2018 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 2018 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, and competed in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by 12th-year head coach Mark Dantonio.
2018 Michigan State Spartans football | |
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Redbox Bowl, L 6–7 vs. Oregon | |
Conference | Big Ten Conference |
East Division | |
2018 record | 7–6 (5–4 Big Ten) |
Head coach | Mark Dantonio (12th season) |
Co-offensive coordinator | Dave Warner (6th season) |
Co-offensive coordinator | Jim Bollman (6th season) |
Offensive scheme | Pro-style |
Defensive coordinator | Mike Tressel (4th as DC; 12th overall season) |
Base defense | Multiple |
Home stadium | Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 75,005) |
2018 Big Ten Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 3 Ohio State xy$ | 8 | – | 1 | 13 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 14 Michigan x | 8 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 17 Penn State | 6 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michigan State | 5 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland | 3 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana | 2 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rutgers | 0 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 21 Northwestern xy | 8 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin | 5 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 25 Iowa | 5 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purdue | 5 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota | 3 | – | 6 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nebraska | 3 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois | 2 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Ohio State 45, Northwestern 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Spartans returned 19 starters from their Holiday Bowl-winning 2017 team, and began the year at 11th in the AP Poll. In the second game of the year, the team was upset on the road by unranked Arizona State. The team fell out of the top 25 after falling to Northwestern on homecoming, but bounced back with a road win against then-No. 8 Penn State. The Spartan offense struggled mightily in the second half of the season, and the team failed to score more than 7 points in losses to Michigan, Ohio State, and Nebraska. They finished the regular season in fourth in the East Division with a conference record of 5–4. Michigan State was invited to the Redbox Bowl, where they lost to Oregon by a score of 7–6, which matched their final record.
The team was characterized by a stark dichotomy in performance between offense and defense; the defense finished in the top ten nationally in six categories, while the offense finished in the bottom 20 nationally in six categories.[1] Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke led the team in passing, finishing the year with 2,040 passing yards, 8 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.[2] He was replaced by redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi in several games as Lewerke struggled with injuries and poor performance. Connor Heyward, replacing the injured LJ Scott, led the team in rushing. On defense, Kenny Willekes led the Big Ten in tackles for a loss (21), and was named the conference's Defensive Lineman of the Year.[3] Linebacker Joe Bachie was also an impact player, being named first team all-conference by the coaches.[3]
Previous season
The Spartans finished the 2017 season 10–3, 7–2 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for second place in the East Division. The Spartans received an invitation to the 2017 Holiday Bowl[4] where they defeated Washington State.[5][6]
Offseason
2018 NFL Draft
MSU kept its streak of 78 years of having at least one player drafted in the NFL Draft alive when Brian Allen was drafted in the fourth round.[7]
Round | Pick | Team | Player | Position |
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4 | 111 | Los Angeles Rams | Brian Allen | Offensive Lineman |
Undrafted NFL free agents
Team | Player | Position |
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Carolina Panthers | Chris Frey Jr. | Linebacker |
Recruiting
.
US college sports recruiting information for 2019 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Xavier Henderson DB |
Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington High School Central | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | Sep 9, 2016 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Trenton Gillison TE |
Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington High School Central | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jan 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Theo Day QB |
Dearborn, Michigan | Divine Child High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 197 lb (89 kg) | Feb 26, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Christian Jackson CB |
Marietta, Georgia | Lassiter High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Mar 1, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Edward Warinner LB |
Powell, Ohio | Olentangy Liberty High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 222 lb (101 kg) | Apr 12, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Michael Dowell DB |
North Ridgeville, Ohio | St. Edward High School (Lakewood) | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Jeslord Boateng LB |
Dublin, Ohio | Dublin Coffman High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jun 12, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Davion Williams CB |
Belleville, Michigan | Belleville High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 17, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Dimitri Douglas OT |
Saline, Michigan | Saline High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 282 lb (128 kg) | Jun 19, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Jacob Slade DE |
Lewis Center, Ohio | Olentangy High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | Jun 25, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Zachary Slade DE |
Lewis Center, Ohio | Olentangy High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Jun 25, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Javez Alexander WR |
Sandusky, Ohio | Sandusky High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Jun 28, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Parks Gissinger DE |
West Hills, California | Chaminade College Preparatory School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 227 lb (103 kg) | Jul 20, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Chase Kline LB |
Chardon, Ohio | Chardon High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Jul 25, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Julian Major WR |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Penn Hills High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jul 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
James Ohonba OT |
Stockbridge, Georgia | Woodland High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 345 lb (156 kg) | Sep 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Elijah Collins RB |
Detroit, Michigan | University of Detroit Jesuit High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | Sep 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Jacob Isaia OG |
Las Vegas, Nevada | Bishop Gorman High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Oct 1, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Kalon Gervin CB |
Detroit, Michigan | Cass Technical High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 2, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
La'Darius Jefferson QB |
Muskegon, Michigan | Muskegon High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | Dec 9, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Jalen Nailor WR |
Las Vegas, Nevada | Bishop Gorman High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Feb 3, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Preseason
Award watch lists
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Chuck Bednarik Award[8] | Joe Bachie | LB | JR |
Maxwell Award[9] | Brian Lewerke | QB | JR |
LJ Scott | RB | SR | |
Davey O'Brien Award[10] | Brian Lewerke | QB | JR |
Doak Walker Award[11] | LJ Scott | RB | SR |
Butkus Award[12] | Joe Bachie | LB | JR |
Jim Thorpe Award[13] | David Dowell | S | JR |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[14] | Joe Bachle | LB | JR |
Outland Trophy[15] | David Beedle | G | SR |
Ray Guy Award[16] | Jake Hartbarger | P | SR |
Wuerffel Trophy[17] | Khari Willis | DB | SR |
Walter Camp Award[18] | Brian Lewerke | QB | JR |
Ted Hendricks Award[19] | Kenny Willekes | DE | JR |
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[20] | Brian Lewerke | QB | JR |
Manning Award[21] | Brian Lewerke | QB | JR |
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 31 | 7:00 p.m. | Utah State* | No. 11 | BTN | W 38–31 | 73,114 | |
September 8 | 10:45 p.m. | at Arizona State* | No. 15 | ESPN | L 13–16 | 53,599 | |
September 22 | 7:30 p.m. | at Indiana | No. 24 |
| BTN | W 35–21 | 45,445 |
September 29 | 12:00 p.m. | Central Michigan* | No. 21 |
| FS1 | W 31–20 | 73,752 |
October 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Northwestern | No. 20 |
| FS1 | L 19–29 | 72,850 |
October 13 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 8 Penn State |
| BTN | W 21–17 | 106,685 | |
October 20 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 6 Michigan | No. 24 |
| FOX | L 7–21 | 76,131 |
October 27 | 12:00 p.m. | Purdue |
| ESPN | W 23–13 | 72,657 | |
November 3 | 12:00 p.m. | at Maryland | ESPN2 | W 24–3 | 31,735 | ||
November 10 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 8 Ohio State | No. 24 |
| FOX | L 6–26 | 74,633 |
November 17 | 12:00 p.m. | at Nebraska | FOX | L 6–9 | 88,793 | ||
November 24 | 4:00 p.m. | Rutgers |
| FOX | W 14–10 | 64,951 | |
December 31 | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Oregon* | FOX | L 6–7 | 30,212 | ||
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- Schedule Source:[22]
Personnel
Roster
2018 Michigan State Spartans football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Roster |
Position key
Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB | |||
Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E | |||
Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K | |||
Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB | |||
Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB | |||
Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |
Coaching staff
On January 2, 2018, Harlon Barnett was hired as defensive coordinator for Florida State, leaving the Spartans after spending the previous 14 years with head coach Mark Dantonio.[23] On January 19, the school announced that co-defensive coordinator Mike Tressel was promoted to defensive coordinator with the departure of Barnett.[24]
Also on January 19, former Kent State head coach Paul Haynes was hired as the secondary coach.[24][25] Haynes, who was fired from Kent State after five seasons as head coach,[26] returned to the Spartans after serving as defensive backs coach from 2003–04. On January 22, the school announced the hiring of former Kent State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, who had coached with the Spartans on two prior occasions, as a defensive backs and special teams coach.[27] On February 1, the school hired Chuck Bullough as defensive ends coach.[28]
Name | Position | Joined staff |
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Mark Dantonio | Head Coach | 2007 |
Mark Staten | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line | 2007 |
Dave Warner | Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs | 2007 |
Jim Bollman | Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends | 2013 |
Mike Tressel | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers | 2007 |
Brad Salem | Quarterbacks | 2010 |
Terrence Samuel | Wide Receivers | 2011 |
Ron Burton | Defensive Tackles | 2013 |
Chuck Bullough | Defensive Ends | 2018 |
Don Treadwell | Assistant Defensive Backs/Special Teams, Freshmen | 2018 |
Paul Haynes | Secondary | 2018 |
Game summaries
Utah State
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
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First meeting |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utah State | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
No. 11 Michigan State | 6 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 38 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: August 31, 2018
- Game time: 7:01 pm EDT
- Game weather: 80°F, Wind: 11 mph SSE, Sunny
- Game attendance: 73,114
- Referee: Ron Snodgrass
- TV announcers (BTN): Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-play), Glen Mason (analyst), Elise Menaker (sideline)
- Sources:[29]
Game information | ||
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The Spartans opened the 2018 season under the lights at home against Mountain West opponent Utah State.
Utah State received the opening kickoff and took little time scoring on their opening drive, taking only just over two minutes to score on a Jordan Love one-yard run. The MSU offense stalled at midfield on their first drive, but Matt Coghlin made a 49-yard field goal to put the Spartans on the board, 7–3. After a turnover on downs on the following Utah State possession, Michigan State added another field goal, bringing them within a point. The second quarter featured sloppy play from both teams. As Michigan State was driving into Utah State territory, Brian Lewerke was sacked and attempted to throw the ball away. After review, the officials determined that Lewerke had not completed a forward throwing motion, that he had fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Utah State. However, the Aggies did not score off of the turnover. Several possessions later, the Aggies committed a turnover of their own when Jordan Love threw an interception that resulted in Michigan State points when Brian Lewerke connected with Cody White on a seven-yard pass for a touchdown. The score gave the Spartans their first lead of the game, 13–7. Utah State answered with a touchdown of their own on the following possession, retaking the lead 14–13. The Spartan offense drove deep into Utah State territory and Felton Davis scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brian Lewerke with 28 seconds left in the half to give MSU a 20–14 lead at halftime.
The Spartans extended their lead after in the second half when a 17-yard Connor Heyward touchdown run increased their lead to 27-14. Late in the third quarter, Utah State added a field goal to narrow the lead to 27–17. The following Michigan State possession ended in disaster when a Brian Lewerke pass intended for Jalen Nailor was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Gage Ferguson to bring Utah State within three, 27–24. Michigan State increase their lead with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Utah State retook the lead with five minutes remaining in the game on a Darwin Thompson one-yard touchdown run. Brian Lewerke led the offense down the field the following possession, completing five straight passes before Connor Heyward scored the go-ahead touchdown on an option pitch from Lewerke to give Michigan State a 36–31 lead with two minutes remaining. Lewerke then connected with Davis on the two-point conversion pass to give MSU a 38–31 lead. With less than two minutes remaining, Utah State drove the ball to the MSU 46-yard line. However, MSU linebacker Joe Bachie leapt to deflect a pass and secured the interception to seal the win for the Spartans, avoiding a major upset. Michigan State extended its home opening winning streak to 20 games with the victory.
at Arizona State
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
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1–1 | Sep. 13, 1986 | Arizona State, 20–17 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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No. 15 Michigan State | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
Arizona State | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 16 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ
- Date: September 8, 2018
- Game time: 10:45 pm EDT
- Game attendance: 53,599
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), Tom Luginbill (sideline)
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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at Indiana
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
47–15–2 | Oct. 21, 2017 | MSU, 17–9 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 Michigan State | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
Indiana | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
- Date: September 22, 2018
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 45,445
- TV announcers (BTN): Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-play), Glen Mason (analyst), Elise Menaker (sideline)
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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Central Michigan
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
7–3 | Sep. 26, 2015 | MSU, 30–10 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Central Michigan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
No. 21 Michigan State | 0 | 17 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: September 29, 2018
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 73,752
- TV: FS1
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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Northwestern
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
38–18 | Oct. 28, 2017 | NW, 39–31 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northwestern | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 29 |
No. 20 Michigan State | 3 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 19 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: October 6, 2018
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 72,850
- TV: FS1
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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at Penn State
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
16–15–1 | Nov. 4, 2017 | MSU, 27–24 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan State | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
No. 8 Penn State | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
- Date: October 13, 2018
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); cool, cloudy
- Game attendance: 106,685
- Referee: Michael Cannon
- TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler (Play-by-play), James Laurinaitis (analyst), Lisa Byington (sideline)
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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Michigan
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan
- Date: October 20
- Game time: 12:05 p.m.
- Game weather: Partly cloudy • 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind 13 W
- Game attendance: 76,131
- Referee: Jerry McGinn
- TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft
- Box Score
Game information | ||
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Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Purdue
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
36–27–3 | Oct. 3, 2015 | MSU, 24–21 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purdue | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
Michigan State | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: October 27, 2018
- Game time: EDT
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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at Maryland
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
7–2 | Nov. 18, 2017 | MSU, 17–7 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan State | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Maryland | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD
- Date: November 3, 2018
- Game time: EDT
- Sources:
Game information | ||
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Ohio State
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
15–31 | Nov. 11, 2017 | OSU, 48–3 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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No. 8 Ohio State | 0 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 26 |
No. 24 Michigan State | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: November 10, 2018
- Game time: EST
- Sources:
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
at Nebraska
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
2–8 | Nov. 7, 2015 | NEB, 39–38 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan State | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
Nebraska | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 |
at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE
- Date: November 17, 2018
- Game time: EST
- Sources:
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Rutgers
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
6–3 | Nov. 25, 2017 | MSU, 40–7 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rutgers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Michigan State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- Date: November 24, 2018
- Game time: EST
- TV: Fox
- Sources:
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
vs. Oregon (Redbox Bowl)
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
3–3 | 2015 | MSU, 31–28 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Oregon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- Date: December 31, 2018
- Game time: PST
- TV: Fox
- Sources:
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | 11 | 15 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | NR | 24 | RV | RV | 24 | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | 12 | 13 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 19 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | ||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | NR | 18 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | Not released |
Awards and honors
Player | Award | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Kenny Willekes | Smith–Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year | [3] |
Player | Position | Coaches | Media |
---|---|---|---|
Kenny Willekes | DL | 1 | 1 |
Joe Bachie | LB | 1 | 2 |
Matt Coghlin | K | 3 | 1 |
Justin Layne | DB | 2 | 2 |
Raequan Williams | DL | 3 | 3 |
David Dowell | DB | 3 | Hon. |
Khari Willis | DB | Hon. | 3 |
Andrew Dowell | LB | Hon. | Hon. |
Mike Panasiuk | DL | Hon. | Hon. |
Felton Davis III | WR | Hon. | Hon. |
Connor Heyward | KR | – | Hon. |
Hon. = Honorable mention. Reference:[3] |
Players drafted into the NFL
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
3 | 83 | Justin Layne | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
4 | 109 | Khari Willis | S | Indianapolis Colts |
References
- Solari, Chris (January 8, 2019). "Final stats show the dichotomy of Michigan State football's 2018 season". Detroit Free Press.
- "Brian Lewerke Game by Game Stats and Performance". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- "2018 All-Big Ten Football Teams and Individual Award Recipients" (PDF). BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- "Michigan State bowl game 2017: Spartans will play Washington State in Holiday Bowl". SpartanTailgate. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Washington State vs. Michigan State - Game Recap - December 28, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Michigan State's complete game reels in milestone win in Holiday Bowl". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "NFL draft: Michigan State's Brian Allen goes to Rams in fourth round". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- "2018 Michigan State Football Schedule". fbsschedules.com. fbsschedules.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- "Michigan State's Harlon Barnett hired as Florida State's new defensive coordinator". MLive.com. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
- "Veteran assistant Tressel named Spartans' DC". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "'Totally different' MSU impresses Haynes in his return". Detroit News. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Kent State fires football coach after 5 losing seasons". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Michigan State Spartans football: Don Treadwell officially hired as MSU assistant". SpartanTailgate. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Michigan St. hires Bullough as defensive coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- https://msuspartans.com/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=4399