on staff for three Big Ten Championship teams (2010, 2013, 2015).

• Barnett has been a part of 11 wins over Michigan in his Spartan playing and coaching career (player: 1987; coach: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021).

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 29th in the FBS averaging 88.2 rushing yards per game. Carter also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (4), carries (113) and all-purpose yards (584; 97.3 ypg). The UConn transfer has rushed for 100 yards in three of his first six games as a Spartan, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. He had 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2 and ran for 108 yards on a season-high 20 carries at Iowa in Week 5. Carter became the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2. According to PFF, Carter has rushed for 304 yards after contact, which ranks sixth most in the Big Ten.

• Graduate senior Tre Mosley led Michigan State with six catches for 36 yards at Rutgers and moved into 18th place all-time at MSU with 121 career receptions. His 1,404 receiving yards also rank 32nd in school history. Mosley, who has caught a pass in 23 consecutive games, ranks second on the team with 23 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns. One of the most active members on the team in the community, Mosley has been nominated for both the AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy for his work off the field.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay recorded the 250th tackle of his Spartan career on an 11-yard sack in the first half against Rutgers. Haladay finished the game with eight tackles and leads the Spartans once again this season with 41 stops, including four tackles for loss (14 yards). He led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 avg.; 120 total). During the third quarter at Iowa, Haladay tied a school record with the third defensive touchdown of his career as he returned a fumble 42 yards for a scoop-and-score in the third quarter against the Hawkeyes. He had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2021 (30 yards vs. Indiana and 78 yards vs. Pitt in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl). Haladay is the fourth Spartan in school history to score three defensive touchdowns, joining RJ Williamson (2012-15), Shilique Calhoun (2012-15) and T.J. Turner (1997-2000). Haladay was named to preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy.

• MSU Vice President/Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced on Sept. 10 that former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, the winningest head coach in school history, will return to the Spartan staff as an associate head coach. Dantonio will serve as an advisor to Barnett and the coaching staff on game days and throughout the week at practice and in meetings. After a storied 13 seasons as head coach of the Michigan State football program, Dantonio announced his retirement on Feb. 4, 2020. He finished his career with a record of 114-57 in East Lansing, 132-74 in 16 seasons overall. During his time at the helm of the Spartan program, Dantonio compiled an impressive list of accomplishments including three Big Ten Championships, two victories in the Big Ten Championship Game, victories in the 2014 Rose Bowl and the 2015 Cotton Bowl, and an appearance in the 2015 College Football Playoff, finishing his career as the winningest football coach in Michigan State history. Dantonio posted an 8-5 record in his career against the Wolverines.

**Redshirt freshman Katin Houser made his first career start last Saturday at Rutgers.**

LAST TIME OUT

►SUMMARY
• Michigan State took a 24-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but Rutgers scored 21 unanswered points to rally for the 27-24 victory over the Spartans last Saturday at SHI Stadium.

►OFFENSE
• Making his first career start at quarterback, redshirt freshman Katin Houser was 18-of-29 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns . . . Houser threw his first career TD pass on MSU's opening drive with a 13-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. . . . he also rushed for a 12-yard rushing TD in the second quarter part of eight carries for 27 yards . . . the rushing score was Houser's second rushing TD of the season, joining a 4-yard run vs. Washington (9/16/23).

• Michigan State scored on its opening possession for the first time this season with the opening drive 13-yard TD pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser to senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.

• MSU's 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive in 7:28 to open the game was the Spartans' longest TD scoring drive of the season by plays and longest overall by time. It marked the first time MSU scored on its opening possession this season.

• Graduate senior wide receiver Tre Mosley led MSU with a game-high tying six receptions for 36 yards, including a 4-yard TD catch in the third quarter . . . Mosley has caught at least one reception in 23 consecutive games and in 40 of 42 career games played . . . it was Mosley's second TD catch of the season and the 10th of his career, moving up to No. 18 on MSU's career receptions list (121), tied for No. 25 on MSU's career TDs list (10) and No. 32 on MSU's career receiving yards list (1,404).

• Senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. snared his first TD catch of the season and third of his career with the 13-yard TD reception on MSU's opening possession . . . Foster finished with five catches for 48 yards, as he now has 19 catches for 194 yards over the last three games, an average of 6.3 receptions for 64.6 yards per game, after five receptions for 80 yards through the first three games of the season, an average of 1.7 receptions and 26.7 yards per game.

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter led MSU with a season-high tying 20 carries for 52 yards, matching his season-high for carries for the second game in a row after 20 in the Iowa game (9/30/23) . . . Carter has had at least 17 carries in each of the six games.

• Redshirt junior Jalen Berger had 11 rushes for 49 yards, both season-highs as he returns to full speed after missing two games (Washington, Maryland) with an injury . . . the 11 carries for 49 yards betters his previous season-bests of eight rushes for 24 yards in the season-opener vs. Central Michigan (9/1/23).

• Graduate senior running back Harold Joiner had one rush for six yards, his first rushing attempt since Sept. 10, 2022 vs. Akron.

►DEFENSE
• MSU snared multiple interceptions in a game for the first time this season with freshman cornerback Chance Rucker and sophomore safety Jaden Mangham snaring interceptions . . . it was the Spartan defense's first game with two interceptions since Oct. 16, 2021, vs. Indiana.

• It was Michigan State's fourth straight game with an interception and the Spartans have snared at least one oskie in five of the six games this season . . . Mangham started the streak with an interception vs. Washington (9/16), then senior defensive back Angelo Grose had an interception in back-to-back weeks vs. Maryland (9/23) and at Iowa (9/30), before Rucker and Mangham's oskies on Saturday.

• Rucker caught his first career interception with the second-quarter oskie . . . Rucker now has three passes defended on the season with two pass break-ups . . . Rucker added three tackles.

• Mangham picked off his second pass of the season and he now has three passes defended this season, adding one pass break-up . . . Mangham also added five tackles.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay's first tackle of the game came on a sack in the second quarter, which was his 250th career tackle . . . Haladay finished with a team-high and game-best tying eight tackles, marking back-to-back games with eight stops and fifth outing with five or more stops in the six games, including fourth with seven or more stops . . . now up to 257 career tackles, Haladay moves up to No. 37 on Michigan State's career tackles list.

• Grose had a pass break-up, marking his team-leading sixth pass defended this season, with at least one in the last three games and five of the six games,

►SPECIAL TEAMS
• Graduate senior placekicker Jonathan Kim made a 37-yard field goal in the waning seconds of the second quarter and Kim now has at least one field goal in five of the six games, part of 7-of-9 for the season . . . he is 4-of-4 on field goals of 30-39 yards . . . Kim added three PATs to finish with six points, his fourth game of six or more points . . . the three PATs is tied for his second-highest of the season, behind the career-high four vs. Richmond (9/9) and matching three vs. Central Michigan (9/1).

**Tre Mosley caught a 2-point conversion pass in No. 8 Michigan State's 37-33 win over No. 6 Michigan in 2021.**

►STAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-So. Nathan Carter (113 carries for 529 yards, 4.7 avg., 88.2 ypg, 4 TDs)
Passing – R-Jr. Noah Kim (91-of-160, .569, 1,090 yards, 218.0 ypg, 6 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Sr. Montorie Foster Jr. (24 catches for 274 yards, 11.4 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – R-Jr. Cal Haladay (41 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FR)

Michigan:
Rushing – Sr. Blake Corum (96 carries for 546 yards, 5.7 avg., 78.0 ypg, 12 TDs)
Passing – Jr. J.J. McCarthy (111-of-142, .782, 1,512 yards, 216.0 ypg, 14 TDs, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Sr. Roman Wilson (25 catches for 396 yards, 15.8 avg., 9 TDs)
Tackles – Jr. LB Junior Colson (34 tackles, 2 TFLs)

►A QUICK GLANCE AT MICHIGAN (7-0, 4-0 BIG TEN)
• The Wolverines tote an unblemished 7-0 overall record and 4-0 Big Ten Conference ledger into East Lansing for the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy with the Spartans under the lights at Spartan Stadium.

• UM is coming off scoring 50-plus points in back-to-back games with a 52-10 win at Minnesota on Oct. 7 and a 52-7 home win over Indiana on Oct. 14. Michigan has limited opponents to 10 points and less in every game this season.

• In Saturday's win over Indiana, UM punted on its first two possessions, before scoring a touchdown on its next five possessions as part of scoring on eight straight drives, with a field goal on the sixth and two more TDs, before running out the clock after taking over with 0:06 to play in the game.

• The Wolverines amassed 407 yards of total offense, with 244 passing and 163 rushing. UM's defense held IU to just 232 yards of total offense on 140 passing and just 92 yards rushing, and Michigan forced four Indiana turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

• Individually, junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy was 14-of-17 passing for 222 yards and three TDs, while rushing 10 times for 27 yards, getting sacked four times.

• Freshman running back Benjamin Hall led the rushing attack with 58 yards on nine carries, while senior running back Blake Corum had 13 carries for 52 yards and two TDs. Junior Donovan Edwards added nine attempts for 20 yards and one TD.

• Sophomore tight end Colston Loveland had three catches for 80 yards with one TD, sophomore wide receiver Tyler Morris had four receptions for 54 yards, and senior wide receiver Roman Wilson added three catches for 14 yards and a TD.

• Defensively, junior linebacker Junior Colson led the way with six tackles, while senior defensive end Jaylen Harrell tallied 2.0 sacks (18 yards) and had a forced fumble.

• Michigan leads not only the Big Ten, but also the FBS in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 6.7 points per game. The Wolverines are also second in both the conference and country in total defense (233.1 ypg), also ranking second in both the league and nation in pass defense (142.1 ypg), along with third in the B1G and 10th in the FBS in rushing defense (91.0 ypg).

• The UM offense is second in the conference and 10th in the country in scoring offense (39.4 ppg). The Wolverines are fourth in the Big Ten and 54th in FBS in total offense (413.7 ypg), ranking fourth in the league and 40th in the nation in rushing offense (182.0 ypg) along with fifth in the conference and 69th in the country in passing offense (231.7 ypg).

• Individually, McCarthy leads the Big Ten and is second in the FBS in both passing efficiency (195.9) and completion percentage (.782), while ranking second in the league and 15th in the nation in passing TDs (14). He is 111-of-142 passing for 1,512 yards with 14 TDs and three INTs, while rushing 30 times for 160 yards (5.3 ypc/22.9 ypg) with three TDs.

• Corum leads the Big Ten and the FBS in rushing TDs (12), along with ranking first in the conference and sixth in the country in scoring (10.3 ppg). He also ranks third in the league and 44th in the nation in rushing yards/carry (5.7) and fourth in the conference and 44th in the country in rushing yards/game (78.0). Corum has 96 rushes for 546 yards with 12 TDs, adding six catches for 43 yards (7.2 ypc/6.1 ypg).

• Wilson tops the Big Ten and shares the FBS lead in receiving TDs (9), while ranking ninth in the league and just outside the top 100 in the FBS in receiving yards/game (56.6). He also is 19th in the conference in receptions per game (3.6). Wilson has a team-leading 25 receptions, which ties for 10th in the B1G, for 396 yards, ranking sixth in the league.

• Colson leads the UM defense with 34 tackles, ranking tied for 29th in the Big Ten, while adding 2.0 tackles for loss and one QB hurry.

• Junior defensive end Josaiah Stewart leads the team and ranks tied for 10th in the league in tackles for loss (4.5). Jaylen Harrell tops the team and ranks tied for fourth in the conference in sacks (3.5).
• Graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil and sophomore defensive back Keon Sabb are tied for seventh in the Big Ten in interceptions (2).

• Graduate placekicker James Turner is 6-of-8 on field goals with a long of 50 yards, while making 35-of-36 PATs. The 35 PATs leads the B1G and ranks tied for third in the FBS, while the six field goals ranks tied for ninth in the league.

• Junior punter Tommy Doman has punted 15 times for a 44.7 ypp average, which would rank third in the Big Ten and 26th in the FBS, but he doesn't qualify for the minimum of 3.6 punts per game. Doman has a long of 65 yards, one of three punts of 50+ yards.

• Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is in his ninth season leading the Wolverines, posting a 78-25 record. Harbaugh is in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach, posting a 136-52 ledger.

►MSU/MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES
• Saturday's game marks the 116th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 72-38-5, but hold just a six-game advantage in games in East Lansing, 21-15-2.

• Since 1950, Michigan owns a seven-game advantage in the series, 39-32-2.

►BATTLE FOR THE PAUL BUNYAN TROPHY
• Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series, 39-29-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.

►BATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTS
• Michigan State's 2023 roster features 50 players from the state of Michigan.

►SPARTANS RANK SECOND IN ALL-TIME VICTORIES vs. MICHIGAN
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan. Only Ohio State (52) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (38).

►GROUND GAME KEY FACTOR IN THIS SERIES
• The team with the most productive ground attack has won 47 of the last 53 games in the MSU-UM series, with the only exceptions being in 2020, 2016, 2015, 2007, 2004 and 1995.

►LAST MEETING IN SPARTAN STADIUM: NO. 8 MSU 37, NO. 6 MICHIGAN 33
Michigan State All-American running back Kenneth Walker III scored five touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winning score from 23 yards out with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, as the No. 8 Spartans fought back from a 16-point deficit to beat No. 6 Michigan, 37-33, in a battle of undefeated, top-10 teams on Oct. 30, 2021, in Spartan Stadium.

Walker finished the day with 23 carries for 197 yards and five touchdowns, three in the second half and three for 20 or more yards. The five rushing touchdowns were the most by any player against Michigan.

Charles Brantley intercepted a Cade McNamara pass with just over a minute remaining to seal the win for the Spartans.

►LONG HISTORY OF BIG WINS OVER MICHIGAN
• Michigan State has defeated Michigan 22 times when the Wolverines were ranked in the AP Top 25, including 12 wins in the top 10.

►PRODUCTIVE BYE WEEK FOR SPARTANS
• For the second consecutive year, Michigan State spent its bye week sending players to various locations throughout the Lansing community. This year, players spent time at the Ronald McDonald House and also visited Sparrow Hospital. Inspired by the family of former Spartan Todd (T.J.) Duckett, who stayed at RMHC Ann Arbor while their son was hospitalized, Battle for the Houses is a friendly competition to build awareness and raise funds for RMHC Ann Arbor and RMHC Mid-Michigan. Spartan fans can join their efforts by visiting rmhmm.org/help-the-house to volunteer or donate.

2023 Community Service — Tre Mosley (left), who is nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy, spent time at the Ronald McDonald House and Sparrow Hospital during MSU's bye week, along with teammates Noah Kim (middle) and Cal Haladay (right).

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN OFFENSE

►QUARTERBACKS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #12 Katin Houser (R-Fr., 6-3, 215, Anaheim, Calif./St. John Bosco)
(5 games, 27-of-45 passing [.600], 291 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

• #10 Noah Kim (1L, R-Jr., 6-2, 185, Centreville, Va./Westfield)
(5 games/5 starts, 91-of-160 passing [.569], 1,090 yards [218.0 ypg], 6 TDs, 6 INTs)

• #4 Sam Leavitt (Fr., 6-2, 200, West Linn, Ore./West Linn)
(1 game, 2-of-2 passing [1.000], 9 yards [9.0 ypg], 0 TDs, 0 INTs)

• Making his first career start at quarterback last Saturday at Rutgers, redshirt freshman Katin Houser was 18-of-29 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns against the Scarlet Knights. Houser threw his first career TD pass on MSU's opening drive with a 13-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. He also rushed for a 12-yard rushing TD in the second quarter part of eight carries for 27 yards..

• In five games this season, Houser has completed 60 percent of his passes (27-of-45) for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

• In the Big Ten opener against Maryland in the fourth quarter, Houser was 6-of-10 passing for 75 yards and led the Spartans into the red zone, but was intercepted to end the drive. Houser scored his first career TD on a 4-yard run against No. 8 Washington in Week 3 to cap an 11-play, 99-yard drive for the Spartans in the fourth quarter.

• A highly touted four-star quarterback and Elite 11 finalist who enrolled early in January 2022, Houser has impressed the coaching staff with his arm talent over the past year. He took reps with the offense during practices last season, but still preserved his redshirt season after making just one appearance in Week 2 in his collegiate debut vs. Akron.

• Redshirt junior quarterback Noah Kim started the first five games for the Spartans. Kim is 91-of-160 passing (.569) for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 53 yards on 27 carries.

• Kim was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in the win over Richmond in Week 2. Kim was 18-of-22 passing for a career-high 292 yards and three touchdowns against the Spiders, and completed a school-record 15 straight passes to close the game.

• Making his first career start at quarterback, Kim was 18-of-31 passing for 279 yards and two touchdowns against Central Michigan in Week 1. After a slow start in the first quarter, Kim was 9-of-16 passing for 147 yards in the second quarter, and was 8-of-10 for 134 yards and two TDs in the second half. After redshirting in 2020 and not seeing game action in 2021, Kim was 14-of-19 passing for 174 yards and three TDs last season.

• In four games of action off the bench last season, Kim was very efficient, completing 74 percent of his passes (14-of-19) for 174 yards and three touchdowns. During his two Big Ten games, Kim was 6-of-7 passing for 70 yards against Minnesota, including a 27-yard touchdown, and was 6-of-10 for 82 yards and a 25-yard TD vs. Ohio State. He has also shown the ability to move the chains with his legs, bringing an added dimension to the Spartan offense.

• The Spartans also welcomed in four-star quarterback Sam Leavitt, the 2022 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, to the program this summer after he signed a National Letter of Intent in December. Leavitt threw 82 career touchdown passes in high school and closed his prep career by passing for 36 TDs and 3,065 yards in addition to rushing for 693 yards and eight scores as a senior. He made his collegiate debut on the last drive of the Maryland game in the fourth quarter and was 2-of-2 passing for 9 yards while rushing twice for 7 yards.

• Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson is in his fourth season with the Spartans.

Nate Carter during a NCAA football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. — **Nathan Carter ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing with 88.2 yards per game.**

►RUNNING BACKS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #8 Jalen Berger (1L, R-Jr., 6-1, 215, Newark, N.J./Wisconsin)
(4 games, 24 carries, 90 yards, 3.8 avg., 22.5 ypg, 1 TD; 5 receptions, 40 yards, 8.0 avg.)

• #5 Nathan Carter (R-So., 5-10, 200, Rochester, N.Y./Connecticut)
(6 games/6 starts, 113 carries, 529 yards, 4.7 avg., 88.2 ypg, 4 TDs; 10 receptions, 55 yards, 5.5 avg.)

• #28 Harold Joiner III (Sr.-6., 6-4, 215, Detroit, Mich./Oak Park)
(2 games, 1 carry, 6 yards, 6.0 avg., 3.0 ypg)

• #24 Davion Primm (R-So., 6-0, 205, Detroit, Mich./Oak Park)
(4 games, 4 carries, 17 yards, 4.3 avg., 4.3 ypg)

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 29th in the FBS averaging 88.2 rushing yards per game. Carter also leads the team in rushing touchdowns (4), carries (113) and all-purpose yards (584; 97.3 ypg). According to PFF, Carter has rushed for 304 yards after contact.

• The UConn transfer has rushed for 100 yards in three of his six five games as a Spartan, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. He had 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2 and ran for 108 yards on a season-high 20 carries at Iowa in Week 5. In his first Big Ten game, Carter rushed for 97 yards on 19 carries (5.1 avg.) against Maryland.

• Carter became the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.

• Making his Spartan debut, Carter rushed 18 times for 113 yards and one touchdown vs. Central Michigan. A transfer from UConn, Carter took his first carry as a Spartan on the first play from scrimmage and raced 31 yards for the longest rush of the game by any player. He scored his first TD in the Green and White on a 2-yard run late in the second quarter. Carter became the third consecutive Spartan transfer to start in the season opener and rush for more than 100 yards (Kenneth Walker III, 264 vs. Northwestern in 2021; Jalen Berger, 120 vs. Western Michigan in 2022).

• Carter still has three seasons of eligibility remaining after playing in only four games last season for the Huskies before suffering a season-ending injury. He rushed for 983 yards on 190 carries with three TDs in two seasons (2021-22) at UConn, including a team-leading 578 yards as a freshman in 2021. He was averaging more than 100 yards rushing a game last year (101.3 ypg), highlighted by a career-high 190 yards in the season opener vs. Utah State, before his injury in Week 4.

• Carter has rushed for 1,512 yards on 303 carries in his 22-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; six at MSU in 2023), including seven rushing touchdowns.

• Jalen Berger (R-Jr.), who posted career highs in rushing yards (683), carries (148) and rushing TDs (6) while starting 11 of 12 games last season after transferring from Wisconsin, ranks second among Spartan RBs with 24 carries for 90 yards. He missed two games (Washington, Maryland) before returning in a limited role at Iowa in Week 5. Berger posted three 100-yard games in 2022 for the Spartans (career-high 120 vs. Western Michigan; 119 vs. Indiana; 107 vs. Akron).

• Jaren Mangham (Gr.-5), who joined the team in January and competed during spring practice, has not played in the first six games of the season due to an injury. Mangham, brother of current Spartan sophomore defensive back Jaden Mangham, played two years at Colorado (2019-20) and two at USF (2021-22) prior to arriving in East Lansing as a graduate transfer. He has collected 1,251 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in 32 collegiate games (16 at Colorado; 16 at USF). Mangham had a career-high 671 yards and 15 rushing TDs as a junior at USF in 2021 to lead the Bulls.

• Sixth-year senior Harold Joiner III, who transferred from Auburn to MSU in 2021, spent two seasons at running back (2021-22) before transferring to the defense as a safety in spring practice. He moved to linebacker in preseason camp but returned to the backfield in Week 5 at Iowa to provide depth at the position for the Spartans.

• Effrem Reed is in his second season as the running backs coach for MSU.

Tre Mosley TD celebration at Rutgers — **Tre Mosley caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter last Saturday at Rutgers.**

►WIDE RECEIVERS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #0 Alante Brown (Sr., 5-11, 190, Chicago, Ill./Nebraska)
(5 games/1 start, 1 catch, 5 yards, 5.0 avg; 1.0 ypg)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 220, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(6 games, 8 catches, 169 yards, 21.1 avg., 28.2 ypg)

• #83 Montorie Foster Jr. (2L, Sr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(6 games/6 starts, 24 catches, 274 yards, 11.4 avg., 45.7 ypg)

• #7 Antonio Gates Jr. (R-Fr., 6-2, 195, Detroit, Mich./Fordson)
(6 games, 3 catches, 77 yards, 25.7 avg., 12.8 ypg, 1 TD)

• #15 Jaron Glover (R-Fr., 6-1, 205, Sarasota, Fla./Riverview)
(6 games/3 starts, 12 catches, 227 yards, 18.9 avg., 37.8 ypg)

• #2 Tyrell Henry (So., 6-0, 175, Roseville, Mich./Roseville)
(6 games, 9 catches, 93 yards, 10.3 avg., 15.5 ypg, 2 TDs)

• #17 Tre Mosley (3L, Gr.-5, 6-2, 200, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(6 games/5 starts, 23 catches, 228 yards, 9.9 avg., 38.0 ypg, 2 TDs)

• Michigan State has a group of talented young wide receivers that will look to have increased roles in the offense in 2023, but the unit will be led by fifth-year graduate senior Tre Mosley, who has played in 42 career games, including 26 starting assignments, over the past five seasons (2019-23). Mosley has given the Spartans steady production over the course of his time in East Lansing with 121 career receptions for 1,404 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in catches (18th with 121), TD receptions (tied for 25th with 10) and receiving yards (32nd with 1,404).

• In addition to his play on the field, Mosley's leadership will be counted on to mentor the wide receiver room. He is also nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy for his work in the community.

• Mosley currently ranks second on the Spartans with 23 catches for 228 yards and two TDs through six games.

• Senior Montorie Foster Jr. already has career highs in catches (24) and receiving yards (274) through the first six games of the season. Foster had a career-high eight receptions for 79 yards at Iowa. A three-year letterwinner, Foster has played in 36 career games and has 43 receptions for 536 yards and three TDs.

• Two-year letterwinner Christian Fitzpatrick (R-Jr.), who missed the final seven games of last season due to an injury, is back this season for MSU. After playing in a reserve role the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick, a former Louisville transfer, has contributed more to the offense in his third season at MSU. Fitzpatrick already has a career-high eight catches for 169 yards (21.1 avg.), including a 72-yarder in the season opener vs. Central Michigan and a 61-yarder in Week 3 vs. Washington.

• Sophomore Tyrell Henry, who earned a letter as a true freshman returning kicks in 2022, will have an expanded role in the offense this fall, along with redshirt freshmen Antonio Gates Jr. and Jaron Glover. The young trio all showed promising signs during spring practice and continued to work on their development in preseason camp heading into the season.

• Henry has nine catches for 93 yards and a team-leading two touchdowns, including a leaping one-handed TD grab vs. Central Michigan in Week 1 that was named the No. 3 play of the day on ESPN's SportsCenter. He also has 10 punt returns for 82 yards (8.2 avg.) and eight kick returns for 142 yards (17.8 avg.). He ranks third on the team in all-purpose yards (52.8 ypg).

• Glover is averaging 18.9 yards per catch with 12 receptions for 227 yards. He leads MSU with five catches of 20-plus yards.

• Gates caught his first collegiate pass for a 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Richmond. For the season, he has three catches for 77 yards (25.7 avg.).

• The Spartans also added transfer Alante Brown from Nebraska over the summer. Brown played three seasons (2020-22) with the Huskers, collecting 22 receptions for 262 yards in 30 games. He posted career highs in catches (16) and yards (191) last season while playing in all 12 games, including 10 starts. His speed and versatility will give the Spartans another option in the passing game in 2023.

• Former Spartan Courtney Hawkins is in his fourth year on the offensive staff as the wide receivers coach.

►OFFENSIVE LINE

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #53 Brandon Baldwin (1L, R-Jr., 6-7, 315, Detroit, Mich./Independence CC, 6 games/6 starts at LT)

• #54 Keyshawn Blackstock Sr. (Jr., 6-5, 310, Covington, Ga./Coffeyville CC, 4 games)

• #77 Ethan Boyd (1L, R-So., 6-7, 320, East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing, 6 games)

• #58 Spencer Brown (2L, Gr.-5, 6-6, 315, Canton, Mich./Walled Lake Western, 6 games/6 starts at RT)

• #67 J.D. Duplain (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville, 6 games/6 starts at LG)

• #72 Dallas Fincher (1L, R-Jr., 6-4, 305, Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood, 6 games/1 start at C)

• #59 Nick Samac (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor, 6 games/5 starts at C)

• #74 Geno VanDeMark (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Lodi, N.J./St. Joseph, 4 games/3 starts at RG)

• #70 Kevin Wigenton II (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Colts Neck, N.J./The Hun School, 6 games/3 starts at RG)

• Michigan State returned five players with starting experience on the offensive line, led by multi-year fifth-year senior starters J.D. Duplain and Nick Samac, who are both using their extra year of eligibility in 2023.

• Duplain has been an anchor at left guard for the Spartans, starting 36 consecutive games at the position, and the four-year letterwinner has a started a total of 41 games in his career while playing in 48 overall. He has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades the past two seasons and returns for another year as a leader on the offensive line in 2023.

• Samac, who was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, started all 12 games at center last fall and has 27 starts overall in his career while playing in a total 44 games the past five seasons (2019-23). He played a career-high 803 snaps in 2022, most on the Spartan offense, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. He has started the last five games after splitting time with Dallas Fincher in the season opener vs. Central Michigan.

• Graduate fifth-year senior Spencer Brown also started all 12 games last season at right tackle and has a streak of 19 consecutive starts at the position.

• Redshirt junior Brandon Baldwin took over the starting role at left tackle the final four games of the 2022 season and gained valuable experience while playing a total of 405 offensive snaps. It was Baldwin's first season playing at the FBS level after redshirting in 2021 following two years at Independence Community College. He has started at left tackle in the first six games to run his streak to 10 straight starts at the position.

• Redshirt sophomore Geno VanDeMark earned starting assignments at right guard the last two games of the season and will look to have an increased role on the offensive line heading into his third season in East Lansing. He started the three games at right guard this season before missing the last two games with an injury; he returned to play 33 snaps at Rutgers on Oct. 14.

• Redshirt sophomores Ethan Boyd and Kevin Wigenton II also earned their first letters as Spartans last year and will see time in the playing rotation. Wigenton has earned starts in three straight games at right guard with VanDeMark sidelined, and Boyd has seen his snap count increase at right tackle throughout the season.

• Keyshawn Blackstock Sr., who was ranked the top junior college interior offensive lineman in the nation, arrived to campus in January and will also see time in the rotation at left tackle.

• Assistant head coach Chris Kapilovic is in his fourth season as MSU's offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Kapilovic's unit in 2021 was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation's best offensive line.

►TIGHT ENDS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #6 Maliq Carr (2L, R-Jr., 6-6, 260, Inkster, Mich./Purdue)
(6 games/5 starts, 17 catches, 169 yards, 9.9 avg., 28.2 ypg, 1 TD)

• #92 Evan Morris (2L, R-Jr., 6-5, 245, Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie)
(6 games/4 starts, 2 catches, 5 yards, 2.5 avg.)

• #19 Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, 6-5, 240, Brownstown Township, Mich./Wisconsin)
(6 games, 4 catches, 24 yards, 6.0 avg.)

• Redshirt junior Maliq Carr leads the tight ends with a career-high 17 catches for 169 yards. Carr had a career-high six receptions for 43 yards in the first quarter alone at Iowa before leaving the game with an injury. He also had five catches for 53 yards in the Big Ten opener vs. Maryland. After playing basketball during the winter of 2021-22, Carr had a full offseason with the team heading into this fall.

• Graduate transfer Jaylan Franklin (Wisconsin) joined the team in January and has four catches for 24 yards. Fellow graduate transfer Tyneil Hopper (Boise State) had two catches for 24 yards and one TD but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 vs. Washington.

• In addition, redshirt senior Evan Morris will be relied upon his blocking skills, and he earned a start in the season opener against the Chippewas while also recording his first career reception (4 yards). Morris has started four games overall and has two receptions for 5 yards.

• Ted Gilmore is in his fourth year at Michigan State as the tight ends coach.

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN DEFENSE

►SPARTANS RANK THIRD IN FBS IN THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the FBS in third-down defense, as opponents are converting on just 24.7 percent of their attempts (19-of-77).

• In addition, MSU ranks 21st in the FBS in red zone defense (.727), 31st in rushing defense (114.8 ypg) and 35th in total defense (334.0 ypg).

Simeon Barrow defense vs Richmond — **Simeon Barrow Jr. (No. 8) and the Spartans lead the Big Ten in third-down defense.**

►DEFENSIVE LINE

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #52 Tunmise Adeleye (R-So., 6-4, 290, Katy, Texas/Texas A&M)
(5 games/1 start at DE, 8 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 7 yards, 1 sack for 4 yards)

• #8 Simeon Barrow Jr. (2L, R-Jr., 6-3, 290, Grovetown, Ga./Grovetown)
(6 games/5 starts at DT, 17 tackles, 2.5 TFLs for 11 yards, 1.5 sacks for 10 yards)

• #2 Khris Bogle (1L, R-Sr., 6-4, 245, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Florida)
(5 games/4 starts at DE, 8 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 2 yards, 0.5 sacks for 1 yard)

• #45 Dre Butler (Gr.-5, 6-5, 300, Covington, Ga./Liberty)
(3 games, 9 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 1 yard)

• #98 Avery Dunn (1L, R-So., 6-4, 250, Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights)
(5 games/1 start at DE, 4 tackles)

• #97 Maverick Hansen (3L, R-Sr., 6-4, 300, Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison)
(6 games/3 starts at DT, 11 tackles, 1 PBU)

• #41 Derrick Harmon (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Detroit, Mich./Loyola)
(6 games/4 starts at DT, 17 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 4 yards, 1 sack for 3 yards)

• #99 Jalen Sami (Gr.-6, 6-7, 330, Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado)
(4 games, 2 tackles)

• #26 Brandon Wright (4L, R-Sr., 6-2, 250, Euclid, Ohio/Euclid)
(6 games/2 starts at DE, 10 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 13 yards, 2 sacks for 13 yards)

• #9 Zion Young (1L, So., 6-6, 265, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(6 games/4 starts at DE, 20 tackles, 4.5 TFLs for 20 yards, 1.5 sacks for 5 yards)

• Michigan State returns plenty of depth and experience along the defensive line this season, in addition to welcoming in four highly touted transfers (Tunmise Adeleye from Texas A&M, Dre Butler from Liberty, Jarrett Jackson from Florida State and Jalen Sami from Colorado) and three top-200 recruits (Andrew Depaepe, Bai Jobe, Jalen Thompson).

• Diron Reynolds, who was named the program's defensive line coach in January, got his first on-field look at the position group during spring practice. Reynolds has more than 25 years of coaching experience both at the NFL and Power 5 levels and previously spent the past seven seasons (2016-22) as the defensive line coach at Stanford. He has coached on multiple championship teams, including winning a Super Bowl ring with the Colts, and has worked with numerous All-Americans, NFL Draft picks and All-Pro players.

• Sophomore defensive end Zion Young leads the Spartans with 4.5 tackles for loss (20 yards) and ranks tied for third with 1.5 sacks (5 yards). According to Pro Football Focus, Young leads the Spartans with 16 total QB pressures on the season.

• The Spartans have started a total of five defensive ends, including Young (four games), seniors Khris Bogle (four games), Avery Dunn (one game) and Brandon Wright (two games), and redshirt sophomore Tunmise Adeleye (one game), a transfer from Texas A&M.

• Bogle, a Florida transfer and former top-100 recruit, only played in the first four games last season after suffering a season-ending injury vs. Minnesota in Week 4. He started four times this season and has eight tackles, one TFL and a half sack.
• Dunn saw his playing time increase toward the end of last season with starts against Rutgers and Indiana, and he recorded career highs in tackles (28), tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (3.0) to earn his first letter. He earned his first start of the season in Week 4 vs. Maryland and has four tackles this season.

• In his second full season at defensive end after spending time as a running back his first two years in East Lansing, Wright played in eight games with two starts, including a career-high 14 tackles. He has 10 tackles and a team-best two sacks this season in six games, including two starts.

• Tunmise Adeleye, a top-40 recruit in the Class of 2021 out of Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas, enrolled in January after spending two seasons at Texas A&M and will look to make an immediate impact on the Spartan pass rush. Adeleye was named the No. 53 player in the transfer portal by The Athletic heading into the 2023 season. He has eight tackles, 2.0 TFLs and one sack in four games.

• Along the interior, three Spartans return with starting experience, led by redshirt junior Simeon Barrow Jr. Barrow has started in 25 games over the past two-plus seasons (2021-23) and has 17 tackles, 2.5 TFLs (11 yards) and 1.5 sacks (10 yards) in five games this season.

• Redshirt senior Maverick Hansen has played in 37 career games, including seven starting assignments. He has 11 tackles thus far in 2023. Hansen, who owns a 3.77 grade-point average as a hospitality business major, was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is the top scholar-athlete award in college football. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recipient.

• Redshirt sophomore Derrick Harmon has started four games this season and has 17 tackles, including two TFLs and one sack. He has started in nine career games for MSU.

• Incoming graduate transfers Dre Butler (Liberty), Jarrett Jackson (Florida State) and Jalen Sami (Colorado) will bolster the Spartan interior with 91 combined games at the FBS level. Butler, who originally enrolled at Independence Community College out of high school, played two seasons at Auburn (2020-21) and one at Liberty (2022) before graduating and attending MSU in January. Jackson is also a graduate transfer who joined the program in January after playing one season at Louisville (2018) and three at Florida State (2020-22). Sami arrived at MSU in the summer after playing in 40 career games for the Buffaloes, including 32 starting assignments at defensive tackle, the past four seasons (2019-22).

• The Spartans also signed three highly ranked players at defensive end as part of their 2023 recruiting class. Bai Jobe, the No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma, played in the All-American Bowl and was ranked the No. 54 overall player in the nation according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Andrew Depaepe, a consensus top-150 recruit from Bettendorf, Iowa, also enrolled in January for the Spartans. Jalen Thompson, a four-star prospect from Detroit Cass Tech and the consensus No. 1 defensive end in the state of Michigan, joined the Spartans over the summer.

Cal Haladay, Angelo Grose, Simeon Barrow at Rutgers — **Cal Haladay (No. 27) leads the Spartan defense with 41 tackles through the first six games.**

►LINEBACKERS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #33 Aaron Alexander (R-Fr., 6-1, 225, Belleville, Mich./Massachusetts)
(6 games, 3 tackles)

• #7 Aaron Brule (1L, Gr.-6, 6-2, 240, New Orleans, La./Mississippi State)
(6 games/3 starts, 23 tackles, 3.5 TFLs for 9 yards, 2 sacks for 6 yards)

• #27 Cal Haladay (2L, R-Jr., 6-1, 235, Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia)
(6 games/6 starts, 41 tackles, 4.0 TFLs for 14 yards, 1 sack for 11 yards, 1 INT for 2 yards, 1 FR for 42 yards)

• #5 Jordan Hall (Fr., 6-3, 235, Fredericksburg, Va./IMG Academy)
(6 games/2 starts, 25 tackles, 3.0 TFLs for 7 yards)

• #23 Darius Snow (2L, R-Jr., 6-1, 230, Frisco, Texas/Hebron)
(4 games, 6 tackles)

• The linebackers, coached by fourth-year Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator Scottie Hazelton, feature two experienced starters in sixth-year graduate senior Aaron Brule and redshirt junior Cal Haladay, along with talented freshman Jordan Hall. Fifth-year senior Jacoby Windmon started the first three games of the season but has since suffered a season-ending injury. In addition, redshirt junior Darius Snow is rounding into form after missing nearly the entire 2022 season with an injury.

• Haladay recorded the 250th tackle of his Spartan career on an 11-yard sack in the first half against Rutgers. He finished the game with eight tackles and leads the Spartans once again this season with 41 stops, including four tackles for loss (14 yards). He led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 avg.; 120 total).

• Haladay tied a school record with his third career defensive touchdown on a 42-yard fumble recovery for a scoop-and-score at Iowa on Sept. 30. He had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2021 (30 yards vs. Indiana and 78 yards vs. Pitt in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl). Haladay is the fourth Spartan in school history to score three defensive touchdowns, joining RJ Williamson (2012-15), Shilique Calhoun (2012-15) and T.J. Turner (1997-2000).

• Haladay was named to preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy.

• Windmon, who transferred to MSU from UNLV in 2022, burst onto the scene last season with four sacks in his Spartan debut against Western Michigan to earn Big Ten and National Defensive Player of the Week honors. He became the first Spartan and just the sixth Big Ten player to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades three times in one season (vs. Western Michigan, Akron and Wisconsin), and he was also named the National Defensive Player of the Week in his first start at linebacker vs. Wisconsin in Week 7 after starting the first six games at defensive end. The New Orleans native, who led the team in TFLs (10.5) and sacks (5.5) and ranked first in the nation with six forced fumbles, returned to his natural position of linebacker in the spring and earned the start in Week 1 vs. Central Michigan. He had 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in the first three games of the season before being declared out for the year due to an injury.

• Brule, a graduate transfer from Mississippi State, has played in 58 collegiate games, including 18 the past two seasons for the Spartans (2022-23). He has 23 tackles this season with 3.5 TFLs and two sacks.

• True freshman Jordan Hall, the only three-time captain in IMG Academy history, enrolled in January and made an early impact during spring practice for the Spartans. The consensus four-star recruit has 25 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss through the first six games of the season. Hall earned the first start of his collegiate career in his first Big Ten game against Maryland in Week 4.

• Redshirt junior Darius Snow, who began last season at linebacker after playing in the secondary his first two seasons, unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury vs. Western Michigan in the first game of the 2022 season. He returned to action for the first time in Week 3 vs. Washington in a reserve role and had three tackles while playing a season-high 20 snaps at Iowa on Sept. 30. Snow ranked third on the team and 18th in the Big Ten with 87 tackles as a sophomore in 2021. In four games this season, Snow has six tackles.

►SECONDARY

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #0 Charles Brantley (2L, Jr., 6-0, 170, Sarasota, Fla./Venice)
(3 games/3 starts at CB, 10 tackles, 1 TFL for 3 yards, 1 PBU)

• #15 Angelo Grose (3L, Sr., 5-10, 185, Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield)
(6 games/4 starts at NB, 1 start at S, 29 tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 7 yards, 0.5 sack for 2 yards, 4 PBUs, 2 INTs)

• #12 Chester Kimbrough (2L, R-Sr., 6-0, 185, New Orleans, La./Florida)
(6 games, 7 tackles, 1 sack for 9 yards)

• #29 Marqui Lowery Jr. (2L, R-Jr., 6-0, 175, Charlotte, N.C./Louisville)
(3 games, 4 tackles, 2 PBUs)

• #1 Jaden Mangham (1L, So., 6-2, 185, Beverly Hills, Mich./Wylie E. Groves)
(5 games/5 starts at S, 25 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PBU)

• #25 Chance Rucker (Fr., 6-1, 180, Denton, Texas/Ryan)
(6 games/3 starts at CB, 12 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs)

• #43 Malik Spencer (So., 6-1, 195, Buford, Ga./Buford)
(6 games/6 starts at S, 36 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 1 yards, 4 PBUs)

• #21 Dillon Tatum (So., 5-11, 200, Farmington Hills, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(6 games/6 starts at CB, 30 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards, 3 PBUs)

• #20 Ade Willie (1L, So., 6-1, 190, Baltimore, Md./IMG Academy)
(6 games, 2 tackles)

• Former Spartan All-American and NFL veteran Harlon Barnett is in 15th year overall on the defensive coaching staff at Michigan State. He was named acting head coach on Sept. 10 and is the program's secondary coach. First-year assistant Jim Salgado is the team's cornerbacks coach.

• The Spartans feature a number of promising players in the secondary and also return starters with multiple years of experience.

• Sophomore safety Malik Spencer has started the first six games of the season and ranks second on the team with 36 tackles. He also leads the team with four pass break-ups.

• Fellow sophomore Jaden Mangham drew starts in the first four games, but missed Week 5 at Iowa due to an injury. He returned to the starting lineup at Rutgers on Oct. 14. Mangham leads the team with two interceptions (vs. Washington, at Rutgers).

• Senior Angelo Grose has started games at both safety and nickelback the past four seasons (2020-23) and has played in 34 games overall since his arrival on campus in 2020, including 30 starts. The three-year letterwinner has 188 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 17 pass break-ups and three interceptions during his collegiate career. Grose has started at nickelback in four games and started at safety vs. Iowa in Week 5. He is tied for the team lead with two interceptions and four pass break-ups and also has 29 tackles.

• At cornerback, sophomore Dillon Tatum has started all six games and ranks third on the team with 30 tackles and three pass break-ups. Tatum has started six consecutive games at cornerback for MSU overall, as he drew a start as a true freshman in the 2022 regular-season finale at Penn State.

• True freshman Chance Rucker earned his first collegiate start vs. Maryland in Week 4 and has started every Big Ten game. Rucker has 12 tackles, two pass break-ups and one interception in six games overall.

• Charles Brantley (Jr.) took over a full-time starting role at cornerback during his second season in East Lansing and led the team with six pass break-ups to go along with 48 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and one interception in 11 starts. The two-year letterwinner has started in 15 of his 22 collegiate games and has 11 pass break-ups and two interceptions in his career. He has missed the last three games with an injury.

• Redshirt senior Chester Kimbrough and redshirt junior Marqui Lowery both have starting experience in the secondary for the Spartans.

• MSU also added two transfers to the secondary in 2023 – Semar Melvin, a redshirt senior from Wisconsin, and Armorion Smith, a redshirt sophomore from Cincinnati – but Melvin hasn't played in a game yet due to an injury and Smith was declared out for the season on Sept. 30 due to an injury.

• The Spartans signed four defensive backs to National Letters of Intent for the Class of 2023: Sean Brown, Philipp Davis, Eddie Pleasant III and Chance Rucker.

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN SPECIAL TEAMS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:

Punters:
• #96 P Ryan Eckley (R-Fr., 6-2, 205, Lithia, Fla./Newsome)
(6 games, 16 punts for 712 yards, 44.5 avg., 7 inside the 20, 1 touchback, 5 fair catches, 5 50+)

• #42 P Michael O'Shaughnessy (Gr.-5, 6-3, 210, New Albany, Ohio/Ohio State)
(5 games, 11 punts for 445 yards, 40.5 avg., 4 inside the 20, 1 touchback, 6 fair catches, 1 50+)

Long Snappers:
• #35 LB/LS Sam Edwards (R-Jr., 6-1, 225, Williamston, Mich./Lansing Catholic)
• #41 LS Drew Wilson (Jr., 6-2, 230, Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union)

Placekickers:
• #97 K Jonathan Kim (Gr.-5, 6-0, 225, Fredericksburg, Va./North Carolina)
(6 games, 12-for-12 PATs, 7-for-9 FGs, 25 kickoffs for 1,570 yards, 62.8 avg., 14 touchbacks, 2 OB)

• #98 K Stephen Rusnak (R-So., 6-1, 190, Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston)
(2 games, 3-for-3 PATs, 3 kickoffs for 195 yards, 65.0 avg.)

Returns:
• #2 Kick/Punt Return Tyrell Henry (So., 6-0, 175, Roseville, Mich./Roseville)
(10 punt returns for 82 yards, 8.2 avg.; 8 kick returns for 142 yards, 17.8 avg.)

• Michigan State has a new look in the specialists room as the team features a new starting kicker and punter for the 2023 season.

• First-team All-American Bryce Baringer, who set a school record with his 49.0-yard average and was drafted by New England, is gone for the Spartans at punter. Redshirt freshman Ryan Eckley began the process to replace Baringer during spring practice, and he was joined by graduate transfer Michael O'Shaughnessy (Ohio State) in preseason camp.

• Eckley and O'Shaughnessy have split time at punter during the first half of the seaosn. Eckley is averaging 44.5 yards per punt, including five of 50-plus yards, while O'Shaughnessy is averaging 40.5 yards per punt.

• The Spartans, who used multiple placekickers in 2022, brought in graduate transfer Jonathan Kim from North Carolina over the summer. Redshirt sophomore Stephen Rusnak has also kicked in games this season.

• Kim is off to a 7-for-9 start on field-goal attempts, including a career-long 58-yarder at Iowa, which set a Kinnick Stadium record and was the fourth-longest in school history. He is also 12-for-12 on PATs.

• Junior college transfer Drew Wilson and redshirt junior Sam Edwards split the long-snapping duties for the Spartans.

• Sophomore Tyrell Henry returns punts for the Spartans, and also returns kicks in addition to Montorie Foster Jr. and Alante Brown.

• Ross Els in his his fourth year as the program's special teams coordinator.