Spartans Take On Gophers Saturday in Minnesota

Game 8: Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) at Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
Kickoff: 3:40 p.m. ET
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium (50,805)
Surface: FieldTurf

►GAME DAY INFORMATION
Minnesota Game Day Website (Parking/Tailgating/Timeline)

►BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Big Ten Network
Streaming/Mobile: FOX Sports app
Announcers: Cory Provus (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), Brooke Fletcher (sidelines)
Live Stats: gophersports.com

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. 98/196), SiriusXM app (Ch. 958)
Pregame Show: Begins at 2 p.m.

►SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 30-18
Series in Minneapolis: MSU leads, 13-11
Series in Big Ten Games (since 1953): MSU leads, 29-18
Last Meeting: Minnesota 34, MSU 7 (2022 in East Lansing)
Current Series Streak: 1 by Minnesota

►HEAD COACHES
MSU Interim Head Coach: Harlon Barnett
MSU Record: 0-5 (first year)
Overall Record: 0-5 (first year)
Record vs. Minnesota: First meeting

Minnesota Head Coach: P.J. Fleck
Minnesota Record: 48-30 (seventh year)
Overall Record: 78-52 (11th year)
Record vs. MSU: 1-3

►FIRST-AND-10
• Michigan State travels to Minneapolis for the first time since 2017 to take on the Gophers Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3:40 p.m. ET in Huntington Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Cory Provus (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst) and Brooke Fletcher (sidelines) on the call.

• Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) fell at home to No. 2/2 Michigan last Saturday night in Spartan Stadium, 49-0, while Minnesota improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten with a 12-10 road victory at Iowa.

• Saturday's game marks the 49th meeting between Michigan State and Minnesota. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 30-18, including a 13-11 record in games played in Minneapolis. MSU beat Minnesota, 30-27, in its last trip to Minneapolis in 2017 and is 2-1 in games at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Gophers defeated the Spartans last year in Spartan Stadium, 34-7. Overall, Michigan State has won 24 of the last 31 meetings, dating back to 1977, including five out of the last six.

• 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).

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 41st in the FBS averaging 80.7 rushing yards per game (565 total). He also ranks second in the conference in carries (130) and seventh in all-purpose yards (645; 92.1 ypg), and leads the team with four rushing touchdowns. The UConn transfer has rushed for 100 yards in three of his first seven 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 335 yards after contact (59 percent), which ranks fifth most in the Big Ten.

• Graduate senior Tre Mosley is tied for the team lead with 25 catches and two touchdown receptions. He is also second on the team with 237 receiving yards. Mosley has caught at least one pass in 24 consecutive games. The Pontiac, Michigan, product ranks 18th in school history with 123 career receptions and tied for 31st with 1,413 receiving yards. 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.

• Sixth-year graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule leads the team in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (3.0) and ranks fourth with 34 tackles overall. Brule, who played four seasons (2018-21) at Mississippi State before transferring to Michigan State in 2022, will be playing in his 60th collegiate game overall on Saturday against Minnesota (40 at Mississippi State, 19 at Michigan State). For his career, Brule has 205 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay leads the team and ranks tied for ninth in the Big Ten with 6.9 tackles per game (48 total). In addition, he ranks second on the team with five tackles for loss. He recorded the 250th tackle of his Spartan career on an 11-yard sack in the first half against Rutgers, and he has 264 total for his career in 36 games. Haladay 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.

• Michigan State's schedule currently ranks the third-toughest in the FBS, according to the NCAA (opponents with a .766 winning percentage; 36-11 record). The Spartans have played two Top-10 teams (No. 2 Michigan, No. 5 Washington) and six teams overall with winning records (Richmond, Washington, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers, Michigan).

• 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.

Nathan Carter

LAST TIME OUT

►SUMMARY
• Michigan State fell to No. 2/2 Michigan, 49-0, last Saturday night before a crowd of 74,206 at Spartan Stadium.

►OFFENSE
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser made his first start at home and second overall of his career, going 12-for-22 passing for 101 yards.

• Freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt played 15 snaps in his second action of the season during the second half against Michigan. Leavitt completed 4-of-7 passes for 32 yards and threw an interception in the fourth quarter.

• Graduate senior wide receiver Tre Mosley had two catches for 9 yards . . . he has snared at least one catch in 24 consecutive games and in 41 of 43 career games played.

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter rushed 17 times for 36 yards . . . he has rushed at least 17 times in all seven games . . . Carter added two receptions for a season-high 25 yards to finish with a team-high 61 all-purpose yards . . . the 25 receiving yards is an MSU career high and the second-highest overall in his career, behind 47 yards vs. UCF during his freshman season at UConn in 2021.

• Redshirt junior tight end Maliq Carr had two catches in the game, and has at least one reception in all seven games this season and in 13 straight games dating back to last season, as part of 19 of his last 21 games . . . overall, Carr has at least one catch in 23 of 31 games during his MSU career.

• Michigan State was held to 182 yards of total offense (133 passing, 57 rushing).

• The Spartans were shut out for the first time since falling 24-0 to No. 10 Indiana on Nov. 14, 2020.

►DEFENSE
• Sixth-year graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule logged an MSU career-high 11 tackles for his first double-digit tackle outing of his Spartan career, while it was his third double-figure tackle total of his college career, posting two outings during his time at Mississippi State . . . the 11 stops were the second most of his collegiate career behind 13 tackles vs. Vanderbilt in 2020 and just ahead of 10 tackles vs. LSU in the 2020 season opener . . . Brule has registered five or more tackles in four of the seven games this season.

• Sophomore defensive back Malik Spencer recorded a career-high 11 tackles to tally his first double-figure tackle total of his career, as last Saturday's 11 stops bettered his previous career best of nine tackles, done twice this season, first in the season opener vs. Central Michigan (9/1) and most recently vs. Maryland (9/23) . . . Spencer's 11 tackles were his fifth game with seven or more stops this season.

• Freshman linebacker Jordan Hall logged a season-best seven stops for the second straight week, matching seven tackles last week vs. Rutgers (10/14/23).

►SPECIAL TEAMS
• Redshirt freshman Ryan Eckley averaged 46.9 yards per punt (seven punts for 328 yards), including a 52-yarder and one inside the 20 . . . Eckley is averaging 45.2 yards per punt this season.

►STAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-So. Nathan Carter (130 carries for 565 yards, 4.3 avg., 80.7 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. (25 catches for 287 yards, 11.5 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – R-Jr. Cal Haladay (48 tackles, 5 TFLs for 15 yards, 1 sack for 11 yards, 1 INT, 1 FR)

Minnesota:
Rushing – Fr. Darius Taylor (103 carries for 591 yards, 5.7 avg., 118.2 ypg, 4 TDs)
Passing – R-So. Athan Kaliakmanis (86-of-161, .534, 923 yards, 131.9 ypg, 6 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving – Sr. Daniel Jackson (29 catches for 387 yards, 13.3 avg., 55.3 ypg, 5 TDs)
Tackles – R-Fr. Maverick Baranowski (48 tackles, 5 TFLs for 16 yards, 1 sack for 3 yards, 2 PBUs)

►A QUICK GLANCE AT MINNESOTA (4-3, 2-2 BIG TEN)
• The Golden Gophers have a 4-3 overall and 2-2 Big Ten Conference ledger after holding off Iowa for a 12-10 upset over the No. 24 Hawkeyes to win the Floyd of Rosedale, the bronze hog statue for the cross-border rivalry. Iowa appeared to take the lead with 1:21 left when Cooper DeJean fielded a punt that had bounced near the Minnesota sideline and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown. But after a replay review, DeJean was ruled to have made a fair-catch signal before fielding the punt, disallowing the return.

• Minnesota opened 2-0 with wins over Nebraska (13-10) and Eastern Michigan (25-6), then lost back-to-back games at No. 20 North Carolina (31-13) and at Northwestern in overtime (37-34), before winning two of its last three, beating Louisiana (35-24), before losing to No. 2/2 Michigan (52-10), prior to edging the Hawkeyes.

• The Gophers posted 239 yards of total offense in the win at Iowa, with 126 passing and 113 rushing, while the Minnesota defense stymied the Hawkeyes to just 127 yards of total offense with 116 passing and only 11 yards rushing. Iowa had just 12 yards of total offense in the second half.

• Senior placekicker Dragan Kesich scored all 12 Gopher points going 4-for-5 on field goals, making a 43-yarder in the first quarter, to tie the score at 3-all, before missing from 43-yards early in the second quarter. Iowa scored the game's lone touchdown less than a minute before halftime for a 10-3 lead at intermission. Kesich split the uprights from 44-yards out midway through the third quarter and made a 28-yarder late in the third stanza to pull the Gophers within 10-9 heading to the final quarter. Kesich's fourth field goal came frm 31-yards out with 8:33 to give Minnesota its first lead of the day, and the Gophers held on to win the Floyd of Rosedale.

• On the season, Minnesota is ninth in the Big Ten in scoring offense (20.3 ppg), while ranking 12th in total offense (302.7 ypg), ranking sixth in rushing offense (170.9 ypg) and 13th in passing offense (131.9 ypg).
• The Gopher defense is ninth in the conference in scoring defense (24.3 ppg), also ranking ninth in total defense (338.0 ypg), including ranking seventh in rushing defense (119.7 ypg) and ninth in passing defense (218.3 ypg).

• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is eighth in the Big Ten in passing TDs (6), as well as 10th in the league in passing yards/game (131.9), ninth in passing yards/completion (10.8) and 11th in passing efficiency (106.4). He is 86-of-161 (.534) for 923 yards with six INTs and six TDs. Kaliakmanis has 44 rushing attempts for 76 yards with two TDs.

• Freshman running back Darius Taylor leads the Big Ten in rushing yards/game (118.2) and is tied for eighth in the league in rushing TDs (4). He has 103 carries for 591 yards (5.7 ypc). Taylor adds nine catches for 81 yards (9.0 ypc/16.2 ypg).

• Senior wide receiver Daniel Jackson is tied for third in the Big Ten in receiving TDs (5), ranking tied for seventh in the league in receptions/game (4.1) and 10th in receiving yards/game (55.3). He is also tied for fifth in the conference in receptions (29) and 10th in receiving yards (529).

• Redshirt freshman linebacker Maverick Baranowski spearheads the Gopher defense, leading the way with 48 tackles, ranking tied for 14th in the Big Ten in total tackles, along with tied for ninth in the conference in tackles/game (6.9). He also shares the team lead and ranks tied for 17th in the league in tackles for loss (5.0).

• Fifth-year defensive back Tyler Nubin has a team-best three interceptions to rank tied for second in the conference, along with adding two pass break-ups to tie for 18th in the league in total passes defended (5).

• Fifth-year defensive back Tre'Von Jones and junior defensive back Justin Walley are tied for 10th in the Big Ten in passes defended (6), with one INT and five pass break-ups, which rank tied for seventh in the league.

• Redshirt junior Danny Striggow is tied for fourth in the conference in sacks (4.0), while tying Baranowski for the team-lead and tied for 17th in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (5.0).

• Senior placekicker Dragan Kesich leads the Big Ten and ranks sixth in the FBS in field goals per game (2.0), as well as ranking third in the league and 19th in the nation in field goal percentage (.875), also topping the conference and ranking tied for seventh in field goals (14). He also has 33 kickoffs for a 64.7 ypk average with 28 touchbacks.

• Senior punter Mark Crawford is fifth in the Big Ten in and 48th in the FBS in punting (42.4 ypp) on 36 punts, with a long of 56 yards, one of six punts of 50+ yards, with nine inside the 20 and inducing 18 fair catches.

• The Gophers are led by head coach P.J. Fleck, who has a 48-30 record in his seventh season at Minnesota. Overall, Fleck is in his 11th year as a collegiate head coach, logging a 78-52 overall ledger.

►SERIES NOTES
• Saturday's game marks the 49th meeting between Michigan State and Minnesota. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 30-18, including a 13-11 record in games played in Minneapolis. MSU beat Minnesota, 30-27, in its last trip to Minneapolis in 2017 and is 2-1 in games at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Gophers defeated the Spartans last year in Spartan Stadium, 34-7. Overall, Michigan State has won 24 of the last 31 meetings, dating back to 1977, including five out of the last six.

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)
(6 games/2 starts, 39-of-67 passing [.582], 392 yards [65.3 ypg], 2 TDs, 2 INTs)

• #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)
(2 games, 6-of-9 passing [.667], 41 yards [20.5 ypg], 0 TDs, 1 INT)

• Redshirt freshman Katin Houser has started the last two games for Michigan State against Rutgers and Michigan. Houser has completed 39-of-67 passes (.582) for 392 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in six games of action this season. In his two starts, Houser is 30-of-51 passing (.588) for 234 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

• In his first career home start, Houser was 12-of-22 passing for 101 yards and one interception last Saturday vs. No. 2/2 Michigan.

• Making his first career start at quarterback at Rutgers on Oct. 14, 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 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. He played 15 snaps against Michigan last Saturday, completing 4-of-7 passes for 32 yards and one interception.

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

►RUNNING BACKS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #8 Jalen Berger (1L, R-Jr., 6-1, 215, Newark, N.J./Wisconsin)
(5 games, 25 carries, 93 yards, 3.7 avg., 18.6 ypg, 1 TD; 5 receptions, 40 yards, 8.0 avg.)

• #5 Nathan Carter (R-So., 5-10, 200, Rochester, N.Y./Connecticut)
(7 games/7 starts, 130 carries, 565 yards, 4.3 avg., 80.7 ypg, 4 TDs; 12 receptions, 80 yards, 6.7 avg.)

• #28 Harold Joiner III (Sr.-6, 6-4, 215, Birmingham, Ala./Auburn)
(3 games, 2 carries, 6 yards, 3.0 avg., 2.0 ypg)

• #1 Jaren Mangham (Gr.-5, 6-2, 235, Detroit, Mich./USF)
(1 game, 2 carries, 6 yards, 3.0 avg., 6.0 ypg)

• #24 Davion Primm (R-So., 6-0, 205, Detroit, Mich./Oak Park)
(6 games, 4 carries, 17 yards, 4.3 avg., 2.8 ypg)

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 41st in the FBS averaging 80.7 rushing yards per game (565 total). He also ranks second in the conference in carries (130) and seventh in all-purpose yards (645; 92.1 ypg), and leads the team with four rushing touchdowns. According to PFF, Carter has rushed for 335 yards after contact (59 percent), which ranks fifth most in the Big Ten

• The UConn transfer has rushed for 100 yards in three of his first seven 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.

• 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 1,548 yards on 320 carries in his 23-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; seven 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 25 carries for 93 yards. He missed two games (Washington, Maryland) with an injury before returning in a limited role at Iowa in Week 5. Berger rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries at Rutgers on Oct. 14, but left the Michigan game on Oct. 21 with an injury. He 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, missed the first six games of the season due to an injury, but made his Spartan debut on Oct. 21 vs. Michigan and had two carries for 6 yards and one catch for 7 yards. 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 1,257 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in 33 collegiate games (16 at Colorado in 2019-20; 16 at USF in 2021-22; 1 at MSU in 2023). 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. He has two carries for 6 yards this season.

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

►WIDE RECEIVERS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #0 Alante Brown (Sr., 5-11, 190, Chicago, Ill./Nebraska)
(6 games/1 start, 1 catch, 5 yards, 5.0 avg; 0.8 ypg)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 220, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(7 games/1 start, 10 catches, 183 yards, 18.3 avg., 26.1 ypg)

• #83 Montorie Foster Jr. (2L, Sr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(7 games/7 starts, 25 catches, 287 yards, 11.5 avg., 41.0 ypg)

• #7 Antonio Gates Jr. (R-Fr., 6-2, 195, Detroit, Mich./Fordson)
(7 games, 5 catches, 82 yards, 16.4 avg., 11.7 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)
(7 games, 10 catches, 95 yards, 9.5 avg., 13.6 ypg, 2 TDs)

• #17 Tre Mosley (3L, Gr.-5, 6-2, 200, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(7 games/6 starts, 25 catches, 237 yards, 9.5 avg., 33.9 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 43 career games, including 27 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 123 career receptions for 1,413 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in catches (18th with 123), TD receptions (tied for 25th with 10) and receiving yards (tied for 31st with 1,413). Mosley has caught at least one pass in 24 consecutive games.

• 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 tied for first on the Spartans with 25 catches for 237 yards and two TDs through seven games.

• Senior Montorie Foster Jr. already has career highs in catches (25) and receiving yards (287) through the first seven games of the season. Foster had a career-high eight receptions for 79 yards at Iowa. A three-year letterwinner, Foster has played in 37 career games and has 44 receptions for 549 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 10 catches for 183 yards (18.3 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 10 catches for 95 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 nine kick returns for 156 yards (17.3 avg.). He ranks second on the team in all-purpose yards (47.6 ypg; 333 yards).

• Glover is averaging 18.9 yards per catch with 12 receptions for 227 yards in six games (did not play vs. Michigan due to sickness). 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 five catches for 82 yards (16.4 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, 7 games/7 starts at LT)

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

• #58 Spencer Brown (2L, Gr.-5, 6-6, 315, Canton, Mich./Walled Lake Western, 7 games/7 starts at RT)

• #67 J.D. Duplain (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville, 7 games/7 starts at LG)

• #72 Dallas Fincher (1L, R-Jr., 6-4, 305, Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood, 7 games/1 start at C)

• #59 Nick Samac (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor, 7 games/6 starts at C)

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

• #70 Kevin Wigenton II (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Colts Neck, N.J./The Hun School, 7 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 37 consecutive games at the position, and the four-year letterwinner has a started a total of 42 games in his career while playing in 49 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 28 starts overall in his career while playing in a total 45 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 six 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 20 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 seven games to run his streak to 11 straight starts at the position.

• Redshirt sophomore Geno VanDeMark earned starting assignments at right guard the last two games of the season and has an increased role on the offensive line heading in 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 and was back in the starting lineup at right guard vs. Michigan on Oct. 21.

• 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 earned starts in three straight games at right guard (vs. Maryland, Iowa and Rutgers) with VanDeMark sidelined, and Boyd has seen his snap count increase at right tackle throughout the season.

• 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)
(7 games/5 starts, 19 catches, 201 yards, 10.6 avg., 28.7 ypg, 1 TD)

• #92 Evan Morris (2L, R-Jr., 6-5, 245, Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie)
(7 games/5 starts, 2 catches, 5 yards, 2.5 avg.; 0.7 ypg)

• #19 Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, 6-5, 240, Brownstown Township, Mich./Wisconsin)
(7 games, 4 catches, 24 yards, 6.0 avg.; 3.4 ypg)

• Redshirt junior Maliq Carr leads the tight ends with a career-high 19 catches for 201 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 five 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

►DEFENSIVE LINE

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #52 Tunmise Adeleye (R-So., 6-4, 290, Katy, Texas/Texas A&M)
(6 games/1 start at DE, 9 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)
(7 games/6 starts at DT, 19 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)
(6 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)
(6 games/1 start at DE, 5 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards)

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

• #41 Derrick Harmon (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Detroit, Mich./Loyola)
(7 games/5 starts at DT, 21 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 4 yards, 1 sack for 3 yards)

• #99 Jalen Sami (Gr.-6, 6-7, 330, Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado)
(5 games, 3 tackles)

• #26 Brandon Wright (4L, R-Sr., 6-2, 250, Euclid, Ohio/Euclid)
(7 games/3 starts at DE, 14 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 13 yards, 2 sacks for 13 yards)

• #9 Zion Young (1L, So., 6-6, 265, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(7 games/5 starts at DE, 22 tackles, 4.5 TFLs for 20 yards, 1.5 sacks for 5 yards)

• 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 Spartan defensive line 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 17 total QB pressures on the season.

• The Spartans have started a total of five defensive ends, including Young (five games), seniors Khris Bogle (four games), Avery Dunn (one game) and Brandon Wright (three 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 four games last season due to an injury in his first season in East Lansing. He has eight tackles in six games this season, including four starts.

• 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 five 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 14 tackles and a team-best two sacks this season in seven games, including three starts.

• Along the interior, redshirt senior Maverick Hansen has played in 38 career games at defensive tackle, 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 five games this season and has 21 tackles, including two TFLs and one sack. He has started in 10 career games for MSU.

• Redshirt junior Simeon Barrow Jr. has started in 25 games over the past two-plus seasons (2021-23) and has 19 tackles, 2.5 TFLs (11 yards) and 1.5 sacks (10 yards) in seven games this season.

• 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 and has six tackles in three games.

►LINEBACKERS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #33 Aaron Alexander (R-Fr., 6-1, 225, Belleville, Mich./Massachusetts)
(7 games, 4 tackles)

• #7 Aaron Brule (1L, Gr.-6, 6-2, 240, New Orleans, La./Mississippi State)
(7 games/4 starts, 34 tackles, 5.5 TFLs for 21 yards, 3 sacks for 14 yards)

• #27 Cal Haladay (2L, R-Jr., 6-1, 235, Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia)
(7 games/7 starts, 48 tackles, 5.0 TFLs for 15 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)
(7 games/2 starts, 32 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 has played in four of the last five games after missing nearly the entire 2022 season with an injury.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay leads the team and ranks tied for ninth in the Big Ten with 6.9 tackles per game (48 total). In addition, he ranks second on the team with five tackles for loss. He recorded the 250th tackle of his Spartan career on an 11-yard sack in the first half against Rutgers, and he has 264 total for his career in 36 games. Haladay 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.

• Brule, a graduate transfer from Mississippi State, has played in 59 collegiate games, including 19 the past two seasons for the Spartans (2022-23). He has 34 tackles this season with a team-best 5.5 tackles for loss (21 yards) and three sacks (14 yards). Brule had 11 tackles, his most as a Spartan, along with one sacks and two TFLs vs. Michigan on Oct. 21.

• 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 32 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss through the first seven games of the season. Hall earned the first start of his collegiate career in his first Big Ten game against Maryland in Week 4.

• 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.

• 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.

**Malik Spencer leads the Spartan secondary and ranks second on the team with 47 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)
(7 games/5 starts at NB, 1 start at S, 32 tackles, 2.5 TFLs for 10 yards, 0.5 sack for 2 yards, 5 PBUs, 2 INTs)

• #12 Chester Kimbrough (2L, R-Sr., 6-0, 185, New Orleans, La./Florida)
(7 games, 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 10 yards, 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)
(6 games/6 starts at S, 30 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs)

• #25 Chance Rucker (Fr., 6-1, 180, Denton, Texas/Ryan)
(7 games/4 starts at CB, 14 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs)

• #43 Malik Spencer (So., 6-1, 195, Buford, Ga./Buford)
(7 games/7 starts at S, 47 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 1 yards, 4 PBUs)

• #21 Dillon Tatum (So., 5-11, 200, Farmington Hills, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(7 games/7 starts at CB, 35 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards, 4 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.

• Sophomore safety Malik Spencer has started the first seven games of the season and ranks second on the team with 47 tackles. He also ranks tied for second on 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 is tied for 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 35 games overall since his arrival on campus in 2020, including 31 starts. The three-year letterwinner has 191 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, 18 pass break-ups and three interceptions during his collegiate career. Grose has started at nickelback in five games and started at safety vs. Iowa in Week 5. He is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, ranks first with five pass break-ups, and tied for fifth with 32 tackles.

• At cornerback, sophomore Dillon Tatum has started all seven games and ranks third on the team with 35 tackles and tied for second with four pass break-ups. Tatum has started seven 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 this season. Rucker has 14 tackles, two pass break-ups and one interception in seven games overall.

• Charles Brantley (Jr.) took over a full-time starting role at cornerback during his second season in East Lansing in 2022 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 four games with an injury.

• Redshirt senior Chester Kimbrough and redshirt junior Marqui Lowery both have starting experience in the secondary for the Spartans. Kimbrough has 10 tackles in seven games this season in a reserve role.

• 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)
(7 games, 23 punts for 1,040 yards, 45.2 avg., 8 inside the 20, 2 touchbacks, 8 fair catches, 6 50+)

• #42 P Michael O'Shaughnessy (Gr.-5, 6-3, 210, New Albany, Ohio/Ohio State)
(6 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)
(7 games, 12-for-12 PATs, 7-for-9 FGs, 26 kickoffs for 1,635 yards, 62.9 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.; 9 kick returns for 156 yards, 17.3 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 45.2 yards per punt, including six 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.

Game 8: Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) at Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN OFFENSE

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN DEFENSE

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN SPECIAL TEAMS

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Tunmise Adeleye

Aaron Alexander

Brandon Baldwin

Bryce Baringer

Simeon Barrow Jr.

Jalen Berger

Khris Bogle

Ethan Boyd

Charles Brantley

Alante Brown

Sean Brown

Spencer Brown

Aaron Brule

Dre Butler

Maliq Carr

Philipp Davis

Andrew Depaepe

Avery Dunn

J.D. Duplain

Ryan Eckley

Sam Edwards

Dallas Fincher

Christian Fitzpatrick

Montorie Foster Jr.

Jaylan Franklin

Antonio Gates Jr.

Jaron Glover

Angelo Grose

Cal Haladay

Jordan Hall

Maverick Hansen

Derrick Harmon

Tyrell Henry

Tyneil Hopper

Katin Houser

Bai Jobe

Harold Joiner III

Jonathan Kim

Noah Kim

Chester Kimbrough

Sam Leavitt

Marqui Lowery Jr.

Jaden Mangham

Jaren Mangham

Semar Melvin

Evan Morris

Tre Mosley

Michael O'Shaughnessy

Eddie Pleasant III

Davion Primm

Chance Rucker

Stephen Rusnak

Nick Samac

Jalen Sami

Armorion Smith

Darius Snow

Malik Spencer

Dillon Tatum

Jalen Thompson

Geno VanDeMark

Kevin Wigenton II

Ade Willie

Drew Wilson

Jacoby Windmon

Brandon Wright

Zion Young

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