Spartan Football 2016 Season Review Notes
12/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
2016 Season Review Notes (PDF)
2016 SPARTAN FOOTBALL REVIEW
SPARTAN FOOTBALL NEWS AND NOTES --
• Featuring one of the youngest teams in the nation, Michigan State finished the 2016 season with a 3-9 overall record and 1-8 mark in the Big Ten. Due to a combination of youth and injuries, Michigan State had a different starting lineup in every game of the season on both offense and defense. Several Spartans stepped into new and expanded roles, as the offense and defense combined to feature 26 players who either started for the first time or were in their first full-time starting role. In addition, MSU's 21 first-time starters ranked tied for 10th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2016.
• Michigan State had nine players receive All-Big Ten recognition in 2016. Five Spartans on defense picked up all-league accolades, with junior defensive lineman Malik McDowell (second team, coaches and media) and fifth-year senior linebacker Riley Bullough (third team, coaches and media) leading the way. Junior linebacker Chris Frey (media), senior cornerback Darian Hicks (coaches and media) and junior safety Montae Nicholson (coaches and media) were recognized as honorable mention. On offense, junior offensive guard Brian Allen earned second-team honors from the media for the second consecutive season, while senior tight end Josiah Price received third-team recognition from the coaches for the second year in a row. Allen was also a third-team pick by the coaches. Senior wide receiver R.J. Shelton, an honorable mention choice a year ago, was named to the second team by the coaches. Sophomore running back LJ Scott garnered third-team plaudits from the media. In addition, Price (media), Scott (coaches) and Shelton (media) were also recognized as honorable mention.
• The Spartans saw a resurgence in the ground game in the second half of the season, rushing for more than 200 yards in four of the last six games. During the first six games, MSU averaged 136.2 rushing yards per game, while in the last six, ran for 209.2 ypg on the ground. Against two of the top rushing defenses in the nation, MSU ran for 217 yards on Michigan and 207 against Ohio State. MSU also rushed for 277 yards against Rutgers, 270 at Maryland and 175 at Illinois in the second half of the year.
• Michigan State started 44 different players during the season, including 22 on offense and 23 on defense (note: Brandon Clemons started on both offense and defense, counting as one overall player). Twenty-one of those players were first-time starters, tied for 10th most in the NCAA FBS in 2016.
• Fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price, a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches, closed out his record-setting Spartan career with a career-high 38 receptions for 387 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2016. His five TD catches were the most by a Big Ten tight end in the regular season and his 38 catches tied for second most by a Spartan tight end in a single season. A native of Greentown, Indiana, Price finished his career with the most touchdown catches (21) by a tight end in Michigan State history, which also ranks fourth among all players in the school record book. Price's 104 career catches and 1,238 receiving yards also rank third most among Spartan tight ends.
• Senior R.J. Shelton, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches, led the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (789) and all-purpose yards (1,377), and tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (5), all of which were career highs. During the regular season, he ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten in receptions (4.4 pg), fifth in all-purpose yards (114.8 ypg), sixth in receiving yards (65.8 ypg) and tied for ninth in TD catches (5). Shelton led the team with 22 plays of 20 yards or more (11 kick return, 10 receptions, one rush), and four of MSU's eight plays of 50-plus yards in 2016 featured Shelton. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Player (Governor's Award).
• A mainstay on the offensive line, junior Brian Allen was one of only three players on the team and the only offensive lineman to start every game this season. He led the team with twice as many knockdowns as any other lineman and also ranked first in dominators. The Hinsdale, Illinois, native, who garnered second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second year in a row, started three positions on the offensive line as a junior in 2016. Allen started the first three games at left guard, then shifted to center for two games before moving to right guard for five games. The versatile lineman started at left guard the final two contests.
• Sophomore LJ Scott led the Spartans in nearly every rushing category, compiling career highs in rushing yards (994), carries (184) and rushing touchdowns (6). His 82.8 rushing yards per game average ranked eighth in the Big Ten during the regular season and his 86.9 ypg in conference play was sixth best. Scott's 994 rushing yards were seventh most by a Spartan sophomore in a single season. He also had a team-best 10 runs of 20 yards or longer. The 6-1, 230-pound Scott had five 100-yard games in 2016, tied for third most in the Big Ten in the regular season, including four of the last six games (109.7 ypg last six games). He collected career highs in rushing yards (160), all-purpose yards (236) and receiving yards (76) vs. No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 19.
• Senior linebacker Riley Bullough garnered All-Big Ten honors for the second year in a row, as he was a third-team pick by the coaches and media. Bullough was a second-team pick by the coaches and a third-team selection by the media in 2015. A team captain, Bullough finished second on the team in tackles for loss (6.5 for 13 yards) and third in tackles (76) despite missing three games (Wisconsin, Indiana, BYU) due to an injury. The 6-2, 227-pound Bullough finished his career with 214 tackles, becoming the fourth member of the Bullough family with 200 tackles (uncle Chuck with 391 from 1988-91; father Shane with 311 from 1983-86; brother Max with 299 from 2010-13).
• Junior linebacker Chris Frey earned All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the media after leading the Spartans during the regular season with a career-high 96 tackles. He ranked tied for 12th in the conference during the regular season with his 8.0 tackles per game average. Frey also shared the team lead with seven quarterback hurries and had four tackles for loss (12 yards). A native of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Frey recorded double-digit tackles in two games (career-high 13 vs. BYU; 10 vs. Maryland) and collected at least eight tackles in eight games. He was the only player to start every game on defense in 2016 for the Spartans.
• Junior defensive lineman Malik McDowell announced on Dec. 6 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 National Football League Draft. McDowell, who was the only returning starter on the defensive line for the Spartans in 2016 from last season's Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff team, led the unit this season with 34 tackles, including a team-best seven for losses (31 yards), in nine games. He missed the last three games of the season (Rutgers, Ohio State, Penn State) due to an injury he suffered at Illinois on Nov. 5. The Detroit native was named first-team All-Big Ten by The Associated Press and earned second-team honors from the league's coaches and media. The 6-6, 276-pound McDowell collected 90 tackles, including 24.5 for losses and 7.5 sacks, in 36 career games (23 starts).
• Junior safety Montae Nicholson received his first Big Ten plaudits by garnering honorable mention from the coaches and media. He finished second on the team with a career-high 86 tackles, which ranked second among Big Ten defensive backs and 15th overall during the regular season (7.8 avg.). Nicholson, who started 10 games at safety, also led the team in production points throughout the entire season.
• Wide receiver Donnie Corley was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team by BTN.com and ESPN.com. Corley ranked second among Big Ten freshmen during the regular season in catches (33) and receiving yards (453), and was tied for first among Big Ten freshmen wide receivers in touchdown receptions with three. Corley's 453 receiving yards were the most by a true freshman in MSU history and his 33 catches were second most by a true freshman (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008; Sedrick Irvin had 40 catches as a true freshman in 1996). The Detroit, Michigan, native also had five tackles while playing cornerback in four games.
• With a 39-14 record, the 2016 senior class finished their careers as the fourth-winningest senior class in school history. The 28-member 2016 senior class was a part of two bowl wins (2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton), two Big Ten division titles (2013, 2015), two Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and an appearance in the College Football Playoff (2015).
STAT LEADERS --
Rushing -- LJ Scott (184 carries for 994 yards, 5.4 avg., 6 TDs)
Passing -- Tyler O'Connor (154 of 262 for 1,970 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs)
Receiving -- R.J. Shelton (53 catches for 789 yards, 14.9 avg., 5 TDs)
Tackles -- Chris Frey (96 tackles, 40 solos, 56 assists, 4 TFLs, 1 FF, 7 QB hurries)
UP NEXT --
• Michigan State will announce its complete 2017 recruiting class on National Signing Day (Wednesday, Feb. 1).
2016 SENIOR CLASS RANKS AS FOURTH-WINNINGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY --
• With a 39-14 record, the 2016 senior class finished their careers as the fourth-winningest senior class in school history. The 28-member 2016 senior class was a part of two bowl wins (2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton), two Big Ten division titles (2013, 2015), two Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and an appearance in the College Football Playoff (2015). The 28-member senior class includes:
YOUTH MOVEMENT --
• Due to a combination of youth and injuries, Michigan State had a different starting lineup in every game this season on both offense and defense. Several Spartans stepped into new and expanded roles, as the offense and defense combined to feature 26 players who either started for the first time or were in their first full-time starting role, 15 of whom were underclassmen.
• Michigan State played nine true freshmen in 2016 (LB Joe Bachie, WR/CB Donnie Corley, WR Trishton Jackson, DE Josh King, CB/WR Justin Layne, OL Thiyo Lukusa, S Kenney Lyke, DT Mike Panasiuk, DL Auston Robertson), the most since Mark Dantonio's arrival in 2007. Four of the nine started at least one game (Corley, King, Layne, Panasiuk). MSU was one of only 18 schools in the FBS to have started at least four true freshmen in 2016.
• Wide receiver Donnie Corley was named to the BTN All-Big Ten Freshman Team, while five other Spartans were named honorable mention: OT Cole Chewins, DE Josh King, CB Justin Layne, DT Mike Panasiuk and DT Raequan Williams.
• Eleven Spartans who saw action on defense in 2016 were either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen (LB Joe Bachie; CB Josh Butler; CB/WR Donnie Corley, S David Dowell; DE Josh King; CB Justin Layne; S Kenney Lyke; DT Mike Panasiuk; DE Auston Robertson; LB Tyriq Thompson; DT Raequan Williams).
• Another seven players to see start or significant playing time were sophomores (DE Robert Bowers; CB Vayante Copeland; LB Andrew Dowell; S Grayson Miller; CB Tyson Smith; CB Jalen Watts-Jackson; CB Khari Willis).
SPARTAN FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS --
• The Michigan State football program announced its award winners at a team dinner on Dec. 11 at the Kellogg Center. Senior wide receiver R.J. Shelton was selected Most Valuable Player (Governor's Award recipient) by his teammates.
Award winners:
Governor's Award (Most Valuable Player): WR R.J. Shelton
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Offense: WR R.J. Shelton
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Defense: LB Riley Bullough
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Special Teams: PK Michael Geiger
Biggie Munn Award (Most Inspirational): QB Tyler O'Connor (offense), LB Riley Bullough (defense)
MSU Football Players Association Community Service Award: TE Josiah Price
President's Award (Senior Lineman/Senior Back Perseverance): OL Kodi Kieler (offense), DE Evan Jones (defense)
Up Front Award (Outstanding Lineman): OG Brian Allen (offense), LB Chris Frey (defense)
Clarence Underwood (Sportsmanship Award): OL Benny McGowan
Outstanding Underclass Lineman: OT Cole Chewins (offense), DT Mike Panasiuk (defense)
Outstanding Underclass Back: RB LJ Scott (offense), S Montae Nicholson (defense)
Jim Adams Award (Unsung Heroes): RB Prescott Line (offense), DT Kevin Williams (defense)
Tommy Love Award (Most Improved): RB Gerald Holmes (offense), DT Raequan Williams (defense)
Danziger Award (Outstanding Detroit Area Player): WR Donnie Corley
Iron Man Award (strength and conditioning): LB Riley Bullough
Potsy Ross (Scholar-Athlete): WR Edward Barksdale III, QB Tyler O'Connor
Doug Weaver Oil Can (Team Humorist): LB Riley Bullough
Captains Award: LB Riley Bullough, S Demetrious Cox, QB Tyler O'Connor
ODDS-N-ENDS --
• Michigan State started 44 different players during the season, including 22 on offense and 23 on defense (note: Brandon Clemons started on both offense and defense, counting as one overall player). Twenty-one of those players were first-time starters, 10th most in the NCAA FBS in 2016 . . . Michigan State had seven different starting combinations on the offensive line and six on the defensive line . . . Michigan State held a lead in every game in 2016 and scored first in 10 of its 12 games.
PROGRAM-RECORD 22 SPARTANS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN HONORS --
A program-record 22 Michigan State football players were named to the 2016 Academic All-Big Ten Team: junior offensive guard Brian Allen, fifth-year senior wide receiver Edward Barksdale III, sophomore linebacker Byron Bullough, redshirt freshman offensive tackle Cole Chewins, fifth-year senior kicker Kevin Cronin, fifth-year senior wide receiver Frank Epitropoulos, junior linebacker Chris Frey, senior kicker Michael Geiger, sophomore offensive guard Chase Gianacakos, sophomore punter Jake Hartbarger, fifth-year senior defensive end Evan Jones, fifth-year senior safety Zac Leimbach, fifth-year senior wide receiver/holder Matt Macksood, fifth-year senior offensive lineman Benny McGowan, sophomore safety Grayson Miller, sophomore safety Matt Morrissey, fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O'Connor, fifth-year tight end Josiah Price, sophomore tight end Matt Sokol, sophomore wide receiver Brandon Sowards, sophomore linebacker Tyriq Thompson and sophomore safety Khari Willis.
To be eligible for the Academic All-Big Ten Team, a student-athlete must be a letterwinner who is in at least his second academic year and carry a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale). Chewins is the only football player on the 2016 Academic All-Big Ten Team who carries a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA.
Michigan State's list of honorees includes 13 multi-year selections. Macksood, O'Connor and Price become members of a select group, as just 25 Spartans in the history of the program have earned All-Big Ten honors four times. Geiger and McGowan are featured on the academic all-conference team for the third straight year, while Allen, Barksdale, Bullough, Frey, Hartbarger, Leimbach, Morrissey and Sowards made the honor roll for the second year in a row.
In 10 seasons under Dantonio, student-athletes have been named Academic All-Big Ten 136 times, including two of three highest single-season totals in program history (record 22 in 2016; 17 in 2013 was third highest).
INJURY BUG BITES SPARTANS --
• From the Week 1 depth chart, 13 of MSU's 22 starters missed at least one game due to injury (total of 34 games missed).
• Michigan State lost four players who started at least one game in 2016 to season-ending injuries: redshirt freshman offensive guard Tyler Higby (broken ankle; two games missed), sophomore cornerback Vayante Copeland (broken foot; five games), redshirt freshman quarterback Brian Lewerke (broken tibia; four games), LB Jon Reschke (ankle; nine games).
FOUR SPARTANS GARNER ALL-BIG TEN HONORS ON OFFENSE --
Four Michigan State players earned All-Big Ten honors on offense in 2016. For the second consecutive season, junior offensive guard Brian Allen earned second-team honors from the media, while senior tight end Josiah Price received third-team recognition from the coaches for the second year in a row. Allen was also a third-team pick by the coaches.
Senior wide receiver R.J. Shelton, an honorable mention choice a year ago, was named to the second team by the coaches. Sophomore running back LJ Scott garnered third-team plaudits from the media.
In addition, Price (media), Scott (coaches) and Shelton (media) were also recognized as honorable mention.
LJ Scott LEADS SPARTAN RUSHING ATTACK IN 2016 --
• Sophomore LJ Scott led the Spartans in nearly every rushing category, compiling career highs in rushing yards (994), carries (184) and rushing touchdowns (6). His 82.8 rushing yards per game average ranked eighth in the Big Ten during the regular season and his 86.9 ypg in conference play was sixth best. Scott's 994 rushing yards were seventh most by a Spartan sophomore in a single season. He also had a team-best 10 runs of 20 yards or longer. In addition, Scott had 10 receptions for 147 yards (14.7 avg.).
• The 6-1, 230-pound Scott had five 100-yard games this season, tied for third most in the Big Ten in the regular season, including four of the last six games (109.7 ypg last six games).
• A third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, Scott collected career highs in rushing yards (160), all-purpose yards (236) and receiving yards (76) vs. No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 19. Scott scored on the second play from scrimmage against the Buckeyes on a career-long 64-yard TD reception and also recorded a career-long rush with a 61-yard scamper in the first quarter. He finished with 19 carries for 160 yards (8.4 avg.) and two catches for 76 yards.
• Scott rushed for 139 yards against No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 29, the most by a player against the Wolverines during the regular season. He also compiled 100-yard games against Furman (105), Maryland (128) and Rutgers (122). Scott had 98 yards with a touchdown on 22 carries in the 36-28 win at No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 17.
• In 26 career games, including 11 starts, the Hubbard, Ohio, product has rushed for 1,693 yards (65.1 ypg; 5.1 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. Scott already ranks 24th in MSU history with his 1,693 rushing yards, a total that ranks No. 5 in school history for a player through their sophomore season (Lorenzo White: 2,682 yards in 1984 and 1985).
SHELTON A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL THREAT --
• Senior R.J. Shelton, a second-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches, led the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (789) and all-purpose yards (1,377), and tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (5), all of which were career highs. During the regular season, he ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten in receptions (4.4 pg), fifth in all-purpose yards (114.8 ypg), sixth in receiving yards (65.8 ypg) and tied for ninth in TD catches (5). Shelton led the team with 22 plays of 20 yards or more (11 kick return, 10 receptions, one rush), and four of MSU's eight plays of 50-plus yards in 2016 featured Shelton. For his career season, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player (Governor's Award).
• The 5-11, 202-pound Shelton caught two 86-yard touchdown passes (at Indiana, vs. Northwestern) from Tyler O'Connor, becoming one of only two players in school history to have two touchdown receptions of 86 yards or longer in the same season (Sherman Lewis, 1963).
• Shelton had two 100-yard receiving games in 2016: career-high 190 vs. Northwestern (Oct. 15) and 141 at Indiana on Oct. 1. He had TD grabs of 86 and 59 yards against the Wildcats and finished with a career-high 260 all-purpose yards. The 190 receiving yards against Northwestern were the second-highest single-game total by a Big Ten player during the regular season.
• Shelton hauled in at least seven catches in five different games, including a career-high eight for 80 yards in the win at No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 17. He also had seven catches vs. Indiana (141 yards), Northwestern (190), Maryland (89) and Illinois (80).
• A four-year letterwinner, Shelton finished his career with 116 career catches for 1,471 yards and scored a total of 16 touchdowns (11 receiving, four rushing, one kick return) in 53 career games, including 23 starts. The Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, native ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in kick return yards (second with 1,855), kick returns (second with 80), all-purpose yards (13th with 3,900), receptions (tied for 17th with 116) and touchdown catches (tied for 18th with 11).
O'CONNOR RANKS FIFTH IN BIG TEN IN PASSING EFFICIENCY --
• Fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O'Connor, who started nine games at quarterback in 2016, finished the regular season ranked fifth in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (135.2 rating), fifth in completion percentage (.588), eighth in touchdown passes (16) and ninth in passing (179.1 ypg). He was voted one of three captains by his teammates following the conclusion of preseason camp.
• For the season, the 6-3, 228-pound native of Lima, Ohio, was 154-of-262 passing (.588) for 1,970 yards, 16 TDs and nine interceptions in 11 games. He did not play at Maryland on Oct. 22 due to an injury, but returned to the starting lineup on Oct. 29 vs. No. 2 Michigan. O'Connor started the first five games of the season.
• O'Connor started his seventh game of the season at Illinois on Nov. 5, completing 23-of-35 passes for 265 yards. It marked O'Connor's fifth 200-yard passing game of 2016 (career-high 281 vs. Northwestern; 263 vs. Indiana; 241 vs. Notre Dame; 224 vs. Wisconsin). The 265 passing yards were the third most by a Spartan in the series against Illinois, and the 23 pass completions were a career high (previous: 21 vs. Indiana). O'Connor left the game in the fourth quarter due to an injury.
• Although O'Connor didn't start in Game 6 vs. Northwestern, he relieved Brian Lewerke in the third quarter and finished with a career-high 281 yards passing. O'Connor also tied his career high with three touchdown passes (59 and 86 yards to R.J. Shelton; 9 yards to Donnie Corley). O'Connor completed 13 of his 21 passes against the Wildcats. The 86-yard scoring pass to Shelton tied his career long (86 yards to Shelton vs. Indiana on Oct. 1).
• O'Connor, who narrowly lost out to Connor Cook in 2013 in the race to become the starting quarterback, showed his promise in his first career start as he led the Spartans to a win at No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 21, 2015. With Cook sidelined due to a shoulder injury, O'Connor and Damion Terry split time and helped the Spartans snap the Buckeyes' 23-game winning streak with a 17-14 victory in Columbus.
• In his second career road start, O'Connor was 19-of-26 passing for 241 yards and two touchdowns in the 36-28 win at No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 17. O'Connor threw a 38-yard TD pass to Donnie Corley and a 10-yard pass to R.J. Shelton, both in the second quarter.
• For his career, O'Connor was 4-6 as a starter, including road victories at No. 2 Ohio State and No. 18 Notre Dame. He completed 60 percent of his passes (188-of-316) for 2,344 yards, 20 TDs and 11 interceptions in 25 career games.
PRICE CLOSES CAREER AS ONE OF MOST PRODUCTIVE TIGHT ENDS IN SCHOOL HISTORY --
• Fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price closed out his record-setting Spartan career with a career-high 38 receptions for 387 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2016. His five TD catches were the most by a Big Ten tight end in the regular season and his 38 catches tied for second most by a Spartan tight end in a single season.
• A native of Greentown, Indiana, Price finished his career with the most touchdown catches (21) by a tight end in Michigan State history, which also ranks fourth among all players in the school record book. Price's 104 career catches and 1,238 receiving yards also rank third most among Spartan tight ends.
• Price, who was named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List for the nation's most outstanding tight end, tied his career high with six catches for 63 yards in his final collegiate game at No. 7 Penn State on Nov. 26. He also had six receptions (65 yards) at Illinois on Nov. 5. In the 49-0 win over Rutgers on Nov. 12, Price recorded his first career multi-touchdown game with TD grabs of 2 and 4 yards against the Scarlet Knights.
• Price was also recognized throughout the season for his work off the field. He was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," and was selected as one of 30 nominees for the Senior CLASS Award. His community efforts have reached near and far. In addition to actively participating in a variety of community service events, including the Ingham County Child Benefit Fund, DARE Graduations, and March is Reading Month, Price also took part in a mission trip to South Africa during spring break of 2013 and spent two and a half weeks in Australia (June-July 2015), participating in MSU's study abroad International Summer Sports Program.
• In addition, he was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the nation's top scholar-athlete. A hospitality business major, Price owns a 3.62 grade-point average. He is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recipient. He also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2015.
• Price was named winner of the Gwendolyn Norrell Community Service & Leadership Award at the 2016 MSU Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Gala (presented to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the goals of the PACT [Putting Athletes and Community Together] program, excelling in the field of community service and outreach). He also serves as one of the football team's representatives on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was selected as SAAC community outreach committee chair for 2015-16.
Brian Allen NAMED SECOND-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON --
• A mainstay on the offensive line, junior offensive guard Brian Allen was one of only three players on the team and the only offensive lineman to start every game this season. He led the team with twice as many knockdowns as any other lineman and also ranked first in dominators. Allen garned second-team All-Big Ten accoloades from the media and third-team honors by the coaches.
• The Hinsdale, Illinois, native, who was also a second-team selection by the coaches and media as a sophomore in 2015, started three positions on the offensive line as a junior in 2016. Allen started the first three games at left guard, then shifted to center for two games before moving to right guard for five games. The versatile lineman started at left guard the final two contests.
• Allen earned Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades twice this season (vs. Furman and Rutgers). In the win at No. 18 Notre Dame, Allen helped the Spartans rack up a season-high 501 yards of total offense, including 260 rushing yards, as he produced a team-best 12.5 knockdowns.
• Down the stretch, Allen was instrumental in providing consistency to an injury-riddled offensive line that started seven different combinations. The Spartans rushed for more than 200 yards five times in 2016, including four of the last six games (270 vs. Maryland, 217 vs. Michigan, 277 vs. Rutgers, 207 vs. Ohio State).
• Allen will enter his senior season in 2017 having started in 15 consecutive games, the longest active streak on the team. He has played in 38 career games, including 25 starts (16 at left guard, five at right guard, four at center).
CORLEY NAMED TO BIG TEN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM --
• Wide receiver Donnie Corley was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team by both BTN.com and ESPN.com. Corley ranked second among Big Ten freshmen during the regular season in catches (33) and receiving yards (453), and was tied for first among Big Ten freshmen wide receivers in touchdown receptions with three.
• Corley's 453 receiving yards were the most by a true freshman in MSU history and his 33 catches were second most by a true freshman (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008; Sedrick Irvin had 40 catches as a true freshman in 1996).
• The Detroit, Michigan, native also had five tackles while playing cornerback in four games.
• Corley had at least four receptions in four games in 2016, including a season-high five for 73 yards against Northwestern on Oct. 15 that featured a 9-yard touchdown reception.
• Corley's breakout performance came in the win at No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 17 as he hauled in four receptions for a season-high 88 yards, including a leaping 38-yard TD catch in the second quarter. He also had four catches against No. 11 Wisconsin (84 yards) and Indiana (35 yards).
• Corley had seven plays of 20-plus yards this season (six catches, one rush) and 24 of his 33 catches (73 percent) went for either a first down or touchdown. He had a season-long 47-yard reception in his first career start at Illinois on Nov. 5.
RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 73-16 (.820) when outrushing its opponent, including a 57-9 record (.838) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 17-26 (.395) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 33-6 (.846) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.
CAPTAIN Riley Bullough REACHES 200-CAREER TACKLE MILESTONE --
• Fifth-year senior linebacker Riley Bullough garnered All-Big Ten honors for the second year in a row, as he was a third-team pick by the coaches and media. Bullough was a second-team pick by the coaches and a third-team selection by the media in 2015. A team captain, Bullough finished second on the team in tackles for loss (6.5 for 13 yards) and third in tackles (76) despite missing three games (Wisconsin, Indiana, BYU) due to an injury. His 8.4 tackles per game average led the Spartans and tied for eighth best in the Big Ten in the regular season. In addition, Bullough's 64 tackles (9.1 avg.) in conference play ranked sixth best in the league.
• Bullough, a native of Traverse City, Michigan, tallied double-digits in tackles four times in 2016: season-high 14 vs. Michigan (Oct. 29), 12 vs. Northwestern (Oct. 15), 11 each vs. Ohio State (Nov. 19) and Illinois (Nov. 5). He posted a season-high two tackles for loss (7 yards) at Maryland and had at least one tackle for loss in five of the nine games he played in this season.
• The 6-2, 227-pound Bullough finished his career with 214 tackles, becoming the fourth member of the Bullough family with 200 tackles (uncle Chuck with 391 from 1988-91; father Shane with 311 from 1983-86; brother Max with 299 from 2010-13). He also had 18 tackles for loss (54 yards), 7.5 sacks (37 yards), four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 50 career games, including 23 starts. He had seven career games with double-digit tackles. As a junior, Bullough led the Spartans with a career-high 106 tackles.
Chris Frey LEADS TEAM AND RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN TACKLES --
• Junior linebacker Chris Frey earned All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the media after leading the Spartans during the regular season with a career-high 96 tackles. He ranked tied for 12th in the conference during the regular season with his 8.0 tackles per game average. Frey also shared the team lead with seven quarterback hurries and had four tackles for loss (12 yards).
• A native of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Frey recorded double-digit tackles in two games (career-high 13 vs. BYU; 10 vs. Maryland) and collected at least eight tackles in eight games this season. He was the only player to start every game on defense in 2016 for the Spartans.
• The junior played his best against top competition, recording nine tackles apiece against No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 29 and second-ranked Ohio State on Nov. 19. He also had eight stops, including a 2-yard tackle for loss, vs. No. 11 Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener. Frey shared the team lead with six tackles, including a 3-yard tackle for loss, and was named the Spartan Defensive Attack Force Player of the Week in MSU's 49-0 win over Rutgers on Nov. 12.
• In 39 career games, Frey has 138 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and three sacks.
Malik McDowell FORGOES SENIOR SEASON, ENTERS 2017 NFL DRAFT --
• Junior defensive lineman Malik McDowell announced on Dec. 6 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 National Football League Draft. McDowell, who was the only returning starter on the defensive line for the Spartans in 2016 from last season's Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff team, led the unit this season with 34 tackles, including a team-best seven for losses (31 yards), in nine games. He missed the last three games of the season (Rutgers, Ohio State, Penn State) due to an injury he suffered at Illinois on Nov. 5.
• The Detroit native was named a second-team All-American by SI.com and CBS Sports, and was a first-team All-Big Ten pick by The Associated Press. He earned second-team honors from the league's coaches and media.
• The 6-6, 276-pound McDowell collected 90 tackles, including 24.5 for losses and 7.5 sacks, in 36 career games (23 starts).
• A versatile athlete, McDowell started five games in 2016 at nose tackle and three at defensive end. Making his first career start at defensive end against Northwestern on Oct. 15, McDowell registered a career-high 11 tackles, including two for losses (11 yards) and a half sack (4 yards). All of McDowell's previous 19 starts came along the interior of the defensive line.
• He recorded four tackles (0.5 for loss) in Michigan State's 36-28 win at No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 18, and tallied five stops, including a 9-yard sack, at Maryland on Oct. 22. McDowell tied his season high with two tackles for loss (3 yards) against No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 29.
• A second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media as a sophomore in 2015, McDowell ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (13 for 54 yards), tied for second in QB hurries (8) and third in sacks (4.5 for 38 yards) as he helped Michigan State win the Big Ten Championship and reach the College Football Playoff. He was also named first-team All-Big Ten by ESPN.com and picked up second-team honors from The Associated Press and Athlon Sports. McDowell was second among Spartan defensive linemen with 41 tackles and ranked second on the team with 146 production points during the regular season.
• McDowell was named to the ESPN.com Big Ten All-Bowl Team after recording two tackles, including a 2-yard loss, vs. No. 2 Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic. He racked up 25 production points in MSU's regular-season finale against Penn State, as he recorded a 10-yard sack and a 13-yard interception return for a touchdown.
• McDowell posted career highs in tackles (eight) and tackles for loss (4.5 for 14 yards) in MSU's 24-7 win over Maryland to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. McDowell's 4.5 tackles for loss were the eighth-best single-game total in MSU history and the second most by a Big Ten player in 2015 (Dean Lowry, Northwestern, six vs. Nebraska). McDowell also was credited with a half sack (2 yards) and forced fumble against the Terrapins. McDowell also had multiple tackles for loss games against Rutgers (2 for 11 yards) and Purdue (2 for 7 yards) while recording one sack each during those contests.
• One of four true freshmen to letter for the Spartans in 2014, McDowell was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and was also selected to the ESPN.com and BTN.com Big Ten All-Freshman Teams. He finished his first season with 15 tackles, including 4.5 for losses (21 yards) and 1.5 sacks (15 yards). McDowell earned the start in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over No. 4 Baylor and recorded a 1-yard tackle for loss against the Bears.
PROGRAM NOTES --
• MSU's 68 wins since 2010 are tied for 10th most among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams and are also second most in the Big Ten during that same period. MSU has won 68 of its last 93 games (68-25; .731), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. During that span, MSU has claimed three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). In addition, the Spartans recorded a school-record four consecutive bowl victories (2012 Outback against No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings against TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 4 Baylor), which also tied a Big Ten record.
• Michigan State has won 26 of its last 36 games against Big Ten opponents (including the Big Ten Championship Game), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 19 wins by double-figures. MSU has won 24 of its last 34 regular-season Big Ten Conference games.
• Michigan State has posted a 39-14 (.736) record since 2013. MSU's 39 wins since 2013 are tied for eighth most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. The 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.
• Michigan State is in the midst of its second winningest decade in school history with a 68-25 record since 2010 (.731). MSU's highest winning percentage by decade is currently the 1950s (.766, 70-21-1 record).
• Michigan State won its second Big Ten Championship in three years and ninth in school history with a 16-13 victory over No. 4 Iowa on Dec. 5, 2015. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Duffy Daugherty and George Perles with two each). The Spartans also won Big Ten titles in 1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987 and 1990.
• Michigan State and Florida are the only schools in the country to win multiple National Championships in football and men's basketball. MSU has won six national titles in football (1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966) and two in men's basketball (1979, 2000). Michigan State is also the only school in the nation to win multiple National Championships in football, men's basketball and hockey.
• Michigan State is one of only five schools to have had at least one player chosen every year since the inception of the common NFL Draft in 1967. MSU joins Florida, Michigan, Nebraska and USC as the only programs with at least one draft choice for 50 consecutive years.
• Since 2008, MSU has recorded 50 Big Ten regular-season victories, third most of any team in the conference (Note: Ohio State has won 63 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season). The Spartans produced back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2010-11 for the first time in program history, claimed a share of the Big Ten Championship in 2010, won the inaugural Big Ten Legends Divisions title in 2011, won the 2013 Big Ten Championship and 2014 Rose Bowl Game, won the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic and captured the 2015 East Division and Big Ten Championships.
MICHIGAN STATE RANKS AMONG TOP 25 IN ATTENDANCE FOR 61ST STRAIGHT YEAR --
• Michigan State has ranked among the NCAA's Top 25 in attendance each of the last 61 seasons, including No. 19 in 2016, averaging 74,667 fans per game. The Spartans ranked No. 16 in the NCAA in total attendance at 522,666 fans for seven home games.
DANTONIO RANKS SECOND IN WINS AT MICHIGAN STATE --
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, who was a finalist for three national coach of the year awards (Bobby Dodd, George Munger, Eddie Robinson) in 2015, owns a 90-42 (.682) record in 10 seasons as head coach of the Spartans. His .682 winning percentage currently ranks fifth best at MSU. He won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25, 2014, against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109). Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach on Oct. 17, 2015, at Michigan Stadium as the Spartans rallied to defeat the Wolverines, 27-23, on a 38-yard fumble return as time expired. His career record stands at 108-59 (.647) in 13 seasons.
• Dantonio's .654 winning percentage (53-28) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games).
• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and Perles with two each).
• Dantonio became the first coach in Big Ten history to record five 11-win seasons in a six-year span (11 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014; 12 in 2015), and his five 11-win seasons are tied with Joe Paterno of Penn State and Urban Meyer of Ohio State for the second most in Big Ten history (Jim Tressel with six; Paterno with five at Penn State as Big Ten member). Prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU had not recorded an 11-win season in its history, and had just two 10-win seasons (1965, 1999).
• A two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2010, 2013), Dantonio has led Michigan State to Top 25 finishes in six of his 10 seasons (2008: No. 24 in both polls; 2010: No. 14 in both polls; 2011: No. 10 USA TODAY/No. 11 AP; 2013: No. 3 in both polls; 2014: No. 5 in both polls; and 2015: No. 6 in both polls). His six AP Top-25 finishes are tied for second most in school history ("Biggie" Munn, who coached from 1947-53, had six consecutive from 1948-53). Daugherty's teams posted seven Top-25 finishes during his 19-year tenure from 1954-72.
• Michigan State extended its school record by playing in a bowl game for the ninth consecutive season in 2015 (2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl, 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at Cotton Bowl).
• Dantonio also extended his school record for most bowl appearances (nine) by a head coach with a trip to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic in 2015 (previous record: Perles with seven from 1983-94). Dantonio is 4-5 in bowl games at Michigan State, including a school-record four-game winning streak (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton). Dantonio has led his teams to 11 bowl berths in 13 seasons as a head coach (nine at MSU, two at Cincinnati).
• From his first day on the job, Dantonio has pledged to support student-athletes as they pursue excellence, both in the classroom and on the playing field. In his first 10 seasons, a total of 178 players have earned their undergraduate degrees. In addition, 136 Spartans have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, including seven Academic All-America selections. Michigan State has placed three student-athletes in the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class in the past five years.
• Dantonio is one of just four Spartan head coaches to coach in at least 100 games at MSU and ranks third in Spartan history with 132 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; George Perles: 139; Dantonio: 132; Charlie Bachman: 114).
• Dantonio is the third-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: 18th season; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: 11th season) and ninth-longest in the FBS.
• Twenty-six Spartans have been chosen in the NFL Draft under Dantonio's watch, including three consecutive first-round selections. Darqueze Dennard was a 2013 unanimous All-America selection and also won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the nation's best defensive back. He was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft (No. 24 overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals to become the first Spartan under Dantonio to be chosen in the first round. Cornerback Trae Waynes was selected in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11 overall 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 2016, offensive tackle Jack Conklin became the highest Spartan drafted under Dantonio as he was chosen No. 8 overall by the Tennessee Titans. The Spartans had six players drafted in 2012, the most in the Dantonio era, and five in 2016.
• Since 2007, Dantonio has helped develop nine different first-team All-Americans and 11 selections overall: RB Javon Ringer (2008); LB Greg Jones (2009-10); DT Jerel Worthy (2011); RB Le'Veon Bell (2012); CB Darqueze Dennard and P Mike Sadler (2013); S Kurtis Drummond (2014); C Jack Allen (2014-15) and OT Jack Conklin (2015). In addition, Dantonio has helped produce 36 first-team All-Big Ten selections.
• Under Dantonio, Spartan teams have produced some of the longest winning streaks in school history. MSU's 13-game Big Ten winning streak from 2012-14 was its second-longest conference run, while MSU's 12-game winning streak that began on Nov. 15, 2014, and ended on Nov. 7, 2015, was tied for the third longest overall in school history. Dantonio also had an 11-game winning streak during the 2013-14 seasons. In addition, Michigan State has produced a 53-17 record (.757) in home games since 2007, including four undefeated home seasons (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015).
SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF --
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 53-17 record (.757) in home games since 2007, including a 15-game winning streak (7-0 in 2010, 7-0 in 2011, won first game in 2012) and a 12-game winning streak (7-0 in 2013; won first five in 2014), which rank second and tied for third, respectively, in Spartan Stadium history.
• MSU is 38-11 (.776) at home since 2010 and 22-6 (.786) since 2013.
• Mark Dantonio is 26-3 (.897) against non-conference opponents in Spartan Stadium (only losses: 2009 to Central Michigan; 2012 to No. 20 Notre Dame; 2016 to BYU).
• Dantonio is 10-0 in home openers at MSU and the Spartans' 18-game winning streak in home openers is tied for the third longest in the nation.
MSU INDUCTS EIGHT INTO ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME --
• Michigan State University inducted eight members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 22, as part of the "Celebrate 2016" weekend. The Class of 2016 featured: Eric Allen (football/track & field), Don Behm (wrestling), Trevor Harris (soccer), Steve Juday (football/baseball), Anne Pewe Khademian (cross country/track & field), Ken Popejoy (cross country/track & field), Patti Raduenz (softball) and Mike Sadler (football).
Below are bullet point sketches on each of the football inductees:
Eric Allen | Football/Track & Field | 1969-71 | Georgetown, South Carolina (posthumous)
• 1971 All-American and Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner, breaking two NCAA records, four Big Ten records and nine MSU records
• Set NCAA single-game records with 350 yards rushing and 397 all-purpose yards vs. Purdue in 1971 • Two-time football team MVP (1970 & 1971)
• Closed career as MSU's all-time leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing TDs and all-purpose yards
Steve Juday | Football/Baseball | 1963-66 | Northville, Michigan
• Quarterback of the 1965 National Championship and Big Ten Championship team
• 1965 All-American, Academic All-American and Big Ten Medal of Honor winner
• First Spartan quarterback to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season
• 1990 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient
Mike Sadler | Football | 2011-14 | Grand Rapids, Michigan (posthumous)
• MSU's first-ever four-time Academic All-American (2011-14), including earning first-team honors in 2013 & 2014
• 2013 First-Team All-American and two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection (2012 & 2013)
• Member of MSU's 2013 Big Ten and 2014 Rose Bowl Championship team
• 2014 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class and 2015 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient
SPARTAN STADIUM NAMED COLLEGIATE FIELD OF THE YEAR BY STMA --
• Spartan Stadium was named the top collegiate football field for 2016 by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). Spartan Stadium became just the fourth collegiate football field to earn the distinction of STMA Field of the Year twice since the award was created in 1992; the field was also recognized in 2005.
• MSU Sports Turf Manager Amy Fouty and athletic groundskeeper Andy Flynn will accept the award at the annual STMA Conference and Exhibition in January 2017. Fouty became the first woman to receive the award in the collegiate football category in 2005. Fouty and her staff also won the STMA Field of the Year Award in baseball in 2013 (Kobs Field at McLane Baseball Stadium).
• Since 1992, STMA's Field of the Year Award is presented to members who manage baseball, football, soccer, softball and other sporting playing surfaces at the professional, collegiate, schools (K-12) and parks and recreation level.
• Spartan Stadium recently completed its 93rd season as home to Michigan State football. Since its opening in 1923, Michigan State has won 70 percent of its games played in Spartan Stadium (358-153-13). Spartan Stadium, which officially opened in 1923 at its current location, featured a natural grass playing surface until artificial turf was installed in 1969. The stadium returned to natural grass for the 2002 season. In 2005, the natural grass playing surface in Spartan Stadium earned Field of the Year honors for the first time. Following the June 26, 2011, U2 "360º" concert, the entire playing surface in Spartan Stadium had to be replaced. The current playing surface is comprised of 100 percent Kentucky bluegrass.
