Spartans Open Big Ten Play at Northwestern

Game 4: Michigan State (2-1) at Northwestern (1-1)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Kickoff: 12:06 p.m. ET/11:06 a.m. CT
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)
Surface: Natural Grass
TV/Web/Mobile: ABC/WatchESPN
Announcers: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), Tom Luginbill (sideline)
Radio: Spartan Sports Network | Affiliate Listings
Satellite Radio: Ch. 105 (Sirius), Ch. 201 (XM), Ch. 964 (SiriusXM.com)
Live Stats: msuspartans.com | Sidearm Live Stats
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 37-20
Series in Evanston: MSU leads, 19-11
Last Meeting: NU 29, MSU 19 (2018)
Current Series Streak: 3 by NU (2016-)

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
MSU Record: 109-52 (13th year)
Overall Record: 127-69 (16th year)
Record vs. NU: 5-5

Northwestern Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
NU Record: 97-71 (14th year)
Overall Record: 97-71 (14th year)
Record vs. MSU: 5-6

FIRST-AND-10 –
• Mark Dantonio will look to become Michigan State's all-time winningest coach as the Spartans open Big Ten play at Northwestern on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT in Evanston, Illinois. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC, with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Tom Luginbill (sidelines) on the call. The Spartans went 2-1 in nonconference play after falling at home to Arizona State last Saturday in East Lansing, 10-7, while Northwestern is 1-1 following a 30-14 home win over UNLV.

• With the 51-17 victory over Western Michigan on Sept. 7 in East Lansing, Dantonio tied Duffy Daugherty for the most wins in Michigan State history with 109. Daugherty, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, collected a 109-69-5 record in East Lansing from 1954-72 (19 seasons). He won four National Championships (1955, 1957, 1965, 1966), two Big Ten Championships (1965, 1966) and the 1956 Rose Bowl. A two-time National Coach of the Year (1955, 1965), Daugherty coached 29 different players to first-team All-America honors and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

• Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 37-20, including a 19-11 record in Evanston. MSU 13th-year head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-5 in his tenure against Northwestern, while 14th-year Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald is 5-6 in his career against Michigan State. Dantonio is 4-1 against Northwestern at Ryan Field. The Spartans are looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Wildcats.

• Michigan State opens its 67th season of Big Ten play on Saturday. The Spartans have won nine Big Ten Championships since joining the conference for football in 1953, including a school-record three by head coach Mark Dantonio (2010, 2013, 2015). Dantonio's .657 winning percentage (65-34) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games), and he ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72). Dantonio is 8-4 in Big Ten openers at MSU.

• Defensively, the Spartans continue to rank among the national leaders in rushing defense (No. 2 at 23.3 ypg), total defense (No. 3 at 216.0 ypg), sacks (No. 5 at 4.3 pg), scoring defense (No. 12 at 11.3 ppg) and turnovers gained (No. 20 at 6).

• Preseason All-American and 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the Big Ten in tackles for loss last season with 20.5, is back at it again in 2019 for the Spartans. Willekes is second in the conference and third in the FBS with 6.5 tackles for loss, and third in the league and tied for eighth in the FBS with four sacks. His 1.38 tackles for loss per game ranks first among active players in the FBS.

• Fifth-year senior quarterback Brian Lewerke ranks second in the Big Ten in passing (265.7 ypg) and total offense (285.7 ypg) and has thrown the most passing yards (797) of any conference quarterback in the first three weeks of the 2019 season. The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 68-of-107 passes (.636) for 797 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Lewerke became just the sixth Spartan QB to eclipse 6,000 yards passing in his career during the Arizona State game and is currently ranked sixth in the school record book with 6,011 career passing yards. Lewerke also ranks among the school leaders in pass attempts (fourth with 920), total offense (fifth with 6,963 yards), pass completions (fifth with 529), passing yards per game (fifth with 193.9 ypg) and passing TDs (ninth with 34).

• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart ranks second in the Big Ten, only to Purdue's Rondale Moore, in receptions (25; 8.3 pg) and receiving yards (362; 120.7 ypg). Stewart has put together back-to-back 100-yard receiving games the past two weeks for the first time at MSU since Aaron Burbridge had four straight 100-yard games in 2015 (156 vs. Rutgers on Oct. 10; 132 vs. Michigan on Oct. 17; 128 yards vs. Indiana on Oct. 24; 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7). Stewart had a career-high 185 yards receiving on 10 catches vs. Western Michigan and followed that effort with a nine-catch, 121-yard performance vs. Arizona State. Stewart's 126 career catches are tied for 14th most in MSU history.

• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 109-52 (.677) record. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015). Tied for the winningest coach in school history with 109 victories, along with Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (65) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.677). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in his 12 years in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids.

• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 87-35 (.713) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 87 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .713 winning percentage this decade is third best in school history. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program. In addition, the Spartans have earned 11 bowl bids since 2007, including 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.

STAT LEADERS –
Michigan State:
Rushing – R-Fr. Elijah Collins (44 carries for 281 yards, 6.4 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – Sr. Brian Lewerke (68-of-107, .636, 797 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Sr. Darrell Stewart (25 catches for 362 yards, 14.5 avg., 1 TD)
Tackles – Sr. Joe Bachie (25 tackles, 6 solos, 19 assists, 1.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs)

Northwestern:
Rushing – R-Fr. Drake Anderson (28 carries for 146 yards, 5.2 avg., 1 TD)
Passing – So. Hunter Johnson (18-of-42, .429, 220 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs)
Receiving – Sr. Bennett Skowronek (9 catches for 110 yards, 12.2 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Sr. Chris Bergin (20 tackles, 7 solos, 13 assists, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks)

CURRENT SPARTANS VS. NORTHWESTERN –
Career Stat Leaders:
Rushing – Brian Lewerke (24 carries for 71 yards, 3.0 avg, 0 TDs)
Passing – Brian Lewerke (82-of-12, .646, 873 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT)
Receiving – Darrell Stewart (12 catches for 113 yards, 9.4 avg., 0 TDs)
Tackles – Joe Bachie (14 tackles, 1 TFL)

A GLANCE AT NORTHWESTERN (1-1) –
• The Wildcats bring a 1-1 record into Saturday's Big Ten opener for both teams. Northwestern is coming off a 30-14 win over UNLV last Saturday, bouncing back from a 17-7 loss at Stanford in the season opener on Aug. 31.

• In the win over UNLV, the Northwestern offense totaled 441 yards of total offense, including 276 rushing and 165 passing. The Wildcat defense forced three turnovers on two fumbles and one interception, while holding the Rebels scoreless in the second half as Northwestern pulled away from a 16-14 halftime lead.

• In his first start in a Wildcat home jersey, sophomore quarterback Hunter Johnson registered 220 yards of total offense on 12-of-25 passing for 165 yards with one TD and one INT. He added 55 rushing yards on 11 carries with one rushing score, a 1-yard scamper to cap Northwestern's opening drive of the game. Johnson had a 55-yard TD pass to JJ Jefferson in the third quarter.

• Redshirt freshman Drake Anderson rushed for a career-high 141 yards on 26 carries with one TD, a 7-yard rush with 1:30 left in the game to cap the Wildcats' scoring on the day. Junior running back Jesse Brown added 79 yards on nine carries, including a team-long 35-yard rush. The Northwestern backfield was missing sophomore running back Isaiah Bowser due to injury.

• The Wildcat defense was spearheaded by junior linebacker Chris Bergin's 10 tackles, including 1.0 tackle for loss and 0.5 sack. Senior defensive end Joe Gaziano added nine stops including 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Paddy Fisher chipped in with eight tackles to go with three pass break-ups, one interception and one forced fumble.

• For the season, Northwestern is 14th in the B1G in scoring offense (18.5 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (15.5 ppg). The Wildcats are also 14th in the league in total offense (325.5 ypg), ranking fifth in rushing offense (184.5 ypg) and 14th in passing offense (141.0 ypg). Defensively, Northwestern is 11th in the conference in total defense (347.5 ypg), ranking third in passing defense (176.5 ypg) and 12th in rushing defense (171.0 ypg).

• Northwestern's defense is second in the FBS in red zone defense (.250), while ranking eighth in the nation in fumbles recovered (4). The Wildcats are also 19th in the country in team sacks (3.5 per game), along with 28th in the FBS in passing yards allowed (176.5 ypg) and 29th in the nation in scoring defense (15.5 ppg).

• Johnson is 18-of-42 (.429) passing for the season for 220 yards (110. ypg), with one TD and three INTs. He adds 68 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.1 ypc/34.0 ypg) with one TD.

• Anderson has 28 rushing attempts for 146 yards (5.2 ypc/73.0 ypg) with one score. He ranks seventh in the B1G in rushing.

• Skowronek ranks seventh in the B1G in receptions/game (4.5) on nine catches for 110 yards (12.2 ypc/55.0 ypg), while Jefferson has three catches for 69 yards (23.0 ypc/34.5 ypg) with one TD.

• Bergin is second in the B1G and 23rd in the FBS in total tackles (10.0 pg) with 20 total tackles (seven solo, 13 assists). He adds 1.0 TFL and 0.5 sacks.

• Senior defensive lineman Alex Miller is fifth in the B1G and 23rd in FBS in tackles for loss (1.8 pg) with 3.5 total TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

• Fisher and Gaziano add 13 total stops apiece, both split with seven solos and six assists. Gaziano is tied for 15th in the conference in sacks with 1.5 and tied for 20th in the league with 2.5 TFLs. Junior defensive end Earnest Brown IV is tied for seventh in the league with 2.0 sacks, adding 2.0 TFLs as part of his 10 total tackles.

• Charlie Kuhbander is fifth in the league in field goals (1.5 pg) on 3-for-4 with a long of 44 yards, and eighth in field goal percentage (.750), as well as ninth in the conference in kick scoring (6.5 ppg), adding 4-for-4 on PATs.

MSU/NORTHWESTERN COACHING CONNECTIONS –
• Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz spent the 1981 season together at Purdue, working under Jim Young. Dantonio served as a graduate assistant, while Hankwitz coached the outside linebackers.

• Michigan State quarterbacks coach Dave Warner, MSU assistant athletic director/director of football operations Tim Allen and Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz worked together for two years under Glen Mason at Kansas (1995-96).

MSU/NORTHWESTERN CONNECTIONS, PART II –
• Michigan State director of coaching technology and creative media Matt Harper spent six seasons in a similar position at Northwestern (2002-05 and 2007-08).

• Northwestern senior associate athletics director for health, safety and performance Tory Lindley earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State in 1991. Lindley later spent four years as an assistant trainer at Michigan State (1996-2000).

SPARTANS FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN –
• Michigan State's 2019 roster features 12 players from Illinois: junior center Matt Allen (Hinsdale/Hinsdale Central), junior offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis (Chicago/Maine South), junior defensive tackle Naquan Jones (Evanston/Evanston Township), redshirt freshman defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory (Bolingbrook/Bolingbrook), freshman wide receiver Cade McDonald (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central), junior defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (Roselle/Lake Park West), senior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (Roselle/Lake Park West), sophomore wide receiver Jayden Reed (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central), sophomore fullback Max Rosenthal (Winnetka/New Trier Township Winnetka), freshman quarterback Payton Thorne (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central), freshman running back Anthony Williams (Chicago, Ill./Bolingbrook) and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Raequan Williams (Chicago/DePaul College Prep).

THE LAST MEETING –
Oct. 6, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP): Clayton Thorson threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, and Northwestern recovered from another second-half slip, beating No. 20 Michigan State 29-19.

The Spartans entered with the nation's top-ranked run defense and held Northwestern to 8 yards on the ground, but the Wildcats moved the ball consistently well through the air. Thorson threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Cameron Green with 15 seconds left in the third, and a 2-point conversion gave Northwestern a 22-19 lead.

The Wildcats missed a field goal with 6:41 to play, but Michigan State went 15 yards backward on the ensuing possession and had to punt. The Spartans held again defensively, and on the next possession, they had second-and-1 from their own 11. After two near-sacks, running back Connor Heyward was stopped on fourth down. Thorson scored on a 2-yard run to make it a 10-point game with 2:51 left.

The Spartans took advantage of a first-quarter interception and led 3-0, but Thorson connected with Kyric McGowan for a 77-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the period. Thorson found JJ Jefferson for a 34-yard TD in the second, and Northwestern led 14-6 at halftime.

Felton Davis scored for the Spartans on a 48-yard reverse, and although a 2-point conversion attempt failed, Michigan State got the ball back on an interception and took a 19-14 lead on Brian Lewerke's 3-yard touchdown pass to Davis.

MSU/NORTHWESTERN SERIES NOTES –
• Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 37-20, including a 19-11 record in Evanston.

• MSU 13th-year head coach Mark Dantonio is 5-5 in his tenure against Northwestern, while 14th-year Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald is 5-6 in his career against Michigan State. Dantonio is 4-1 against Northwestern at Ryan Field, while Fitzgerald is 1-5 vs. MSU in Evanston. The Spartans are looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Wildcats.

ARIZONA STATE POST-GAME NOTES –

DEFENSE
• The Spartans held the Sun Devils to 216 yards of total offense (140 passing, 76 rushing) . . . the Spartans have only allowed 70 rushing yards in the first three games of the season (23.3 ypg).

• Joe Bachie led the Spartans with a season-high 12 tackles, marking his 10th career game with double-figure tackles.

• Antjuan Simmons collected a career-high nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

• Kenny Willekes recorded seven tackles, including two TFLs (6 yards) and a half sack (1 yard) . . . he also had a game-high five QB hurries . . . Willekes has 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks this season . . . Willekes has 41.5 tackles for loss in his career, sixth most in MSU history.

• Jacub Panasiuk had a 5-yard sack in the first half and has four TFLs and two sacks this season.

OFFENSE
• Darrell Stewart posted his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game with nine catches for 121 yards . . . Stewart has 19 catches for 306 yards in the last two games (10 receptions for 185 yards vs. Western Michigan) . . . Stewart also led the Spartans with 140 all-purpose yards (19 kick return).

• Brian Lewerke was 24-of-38 passing for 291 yards . . . Lewerke has more than 6,000 career passing yards (6,011 yards), which ranks sixth in MSU history.

• In his second career start, Elijah Collins had 72 rushing yards on 19 carries, including his first career touchdown on a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter.

• Michigan State collected 404 yards of total offense (291 passing, 113 rushing).

STOPPING THE RUN –
• After leading the FBS in rushing defense last season, the Spartans are ranked No. 2 through the first three games in 2019, allowing a total of 70 yards rushing (23.3 ypg).

• Michigan State posted a dominant defensive performance in the victory over Tulsa on Aug. 30. The Spartans held the Golden Hurricane to -73 yards rushing, a school-record low for a Spartan opponent (previous: -63 yards by Pittsburgh in 1950). That mark also tied a Big Ten single-game record (Iowa held Purdue to -73 yards rushing in 1989) and it's the fewest rushing yards by any FBS team since 2000, when Mississippi State held Florida to -78 yards rushing. MSU also limited Tulsa to 80 yards of total offense, the lowest output by a Spartan opponent since 2011 (Florida Atlantic, 48).

• MSU has held all three opponents in 2019 below 100 yards rushing (-73 by Tulsa; 67 by Western Michigan; 76 by Arizona State). In 161 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponent under 100 yards rushing 83 times (.516). MSU is 70-13 (.843) in those games, including a 60-8 (.882) record since 2010.

• Michigan State ranked first in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018, allowing just 77.9 yards per game, the fifth-lowest in school history and the lowest since 1999 (76.2 ypg). MSU's 77.9 ypg average was the lowest by a non-Alabama team since 2009 (Texas, 72.4 ypg). The Spartans held their opponents to under 100 yards rushing eight times. MSU also ranked first in the Big Ten in conference games in rushing defense (93.8 ypg). MSU only gave up 30 rushes of 10-plus yards in 2018, tied for second fewest in the FBS.

• Stopping the run has been the main theme for MSU on defense in the Dantonio era, and it led to ranking No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense in 2014 (88.5 ypg) and 2018 (77.9 ypg). In addition, MSU has led the Big Ten in rushing defense six times (2011-14, 2017-18) under Dantonio. Since the Big Ten began awarding stat champions in all games in 1985, Michigan State (2011-14) became only the second team in conference history to lead the league in rushing defense four years in a row (Michigan, 1990-93). The Spartans have been ranked in the Top 25 in rushing defense eight times in the last 10 seasons, including a run of five straight years in the top 11 (2011-15). MSU has led the Big Ten in rushing defense the past two seasons and ranked No. 1 in the FBS in 2018 (77.9 ypg) and No. 2 in 2017 (95.3 ypg).

MSU KEEPING OPPONENTS OFF THE SCOREBOARD –
• Michigan State has held opponents under 30 points for 15 consecutive games, which is the third-longest active streak in the FBS (Washington, 17; Notre Dame, 16). The last team to score more than 30 points against MSU was Utah State with 31 in the 2018 season opener; the Aggies ranked second in the FBS in 2018 in scoring offense with 47.5 ppg. MSU is currently 12th in the FBS in scoring defense (11.3 ppg).

• For the third time under Dantonio, Michigan State led the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2018, allowing just 17.2 points per game, which tied for eighth fewest in the FBS. The Spartans also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2012 (16.3 ppg) and 2013 (13.2 ppg). MSU also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in conference games in scoring defense (16.6 ppg) in 2018.

• MSU held its opponents to 21 or fewer points 10 times in 2018, and although Ohio State scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).

• Michigan State allowed just 12 touchdowns in the red zone, tied for second fewest in the FBS. Spartan opponents only visited the red zone 30 times all season, tied for third fewest in the FBS, and in giving up 12 TDs, the 40 percent TD mark was third lowest in the nation.

PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE QB –
• Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten and fifth in the FBS with 4.33 sacks per game (13 total). Kenny Willekes leads the way for MSU with four, followed by two each from Jacub Panasiuk and Shakur Brown. Raequan Williams (1.5), Antjuan Simmons (1.5), Chase Kline (1.0), Joe Bachie (0.5) and Tyriq Thompson (0.5) have also contributed sacks for the Spartans.

SPARTANS FORCE SIX TURNOVERS IN FIRST THREE GAMES –
• Although Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 10 in several defensive categories in 2018, this season the Spartans are emphasizing turnovers after finishing 28th in the FBS with 23 turnovers caused last season. After three games, MSU ranks tied for 20th in the FBS with six turnovers caused (three fumbles, three interceptions).

• In the first game against Tulsa, the Spartans forced three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by Kenny Willekes, one which resulted in a touchdown, and an interception by Antjuan Simmons. In addition, the Spartans caused six Tulsa fumbles overall. MSU forced three more turnovers against Western Michigan, with two interceptions (Xavier Henderson, Tyriq Thompson) and a fumble recovery (Davion Williams).

HISTORY OF STINGY DEFENSES UNDER DANTONIO –
• In 2018, Michigan State finished ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg), No. 8 in third-down defense (.302), No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg) and No. 10 in first-downs defense (213).

• The Spartans led the Big Ten in rushing defense (77.9 ypg) for the sixth time in the Dantonio era (2011-14, 2017-18).

• For the third time under Dantonio, Michigan State led the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2018, allowing just 17.2 points per game, which tied for eighth fewest in the FBS. The Spartans also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2012 (16.3 ppg) and 2013 (13.2 ppg).

• Michigan State has finished in the FBS Top 10 in total defense six times under Dantonio (No. 6 in 2011, No. 4 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 8 in 2014, No. 7 in 2017, No. 10 in 2018) and No. 1 in the Big Ten on three occasions (2011, 2012, 2013). Since 2011, only Michigan State and Alabama have ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense six times.

• The Spartans have been ranked in the Top 25 in rushing defense eight times in the last 10 seasons, including a run of five straight years in the top 11 (No. 9 in 2011, No. 8 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014, No. 11 in 2015) and back-to-back top-two finishes (No. 2 in 2017, No. 1 in 2018).

• 2018 marked the fourth time Michigan State has ranked in the FBS Top 10 in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in the same season under Dantonio (2011, 2012, 2013, 2018).

LINEBACKER JOE BACHIE LEADS SPARTAN DEFENSE IN THE MIDDLE –
• Joe Bachie, who has started 29 consecutive games at middle linebacker, was named a first-team preseason All-American by The Associated Press and is featured on watch lists for the Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), Butkus Award (nation's best linebacker), Nagurski Trophy (nation's most outstanding college defensive player) and Lott IMPACT Trophy. Bachie led the Spartans in tackles for the second year in a row in 2018 with 102 and currently owns the team lead with 25 through three games, which ranks tied for 10th in the Big Ten at 8.3 per game. He became the third Spartan middle linebacker under Mark Dantonio, joining Greg Jones and Max Bullough, to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors (coaches, ESPN.com, Phil Steele).

• Bachie was voted a team captain for the second year in a row in 2019 and is one of just six Spartans in the Dantonio era to serve as a captain twice (Greg Jones, 2009-10; Kirk Cousins, 2009-11; Max Bullough, 2012-13; Shilique Calhoun, 2014-15).

• Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career after helping lead MSU past Maryland on Nov. 3, 2018. Bachie was all over the field in the 24-3 victory over the Terrapins. The Brook Park, Ohio, native forced a career-high three fumbles, recovering one, and also had seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards) and tied a career-high with two pass break-ups.

• Bachie, who started all 13 games at middle linebacker as a sophomore for the Spartans in 2017 and led the team in tackles (100; 7.7 avg.), was named the recipient of the 2017 Governor's Award, which is given annually to the program's most valuable player as voted on by the team. He was the first Spartan sophomore to win the Governor's Award since quarterback Drew Stanton in 2004.

• A third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches and media in 2017, Bachie was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2017. In the win at No. 7 Michigan, Bachie became just the second Big Ten linebacker and fifth in the FBS in the last five years (since 2012) to record double-digit tackles (10) and at least one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and one pass break-up in the same game.

• In 35 career games, including 29 consecutive starts, Bachie has 239 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, four interceptions, nine pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has recorded double-figures in tackles 10 times in his career.

KENNY WILLEKES NAMED NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK VS. TULSA –
• Preseason All-American and 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the Big Ten in tackles for loss last season with 20.5, is back at it again in 2019 for the Spartans. Willekes is second in the conference and third in the FBS with 6.5 tackles for loss, and third in the league and tied for eighth in the FBS with four sacks. His 1.38 tackles for loss per game ranks first among active players in the FBS.

• Willekes was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive performance in the season opener. Willekes scored his first career touchdown after teaming up on a sack with Raequan Williams and pouncing on the fumble in the end zone to give MSU a 22-0 lead with 4:49 left in the second quarter. Earlier in the second quarter, he recovered a fumble after a bad Tulsa snap to set up an MSU field goal. He also had a 1-yard tackle for loss in the second quarter and a 2-yard sack in the fourth quarter. Overall, Willekes led the Spartans with seven tackles, including 2.5 TFLs (6 yards) and 1.5 sacks (5 yards).

• After leading the Big Ten with 20.5 tackles for loss, Willekes was named the 2018 Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American by The Athletic. Willekes became the second Spartan to win the award (Shilique Calhoun in 2013), which is named after MSU's Bubba Smith and Penn State's Courtney Brown and given to the Big Ten's most outstanding defensive lineman, and was the first Spartan defensive end to earn first-team All-America honors since Robaire Smith in 1998. Willekes was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches, media, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, ESPN.com, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, and earned second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Phil Steele, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

• Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the nation. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken fibula in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon, but he fully recovered in time for the 2019 season. He was named a first-team preseason All-American by numerous media outlets (Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, Lindy's, Phil Steele, Sporting News and Street & Smith's) and is featured on watch lists for the Walter Camp Award (college player of the year), Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), Nagurski Trophy (nation's most outstanding college defensive player) and Hendricks Award (nation's best defensive end).

• A 6-4, 260-pound native of Rockford, Michigan, Willekes collected a league-best 20.5 tackles for loss in 2018, good for second most in a Spartan single season and eighth most in the FBS in 2018. He also led the Spartans with 8.5 sacks, which ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten. He registered a career-high 78 tackles to rank first among all defensive lineman in the nation, including a career-high 13 against Ohio State on Nov. 3.

• Willekes was credited with a tackle for loss in 10 of MSU's 13 games in 2018, including a career-high 3.5 against Ohio State and Nebraska in back-to-back games. He opened the season with six tackles, two sacks (19 yards) and a forced fumble in the win over Utah State, and also posted multiple TFLs against Indiana (2.0), Michigan (2.0) and Maryland (2.5).

• According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes led all edge rushers in the FBS in 2018 with 23 quarterback hits and ranked sixth with 39 QB hurries. Willekes was also the highest-ranked Big Ten edge rusher with a 90.3 grade.

• At the Spartan Football Awards banquet on Nov. 25, 2018, Willekes was named the recipient of the Governor's Award (MVP), becoming the first Spartan defensive end to win the honor since its inception in 1931.

• A chemistry major, Willekes earned a scholarship in the spring of 2017 and hasn't looked back since. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in sacks (tied for seventh in school history with 19.5) and tackles for loss (sixth in school history with 41.5). He ranks first among the active career leaders in the FBS in tackles for loss at 1.38 per game.

• After playing in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Willekes earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 with a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

• Willekes has recorded two sacks in a game six times in his career (2017: Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland; 2018: Utah State, Maryland; 2019: Western Michigan).

MIKE PANASIUK & RAEQUAN WILLIAMS CONSISTENT IN THE MIDDLE OF SPARTAN D-LINE –
• Defensive tackles Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams have started alongside each other on the interior of the defensive line for 32 consecutive games, dating back to the Ohio State game on Nov. 19, 2016. The duo is a big reason why MSU ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018 and ranked No. 2 in 2017.

• Williams, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by The Associated Press, recorded career bests in tackles (53), tackles for loss (10.5) and pass break-ups (5) in 2018. The Chicago native ranks second among active Spartans with 23 career tackles for loss, including 8.0 career sacks, in 40 career games.

• Panasiuk, a stalwart on the Spartan defensive line with 32 straight starts at defensive tackle, was named honorable mention All-Big Ten for the second year in a row in 2018. Panasiuk's numbers are hard to measure in terms of impact, but the Roselle, Illinois, native is a big reason why MSU ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense in 2018, allowing just 77.9 yards per game. Panasiuk had a career-high 6.0 tackles for loss and two pass break-ups, and led the Spartan defensive tackles unit in production points. He recorded an interception and blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter in the victory over Purdue. He tied a career high with two tackles for loss in the season opener against Tulsa.

• In 41 career games, Panasiuk has 71 tackles, including 11.0 for losses with two sacks.

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIS STARTING OPPORTUNITY –
• Junior Star (weakside) linebacker Antjuan Simmons has burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter for the Spartans, ranking third on the team in tackles (18), second in tackles for loss (4.0) and tied for fourth in sacks (1.5). He also leads the team in production points (unofficial team stat) with 70.

• Simmons played behind former three-year starting Star linebacker Andrew Dowell in 2017 and 2018. Simmons has 84 career tackles, including six for loss, in 29 games of action.

BRIAN LEWERKE IN HIS THIRD SEASON AS STARTING QB –
• Quarterback Brian Lewerke is in his third season as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. He is just the second Spartan quarterback under Mark Dantonio to be named a captain twice (Kirk Cousins, three times, 2009-11). After a record-setting sophomore season in 2017, Lewerke's junior year was hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered in the win at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, but he is back and healthy for his senior season.

• Lewerke ranks second in the Big Ten in passing (265.7 ypg) and total offense (285.7 ypg) and has thrown the most passing yards (797) of any conference quarterback in the first three weeks of the 2019 season. The Phoenix, Arizona, native has completed 68-of-107 passes (.636) for 797 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

• In 31 career games (17-11 record in 28 games as the starter), Lewerke has completed 58 percent of his passes (529-for-920) for 6,011 yards, 34 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He has 952 career rushing yards on 253 carries (30.7 ypg; 3.8 avg.).

• Lewerke became just the sixth Spartan QB to eclipse 6,000 yards passing in his career during the Arizona State game and is currently ranked sixth in the school record book with 6,011 career passing yards. Lewerke also ranks among the school leaders in pass attempts (fourth with 920), total offense (fifth with 6,963 yards), pass completions (fifth with 529), passing yards per game (fifth with 193.9 ypg) and passing TDs (ninth with 34).

• Lewerke has thrown for more than 300 yards passing six times in his career and more than 200 yards passing 14 times (fifth in MSU history).

• Lewerke made his first career start as a Spartan against Northwestern in 2016 in East Lansing, completing 12-of-19 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. He followed that with a record-setting performance at Northwestern in 2017 in a triple-overtime loss, setting school records for most passing yards (445) and total offense (475) in a single game while completing 39-of-57 passes, including four TDs. Last season, Lewerke was 31-of-51 against the Wildcats for 329 yards, one TD and one interception. In three career games against Northwestern, Lewerke is 82-of-127 (.646) for 873 yards (291.0 ypg) and six TDs.

• In his first full year as the starter in 2017, Brian Lewerke became the first quarterback in school history to throw for more than 2,500 yards and rush for more than 500 yards in the same season. Lewerke finished 2017 with the second-most yards of total offense in an MSU season with 3,352 (Drew Stanton with 3,415 in 2005). He also finished the 2017 campaign ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in passing completions (third with 246), passing attempts (fourth with 417), passing yards (seventh with 2,793) and touchdown passes (tied for eighth with 20). He rushed for 559 yards on 124 carries with five TDs. In 10 games in 2019, Lewerke rushed 90 times, gaining 351 yards and losing 167 for a net total of 184.

• In 2017, Lewerke set MSU sophomore records for total offense (3,352 yards), passing yards (2,793), passing attempts (417) and passing completions (246). He also finished the season with 559 yards rushing on 124 carries, the fourth most by a Spartan quarterback in a single season and the most since Drew Stanton had 687 in 2004.

• Lewerke was named the 2017 Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP after finishing with 286 yards of total offense against Washington State. He was 13-of-21 passing for 213 yards and three touchdowns, and set a Spartan bowl record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (14 carries for 73 yards). Lewerke was 9-of-10 passing for 162 yards and two TDs in the second quarter alone. Lewerke's three touchdown passes tied a Spartan bowl record (accomplished three previous times).

• A week after setting numerous school records at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017, Lewerke had another impressive game against Penn State on Nov. 4, becoming the first Spartan quarterback to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. He threw for a school-record 445 yards at Northwestern, and for 400 against Penn State; the 400 yards tied for the second-most yards by a Spartan QB in a single game (Bill Burke with 400 in win over Michigan in 1999). Lewerke became one of just three Big Ten quarterbacks in the last 20 years to throw for 400 yards in two consecutive games (Drew Brees, Purdue, 1998; C.J. Bacher, Northwestern, 2007).

• Lewerke set school single-game records for passing yards (445), total offense (475) and completions (39) in the triple-overtime loss at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017. His 57 passing attempts also marked a career high and tied for the second most in school history (record: 61 by Brian Hoyer vs. Penn State in 2006); MSU's previous single-game records were 400 passing yards (Bill Burke vs. Michigan, 1999), 416 yards of total offense (Connor Cook vs. Indiana, 2015) and 35 completions (Jeff Smoker vs. Ohio State, 2003). Lewerke also threw a career-high four touchdowns against the Wildcats, tied for the second most in school history (accomplished 13 previous times). Lewerke's 445 yards passing and 475 total yards against Northwestern were both the most by a Big Ten quarterback in a single game in 2017.

• Lewerke played in four games and started twice (Northwestern, Maryland) as a redshirt freshman in 2016 before suffering a season-ending injury (broken tibia) in the fourth quarter of the Michigan game on Oct. 29. He bounced back quickly from the injury and fully participated in all of spring practice in 2017. In 2016, Lewerke became the first Spartan freshman quarterback to start a game (Northwestern) since 2004 (Stephen Reaves vs. Central Michigan).

DARRELL STEWART: MR. CONSISTENCY –
• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Darrell Stewart ranks second in the Big Ten, only to Purdue's Rondale Moore, in receptions (25; 8.3 pg) and receiving yards (362; 120.7 ypg). Stewart has put together back-to-back 100-yard receiving games the past two weeks for the first time at MSU since Aaron Burbridge had four straight 100-yard games in 2015 (156 vs. Rutgers on Oct. 10; 132 vs. Michigan on Oct. 17; 128 yards vs. Indiana on Oct. 24; 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7). Stewart had a career-high 185 yards receiving on 10 catches vs. Western Michigan and followed that effort with a nine-catch, 121-yard performance vs. Arizona State. Stewart's 126 career catches are tied for 14th most in MSU history.

• Stewart leads MSU with eight catches of 20-plus yards; although he led MSU in receptions in 2018, he had just two catches of 20-plus yards last season.

• Stewart had a career-high 185 yards receiving on 10 catches against the Broncos; the 185 receiving yards are tied for the 12th-most by a Spartan in a single game (Plaxico Burress, 13 catches for 185 yards vs. Florida on Jan. 1, 2000). In addition, Stewart's 10 catches were the second most in his career (11 at Northwestern in 2017); he had eight catches for 152 yards and one TD in the first half alone. Stewart had four catches of 20-plus yards (42 yards for TD; 33 yards, 22 yards, 21 yards) and also threw a 17-yard pass to Brian Lewerke. Stewart also had two kick returns for 41 yards to compile a career-high 226 all-purpose yards.

• Stewart led Michigan State in 2018 with 48 receptions and ranked third on the team with 413 receiving yards. Stewart missed two games (Central Michigan, Penn State) with an ankle injury.

• The Houston, Texas, native is 14th in the school record book with 126 career receptions and leads all active Spartans with 1,305 receiving yards and four TDs in 37 career games, including 15 starting assignments.

• Stewart has MSU's longest active streak with at least one reception in 27 consecutive games.

ELIJAH COLLINS FLASHES IN FIRST CAREER START –
• In his first career start at tailback on Sept. 7 against Western Michigan, redshirt freshman Elijah Collins recorded 192 rushing yards on 17 carries, the second most by a Spartan freshman in a single game (Javon Ringer had 194 yards at Illinois in 2005). In addition, Collins' 192 rushing yards were the most by a freshman starting running back in school history. Collins had three rushes of 20-plus yards (career-long 58-yarder in third quarter; 29-yarder on second play from scrimmage; 24-yarder in second quarter).

• Collins is averaging a team-best 93.7 yards rushing per game (44 carries for 281 yards; 6.4 avg.), which ranks fifth in the Big Ten.

• Collins redshirted in 2018 and played a total of six offensive snaps in three games.

CODY WHITE RANKS SECOND ON TEAM IN RECEIVING –
• Junior Cody White ranks second on the team with 12 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown in the first three games.

• White was having a sensational start to his second season in the Green and White with 20 catches for 300 yards in the first four games of the 2018 season, but unfortunately White suffered a broken left hand in the second quarter of the Central Michigan game on Sept. 29 while diving for a catch in the end zone. White was forced to sit out four games but returned to action on Nov. 3 at Maryland, where he caught two passes for 24 yards. Although he missed four games, he still led the Spartans in receiving yards (555; 61.7 ypg) and ranked second in receptions (42).

• White had two 100-yard receiving games in 2018 (nine catches for 113 yards and one TD at Arizona State; eight for 115 vs. Ohio State).

• White, a BTN All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, closed his first year in the Green and White with the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history with 490. His 35 catches were second most by a true freshman (Sedrick Irvin with 40 in 1996) and most by a true freshman wide receiver (B.J. Cunningham had 41 catches for 528 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2008). White recorded 30 of his 35 catches in the second half of the season.

• In his first career start, White was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after setting a Spartan freshman single-game record with 165 receiving yards at Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017. That total was also the 20th-most overall by an MSU player in a single game and the third most by a Spartan against Northwestern.

• In 25 career games, including 17 starts, White has 89 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.

PLACEKICKER MATT COGHLIN NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN IN 2018 –
• A 2018 Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, junior Matt Coghlin is back for the Spartans in 2019 and is featured on the Lou Groza Award Watch List. Coghlin has the second-highest field-goal percentage of any kicker in MSU history through his two-plus seasons (.784, 40-of-51).

• Coghlin also ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in PAT percentage (first at 100 percent; 72-of-72), field goals made (10th with 40), PATs (11th with 72) and points scored (17th with 198).

• Through three games, Coghlin ranks among the Big Ten leaders in kick scoring (second at 10.0 ppg), field goals (second with seven) and scoring (tied for fifth with 10.0 ppg).

• In the 2019 season opener against Tulsa, Coghlin tied a career high with four field goals (38 yards, 47 yards, 44 yards, 40 yards) and was named one of the Lou Groza Three Stars of the Week; he also kicked four field goals against Rutgers in 2017. He made three more against Western Michigan (38, 23, 20) and connected on seven straight to open the season.

• In 2018, Coghlin ranked among the Big Ten leaders in field goals made (tied for second with 18), field-goal percentage (tied for fourth at .818) and scoring (ninth at 6.5 ppg). He made 18 of his 22 field-goal attempts in 2018 (5-of-5 from 20-29 yards; 9-of-10 from 30-39 yards; 4-of-5 from 40-49 yards; 0-2 from 50-plus yards).

• Coghlin was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week against Indiana in 2018 after he scored on a 6-yard TD run on a fake field goal in the third quarter and made all five of his point-after attempts. He became the first Spartan to score an offensive touchdown and then kick the PAT on his own TD since Sam Williams in 1958 against Wisconsin.

• Coghlin set a new school record with 18 consecutive field goals, stretching from the 2017-18 season, before a kick was blocked in the Purdue game on Oct. 27, 2018. That streak was also tied for the fourth longest in Big Ten history.

• Coghlin became the sixth Spartan placekicker to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, and the third under Dantonio (Brett Swenson in 2009; Dan Conroy in 2012). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native currently ranks first in MSU history in field-goal percentage (33-of-41, .805).

• Coghlin also was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired against No. 7 Penn State in 2017.

JAKE HARTBARGER RETURNS FOR HIS SIXTH SEASON –
• Michigan State punter Jake Hartbarger was granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA for the 2019 season. Hartbarger injured his right leg in the second game of the 2018 season at Arizona State on Sept. 8 and was forced to miss the remainder of the year. A three-year starter, Hartbarger entered the season as a candidate for the Ray Guy Award. Hartbarger's injury led to MSU starting four punters in 2018, the most of any team in the FBS, and a total of five Spartans punted.

• A native of Waterville, Ohio, Hartbarger averaged 42.0 yards per punt and placed a career-high 28 punts inside the 20 to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades as a junior in 2017. He is ranked sixth in MSU history in punting average (42.3), ninth in punting yards (8,292) and punts (196).

• Hartbarger is ranked third in the Big Ten with his 45.9-yard average through three games (10 punts for 459 yards).

• Hartbarger got off to a great start in his return, averaging 47.4 yards per punt (237 yards on five punts) including two inside the 20, against Tulsa in the 2019 season opener. He only punted once against WMU.

• Hartbarger, who has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times, graduated with a bachelor's degree in hospitality business in December 2018. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in marketing research.

MARK DANTONIO ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COACHES IN BIG TEN HISTORY –
• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 109-52 (.677) record. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015).

• Tied for the winningest coach in school history with 109 victories, along with Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty, Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (65) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.677). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in his 12 years in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids (Daugherty owns school record with 11 winning seasons from 1954-72).

• Dantonio's incredible run at Michigan State ranks among the best in Big Ten history. Dantonio is one of just six Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons on their resume (Bo Schembechler, Michigan; Jim Tressel, Ohio State; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Urban Meyer, Ohio State) and one of four to have at least five 11-win seasons (Tressel, Paterno, Meyer).

• Dantonio is one of just 14 coaches in Big Ten history to record 100 victories. He is currently tied for 13th in Big Ten history with 109 wins.

• Overall, Dantonio owns a 127-69 (.648) record in his 15-plus seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 109-52 in 12-plus seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 127 career wins rank 10th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 167).

• Dantonio 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 127-69 (.648) in 15-plus seasons.

• Dantonio's .657 winning percentage (65-34) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72), which also ranks 12th in Big Ten history.

• 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 George 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 for third most in Big Ten history (Urban Meyer of Ohio State with seven; Jim Tressel of Ohio State 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 seven times (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; 2015: No. 6 in both polls; 2017: No. 15 AP/No. 16 USA TODAY). His seven AP Top-25 finishes are tied for the most in school history. Duffy 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 ranks first in school history with 11 bowl appearances, including a school-record streak of nine straight bowl games from 2007-15. He is 5-6 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 13 bowl berths in 15 seasons as a head coach (11 at MSU, two at Cincinnati).

• Dantonio is one of just four Spartan head coaches to coach in at least 100 games at MSU and ranks second in Spartan history with 161 games coached at Michigan State (Duffy Daugherty: 183; Dantonio: 161; George Perles: 139; Charlie Bachman: 114).

• Dantonio is the third-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: 21st season; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: 14th season) and eighth-longest in the FBS at the same school.

ALL IN THE FAMILY, PT. 1 –
• Michigan State has five sets of brothers on its 2019 roster: David (Sr.)/Michael (R-Fr.) Dowell; Tanner (So.)/Tate (Fr.) Hallock; Mike (Sr.)/Jacub (Jr.) Panasiuk; Jacob (R-Fr.)/Zach (R-Fr.) Slade, Charles (Fr.)/Kenny (Sr.) Willekes. MSU's five sets of brothers is tied for the most in the country, matched by Nebraska and Clemson.

ALL IN THE FAMILY, PT. 2 –
• Michigan State has a deep family legacy on the 2019 roster, from siblings to fathers to relatives. In fact, 17 players and five staff members have direct family connections who played Spartan football.

Legacy: Matt Allen (brothers Jack and Brian); Brandon Bouyer-Randle (uncle Willie Bouyer); David/Michael Dowell (brother Andrew); Tanner/Tate Hallock (father Ty); Jacob Isaia (grandfather Bob Apisa); David Kruse (brother Connor); Corey Pryor (father Corey Sr.); Noah Sargent (father Mike); Alante Thomas (brother Lawrence)

Brothers: David/Michael Dowell; Tanner/Tate Hallock; Mike/Jacub Panasiuk; Jacob/Zach Slade, Charles/Kenny Willekes.

Coaches/Staff: Chuck Bullough (father, Hank; brother, Shane; nephews Max, Riley and Byron Bullough); Ron Burton (son, Reid); Dino Folino (sons, Anthony and Danny); Don Treadwell (son, Blake); Sheldon White (son, Cody).

DECADE OF SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE –
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 87-35 (.713) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 87 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .713 winning percentage this decade is third best in school history. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.

• In addition, the Spartans have earned 11 bowl bids since 2007, including 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.

• MSU's highest winning percentage by decade is currently the 1950s (.766, 70-21-1 record), but the 87 wins this current decade are already the most of any previous decade in school history (previous: 70 in 1950s).

• The Spartans have had sustained success in the Big Ten Conference under Dantonio. MSU has won two of the past six Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015) and three overall this decade, also claiming a championship in 2010. Dantonio is second in school history and 12th in Big Ten history with 65 conference wins. The Spartans are 52-23 (.693) in regular-season Big Ten play since 2010.

TURNOVER MARGIN THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR SPARTAN SUCCESS –
• Although Michigan State ranked in the FBS Top 10 in several defensive categories in 2018, this season the Spartans are emphasizing turnovers after finishing 28th in the FBS with 23 turnovers caused last season. After three games, MSU is tied for 20th in the FBS with six turnovers caused (three fumbles, three interceptions). MSU is also third in the Big Ten and 21st in the FBS in turnover margin (+1.00).

• Michigan State's record-setting three-year stretch in which it won 36 games from 2013-15 was fueled by creating turnovers and limiting mistakes. The Spartans ranked in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 10 and led the Big Ten in turnover margin for three consecutive seasons from 2013-15 (No. 10 in 2013 at +0.93; No. 2 in 2014 at +1.46; No. 4 in 2015 at +1.00).

• Michigan State has forced at least one turnover in 130 of 161 games under head coach Mark Dantonio (81 percent of the games since 2007).

• Michigan State is 71-16 (.816) when forcing at least two turnovers in a game under head coach Mark Dantonio.

RUNNING GAME KEY FOR SPARTANS UNDER DANTONIO –
• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 90-22 (.804) when outrushing its opponent, including a 74-15 record (.831) since 2010. Conversely, MSU is 19-30 (.388) under Dantonio when being outgained on the ground by its opponent. The Spartans are 41-6 (.872) in games when gaining 200 or more rushing yards under Dantonio.

• Under Dantonio, when Michigan State runs at least 40 times in a game, the Spartans are 73-9 (.890). Here's the breakdown by year: 2007 (6-2), 2008 (7-0), 2009 (4-0), 2010 (4-0), 2011 (3-0), 2012 (6-1), 2013 (7-0), 2014 (11-0), 2015 (7-0), 2016 (3-5), 2017 (9-0), 2018 (5-1) and 2019 (1-0).

Game 4: Michigan State (2-1) at Northwestern (1-1)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Matt Allen

Joe Bachie

Brandon Bouyer-Randle

Shakur Brown

Byron Bullough

Matt Coghlin

Elijah Collins

Andrew Dowell

Michael Dowell

Tate Hallock

Jake Hartbarger

Xavier Henderson

Jacob Isaia

Kevin Jarvis

Naquan Jones

Chase Kline

David Kruse

Brian Lewerke

Dashaun Mallory

Cade McDonald

Jacub Panasiuk

Mike Panasiuk

Corey Pryor

Jayden Reed

Max Rosenthal

Noah Sargent

Antjuan Simmons

Zach Slade

Alante Thomas

Tyriq Thompson

Payton Thorne

Cody White

Kenny Willekes

Davion Williams

Raequan Williams