1996 Notes
1996-97 Final Statistics
1996-97 Superlatives
1996 Single-Game Superlatives
1996 Honors and Awards
1996 Final Statistics
Game-by-Game Final Statistics
1996 Big Ten Statistics
1996 In Review
1996 Top Season Averages
1996 MSU Single-Game Superlatives
More Season Notes:
Letterwinners --
Forty-eight members of the 1996 Michigan State football team earned letters:
Seniors (12): C Matt Beard, WR Nigea Carter, LB Reggie Garnett, RB Duane Goulbourne, CB Aldi Henry, LB Jason Krueger, WR Derrick Mason, OG Brian Mosallam, TE Elroy Reese, DE Delrico Simons, DT Chris Smith, SS Marvin Wright.
Juniors (14): OT Flozell Adams, DB Archer Collins, PK Chris Gardner, LB Tyrone Garland, FS Dan Hackenbracht, CB Ray Hill, WR Damien Hiram, TE Josh Keur, WR Octavis Long, OT Dave Mudge, FB Travis Reece, LB Ike Reese, QB Todd Schultz, OG Scott Shaw.
Sophomores (10): CB Amp Campbell, SS Scott Ernsberger, FB Garett Gould, LB Dwayne Hawkins, FS Sorie Kanu, DE Courtney Ledyard, SS Lemar Marshall, QB Gus Ornstein, DT Desmond Thomas, DE Dimitrius Underwood.
Freshmen (12): LB Mike Austin, QB Bill Burke, P Paul Edinger, DE Pete Govens, RB Sedrick Irvin, OT Casey Jensen, WR Gari Scott, SS Shawn Wright, C Mike Neal.
NCAA Stat Leaders --
Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranked among the NCAA stat leaders in 1995 (bowl games not included):
Team Statistics
Rushing Offense:30th at 187.9 yards per game
Passing Offense:38th at 228.1 yards per game
Total Offense:28th at 416.0 yards per game
Scoring Offense: 19th at 32.5 points per game
Rushing Defense: 22nd at 116.7 yards per game
Pass Efficiency Defense: 63rd at 123.0 rating
Total Defense: 19th at 301.3 yards per game
Scoring Defense: 53rd at 24.0 points per game
Turnover Margin: t-90th at -0.73 turnovers per game
Net Punting: 93rd at 33.3 yards per punt
Punt Returns: 34th at 11.1 yards per return
Kickoff Returns: 110th at 16.3 yards per return
Rushing: Sedrick Irvin (39th at 94.2 ypg)
Receiving Yards: Derrick Mason (t-38th at 74.7 ypg)
Punting: Paul Edinger (48th at 40.9 avg.)
Punt Returns: Derrick Mason (41st at 9.8 avg.)
Field Goals: Chris Gardner (9th at 1.55 mpg)
Scoring:Sedrick Irvin (t-8th at 9.82 ppg); Chris Gardner (t-31st at 7.82 ppg)
All-Purpose Yards: Derrick Mason (23rd at 143.6 ypg); Sedrick Irvin (t-43rd at 130.1 ypg)
"Red Zone" Update --
Michigan State scored on 41 of its 48 possessions (.854) that penetrated the opponent's 20-yard line in 1996. The Spartans' scoring drives produced 31 touchdowns and 10 field goals. Michigan State scored on 16 of its last 17 possessions inside the 20. Here's a look at MSU's trips inside the "Red Zone" in '96:
Opponent "Red Zone" Results Purdue 6-6 (5 TDs, FG) @Nebraska 2-2 (2 TDs)Louisville 3-4 (TD, 2 FGs, missed FG) Eastern Michigan 3-4 (3 TDs, missed FG) @Iowa 2-3 (2 TDs, interception) Illinois 5-7 (5 TDs, 2 fumbles)@Minnesota 4-5 (2 TDs, 2 FGs, time expired) Wisconsin 3-3 (TD, 2 FGs)@Michigan 5-5 (4 TDs, FG) Indiana 6-6 (5 TDs, FG) @Penn State 2-3 (TD, FG, missed FG) Stanford (Sun Bowl) 0-0
Spartans Tough Against Run --
Michigan State ranked among the NCAA leaders in both total defense (19th at 301.3 yards per game) and rushing defense (22nd at 116.7). State held five of its 11 regular-season opponents under 100 yards rushing. The Spartans posted some impressive numbers against some of the nation's top running teams. Michigan State played against four teams which finished ranked among the NCAA's top 40 in rushing offense. Here's how the Spartans fared against those teams:
NCAA Season Rush Rank Team Avg. vs. MSU 4. Nebraska 291.9 184 12. Wisconsin 241.1 137 25. Penn State 203.3 179 38. Iowa 176.1 138
Irvin Posts Impressive Frosh Numbers --
Sedrick Irvin set Michigan State freshman single-season records for rushing yards (1,067) and touchdowns (18). Irvin had five 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 158 yards vs. Indiana (33 attempts). He ranked fourth among the NCAA's top freshman rushers (yards per game). Here's a look at the top freshman rushers in Division I-A last season (bowl games included):
NCAA Rk. Player, Team G Att. Yds. Avg. TD YPG 4. Ron Dayne, Wis. 13 325 2109 6.5 21 162.2 22. Demond Parker, Okla. 11 180 1184 6.6 10 107.6 35. Amos Zereoue, WVU 11 222 1035 4.7 9 94.1 39. Sedrick Irvin, MSU 12 237 1067 4.5 16 88.9 56. Thomas Hamner, Minn. 11 195 883 4.5 3 80.3
Scoreboard Operator Gets A Workout --
Michigan State averaged 29.8 points per game in 1996 -- its best season scoring average since 1978 (37.4 ppg). The Spartans produced 44 touchdowns last year, eight more TDs than the team managed in '95. Here's a look at Michigan State's scoring production over the last 20 seasons:
Scoring Year TDs PTS Avg. 1996 44 358 29.8 1995 36 287 23.9 1994 34 280 25.5 1993 35 277 23.1 1992 29 238 21.6 1991 18 162 14.7 1990 39 312 26.0 1989 47 356 29.7 1988 29 269 22.4 1987 30 261 21.81986 36 285 25.9 1985 35 258 21.5 1984 24 193 16.1 1983 19 162 14.7 1982 23 202 18.3 1981 31 263 23.9 1980 27 221 20.1 1979 29 240 21.8 1978 56 411 37.4 1977 30 260 23.6
Spartan Trends Under Saban --
Here's how Michigan State has fared during Nick Saban's tenure (1995-96):
Games played in Spartan Stadium: 8-4
Games played on the road/neutral site: 4-7-1
When leading at halftime: 11-5
When trailing at halftime: 1-5-1
When scoring first: 9-3-1
When opponent scores first: 3-8
When leading after first quarter: 9-1-1
When trailing after first quarter: 2-5
When tied after first quarter: 1-5
When leading after three quarters: 11-0-1
When trailing after three quarters: 1-9
When tied after three quarters: 0-2
When gaining more first downs than opponent: 9-3
When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 3-6-1
When gaining same number of first downs as opponent: 0-2
When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 9-2-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 2-5-1
When outrushing opponent: 10-4-1
When being outrushed by opponent: 2-7
When gaining 200+ yards passing: 7-8-1
When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 2-7-1
When gaining more total yards than opponent: 11-4
When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 1-7-1
When leading in time of possession: 9-7-1
When trailing in time of possession: 3-4