Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Football :: Official Athletic Site
Sept. 1, 1997
Spartans Prepare for Intrastate Rival Western Michigan
- DATE: Sept. 6, 1997
- SITE: Spartan Stadium (72,027), East Lansing, Mich.
- KICKOFF: 12:30 p.m. (EDT)
- SERIES RECORD: Michigan State leads 7-2
- FIRST MEETING: Western Michigan 35, Michigan State 0 (1908)
- LAST MEETING: Michigan State 45, Western Michigan 10 (Sept. 27, 1986)
- Radio - The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Larry Bielat and sideline reporter Ike Griffin, will broadcast the game to 28 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5).
- Television - ESPN-Plus and SportsChannel Chicago will televise the Michigan State-Western Michigan game live with Fred McLeod and George Perles calling the action and Jason Hillman reporting from the sidelines. PASS will televise the game on a tape-delayed basis.
1997 Spartan Radio Network Affiliates City Call Letters Adrian WABJ (AM 1490) Alma WQBX (FM 104.9) Alpena WJKZ (FM 94.9) Bad Axe WLEW (AM 1340) Battle Creek WBCK (AM 930) Benton Harbor/St. Joseph WSJM (AM 1400) Cheboygan WCBY (AM 1240) Detroit WXYT (AM 1270) Flint WFNT (AM 1470) Frankenmuth WKNX (AM 1210) Freemont WSHN (AM 1550) Grand Rapids WBBL (AM 1340) Grand Rapids WFGR (FM 98.7) Ionia WION (AM 1430) Ironwood WJMS (AM 590) Jackson WIBM (AM 1450) Kalamazoo WQSN (AM 1470) Lansing WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5) Ludington WKLA (AM 1450) Marquette WDMJ (AM 1320) Mt. Pleasant WMMI (AM 830) Petoskey WJML (AM 1110) Port Huron WPHM (AM 1380) Saginaw/Midland/ Bay City WIXC (FM 97.3) St. Ignace WIDG (AM 940) Tawas City WKJC (FM 104.7) Traverse City WLDR (FM 101.9) Windsor, Ont. CKLW (AM 800) |
THE COACHES -Michigan State's Nick Saban (Kent State '73) is 12-11-1 (.521) in his third year with the Spartans and 21-13-1 (.614) as he begins his fourth season as a college head coach. Saban came to Michigan State following four seasons as the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator from 1991-94. He previously served as head coach at the University of Toledo where he guided the Rockets to a 9-2 record overall in 1990, including a share of the Mid-American Conference title at 7-1.
Western Michigan's Gary Darnell (Oklahoma State '70) is 1-0 (1.000) in his first year with the Broncos and 7-33 (.175) in five seasons as a college head coach. Darnell spent five years on John Mackovic's coaching staff at Texas (1992-96) where he served the last three seasons as defensive coordinator. He compiled a 3-4 ledger (.428) as interim head coach at Florida in 1989. Darnell had a 3-29 record (.094) in three seasons as head coach at Tennessee Tech from 1983-85.
MICHIGAN STATE/WESTERN MICHIGAN SERIES NOTES - Michigan State leads it 7-2, including a 3-0 mark in games played in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans have won the last four meetings, including a 45-10 triumph in East Lansing on Sept. 27, 1986. Western Michigan's last victory in the series came in 1921, 17-14, in East Lansing. The series began in 1908 with Michigan State winning 35-0. Michigan State has outscored Western Michigan, 191-76, in nine meetings but four games have been decided by less than nine points.
TEAM COMPARISONS
Michigan State Western Michigan
Basic Offense Pro Set Multiple
Basic Defense 4-3 4-3
Offensive Starters Returning 6 6
Defensive Starters Returning 9 7
Specialists Returning 2 2
AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS)
Michigan State Western Michigan
Offensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 294 6-4, 281
Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-1, 206 6-1, 202
Defensive Line 6-5, 268 6-3, 250
Linebackers 6-3, 234 6-1, 226
Defensive Backs 6-0, 193 5-10, 185
CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS)
Michigan State Offense: 6 seniors, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Michigan State Defense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores
Western Michigan Offense: 2 seniors, 2 juniors, 7 sophomores
Western Michigan Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores
STAT LEADERS
Michigan State (1996 Totals):
Rushing - Sedrick Irvin (237 carries for 1067 yards, 4.5 avg., 16 TDs)
Passing - Todd Schultz (130 of 209 for 1693 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs)
Receiving - Sedrick Irvin (40 catches for 337 yards, 8.4 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles - Ike Reese (115 tackles, 75 solos, 40 assists)
Western Michigan (After 1 Game):
Rushing - Robert Sanford (24 carries for 142 yards, 5.9 avg., 0 TDs)
Passing - Tim Lester (17 of 25 for 295 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs)
Receiving - Jake Moreland (6 catches for 81 yards, 13.5 avg., 2 TDs)
Tackles - Steve Roon (11 tackles, 10 solos, 1 assist)
STAT COMPARISON (1996 TOTALS)
Michigan State Western Michigan
Scoring 29.8 18.9
First Downs 21.1 17.4
Total Offense 399.6 311.0
Rushing Yards 177.9 95.0
Passing Yards 221.7 216.0
Time of Possession 31:34 29:35
Third Down Conversions .413 .347
Points Allowed 25.2 27.6
Total Yards Allowed 317.4 383.5
Rushing Yards Allowed 128.4 168.6
Passing Yards Allowed 189.0 214.8
All-Time Series Scores Season Result 1908 MSU 35-0 1912 MSU 20-0 1917 WMU 14-0 1918 MSU 16-7 1919 WMU 21-18 1921 MSU 17-14 1980 MSU 33-7 1985 MSU 7-3 1986 MSU 45-10
THE LAST MEETING - Lorenzo White rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns to lead Michigan State to a 45-10 victory over Western Michigan in Spartan Stadium on Sept. 27, 1986. Dave Yarema completed 13-of-16 passes for 277 yards and two TDs. Michigan State lead 14-7 after one quarter but scored 31 unanswered points to break the game open. The Spartans produced 626 total yards, including 309 rushing and 317 passing.
MICHIGAN STATE VS. MAC TEAMS - Michigan State has compiled a 20-5 record (.800) against current members of the Mid-American Conference (2-0 vs. Akron, 1-0 vs. Bowling Green, 1-2 vs. Central Michigan, 4-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 3-1 vs. Miami-Ohio, 1-0 vs. Ohio, 1-0 vs. Toledo and 7-2 vs. Western Michigan). The Spartans have won eight out of the last 10 meetings vs. MAC teams, with the only losses coming to Central Michigan, 20-3 in 1991 and 24-20 in '92.
SEASON OPENERS - In its 100-year history, Michigan State is 64-34-2 (.650) in season openers. The Spartans are just 4-5-1 (.450) in season-opening games since 1987.
Season Openers Since 1987 Date Opponent Result Sept. 7, 1987 Southern Cal W 27-13 Sept. 10, 1988 Rutgers L 13-17 Sept. 16, 1989 Miami-Ohio W 49-0 Sept. 15, 1990 @Syracuse T 23-23 Sept. 14, 1991 Central Michigan L 3-20 Sept. 12, 1992 Central Michigan L 20-24 Sept. 11, 1993 Kansas W 31-14 Sept. 10, 1994 @Kansas L 10-17 Sept. 9, 1995 Nebraska L 10-50 Aug. 31, 1996 Purdue W 52-14
HOME OPENERS - In its 100-year history, Michigan State is 80-20 (.800) in home openers. MSU is just 4-6 (.400) in Spartan Stadium openers since 1987.
Home Openers Since 1987 Date Opponent Result Sept. 7, 1987 Southern Cal W 27-13 Sept. 10, 1988 Rutgers L 13-17 Sept. 16, 1989 Miami-Ohio W 49-0 Sept. 20, 1990 Notre Dame L 19-20 Sept. 14, 1991 Central Michigan L 3-20 Sept. 12, 1992 Central Michigan L 20-24 Sept. 11, 1993 Kansas W 31-14 Sept. 17, 1994 Notre Dame L 20-21 Sept. 9, 1995 Nebraska L 10-50 Aug. 31, 1996 Purdue W 52-14
INJURY REPORT - OUT: TE Chris Baker (cartilage left knee; sidelined five to seven weeks); CB Ron Weston (ACL right knee; out for the season).
MAGIC NUMBER 24 - Since 1990, Michigan State is 33-8-1 (.798) when it scores at least 24 points. During that seven-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of only 39-40-2 (.494).
SPARTAN BACKS RUN BEHIND "HOTEL" ADAMS - Outland Trophy candidate Flozell Adams enters his third season as a starter on Michigan State's offensive line. Nicknamed "The Hotel," the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Adams has been named first-team preseason All-American by nearly every magazine, including The Sporting News, Football News, Lindy's College Football Annual, Bob Griese's College Football Preview and Playboy. He has been ranked as the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle by The Sporting News, Lindy's and Bob Griese's.
Adams has been described as a "road-grader" by MSU head coach Nick Saban. Spartan running backs have reached the 100-yard mark 14 times in his 23 career starts. Last year, Adams anchored an offensive line which helped produce a 1,000-yard rusher in freshman Sedrick Irvin (1,067).
IRVIN CONSIDERED FOR DOAK WALKER AWARD - Sedrick Irvin, who rushed for a Michigan State freshman-record 1,067 yards in 1996, is one of 52 candidates nominated for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually since 1990 by the GTE-SMU Athletic Forum to the nation's top running back. Irvin is one of only six sophomores featured on the preseason list of candidates, including Wisconsin's Ron Dayne, Minnesota's Thomas Hamner, Houston's Ketric Sanford, Georgia Tech's Charles Wiley and West Virginia's Amos Zereoue.
Last year, Irvin produced the ninth-best single-season rushing total in school history. He had five 100-yard games in '96 and averaged 106.0 yards rushing in Big Ten games. Irvin finished third in the Big Ten and eighth nationally in scoring with a Spartan freshman-record 18 touchdowns (108 points).
Eight semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award will be announced Nov. 26 and three finalists Dec. 3. The winner will be named Dec. 11.
REESE FEATURED ON BUTKUS AWARD WATCH LIST - Four-year starter Ike Reese is one of 52 candidates, including six from the Big Ten Conference, featured on the watch list compiled for the Butkus Award, presented annually since 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Fla., to the nation's outstanding collegiate linebacker.
Reese has reached double figures in tackles 12 times and already ranks among the Spartans' all-time leaders with 283 career tackles (No. 11). He needs only 47 tackles in 1997 to crack MSU's top five. Last year, Reese led the Spartans in tackles with 115 (75 solos, 40 assists), including four for losses (27 yards) and two sacks (23). He reached double digits in tackles six times in '96, including a career-high 17 stops vs. Nebraska.
The Butkus Award watch list will by trimmed to 10 semifinalists by Oct. 16 and three finalists by Nov. 13. The award will be presented Dec. 13.
SCHULTZ NOMINATED FOR JOHNNY UNITAS AWARD - Todd Schultz, who heads into his second season as Michigan State's starting quarterback, is one of 17 seniors nominated for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually since 1987 by the Kentucky Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame to the nation's top signal caller. Schultz joins Iowa's Matt Sherman and Minnesota's Corey Sauter on the list of candidates.
Last year, Schultz completed 130-209 passes (.622) for 1,693 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders in passing efficiency (fourth at 131.7 rating) and total offense (fourth at 180.1 yards per game). Schultz already ranks among MSU's career passing leaders in attempts (10th at 294), completions (10th at 183), completion percentage (third at .620) and yards (11th at 2,270).
Five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award will be selected Oct. 29 and the winner announced Nov. 26.
PRESEASON RANKINGS - Michigan State ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press preseason poll, released Aug. 9. The Spartans were one of six Big Ten teams featured in the AP ratings, including preseason No. 1 Penn State, No. 9 Ohio State, No. 14. Michigan, No. 21 Iowa and No. 24 Wisconsin. It marked Michigan State's first appearance in the AP preseason poll since 1991.
Editors of at least three magazines also elected to include Michigan State in their preseason polls, including Sports Illustrated (No. 16), The Sporting News (No. 18) and Bob Griese's College Football Preview (No. 20).
"It's flattering to our program to be considered a preseason Top 25 team," Saban said. "People who cover our team on a regular basis know how far we have come in the last three years.
"Preseason polls create a great deal of interest for football programs and a remarkable number of tickets can be sold based upon a preseason ranking. Preseason polls deal with potential while post-season finishes deal with reality. As a coach, I'd much rather deal in reality than with potential."
SPARTAN FANS BUY RECORD NUMBER OF SEASON TICKETS - Michigan State head football coach Nick Saban's motto for the 1997 season is "Reach Higher" and thanks to 17 returning starters, Spartan fans share the same enthusiasm as reflected by the record number of season tickets sold. For the first time in school history, Michigan State has sold more than 60,000 season tickets. In addition, three home games are already complete sellouts, Oct. 4 Homecoming game vs. Minnesota, Oct. 25 vs. Michigan and Nov. 1 vs. Ohio State.
Season-ticket sales increased by more than 11,000 from 48,968 in 1996 to 60,244. Sales were up in three different season-ticket categories, including public, student and family. The previous record for season tickets sold was 57,019 in 1988 following Michigan State's '87 Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory over Southern Cal, 20-17.
1997 OPPONENTS UPDATE Date vs. MSU Opponent Last Game Result Next Game Sept. 6 Western Michigan (1-0) vs. Temple (W 34-14) @Michigan State Sept. 13 Memphis (0-1) @Mississippi St. (L 10-13) vs. UAB Sept. 20 @Notre Dame (0-0) DNP vs. Georgia Tech Oct. 4 Minnesota (0-1) @Hawaii (L 3-17) vs. Iowa State (9/13) Oct. 11 @Indiana (0-0) DNP @North Carolina Oct. 18 @Northwestern (1-0) vs. Oklahoma (W 24-0) @Wake Forest Oct. 25 Michigan (0-0) DNP vs. Colorado (9/13) Nov. 1 Ohio State (1-0) vs. Wyoming (W 24-10) vs. Bowling Green (9/13) Nov. 8 @Purdue (0-0) DNP @Toledo Nov. 22 @Illinois (0-0) DNP vs. Southern Miss Nov. 29 Penn State (0-0) DNP vs. Pittsburgh
PLAYING IN SPARTAN STADIUM - Over the past 73 seasons, Michigan State has compiled a 265-111-13 mark (.698) in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 15 times since the stadium opened in 1923. In addition, Michigan State has suffered only one home loss in 26 seasons, including last year's 5-1 record. Only six times in the 73-year history of the stadium has Michigan State experienced a losing record at home.
NCAA STAT LEADERS -- Here's a glance at how Michigan State ranked among the NCAA stat leaders in 1996 (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
Individual Statistics
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 Michigan State'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
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 21.8
1986 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
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 ground gainers in Division I-A last season (bowl games included):
NCAA Rank Player, Team G Att. Yds. Avg. TD YPG 4. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 13 325 2109 6.5 21 162.2 22. Demond Parker, Oklahoma 11 180 1184 6.6 10 107.6 35. Amos Zereoue, West Virginia 11 222 1035 4.7 9 94.1 39. Sedrick Irvin, Michigan State 12 237 1067 4.5 16 88.9 56. Thomas Hamner, Minnesota 11 195 883 4.5 3 80.3
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
Depth Chart vs. Western Michigan
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This Week's Polls
(Released Aug. 31)
Associated Press
1. Penn State
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Washington
5. Florida State
6. Nebraska
7. North Carolina
8. Colorado
9. Ohio State
10. Louisiana State
11. Notre Dame
12. Texas
13. Miami (Fla.)
14. Michigan
15. Alabama
16. Auburn
17. Stanford
18. Clemson
19. BYU
20. Iowa
21. Kansas State
Northwestern
23. Southern Cal
24. Colorado State
25. Michigan State
USA Today/ESPN Coaches
1. Florida
2. Penn State
3. Tennessee
4. Washington
5. Florida State
6. Nebraska
7. Colorado
8. North Carolina
9. Ohio State
10. Texas
11. Louisiana State
12. Miami (Fla.)
13. Notre Dame
14. Michigan
15. Alabama
16. BYU
17. Stanford
18. Auburn
19. Iowa
20. Clemson
21. Southern Cal
22. Virginia Tech
23. Kansas State
24. Northwestern
25. Colorado State