Spartans Face Terrapins in 107th Homecoming Game

Game 4: Michigan State (2-1) vs. Maryland (3-0)

►THE BASICS
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Kickoff: 3:32 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass

►GAME DAY INFORMATION
Game Day Information (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 7 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: Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Zora Stephenson (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. 85), SiriusXM app (Ch. 85)
Pregame Show: Begins at 2 p.m.

►SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 10-3
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 7-1
Last Meeting: Maryland 27, MSU 13 (2022 in College Park)
Current Series Streak: 1 by Maryland

►HEAD COACHES
MSU Acting Head Coach: Harlon Barnett
MSU Record: 0-1 (first year)
Overall Record: 0-1 (first year)
Record vs. Maryland: First meeting

Maryland Head Coach: Michael Locksley
Maryland Record: 24-28 (fifth year)*
Overall Record: 26-54 (eighth year)*
Record vs. MSU: 1-3*
*served as interim UMD coach in 2015

►FIRST-AND-10
• Michigan State welcomes Maryland to East Lansing for Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock with Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst) and Zora Stephenson (sidelines) on the call. The Spartans begin Big Ten play at 2-1 after falling to No. 8 Washington last week at home, while Maryland improved to 3-0 with a 42-14 home victory against Virginia.

• This year's Homecoming theme is "Welcome Home, Spartans" and features MSU Athletics Hall of Famer Molly Brennan as this year's Homecoming grand marshal. Brennan has both academic and athletic legacies. She was an engineering group manager for General Motors, where she won the first World Solar Challenge, setting four solar and electric land speed records in the Guinness Book of World Records. She also was a Rhodes Scholar in 1982 and was an All-American sprinter in 1981-1982. This year's Homecoming Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept 22 in downtown East Lansing and the MSU campus. For more information, please visit homecoming.msu.edu.

• Saturday's game marks the 14th meeting between Michigan State and Maryland. The Spartans lead the overall series, 10-3, including a 7-1 record in East Lansing. The Spartans are 6-2 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014.

• 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).

• Dating back to 1915, this year marks the 107th Homecoming game for Michigan State. The only years Homecoming games were not held since 1915 were 1943 and 2020. MSU is 70-33-3 (.674) in 106 previous Homecoming games.

• Haller also 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.

• Defensive analyst TJ Hollowell has been designated as MSU's 10th on-field assistant coach. Hollowell is in his fourth season as a defensive analyst at Michigan State and was one of seven coaches at this year's training camp with the Houston Texans as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

• Redshirt junior wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth in the FBS averaging 27.3 yards per catch. Fitzpatrick has six receptions for 164 yards, including a 72-yarder in the season opener vs. Central Michigan and a 61-yarder in Week 3 vs. Washington.

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranks third in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS averaging 90.7 rushing yards per game. Carter is also fourth in the conference and 15th in the FBS with four rushing touchdowns. He 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. The UConn transfer rushed for 100 yards in his first two games wearing the Green and White (113 yards on 18 carries vs. Central Michigan in Week 1; 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2) and had 17 carries for 48 yards vs. Washington in Week 3.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay, who led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 pg; 120 total), ranks first on the team and 10th in the Big Ten with 7.3 tackles per game (22 total) through three games in 2023. Haladay has collected 238 tackles in his 32-game career, including 26 starting assignments. He was named to preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy.

LAST TIME OUT
• No. 8/8 Washington defeated Michigan State last Saturday in Spartan Stadium, 41-7 . . . UW leads the all-time series, 4-1.

►PROGRAM
• Michigan State celebrated the 10-year reunion of the 2013 Big Ten Champion and 2014 Rose Bowl Champion team last Saturday against Washington. Led by head coach Mark Dantonio, Michigan State had a record-setting season in 2013, winning a school-record 13 games, defeating No. 5 Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl Game, beating No. 2 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game for the school's eighth Big Ten title, and finishing No. 3 in both national polls, the highest ranking for the Spartans since 1966. Michigan State (13-1) became just the third team in Big Ten history to win 13 games in a season. Dantonio returned to the Spartans as an associate head coach, beginning on Sept. 10.

• Former Spartan All-American running back Javon Ringer was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame last Friday night and honored at halftime of last Saturday's game. Ringer is the school's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,426) and ranks second at MSU in rushing yards (4,398) and carries (843). In addition, Al Dorow, the starting quarterback on the 1951 National Championship team, was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame posthumously.

►OFFENSE
• The Spartans were held to 261 yards of total offense against Washington . . . MSU ran for 53 yards on 27 carries and completed 14-of-35 passes for 208 yards and one interception.

• Redshirt freshman Katin Houser scored his first career touchdown on a 4-yard rush in the fourth quarter . . . Houser was 2-of-4 passing for 72 yards, including a 61-yard pass to Christian Fitzpatrick.

• Senior Montorie Foster Jr. had two catches for 50 yards (30-yard reception and 20-yard reception in second quarter).

►DEFENSE
• Sophomore defensive back Jaden Mangham recorded his first career interception with a pick at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter . . . Mangham also led the Spartans with a career-high eight tackles and had a pass break-up.

• Sophomore defensive back Malik Spencer and redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay each collected seven tackles apiece against the Huskies.

►SPECIAL TEAMS
• Michigan State had two different punters record a 50-yard punt . . . redshirt freshman Ryan Eckley punted four times for 154 yards (38.5 avg.), including a career-long 52-yarder with two inside the 20 . . . graduate senior Michael O'Shaughnessy also punted four times for 181 yards (45.2 avg.) with a long of 50 yards and placed two inside the 20.

Nathan Carter vs Richmond — **Nathan Carter currently ranks third in the Big Ten in rushing (90.7 ypg) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (4).**

►STAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-So. Nathan Carter (54 carries for 272 yards, 5.0 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – R-Jr. Noah Kim (48-of-84, .571, 707 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Gr.-5 Tre Mosley (11 catches for 144 yards, 13.1 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – R-Jr. LB Cal Haladay (22 tackles, 2 TFLs for 2 yards, 1 INT)

Maryland:
Rushing – R-So. Roman Hemby (40 carries for 243 yards, 6.1 avg., 4 TDs)
Passing – R-Sr. Taulia Tagovailoa (66-of-99, .667, 889 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving – Gr. Jeshaun Jones (13 catches for 198 yards, 15.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles – Sr. DB Beau Brade (13 tackles, 1 PBU)

►A QUICK GLANCE AT MARYLAND (3-0, 0-0 BIG TEN)
• The Terrapins tote a 3-0 record to town for Saturday's Big Ten opener with MSU, as Maryland is making their first road trip of the season after three straight home contests to open the season. UMD trounced Towson, 38-6, in the season opener on Sept. 2, before beating Charlotte, 38-20, on Sept. 9. The Terps are coming off a 42-14 victory over Virginia on Sept. 15.

• In last Friday's win over Virginia, the Terps stormed back from an early 14-0 first-quarter deficit with 42 unanswered points, pulling away from a 14-14 halftime score with seven points in the third stanza before breaking the game open with 21 points in the fourth quarter. It was UMD's second straight game rallying from being down 14-0 in the first quarter, also doing so the previous week vs. Charlotte.

• Maryland got its scoring going after Virginia scored to take the 14-0 lead, but on the ensuing kickoff, freshman kick returner/wide receiver Braedan Wisloski returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. Redshirt sophomore running back Roman Hemby scored a 3-yard TD with 1:23 before halftime to knot the score at 14-all going into intermission. UMD took its first lead of the night on a 64-yard pass from redshirt senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa to graduate senior wideout Jeshaun Jones with 9:47 remaining in the third quarter. Hemby added another 3-yard TD run to open the fourth-quarter scoring, and redshirt sophomore running back Antwain Littleton II went in from 2-yards out, before junior running back Colby McDonald scored from a yard out to cap the scoring.

• Maryland ended the night with 461 yards of total offense with 342 yards through the air and 119 yards on the ground. The Terps' defense held Virginia to just 91 yards rushing, with 263 passing for 354 yards of total offense, and snared three interceptions.

• Tagovailoa finished 19-of-30 passing for 342 yards with one TD, notching his 13th career game with 300-plus yards. He had three rushes, getting sacked once.
• Jones ended with team highs of five catches for 96 yards and the TD, while redshirt junior tight end Corey Dyches had four receptions for 56 yards and junior wide receiver Kaden Prather added a pair of catches for 66 yards.

• McDonald tallied 10 rushes for 75 yards with the one TD, while Littleton ended with nine carries for 28 yards and the TD, while Hembry finished with 23 yards on nine attempts with the two TDs.

• Senior defensive back Tarheeb Still spearheaded the Terps' defense with two interceptions, adding five tackles, one behind team-leading senior linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II with six stops. The UMD had 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, with graduate senior defensive lineman Tre'Darius Colbert posting one sack-forced fumble play and recovering the fumble as well. Junior defensive lineman Donnell Brown added the third interception on the night.

• Redshirt sophomore placekicker Jack Howes missed his lone field goal attempt of the game, a 55-yarder in the first quarter, and added six PATs. Howes also handled kickoff duties with seven kickoff for a 64.0 ypk average with six touchbacks.

• Senior punter Colton Spangler punted four times for a 39.8 ypp average with a long of 42-yards, with three inside the 20.

• On the season, Maryland leads the Big Ten and ranks 22nd in the FBS in total offense (480.0 ypg), ranking second in the conference and 22nd in the country in passing offense (304.0 ypg), in addition to third in the league and 26th in the nation in scoring offense (39.3 ppg). UMD is also fifth in the B1G and 50th in the FBS in rushing offense (176.0 ypg). Maryland tops the conference and ranks 13th in the country in third-down conversions (.537).

• The Terp defense ranks sixth in the league and 21st in the nation in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), in addition to eighth in the conference and 49th in the country in total defense, ranking sixth in the B1G and 39th in FBS in passing yards allowed (193.3 ypg), and eighth in the league and 60th in the nation in rushing defense (121.3 ypg).

• Individually, Tagovailoa leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th in the FBS in passing yards/game (296.3), also ranking third in the league and 25th in the nation in completions per game (22.0), along with third in the conference and 38th in the country in passing efficiency (154.7) and third in the Big Ten and 48th in the FBS in passing TDs (5). Tagovailoa is 66-of-99 (.667) passing for 889 yards (13.5 ypc/296.3 ypg) with five TDs and two INTs.

• Jones is eighth in the Big Ten in receiving yards/game (66.0), while ranking ninth in receptions/game (4.3) and tied for fifth with two TDs. He had 13 catches for 198 yards (15.2 ypc/66.0 ypg) with two TDs.

• Dyches is second is the conference and 46th in the country in receptions/game (5.3), ranking ninth in the league in receiving yards/game (65.0), with 16 catches for 195 yards (12.2 ypc/65.0 ypg) with one TD. Prather is fifth in the B1G in yards per reception (20.5) on 164 yards on just eight catches, and tying with Jones for fifth in the league with two TDs.

• Hemby leads the UMD rushing attack, ranking fourth in the B1G and 15th in the FBS in rushing TDs (4), ranking seventh in the league and 34th in the nation in rushing yards/game (81.0), ranking sixth in the conference and 36th ni the country in rushing yards/carry (6.08), with 40 carries for 243 yards and the aforementioned four scores.

• Senior defensive break-up Beau Brade tops the team with 13 tackles and one pass break-up in two games, not playing in the Virginia game. Sophomore linebacker Caleb Wheatland has 12 stops, while Still adds 11 tackles, including 1.0 TFL, with two INTs.

• Sophomore linebacker Jaishan Barham has a team-high 2.0 sacks (8 yards) in tying for tops on the team with 2.0 TFL (8 yards).

• Howes is sixth in the B1G in field goals made (3), as well as tied for second in field goal attempts (5), along with ranking second in the conference in PATs (14) and PATs/game (4.7). Howes also is second in the league in kickoff average (64.75), while sharing the B1G lead in both total kickoffs (20) and touchbacks (17).

• Spangler would rank fourth in the B1G in punting average (43.5 ypp), but he doesn't have the minimum requirement, ranking ninth in the league in total punts (9), along with 11th in punts/game (3.0).

• Maryland head coach Michael Locksley is in his sixth season topping the Terps, tallying a 24-28 record. Overall, Locksley is in his ninth season as a collegiate head coach, collecting a 26-54 record.

►MSU/MARYLAND SERIES NOTES
• Saturday's game marks the 14th meeting between Michigan State and Maryland.

• The Spartans lead the overall series, 10-3, including a 7-1 record in East Lansing.

• The Spartans are 6-2 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014.

• Michigan State is 4-0 against Maryland in Spartan Stadium during Big Ten games.

• Maryland defeated MSU last season in College Park in Week 5, 27-13.

►A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN COACHING STAFF
• Secondary coach Harlon Barnett, who is in his 15th year overall on the Spartan coaching staff, was appointed 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 coached 11 Spartan defensive backs that have been selected in the NFL Draft, including two first-rounders (Darqueze Dennard, No. 24, Cincinnati Bengals, 2014; Trae Waynes, No. 11, Minnesota Vikings, 2015), and 15 have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. In 2015, Michigan State became just the sixth school to have cornerbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in consecutive years, joining Alabama (2012-13), LSU (2011-12), Miami-Florida (2005-06), Ohio State (1999-2001) and Notre Dame (1993-94). In addition to Dennard and Waynes, Jeremy Ware (2010, Oakland, seventh round), Chris L. Rucker (2011, Indianapolis, sixth round), Trenton Robinson (2012, San Francisco, sixth round), Tony Lippett (2015, Miami, fifth round), Montae Nicholson (2017, Washington, fourth round), Justin Layne (2019, Pittsburgh, third round), Khari Willis (2019, Indianapolis, fourth round), Josiah Scott (2020, Jacksonville, fourth round) and Ameer Speed (2023, New England, sixth round) have been chosen in the NFL Draft.

• In addition to the four All-Americans, Barnett has coached three Thorpe Award semifinalists (Dennard, Waynes, Otis Wiley) at MSU. A unanimous All-American, Dennard became the first Spartan to win the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back, in 2013.

• Barnett's players have earned All-Big Ten honors 31 times as secondary coach at MSU, including nine different first-team players (Wiley in 2008; Robinson in 2011; CB Johnny Adams in 2011-12; Dennard in 2011-12, S Isaiah Lewis in 2013; Drummond in 2013-14; Waynes in 2014; S David Dowell in 2017; Brown in 2020). All four of MSU's starters in the secondary garnered All-Big Ten recognition during the 2010, 2011 and 2013 seasons, and Barnett has coached two Big Ten Defensive Backs of the Year (Dennard in 2013, Drummond in 2014).

• Haller also 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.

• Michigan State has two new assistant coaches for the 2023 season. Diron Reynolds joined the Spartan staff in January as the program's defensive line coach. Reynolds, who has more than 25 years of coaching experience both at the NFL and Power 5 levels, 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. During his time at Stanford, Reynolds coached four NFL Draft picks on the defensive line, including Solomon Thomas, who was the highest defensive player drafted in school history at No. 3 overall in 2017 by the San Francisco 49ers.

• Jim Salgado was named the program's cornerbacks coach on March 16. Salgado, who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, spent the past six seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2017-22). He arrived in Buffalo in 2017 and spent his first three seasons as a defensive assistant. Salgado was promoted to nickelbacks coach in 2020 and was the team's safeties coach in 2022. While he was in Buffalo, Salgado coached multiple Pro Bowl players as the Bills won three consecutive AFC East titles (2020-22). The Bills' defense regularly finished among the best in the NFL during his tenure, ranking second in total defense in 2018, third in 2019, No. 1 in 2021 and No. 6 in 2022. In addition, the Bills were the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL in 2021 and ranked third in the league with 19 interceptions. Prior to coaching in the NFL, Salgado spent 23 seasons in the collegiate ranks.

• Chris Kapilovic, who enters his fourth season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Michigan State, was promoted to assistant head coach in January 2021. Kapilovic, 54, joined MSU's staff in East Lansing in February 2020 after spending the 2019 season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator in Colorado. Kapilovic has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including roles as an offensive coordinator and/or run game coordinator at Southern Mississippi (2008-11), North Carolina (2012-18) and Colorado (2019). He has coached multiple NFL players, first-round draft picks and record-setting offenses during his career. In 2021, the Spartan offensive line was named one of 13 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation's top offensive line.

• Jay Johnson, a 2021 Broyles Award nominee for the nation's top assistant coach, begins his fourth season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Michigan State. Johnson, 53, is a veteran coach and administrator of 28 seasons, including 13 as an offensive coordinator at five FBS schools (Michigan State, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi) in addition to coaching quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends as a position coach. Johnson arrived to East Lansing after serving as the offensive coordinator at Colorado for one season (2019).

• A 27-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Scottie Hazelton is in his fourth season as the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator. Hazelton arrived in East Lansing after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019. He also serves as the program's linebackers coach.

• Ted Gilmore coaches the tight ends for the Spartans. Gilmore, who has coached 28 years, has experience at the FBS and NFL ranks and has developed numerous NFL players, draft picks and All-Americans during his career. He was named the 2011 FootballScoop Wide Receivers Coach of the Year after mentoring consensus All-American Robert Woods and 2011 Freshman All-American Marqise Lee at USC. Gilmore, 56, previously spent five seasons (2015-19) as the wide receivers coach at Wisconsin.

• Former Spartan great Courtney Hawkins is in his fourth season as the wide receivers coach. Hawkins helped develop back-to-back NFL Draft selections the past two years in Jalen Nailor (2022, sixth round, Minnesota Vikings) and Jayden Reed (2023, second round, Green Bay Packers).

• With more than three decades of coaching experience, Ross Els is in his fourth season as the program's special teams coordinator. In addition, after coaching the linebackers his first two seasons in East Lansing, Els helped assist the nickelbacks in 2022. Els, 56, has previous experience in the Big Ten, serving as the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016 and four seasons at Nebraska under Coach Bo Pelini from 2011-14.

• Effrem Reed, who served as an offensive analyst in 2020-21, was promoted to running backs coach in January 2022 and returns for his second season on the full-time offensive staff.

• Defensive analyst TJ Hollowell was designated as MSU's 10th on-field assistant coach on Sept. 15. Hollowell is in his fourth season as a defensive analyst at Michigan State and was one of seven coaches at this year's training camp with the Houston Texans as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

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)
(3 games, 3-of-6 passing [.500], 83 yards)

• #10 Noah Kim (1L, R-Jr., 6-2, 185, Centreville, Va./Westfield)
(3 games/3 starts, 48-of-84 passing [.571], 707 yards [235.7 ypg], 5 TDs, 1 INT)

• Redshirt junior quarterback Noah Kim has started the first three games for the Spartans. Kim ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (tied for third with five), passing (fifth with 235.7 ypg) and passing efficiency (sixth with 145.1 rating). Overall, Kim is 48-for-84 passing (.571) with five TDs and one interception.

• 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.

• Redshirt freshman Katin Houser, a highly touted four-star quarterback and Elite 11 finalist who enrolled early in January 2022, has also 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.

• Houser has appeared in all three games and played a career-high 14 snaps in Week 3 vs. Washington, completing 2-of-4 passes for 72 yards, including a 61-yard pass to Christian Fitzpatrick. Houser scored his first career TD on a 4-yard run to cap an 11-play, 99-yard drive for the Spartans in the fourth quarter.

• 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.

• 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)
(2 games, 10 carries, 31 yards, 3.1 avg., 1 TD; 4 receptions, 30 yards, 7.5 avg.)

• #5 Nathan Carter (R-So., 5-10, 200, Rochester, N.Y./Connecticut)
(3 games/3 starts, 54 carries, 272 yards, 5.0 avg., 90.7 ypg, 4 TDs; 4 receptions, 37 yards, 9.3 avg.)

• #25 Joseph Martinez (R-Jr., 5-9, 200, Holt, Mich./Holt)
(2 games, 5 carries, 8 yards, 1.2 avg.)

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

• #22 Jordon Simmons (3L, Sr., 5-11, 195, Marietta, Ga./McEachern)
(3 games, 6 carries, 11 yards, 1.8 avg.)

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter is tied for fourth in the Big Ten and 15th in the FBS with four rushing touchdowns. He's also third in the conference and 24th in the FBS with 90.7 rushing yards per game (272 total).

• 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. The UConn transfer rushed for 100 yards in his first two games wearing the Green and White (113 yards on 18 carries vs. Central Michigan in Week 1; 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2) and had 48 yards on 17 carries vs. Washington in Week 3.

• 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 1,255 yards on 244 carries in his 19-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; three 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, has 31 yards on 10 carries in his first two games, although he left the Richmond game in Week 2 in the first half due to an injury and didn't play against Washington. Berger rushed for more than 100 yards in his first two games wearing the Green and White in 2022 (career-high 120 vs. Western Michigan; 107 vs. Akron) and also had a Big Ten-best 119 yards vs. Indiana; in addition, he caught 19 passes out of the backfield for 128 yards.

• Jaren Mangham (Gr.-5), who joined the team in January and competed during spring practice, has not played in the first three 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.

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

Christian Fitzpatrick vs Washington — **Christian Fitzpatrick leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the FBS averaging 27.3 yards per catch (six receptions for 164 yards).**

►WIDE RECEIVERS

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
• #0 Alante Brown (Sr., 5-11, 190, Chicago, Ill./Nebraska)
(2 games, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0.0 avg)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 220, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(3 games, 6 catches, 164 yards, 27.3 avg.)

• #83 Montorie Foster Jr. (2L, Sr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(3 games/3 starts, 5 catches, 80 yards, 16.0 avg.)

• #7 Antonio Gates Jr. (R-Fr., 6-2, 195, Detroit, Mich./Fordson)
(3 games, 1 catch, 45 yards, 45.0 avg., 1 TD)

• #15 Jaron Glover (R-Fr., 6-1, 205, Sarasota, Fla./Riverview)
(3 games/1 start, 7 catches, 152 yards, 21.7 avg.)

• #2 Tyrell Henry (So., 6-0, 175, Roseville, Mich./Roseville)
(3 games, 3 catches, 41 yards, 13.7 avg., 1 TD)

• #17 Tre Mosley (3L, Gr.-5, 6-2, 200, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(3 games/3 starts, 11 catches, 144 yards, 13.1 avg., 1 TD)

• 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 39 career games, including 24 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 109 career receptions for 1,320 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. Last season, he matched his career high with 35 receptions for 359 yards and had a career-best four touchdown catches. In addition to his play on the field, Mosley's leadership will be counted on to mentor the wide receiver room.

• Mosley currently leads the Spartans with 11 catches for 144 yards and one TD through three games.

• Senior Montorie Foster Jr. also has starting experience and will look to increase his production after battling an injury last season. A three-year letterwinner, Foster has played in 33 career games and has 22 receptions for 320 yards. He played in 13 games with three starts during the 2021 season and had a career-high 12 catches for 164 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown catch vs. Maryland. He has five receptions for 80 yards this season.

• Two-year letterwinner Christian Fitzpatrick (R-Jr.), who missed the final seven games of last season due to an injury, is back for the Spartans after competing in spring practice. After playing in a reserve role the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick, a former Louisville transfer, will look to contribute more to the offense in his third season at MSU. Fitzpatrick ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth in the FBS averaging 27.3 yards per catch. He has six receptions for 164 yards, 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 look to 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 three catches for 41 yards, including a leaping one-handed touchdown grab vs. Central Michigan in Week 1 that was named the No. 3 play of the day on ESPN's SportsCenter. He also has eight punt returns for 66 yards (8.3 avg.) and four kick returns for 75 yards (18.8 avg.).

• Glover is averaging 21.7 yards per catch with seven receptions for 152 yards.

• Gates caught his first collegiate pass for a 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Richmond.

• 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, 3 games/3 starts at LT)

• #54 Keyshawn Blackstock Sr. (Jr., 6-5, 310, Covington, Ga./Coffeyville CC, 3 games)

• #77 Ethan Boyd (1L, R-So., 6-7, 320, East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing, 3 games)

• #58 Spencer Brown (2L, Gr.-5, 6-6, 315, Canton, Mich./Walled Lake Western, 3 games/3 starts at RT)

• #57 Evan Brunning (1L, Gr.-5, 6-5, 305, Oxford, Mich./Oxford, 3 games)

• #67 J.D. Duplain (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville, 3 games/3 starts at LG)

• #72 Dallas Fincher (1L, R-Jr., 6-4, 305, Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood, 3 games/1 start at C)

• #66 Ashton Lepo (R-Fr., 6-7, 310, Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven, 3 games)

• #64 Braden Miller (R-Fr., 6-6, 310, Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest, 1 game)

• #71 Kristian Phillips (R-Fr., 6-4, 315, Conyers, Ga./Salem, 3 games)

• #59 Nick Samac (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 305, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor, 3 games/2 starts at C)

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

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

• Michigan State returns 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 33 consecutive games at the position, and the four-year letterwinner has a started a total of 38 games in his career while playing in 45 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 24 starts overall in his career while playing in a total 41 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 two 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 16 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 three games to run his streak to seven 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 has started all three games at right guard this season and has a streak of five consecutive starts at the position.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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)
(3 games/3 starts, 5 catches, 60 yards, 12.0 avg., 1 TD)

• #92 Evan Morris (2L, R-Jr., 6-5, 245, Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie)
(3 games/2 starts, 1 catch, 4 yards, 4.0 avg.)

• #19 Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, 6-5, 240, Brownstown Township, Mich./Wisconsin)
(3 games, 2 catches, 9 yards, 4.5 avg.)

• #23 Tyneil Hopper (Gr.-6, 6-3, 245, Roswell, Ga./Boise State)
(3 games, 2 catches, 24 yards, 12.0 avg., 1 TD)

• Michigan State has a full tight end room under fourth-year coach Ted Gilmore with nine players at the position, including redshirt junior Maliq Carr, who is looking to have a breakout season in 2023 after showing his potential the past two seasons. Carr ranked second among the Spartan tight ends last season with career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (206) to go along with two touchdowns. After playing basketball during the winter of 2021-22, Carr had a full offseason with the team and should see his production increase following the graduated departures of last year's starters Daniel Barker and Tyler Hunt. Carr has started the first three games of the season and leads the Spartan tight ends with five catches for 60 yards and one TD.

• MSU also brought in three transfers at tight end in January who competed during spring practice: Ademola Faleye (Jr., Norfolk State), Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, Wisconsin) and Tyneil Hopper (Gr.-6, Boise State). Faleye has two seasons of eligibility remaining after playing in 20 games for Norfolk State in 2021-22, while Franklin and Hopper are graduate transfers in their final season of eligibility. Hopper exited the Washington game in Week 3 with an injury. Franklin has played in the first three games and has two catches for 9 yards.

• 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 also started in Week 3 against Washington and has played in all three games.

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)
(2 games, 4 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)
(3 games/3 starts, 5 tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 10 yards, 1.5 sacks for 10 yards)

• #2 Khris Bogle (1L, R-Sr., 6-4, 245, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Florida)
(3 games/3 starts, 5 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)
(3 games, 4 tackles)

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

• #41 Derrick Harmon (1L, R-So., 6-5, 320, Detroit, Mich./Loyola)
(3 games/2 starts, 4 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 3 yards, 1 sack for 3 yards)

• #99 Jalen Sami (Gr.-6, 6-7, 330, Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado)
(2 games, 1 tackle)

• #32 James Schott (R-Fr., 6-4, 235, Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove)
(2 games, 1 tackle)

• #44 Ken Talley (R-Fr., 6-3, 245, Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast)
(2 games)

• #55 Jalen Thompson (Fr., 6-3, 260, Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech)
(2 games, 2 tackles)

• #26 Brandon Wright (4L, R-Sr., 6-2, 250, Euclid, Ohio/Euclid)
(3 games, 7 tackles, 1 TFL for 5 yards, 1 sack for 5 yards)

• #9 Zion Young (1L, So., 6-6, 265, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(3 games/3 starts, 11 tackles, 3 TFLs for 15 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.

• Along the interior, three Spartans return with starting experience, led by redshirt junior Simeon Barrow Jr. Barrow started 10 games at defensive tackle last season and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades while recording career highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (9.0 for 28 yards) and sacks (4.0 for 21 years). He also led the defense with 28 total quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, ranking fourth most in the Big Ten. Barrow has started 24 career games for the Spartans. He has five tackles for 1.5 sacks (10 yards) this season.

• Redshirt senior Maverick Hansen collected a career-high 41 tackles in 12 games last season, including two starting assignments, and has played in 34 career games. Redshirt sophomore Derrick Harmon started five games in 2022 and registered 30 stops, including three TFLs and two sacks; he has four tackles this season with two starts.

• Incoming graduate transfers Dre Butler (Liberty), Jarrett Jackson (Florida State) and Nolan Sami (Colorado) will bolster the Spartan interior with 88 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).

• Due to a rash of injuries, the Spartans started nine different players at defensive end last season. Four of those players – Khris Bogle (R-Sr.), Avery Dunn (R-Jr.), Brandon Wright (R-Sr.) and Zion Young (So.) – are back this season on the edge.

• 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, but has started the first three games of the 2023 season. He has five 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.

• 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 seven tackles and one sack (5 yards) this season.

• Young appeared in eight games as a true freshman, including two starts, and posted 21 stops with two tackles for loss; he has started the first three games of the season and leads the team with three tackles for loss (15 yards) and 1.5 sacks (10 yards) to go along with 11 overall tackles.

• 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 four tackles, 2.5 TFLs and one sack in his first two games.

• 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.

Defense, Brule and Tatum vs Washington — **Sixth-year graduate senior Aaron Brule (No. 7) has 10 tackles on the season for the Spartans.**

►LINEBACKERS

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

• #7 Aaron Brule (1L, Gr.-6, 6-2, 240, New Orleans, La./Mississippi State)
(3 games, 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs for 8 yards, 2 sacks for 6 yards)

• #35 Sam Edwards (1L, R-Jr., 6-1, 225, Williamston, Mich./Lansing Catholic)
(3 games)

• #27 Cal Haladay (2L, R-Jr., 6-1, 235, Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia)
(3 games/3 starts, 22 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 2 yards, 1 INT for 2 yards)

• #5 Jordan Hall (Fr., 6-3, 235, Fredericksburg, Va./IMG Academy)
(3 games, 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs for 5 yards)

• #4 Jacoby Windmon (1L, Sr.-5, 6-2, 250, New Orleans, La./UNLV)
(3 games/3 starts, 15 tackles, 2.0 TFLs for 8 yards, 1 sack for 8 yards)

• The linebackers, coached by fourth-year Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator Scottie Hazelton, are loaded with experience as Aaron Brule and Jacoby Windmon both elected to come back to Michigan State in 2023 to use their extra year of eligibility.

• Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay, who led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 pg; 120 total), ranks first on the team and 10th in the Big Ten with 7.3 tackles per game (22 total) through three games in 2023. Haladay has collected 238 tackles in his 32-game career, including 26 starting assignments. He was named to preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy. In the season opener against Central Michigan, Haladay led MSU with 10 tackles, including a 1-yard loss, and recorded the third interception of his career.

• Windmon, who transferred to MSU from UNLV in 2022, burst onto the scene 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 has 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack through the first three games.

• Brule, a graduate transfer from Mississippi State who also arrived on campus last year with Windmon, saw his playing time increase as the 2022 season progressed and he ended up ranking second on the team in sacks (4.0 for 32 yards) and third in tackles for loss (6.5 for 41 yards). He registered 30 tackles while playing all 12 games, including two starting assignments. Brule has 10 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs and a team-leading two sacks through the first three games.

• 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. Snow ranked third on the team and 18th in the Big Ten with 87 tackles as a sophomore in 2021.

• Incoming four-star 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. He has nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss through the first three games of the season.

►SECONDARY

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

• #15 Angelo Grose (3L, Sr., 5-10, 185, Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield)
(3 games/3 starts, 15 tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 7 yards, 0.5 sack for 2 yards, 3 PBUs)

• #12 Chester Kimbrough (2L, R-Sr., 6-0, 185, New Orleans, La./Florida)
(3 games, 5 tackles)

• #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)
(3 games/3 starts, 16 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU)

• #25 Chance Rucker (Fr., 6-1, 180, Denton, Texas/Ryan)
(3 games, 2 tackles)

• #19 Armorion Smith (R-So., 6-1, 205, Detroit, Mich./Cincinnati)
(3 games, 2 tackles)

• #43 Malik Spencer (So., 6-1, 195, Buford, Ga./Buford)
(3 games/3 starts, 17 tackles, 1.0 TFL for 1 yards, 1 PBU)

• #21 Dillon Tatum (So., 5-11, 200, Farmington Hills, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(3 games/3 starts, 15 tackles, 0.5 TFL for 2 yards, 1 PBU)

• #20 Ade Willie (1L, So., 6-1, 190, Sarasota, Fla./IMG Academy)
(3 games, 1 tackle)

• 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.

• The Spartans feature a number of promising players in the secondary and also return starters with multiple years of experience in addition to bolstering their depth through the transfer portal.

• At cornerback, Charles Brantley (Jr.) took over a full-time starting role 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.

• Senior Angelo Grose has started games at both safety and nickelback the past four seasons (2020-23) and has played in 31 games overall since his arrival on campus in 2020, including 29 starts. The three-year letterwinner has 174 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 16 pass break-ups and one interception during his collegiate career. He is tied for fourth on the team with 15 tackles this season.

• Sophomores Dillon Tatum (12 games), Jaden Mangham (8 games), Ade Willie (6 games) and Malik Spencer (5 games) all gained valuable experience during their true freshmen season in 2022 and will look to have an even greater impact in the secondary in 2023. Tatum, Mangham and Spencer have started the first three games for the Spartans.

• Redshirt seniors Chester Kimbrough and Justin White each started games at nickelback for the Spartans last year and are back to compete for a starting role this season. Marqui Lowery Jr. (R-Jr.) also has starting experience at cornerback.

• MSU is also adding two transfers to the secondary in 2023, both with playing experience: Semar Melvin, a redshirt senior from Wisconsin, enrolled in January, while Armorion Smith (Cincinnati) joined the team in the summer. Melvin played in 23 games for the Badgers (2019-22) and Smith appeared in 12 games for the Bearcats last season.

• 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. Rucker has seen action in the first three games of the season, while Brown has appeared the last two weeks.

►SPECIAL TEAMS PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN

Players who have seen game action in 2023:
Punters:
• #96 P Ryan Eckley (R-Fr., 6-2, 205, Lithia, Fla./Newsome, 1 game, 1 punt for 41 yards)
(3 games, 8 punts for 169 yards, 40.4 avg., 4 inside the 20, 1 touchback, 3 fair catches, 1 50+)

• #42 P Michael O'Shaughnessy (Gr.-5, 6-3, 210, New Albany, Ohio/Ohio State)
(3 games, 7 punts for 297 yards, 42.4 avg., 3 inside the 20, 1 touchback, 4 fair catches)

Long Snapper:
• #31 LS Hank Pepper (2L, Jr., 6-2, 210, Chandler, Ariz./Chandler, 3 games, 1 fumble recovery)

Placekickers:
• #97 K Jonathan Kim (Gr.-5, 6-0, 225, Fredericksburg, Va./North Carolina)
(3 games, 8-for-8 PATs, 2-for-2 FGs, 13 kickoffs for 804 yards, 61.8 avg., 7 touchbacks)

• #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.)

• Michigan State will have a new look in the specialists room as the team will have 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 are splitting time at punter through the first three games.

• The Spartans, who used multiple placekickers in 2022, brought in graduate transfer Jonathan Kim from North Carolina over the summer. Redshirt sophomore Stephen Rusnak will also compete for the position and kicked for the Spartans during the spring. Rusnak earned a letter as a freshman in 2021 while converting 4-of-5 PATs and averaging 57.0 yards on kickoffs.

• Kim is off to a 2-for-2 start on field-goal attempts with a 47-yarder vs. Central Michigan and a 52-yarder vs. Richmond. He is also 8-for-8 on PATs.

• Junior Hank Pepper returns as the starting long snapper for the Spartans.

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

Game 4: Michigan State (2-1) vs. Maryland (3-0)

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN OFFENSE

A LOOK AT THE SPARTAN DEFENSE

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Players Mentioned

Tunmise Adeleye

Aaron Alexander

Brandon Baldwin

Bryce Baringer

Daniel Barker

Simeon Barrow Jr.

Jalen Berger

Keyshawn Blackstock Sr.

Khris Bogle

Ethan Boyd

Charles Brantley

Alante Brown

Sean Brown

Spencer Brown

Aaron Brule

Evan Brunning

Dre Butler

Maliq Carr

Philipp Davis

Andrew Depaepe

Avery Dunn

J.D. Duplain

Ryan Eckley

Sam Edwards

Ademola Faleye

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

Tyler Hunt

Jarrett Jackson

Bai Jobe

Jonathan Kim

Noah Kim

Chester Kimbrough

Sam Leavitt

Ashton Lepo

Marqui Lowery Jr.

Jaden Mangham

Jaren Mangham

Joseph Martinez

Semar Melvin

Braden Miller

Evan Morris

Tre Mosley

Michael O'Shaughnessy

Hank Pepper

Kristian Phillips

Eddie Pleasant III

Davion Primm

Jayden Reed

Chance Rucker

Stephen Rusnak

Nick Samac

Jalen Sami

James Schott

Jordon Simmons

Armorion Smith

Darius Snow

Ameer Speed

Malik Spencer

Ken Talley

Dillon Tatum