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Home , Brad Nessler, Bryant Johnson, Darryl Rogers, Eric McCoo, Jeff Smoker, Morris Watts

SPORTS INFORMATION 401 Olds Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047 phone (517) 355-2271 • fax (517) 353-9636 www.msuspartans.com MICHIGAN STATE (4-7, 2-5 Big Ten) vs. No. 15/16 PENN STATE (8-3, 4-3 Big Ten) GAME 12: QUICK FACTS DATE: Nov. 23, 2002 SITE: Beaver Stadium (107,282/natural grass), State College, Pa. KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. EST ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE: 108,000-plus (sold out) LAST WEEK: Michigan State lost to Purdue, 45-42; No. 16 Penn State won at Indiana, 58-25. BROADCAST COVERAGE: Radio – The Spartan Radio Network, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer George Blaha, color analyst Larry Bielat, sideline reporter Bill Burke and broadcast host Will Tieman, will broadcast the game to 34 affiliates throughout the state. Michigan State football broadcasts can be heard locally on flagship station WJIM (AM 1240, FM 97.5). Television – ABC Sports will televise the Michigan State-Penn State game live on a regional basis, with Brad Nessler handling the play-by-play, providing color commentary and serving as the sideline reporter.

THE COACHES – 2002 SCHEDULES & SCOREBOARDS Michigan State’s (Tulsa 1961) is 1-1 (.500) as interim . Watts, who assumed the position for the MICHIGAN STATE (4-7, 2-5 Big Ten) remainder of the 2002 season following ’ dis- missal on Nov. 4, is in his third stint as the Spartans’ offen- sive coordinator, having served in that capacity for 12 sea- Date Opponent Time/Result sons (1986-90, 1992-94 and 1999-2002). He returned to Michi- Aug. 31 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Plus) W, 56-7 gan State following a four-year tenure as offensive coordina- Sept. 7 RICE W, 27-10 tor and coach at Louisiana State (1995-98). His Sept. 14 CALIFORNIA (ESPN2) L, 22-46 coaching credits also include stops at the USFL’s Birming- Sept. 21 NOTRE DAME (ABC) L, 17-21 ham Stallions (1984-85), LSU (1983), Kansas (1982), Indi- Sept. 28 NORTHWESTERN W, 39-24 ana (1973-81), Louisville (1972) and Drake (1965-71). Oct. 12 at Iowa (ESPN) L, 16-44 Oct. 19 MINNESOTA (ESPN Plus) L, 7-28 Penn State’s (Brown 1950) is 335-99-3 (.770) in Oct. 26 WISCONSIN (ESPN2) L, 24-42 his 37th year as a college head coach, all with the Nittany Lions. The four-time National Coach of the Year is in his 53rd Nov. 2 at Michigan (ESPN2) L, 3-49 season on the Penn State staff. Paterno broke the record for Nov. 9 at Indiana W, 56-21 career wins by a major college coach, passing Alabama’s Nov. 16 PURDUE (ESPN Plus) L, 42-45 Paul “Bear” Bryant, with his 324th victory in Penn State’s 29- Nov. 23 at Penn State (ABC) 3:30 p.m. EST 27 triumph over Ohio State on Oct. 27, 2001. He has led the Nittany Lions to five undefeated seasons, two national cham- PENN STATE (8-3, 4-3 Big Ten) pionships (1982 and ’86) and 20 bowl victories.

Date Opponent Time/Result Aug. 31 CENTRAL FLORIDA W, 27-24 Sept. 14 NEBRASKA W, 40-7 Sept. 21 LOUISIANA TECH W, 49-17 MICHIGAN STATE-PENN STATE Sept. 28 IOWA (OT) L, 35-42 SERIES BREAKDOWN Oct. 5 at Wisconsin W, 34-31 Oct. 12 at Michigan (OT) L, 24-27 SERIES RECORD: MSU leads 10-8-1 Oct. 19 NORTHWESTERN W, 49-0 IN STATE COLLEGE: Penn State leads 5-4-1 Oct. 26 at Ohio State L, 7-13 LAST MEETING: Penn State 42, MSU 37 (Nov. 24, 2001) Nov. 2 ILLINOIS W, 18-7 LAST MSU WIN: MSU 35, Penn State 28 (Nov. 20, 1999) Nov. 9 VIRGINIA W, 35-14 FIRST MEETING: MSU 6, Penn State 3 (Nov. 13, 1914) Nov. 16 at Indiana W, 58-25 MORRIS WATTS vs. PENN STATE: 0-0 Nov. 23 MICHIGAN STATE 3:30 p.m. EST JOE PATERNO vs. MSU: 7-3 CURRENT SERIES STREAK: 2 by Penn State (2000-01) LONGEST MSU STREAK: 5 (1949-66) LONGEST PENN STATE STREAK: 4 (1993-96) 2 • Michigan State Football Notes

MSU SPORTS INFORMATION TEAM COMPARISONS – Office Phone (517) 355-2271 Michigan State Penn State Assistant A.D./Football Contact Basic Offense Pro Set Multiple John Lewandowski Basic Defense 4-3 Multiple Offensive Starters Returning 8 7 Home Phone: (517) 381-9456 Defensive Starters Returning 7 7 Sports Info Director Becky Olsen Specialists Returning 1 2 Cell Phone: (517) 881-6206 Assistant SID Matt Larson AVERAGE HEIGHTS & WEIGHTS (STARTERS) – Home Phone: (517) 349-4607 Michigan State Penn State Assistant SID Brad Gust Offensive Line & Tight End 6-5, 295 6-3, 296 Home Phone: (517) 316-0489 Offensive Backs & Wide Receivers 6-2, 219 6-1, 219 Intern Ben Phlegar Defensive Line 6-4, 277 6-3, 284 Home Phone: (517) 333-8443 Linebackers 6-0, 225 6-2, 231 Intern Valerie Perkin Defensive Backs 6-1, 183 6-1, 200 Home Phone: (517) 703-9473 CLASS BREAKDOWN (STARTERS) – Office Assistant Paulette Martis Michigan State Offense: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen Mailing Address 401 Olds Hall Michigan State Defense: 2 seniors, 4 juniors, 3 sophomores, 2 freshmen East Lansing, MI 48824-1047 Penn State Offense: 6 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore Sports Info. FAX (517) 353-9636 Penn State Defense: 5 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores Web Site msuspartans.com STAT LEADERS – MSU TOP SINGLE-GAME Michigan State (after 11 games): PERFORMANCES Rushing – David Richard (127 carries for 611 yards, 4.8 avg., 5 TDs) vs. PENN STATE Passing – Jeff Smoker (114 of 203 for 1593 yards, 13 TDs, 10 INTs) Receiving – Charles Rogers (63 catches for 1287 yards, 20.4 avg., 13 TDs) Tackles – Thomas Wright (121 tackles, 83 solos, 38 assists, 4 ) Rushing Year Player (Att.) Yards Penn State (after 11 games): 1997 Sedrick Irvin (28) 238 Rushing – Larry Johnson (232 carries for 1736 yards, 7.5 avg., 16 TDs) 1997 Marc Renaud (21) 203 Passing – Zack Mills (175 of 299 for 2256 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs) 1946 George Guerre (15) 160 Receiving – Bryant Johnson (46 catches for 860 yards, 18.7 avg., 3 TDs) 1999 T.J. Duckett (22) 159 Tackles – Shawn Mayer (125 tackles, 75 solos, 50 assists, 4 interceptions) Passing Year Player (C-A) Yards STAT COMPARISON – 2001 Jeff Smoker (24-36) 356 Michigan State Penn State 1998 Bill Burke (17-44) 286 Scoring 28.1 34.2 1994 Tony Banks (18-28) 244 First Downs 20.4 21.6 1995 Tony Banks (21-33) 242 Total Offense 369.5 427.6 1996 Todd Schultz (17-30) 218 Rushing Yards 138.5 219.3 Passing Yards 231.0 208.4 Receiving Time of Possession 28:05 29:31 Year Player (Rec.) Yards Third Down Conversions .324 .466 2001 Charles Rogers (8) 191 Points Allowed 30.6 18.8 1998 Gari Scott (9) 157 Total Offense Allowed 390.5 329.5 1966 Gene Washington (4) 143 Rushing Yards Allowed 197.8 100.5 1996 Nigea Carter (7) 142 Passing Yards Allowed 192.7 229.0

MSU/PENN STATE SERIES NOTES – Saturday’s game marks the 20th meeting between Michigan State and Penn State. The Spartans lead the all-time series 10-8-1, including a 4-5-1 record in games played in State College, Pa. Penn State has won two in a row and seven of the last nine meetings. The home team has won five of the last six games. Michigan State’s last win in the series came on Nov. 20, 1999, 35-28, in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans have lost four straight games in Beaver Stadium. Michigan State’s last win in State College came on Sept. 25, 1965, 23-0 – the year before Joe Paterno took over as Penn State’s head coach. (Note: For a complete list of all-time series scores, please refer to page 196 in the 2002 MSU Football Media Guide.) Michigan State Football Notes • 3

THE LAST MEETING – SPARTAN SPORTS ZONE Nov. 24, 2001, in East Lansing, Mich.: Zack Mills came off the bench to throw for 240 yards and Spartan Sports Zone, a weekly 30- a touchdown plus ran for another score as Penn State rallied from a 17-point deficit for a 42-37 minute television show produced victory over Michigan State. The Nittany Lions took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in five and distributed by the Michigan State plays to take a 7-0 lead as Matt Senneca scored on a 3-yard run. Michigan State responded by Athletics Department, will air Sun- scoring on its first five possessions. The Spartans built a 24-7 lead on Dave Rayner’s 27-yard days at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) on Fox field goal, Jeff Smoker’s 59-yard strike to Charles Rogers, Damon Dowdell’s 1-yard run and Sports Net Detroit. The magazine- Little John Flower’s 9-yard jaunt. Penn State pulled to within 24-14 on Eric McCoo’s 2-yard TD run format show is dedicated to in-depth with 7:18 left in the second quarter. Michigan State answered on its next series as Smoker again coverage of Michigan State football, hooked up with Rogers, completing a 47-yard bomb, to give the Spartans a 31-14 lead. McCoo men’s basketball and ice hockey. capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive with 2-yard TD run as Penn State closed to within 10 at halftime, Dave Ellis serves as host for the pro- 31-21. Michigan State opened the second half with a 10-play, 63-yard drive but came away empty- gram. handed as Rayner’s 35-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right. The Nittany Lions scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to turn its 10-point deficit into a 42-31 lead. R.J. Luke 2002 SPARTAN RADIO scored on a 64-yard toss from Mills and Penn State took its first lead at 35-31 on McCoo’s third NETWORK AFFILIATES TD run, another 2-yarder, with 1:54 left in the third quarter. A Michigan State fumble on its next City Call Letters series set up Penn State’s final score, a 1-yard sneak by Mills with 0:40 remaining in the third Adrian WABJ (AM 1490) quarter. The Spartans got back into the game midway through the fourth quarter on Smoker’s Alma WQBX (FM 104.9) third TD pass, a 2-yard flip to Chris Baker. Michigan State drove inside the Penn State 30-yard line Alpena WATZ (AM 1450) twice in the final eight minutes but turned the ball over on downs each time. The Spartans lost Bad Axe WLEW (AM 1340) despite outgaining Penn State in total yards, 542-400. Battle Creek WBCK (AM 930) Benton Harbor/ TURN BACK THE CLOCK – St. Joseph WCSY (FM 98.3) Michigan State’s last win in State College, Pa., came 37 years ago when . . . Cadillac WKJF (AM 1370) Caro WKYO (AM 1360) • Joe Paterno was associate coach at Penn State under Rip Engle. Coldwater WTVB (AM 1590) • President Lyndon Johnson occupied the White House. Detroit WXYT (AM 1270) • Penn State’s game program sold for 50 cents in Beaver Stadium. Flint WTRX (AM 1330) Fremont WSHN (1550) Sept. 25, 1965 (Michigan State 23, Penn State 0) Gaylord WAVC (FM 93.9) Steve Juday completed 10-of-13 passes for 100 yards and ran for a touchdown to lead Michigan Grand Rapids WBBL (AM 1340) State to a 23-0 victory over Penn State in Beaver Stadium. The Spartans jumped out to a 20-0 WODJ (FM 107.3) halftime lead on two field goals by Dick Kenney (from 24 and 29 yards) and TD runs of 4 yards by Holland WWJQ (AM 1260) Juday and 35 yards by Bob Apisa. Kenney closed out the scoring with his third field goal in the Iron Mountain WMIQ (AM 1450) fourth quarter, a 36-yarder. Clinton Jones (14 for 81) and Apisa (13 for 76) combined for 157 yards Jackson WIBM (AM 1450) rushing on 27 carries to pace MSU’s ground attack. The Spartans outgained Penn State in total Kalamazoo WQSN (AM 1660) yards, 290-215. Lansing WJIM (AM 1240) WJIM (FM 97.5) BATTLE FOR THE LAND-GRANT TROPHY – Ludington WKLA (AM 1450) Since the renewal of the series in 1993, the winner of the Michigan State-Penn State game has Manistee WMTE (AM 1340) been presented the Land-Grant Trophy. The trophy honors the two universities’ unique places in Marquette WDMJ (AM 1320) history as the two pioneer land-grant schools in the nation. Each institution was founded in 1855, Mt. Pleasant WMMI (AM 830) Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after Muskegon WUBR (AM 1490) which the land-grand system was patterned. The trophy features pictures of campus landmarks, Newberry WIHC (FM 97.9) Michigan State’s Beaumont Tower and Penn State’s Old Main, plus replicas of the Spartan and Ontonagon WUPY (FM 101.1) Nittany Lion. Since 1993, Penn State leads the series 7-2. Petoskey WWKK (AM 750) Port Huron WPHM (AM 1380) SPARTANS FROM THE KEYSTONE STATE – Saginaw WSGW (AM 790) Michigan State’s 64-man travel roster features two players from Pennsylvania, including red- Saint Ignace WIDG (AM 940) shirt freshman linebacker Michael Bazemore (Philadelphia/West Catholic) and freshman tailback Tawas City WKJC (FM 104.7) Jaren Hayes (Lebanon/Cedar Crest). Traverse City WCCW (AM 1310) SPARTANS CELEBRATE 50TH SEASON IN BIG TEN – Michigan State is in its 50th season of Big Ten competition, with an all-time record of 201-164-9 (.549) in league play. The Spartans have won six Big Ten championships (1953, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1987 and 1990). 4 • Michigan State Football Notes

MSU WEEK-BY-WEEK INJURY REPORT – IN THE 2002 POLLS OUT: OT Ulish Booker (sprained knee vs. Michigan; out for the season); OG Joe Brooks (knee); WR Kyle Brown (sprained shoulder vs. Purdue); TB Tyrell Dortch (broke right lower leg vs. USA/ Wisconsin in 2001; out indefinitely); DE Clifford Dukes (sprained shoulder vs. Michigan; out for Date AP ESPN the season); LB Steve Kielp (bruised shoulder; out indefinitely); C Chris Morris (sprained knee in Preseason 18 18 Nov. 4 practice; out for the season); OG Joe Patrick (lower back; out indefinitely); LB Chris Smith Aug. 26 18 17 (sprained shoulder vs. Michigan; DNP vs. Indiana); DE Alphonso Townsend (sprained knee vs. Sept. 2 15 15 Purdue). QUESTIONABLE: CB Cedric Henry (strained groin in Oct. 22 practice; DNP vs. Wiscon- Sept. 8 15 15 sin, played three snaps vs. Michigan and DNP vs. Indiana); TE Matt Walters (sprained ankle in Sept. 15 NR NR Aug. 21 scrimmage; DNP vs. Eastern Michigan, Rice, California, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Sept. 22 NR NR Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Purdue). Sept. 29 NR NR Oct. 6 NR NR SPARTANS OF THE WEEK – Oct. 13 NR NR The Michigan State coaching staff selected the following players as Spartans of the Week for Oct. 20 NR NR their performances Nov. 16 vs. Purdue: Oct. 27 NR NR Nov. 3 NR NR Offense – SE Charles Rogers (eight catches for 161 yards and two TDs; 175 all-purpose yards) Nov. 10 NR NR and OT Steve Stewart (graded out career-best 98 percent, including six pancakes) Nov. 17 NR NR Defense – SS Thomas Wright (11 tackles and 57-yard return for a touchdown; 25 production points) Special Teams – Brandon Massey (two solo tackles; nine production points)

SPARTAN SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – The Michigan State coaching staff selected the following Scout Team Players of the Week for their contributions in practice prior to the Nov. 16 game vs. Purdue:

Offense – TB Jerramy Scott Defense – CB Damien Fortson

BIG TEN/NCAA STAT LEADERS – Here’s a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders in 2002:

Category Stat Avg. Big Ten NCAA Rushing Offense 138.5 10th 71st Passing Offense 231.0 4th 48th Total Offense 369.5 10th 69th Scoring Offense 28.1 8th 57th Rushing Defense 197.8 9th 100th Passing Defense 192.7 4th 37th Pass Efficiency Defense 117.9 6th 55th Total Defense 390.5 8th t-79th Scoring Defense 30.6 9th 89th Turnover Margin -0.5 8th t-80th Net Punting 35.2 5th 48th Punt Returns 8.4 9th 86th Kickoff Returns 18.8 8th 87th Michigan State Football Notes • 5

NCAA STAT LEADERS – THIS WEEK’S POLLS Here’s a glance at how Michigan State ranks among the NCAA stat leaders in 2002: (Nov. 17, 2002)

Team Statistics Associated Press Rushing Offense: 71st at 138.5 yards per game 1. Miami-Fla. (9-0) Passing Offense: 48th at 231.0 yards per game 2. Ohio State (12-0) Passing Efficiency: 42nd at 130.3 rating 3. Washington State (9-1) Total Offense: 69th at 369.5 yards per game 4. Oklahoma (9-1) Scoring Offense: 57th at 28.1 points per game 5. Iowa (11-1) Rushing Defense: 100th at 197.8 yards per game 6. Georgia (10-1) Passing Defense: 37th at 192.7 yards per game 7. Southern Cal (8-2) Pass Efficiency Defense: 55th at 117.9 rating 8. Notre Dame (9-1) Total Defense: t-79th at 390.5 yards per game 9. Alabama (9-2) Scoring Defense: 89th at 30.6 points per game 10. Kansas State (9-2) Turnover Margin: t-80th at -0.5 turnovers per game 11. Texas (9-2) Net Punting: 48th at 35.2 yards per punt 12. Michigan (9-2) Punt Returns: 86th at 8.4 yards per return 13. Virginia Tech (8-2) Kickoff Returns: 87th at 18.8 yards per return 14. Florida State (8-3) 15. Penn State (8-3) Individual Statistics 16. Colorado (8-3) Receptions: Charles Rogers (25th at 5.73 catches per game) 17. Pittsburgh (8-2) Receiving Yards: Charles Rogers (5th at 117.0 yards per game) 18. Maryland (9-2) All-Purpose Yards: Charles Rogers (36th at 126.3 yards per game) 19. Florida (8-3) 20. Colorado State (9-2) ROGERS NAMED BILETNIKOFF AWARD FINALIST – 21. Louisiana State (7-3) All-America and candidate Charles Rogers has 63 receptions for 1,287 22. Texas Christian (8-1) yards (20.4 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. Fifty-four of his 63 receptions (86 percent) in 2002 have 23. Boise State (10-1) resulted in first downs. Rogers, who has been named one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff 24. Texas Tech (8-4) Award, leads the Big Ten in receptions (5.73 per game), receiving yards (117.0 per game) and 25. UCLA (7-3) TD catches (13). He leads the nation in TD receptions (tied with Arizona State’s Shaun McDonald) and ranks among the NCAA leaders in receiving yards (fifth) and receptions USA Today/ESPN Coaches (25th). 1. Miami-Fla. (9-0) 2. Ohio State (12-0) His last 18 touches have produced first downs (dating back to the fourth quarter of the Nov. 3. Washington State (9-1) 2 game at Michigan). Rogers, who earned Midseason All-America honors from CNNSI.com, 4. Iowa (11-1) has caught at least one pass in 23 consecutive games (2001-02). 5. Oklahoma (9-1) 6. Georgia (10-1) Rogers accounted for 175 all-purpose yards, averaging 19.4 yards on nine touches, in Michigan 7. Southern Cal (8-2) State’s 45-42 loss to Purdue. He produced a first down each time he handled the football. 8. Notre Dame (9-1) Rogers recorded his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season vs. Purdue, with eight catches 9. Michigan (9-2) for 161 yards and two TDs. He set a Spartan all-time record with his 12th-career 100-yard 10. Kansas State (9-2) receiving game, breaking the mark previously held by Andre Rison (11; 1986-88). Rogers scored 11. Texas (9-2) on TD receptions of 16 and 65 yards from Damon Dowdell, bringing his MSU career record to 27. 12. Virginia Tech (8-2) He also moved into sixth place on MSU’s all-time list with 130 career receptions, passing Mill 13. Florida (8-3) Coleman (126). 14. Florida State (8-3) 15. Colorado State (9-2) He had 168 all-purpose yards, averaging 24.0 yards on seven touches, in MSU’s 56-21 victory 16. Penn State (8-3) over Indiana. Rogers caught five passes for 102 yards, including TD receptions of 36 and 21 17. Colorado (8-3) yards from Dowdell. With his 21-yard TD grab in the third quarter, Rogers became the Spartans’ 18. Maryland (9-2) all-time leader in career TD receptions, breaking the mark previously held by Kirk Gibson (24; 19. Pittsburgh (8-2) 1975-78). He gained a career-high 66 rushing yards on two reverses vs. Indiana. His 41-yard run 20. Louisiana State (7-3) early in the second quarter set up Dowdell’s 1-yard TD pass to Eric Knott and his 25-yard run late 21. Boise State (10-1) in the first half led to David Richard’s 1-yard TD dive. 22. Texas Christian (8-1) 23. Texas Tech (8-4) With four catches for 75 yards vs. Michigan, Rogers became only the second receiver in Spartan 24. UCLA (7-3) history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Plaxico Burress posted consecutive 1,000- 25. Hawaii (8-2) yard receiving seasons in 1998-99.

He had three receptions for 88 yards vs. Wisconsin, including touchdown catches of 26 yards from Dowdell in the third quarter and 44 yards from Aaron Alexander in the fourth quarter. With 88 receiving yards against the Badgers, Rogers moved ahead of Gibson (2,347 yards) into second place on MSU’s all-time list in career receiving yards. 6 • Michigan State Football Notes

2002 BIG TEN STANDINGS Rogers had a team-high six catches for 96 yards vs. Minnesota, including a 52-yard reception on Team Conf. Overall the game’s opening drive that set up Michigan State’s only touchdown. Iowa 8-0 11-1 Ohio State 7-0 12-0 With his 21-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Smoker in the second quarter vs. Northwestern, Michigan 6-1 9-2 Rogers set both NCAA and Big Ten records by catching a TD pass in his 13th-consecutive Penn State 4-3 8-3 regular-season game and his 14th-straight game overall. Rogers broke the NCAA record (12) Minnesota 3-4 7-4 previously shared by Marshall’s Randy Moss (1997), Pacific’s Aaron Turner (1990-91) and Purdue 3-4 5-6 Michigan’s Desmond Howard (1990-91). He also shattered the Big Ten career mark (13) previ- Illinois 3-4 4-7 ously held by Howard. Michigan State 2-5 4-7 Wisconsin 1-6 6-6 His NCAA and Big Ten record-setting TD reception was anything but routine as Rogers reached Indiana 1-6 3-8 over two Northwestern defensive backs, Marvin Ward and Mark Roush, to make the catch in the Northwestern 1-6 3-8 corner of the end zone.

THIS WEEK’S BIG TEN Rogers caught seven passes for 175 yards and two scores in Michigan State’s 21-17 loss to No. SCHEDULE 12 Notre Dame. He had five catches for 129 yards in the second half vs. Notre Dame as the Minnesota @ Wisconsin Spartans rallied from a 14-3 halftime deficit. MSU pulled to within 14-10 on Rogers’ 38-yard TD Illinois @ Northwestern catch from Smoker early in the fourth quarter. His 21-yard TD grab in the back of the end zone on Michigan @ Ohio State fourth-and-11 gave the Spartans a 17-14 lead over the Irish with 1:45 to play. Indiana @ Purdue Michigan State @ Penn State Rogers had nine receptions for 166 yards vs. Cal, including a 15-yard TD grab from Smoker in Iowa idle the third quarter. All nine of his catches went for first downs.

SPARTAN The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior from Saginaw, Mich., earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week PRONUNCIATIONS honors after catching nine passes for 155 yards and two scores in Michigan State’s 27-10 victory over Rice. Todd Acchione: ACK-EE-OWN Bobby Belmonte: BELL-MON-TEE His 38-yard TD catch from Smoker gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead over Rice midway through the Mark Bojovic: BOY-O-VICH first quarter. His 5-yard TD grab late in the third quarter extended MSU’s lead to 20-10. Seven of Ulish Booker: YOU-LISH his nine receptions vs. Rice resulted in first downs. Mark Goebel: GO-BULL Mitch Herrema: HAIR-UH-MA With four catches for 138 yards (34.5 avg.) vs. Eastern Michigan in the 2002 season opener, Ziehl Kavanaght: ZEAL KAV-UH-NAW Rogers became the first receiver in Spartan history to post five straight 100-yard receiving games. Mike Labinjo: LUH-BIN-JOE Rogers broke the record previously held by Mason, who had four consecutive 100-yard receiving BJ Lovett: LOVE-IT games in 1996. Luc Mullinder: LUKE Gordon Niebylski: NEH-BILL-SKI All four of his receptions against Eastern Michigan produced first downs, including his 19-yard Amish Patel: UH-MEESH touchdown grab from Smoker midway through the first quarter. Rogers’ 59-yard reception from PUH-TELL Smoker to the EMU 4 set up Michigan State’s third first-half touchdown and his 22-yard catch Kyle Rasmussen: RAS-MEW-SEN preceded the Spartans’ fourth first-half TD. Agim Shabaj: UH-GEEM SHA-BY Monquiz Wedlow: MON-QUIZ Rogers put together a Spartan record eight consecutive 100-yard receiving games from 2001-02 Greg Yeaster: YEA-STIR (Purdue, Nov. 17, 2001– Notre Dame, Sept. 21, 2002). His streak fell just three games shy of the NCAA record of 11-straight 100-yard receiving games, shared by Southern Cal’s Keyshawn SPARTAN STREAKS Johnson (1994-95) and Turner (1991). Consecutive Games Started Thomas Wright, S 33 ROGERS NAMED ’S BEST PLAYER – Brian Ottney, C 32 Michigan State’s record-setting receiver Charles Rogers has turned a lot of heads with his Kyle Rasmussen, DT 24 remarkable catches during the 2002 season, but what undoubtedly impresses Heisman Trophy Charles Rogers, SE 23 voters most is his consistency. Rogers’ on-the-field production has caught the attention of the Steve Stewart, OT 23 national media.

• The cover of the Sept. 23 issue of The Sporting News featured Rogers with the headline “Meet College Football’s Best Player.”

“Rogers is the best player in college football, and next year or the year after, he’ll be one of the first players selected in the NFL draft,” TSN managing editor Steve Greenberg wrote. “As a with great size (6-4, 205) and speed (4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash), excellent hands and an unmatched ability to adjust to the ball in the air, Rogers is too much to handle for any defender he’ll face all year.” Michigan State Football Notes • 7

ROGERS FEATURED IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT – TOP SINGLE-GAME Michigan State junior wide receiver Charles Rogers is one of only 10 players featured in the PERFORMANCES College Football Hall of Fame’s “Race to the Pantheon” exhibit. The display includes game Dawan Moss Rushing jerseys and action photos of players expected to compete for college football’s top individual Yds. Opponent (Att.) Date awards in 2002, including the Fred Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy. 191 Northwestern (26) 9/28/02 136 Eastern Mich. (12) 8/31/02 The exhibit showcases three of the country’s top quarterbacks, including Miami’s Ken Dorsey, Florida’s and Marshall’s . Other major award candidates include: David Richard Rushing Wisconsin running back Anthony Davis, Georgia Tech defensive end Greg Gathers, Maryland Yds. Opponent (Att.) Date linebacker E.J. Henderson, Maryland running back Bruce Perry, Southern Cal safety 136 Indiana (20) 11/9/02 and Georgia offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb. Jeff Smoker Passing The Hall of Fame determined the favorites to win college football’s top individual awards in 2002, Yds. Opponent (C-A) Date based upon a consensus of preseason publications. 376 Fresno State (22-32)12/31/01 356 Penn State (24-36) 11/24/01 THE WRIGHT STUFF – 326 Wisconsin (13-20) 10/27/01 Senior strong safety Thomas Wright leads the Spartans in tackles (121 total; 83 solos and 38 317 Missouri (14-17) 12/1/01 assists), interceptions (four) and production points (188). Wright ranks second in the Big Ten 288 Indiana (20-30) 11/10/01 in tackles (11.0 per game), behind Penn State’s Shawn Mayer (11.4). He has posted double 281 Notre Dame (19-34) 9/21/02 figures in tackles in six straight games and nine of his last 10 starts. His 121 tackles repre- 263 Northwestern (15-24) 9/28/02 sent a career best. He also anchors a Spartan defensive unit that ranks fourth in the Big Ten 258 Minnesota (21-33) 10/20/01 and No. 37 nationally in passing defense, allowing 192.7 yards per game. 233 Northwestern (17-35) 9/30/00 232 Eastern Mich. (14-24) 8/31/02 Wright recorded 11 tackles (7-4) and returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown vs. 229 Minnesota (17-29) 10/19/02 Purdue to earn Spartan Defensive Player of the Week honors for the fifth time in 2002. With 11 213 Rice (16-26) 9/7/02 takedowns against the Boilermakers, Wright moved into eighth place on Michigan State’s all- 206 California (16-33) 9/14/02 time list with 341 career tackles. Damon Dowdell Passing He contributed 12 stops (9-3) in MSU’s 56-21 victory at Indiana. Wright produced a season-high Yds. Opponent (C-A) Date 17 tackles vs. Michigan, including 14 solo hits. With 11 takedowns (9-2) vs. Wisconsin, he 304 Purdue (24-45) 11/17/01 became only the 13th player in Spartan history to reach the 300-tackle career milestone. 253 Purdue (18-32) 11/16/02 203 Indiana (17-25) 11/9/02 The 6-foot-1, 191-pound safety from Lake Wales, Fla., earned Spartan Defensive Player of the 178 Michigan (15-34) 11/2/02 Week honors in three straight games, vs. Iowa, Northwestern and Notre Dame. Wright had 12 162 Wisconsin (14-24) 10/26/02 stops vs. Iowa, including eight solos. He registered 14 tackles (7-7) and picked off the seventh pass of his career vs. Northwestern. Wright recorded eight tackles (6-2), including a sack, and Charles Rogers Receiving an interception vs. Notre Dame. He also had three QB hits and caused a fumble against the Irish Yds. Opponent (Rec.) Date while totaling 27 production points. 270 Fresno State (10) 12/31/01 206 Wisconsin (5) 10/27/01 Wright, who has started a team-best 33 consecutive games, has 15 career double-figure 191 Penn State (8) 11/24/01 tackle games. He finished second on the team in tackles, behind middle linebacker Josh 175 Notre Dame (7) 9/21/02 Thornhill, each of the last two seasons (2000 and 2001). 168 Missouri (7) 12/1/01 166 California (9) 9/14/02 DOWDELL DELIVERS DOWN THE STRETCH – 161 Purdue (8) 11/16/02 In his four starting assignments in 2002, sophomore Damon Dowdell has com- 155 Rice (9) 9/7/02 pleted 64-of-115 passes (.557) for 796 yards (199.0 per game), eight touchdowns and five 138 Eastern Mich. (4) 8/31/02 interceptions. Dowdell has posted back-to-back 200-yard passing games vs. Purdue and 116 Notre Dame (4) 9/22/01 Indiana. 108 Purdue (7) 11/17/01 102 Indiana (5) 11/9/02 He threw for a season-high 253 yards vs. Purdue, including TD strikes of 16 and 65 yards to Charles Rogers. His 18 completions also marked a season high. Jason Harmon Tackles TM Opponent (S-A) Date Dowdell completed 17-of-25 throws (.680) for 203 yards and four scores to lead Michigan State 13 Minnesota (8-5) 10/19/02 to a 56-21 victory at Indiana as the Spartans snapped a four-game losing streak. Dowdell’s four 13 Rice (10-3) 9/7/02 touchdown passes tied MSU’s single-game record. He completed TD tosses of 1 yard to Eric Knott, 36 and 21 yards to Rogers and 3 yards to Jason Randall. Eric Smith Tackles TM Opponent (S-A) Date Dowdell accounted for a total of six TDs vs. Indiana, scrambling 8 yards for a score with 6:55 left 13 Wisconsin (12-1) 10/26/02 in the first quarter as the Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead. He connected on 11-of-14 passes for 146 yards and two TDs in the first half as Michigan State built a 42-7 halftime lead. 8 • Michigan State Football Notes

TOP SINGLE-GAME STANLEY REEKS HAVOC – PERFORMANCES Sophomore linebacker Ronald Stanley ranks second on the team in tackles (97 total), tack- Ronald Stanley Tackles les for losses (nine for 21 yards) and production points (138). Stanley has played as well as TM Opponent (S-A) Date anyone down the stretch, reaching double figures in tackles in three of his last five games. 16 Michigan (10-6) 11/2/02 13 Minnesota (8-5) 10/19/02 Stanley earned Spartan Defensive Player of the Week honors after registering 10 tackles (6 10 Indiana (6-4) 11/9/02 solos, 4 assists), including one for a 3-yard loss, vs. Indiana. He delivered two quarterback hits and totaled 19 production points against the Hoosiers. Monquiz Wedlow Tackles TM Opponent (S-A) Date The 6-foot, 220-pound WILL linebacker from Saginaw, Mich., produced a career-high 16 tackles 16 Purdue (14-2) 11/16/02 (10-6) vs. Michigan and 13 stops (8-5) vs. Minnesota. 11 Minnesota (8-3) 10/19/02 10 Notre Dame (6-4) 9/21/02 RICHARD ASSUMES NEW ROLE AS FEATURED BACK – 10 California (5-5) 9/14/02 With the indefinite suspension of starting tailback Dawan Moss, freshman David Richard has assumed an expanded role with the Spartan offense. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound rookie from St. Thomas Wright Tackles Louis leads the team with 611 rushing yards (4.8 avg.) and five rushing touchdowns. Richard is TM Opponent (S-A) Date set to become the first true freshman to lead the Spartans in rushing since Sedrick Irvin 18 Illinois (12-6) 11/28/00 gained 1,067 yards in 1996. 17 Michigan (14-3) 11/2/02 14 Northwestern (7-7) 9/28/02 Richard recorded his first career multiple-TD game vs. Purdue, scoring on runs of 14 and 10 13 Ohio State (10-3) 11/4/00 yards. 12 Indiana (9-3) 11/9/02 12 Iowa (8-4) 10/12/02 In his first collegiate start vs. Indiana, Richard rushed for a season-best 136 yards on 20 carries. 12 Northwestern (10-2) 9/29/01 His season-long 48-yard run midway through the second quarter set up Jaren Hayes’ 8-yard 12 Michigan (10-2) 11/21/00 touchdown run. Richard carried the ball five straight times during another second-quarter drive 11 Purdue (7-4) 11/16/02 that resulted in his 1-yard TD dive, giving the Spartans a 35-7 lead. 11 Wisconsin (9-2) 10/26/02 11 Rice (7-4) 9/7/02 Richard and Moss had combined to rush for 1,008 yards in the first nine games, accounting for 10 Minnesota (6-4) 10/19/02 86 percent of Michigan State’s ground attack in 2002. 10 California (6-4) 9/14/02 10 Indiana (8-2) 11/10/01 Richard paced the Spartan ground attack vs. Wisconsin, with 58 yards on 14 attempts. He gained 10 Missouri (6-4) 9/16/00 76 yards on a season-high 18 rushes vs. Northwestern, including 48 yards in the second half. Richard led the team in rushing vs. Notre Dame, picking up 70 yards on 15 carries.

In his collegiate debut vs. Eastern Michigan, Richard produced 93 yards on 11 attempts, includ- ing a 38-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

KNOTT A BAD TARGET – Despite the loss of second-team All-American Chris Baker, Michigan State’s career record- holder for receptions by tight end with 133, the position appears to be in good hands. Sopho- more tight end Eric Knott ranks second on the team, behind All-American Charles Rogers, in receptions with 33 for 334 yards (10.1 avg.) and four touchdowns.

Knott has been the Spartans’ leading receiver in four games in 2002, including back-to-back games vs. Michigan and Wisconsin. He matched his career high with six catches for 31 yards against the Wolverines. Knott caught four passes for 70 yards against the Badgers and his 34- yard reception from Damon Dowdell late in the third quarter set up Michigan State’s second TD.

He had a team-high five catches for 75 yards vs. Northwestern, including a 36-yard grab in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal. Three of his five receptions vs. Northwestern produced first downs.

The 6-foot-3, 258-pound sophomore from Detroit had four catches for 23 yards vs. Rice, includ- ing a 2-yard TD toss from Jeff Smoker on third-and-goal that iced the game early in the fourth quarter.

Knott caught a career-best six passes for 69 yards (11.5 avg.) and two touchdowns in MSU’s 56- 7 triumph over Eastern Michigan in the 2002 season opener. Knott scored on pass plays of 4 and 30 yards from Jeff Smoker in the second quarter as the Spartans put 21 points on the scoreboard en route to a 28-0 halftime lead. Three of his six catches vs. EMU resulted in first downs. Michigan State Football Notes • 9

RASMUSSEN RECOGNIZED FOR HIS EFFORTS IN THE CLASSROOM – MSU RECORD BOOK Michigan State junior defensive lineman Kyle Rasmussen, who carries a 3.5 grade-point aver- Career Pass Attempts age in engineering arts, has been named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-District IV Second 1. (1976-78) 789 Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of American (CoSIDA). 2. Dave Yarema (1982-86) 767 3. Bill Burke (1996-99) 766 To be nominated for the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be a starter or 4. (1990-93) 746 important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his 5. (1979-82) 686 career. He also must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing. 6. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) 662

District IV includes all schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Ten- Career Pass Completions nessee. 1. Jim Miller (1990-93) 467 2. Dave Yarema (1982-86) 464 Rasmussen, a 6-foot-4, 287-pounder from Hadley, Mich., has started 24 consecutive games. He 3. Ed Smith (1976-78) 418 started the first eight games of the 2002 season at defensive tackle before moving outside to 4. Bill Burke (1996-99) 416 defensive end for the last three games. Rasmussen has recorded 42 tackles (23 solos, 19 5. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) 383 assists), including seven stops each vs. Notre Dame and Indiana. He also has been credited with four quarterback hits. Career Completion Pct. 1. Jim Miller (1990-93) .629 Spartan senior offensive guard Paul Harker (communication, 3.28) also was nominated for the 2. (1987-90) .621 Academic All-District Team. 3. Todd Schultz (1994-97) .607 4. Tony Banks (1994-95) .607 SMOKER SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY – 5. Dave Yarema (1982-86) .605 Michigan State junior quarterback Jeff Smoker has been suspended indefinitely for violating 6. Clark Brown (1983) .582 team rules, former head coach Bobby Williams announced Oct. 24. 7. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) .579

“The decision was made after consulting with Jeff and others,” Williams said. “It is for the welfare Career Passing Yards of both Jeff and this football program that this action is taken immediately.” 1. Dave Yarema (1982-86) 5809 2. Ed Smith (1976-78) 5706 Smoker, who started the first seven games of the 2002 season, has completed 114-of-203 3. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) 5537 throws (.562) for 1,593 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 219-pound veteran from Manheim, Pa., ranks among the Big Ten leaders in TD passes (fourth), passing Career TD Passes yards (fifth at 227.6 yards per game) and passing efficiency (seventh with 133.4 rating). He has 1. Bill Burke (1996-99) 46 posted six 200-yard passing games in 2002, including a season-high 281 yards and two scores 2. Dave Yarema (1982-86) 43 in a 21-17 loss to Notre Dame. Ed Smith (1976-78) 43 4. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) 40 He needs only 122 total yards to overtake Ed Smith (1976-78) and become Michigan State’s career leader in total offense. Smoker already ranks among MSU’s all-time leaders in pass attempts (sixth with 662), pass completions (fifth with 383), completion percentage (seventh at Career Receptions .579), passing yards (third with 5,537) and TD passes (fourth with 40). He has 13 career 200- 1. Andre Rison (1985-88) 146 yard passing games and compiled a 13-11 record in 24 career starts. 2. Courtney Hawkins (1988-91) 138 3. Gari Scott (1996-99) 134 SPARTAN DEFENSE LOSING GROUND – 4. Chris Baker (1998-2001) 133 Michigan State ranks ninth in the Big Ten and No. 100 nationally (out of 117) in rushing defense, 5. Plaxico Burress (1998-99) 131 allowing 197.8 yards per game. The Spartans have permitted 1,305 combined rushing yards in 6. Charles Rogers (2001-02) 130 the last five games (261.0 yards per game), including 307 yards on 66 rushes (4.7 avg.) by Purdue, 107 yards on 33 carries (3.2 avg.) by Indiana, 188 yards on 53 attempts (3.5 avg.) by Career Receiving Yards Michigan, 390 yards on 60 rushes (6.5 avg.) by Minnesota and 313 yards on 56 carries (5.6 avg.) 1. Andre Rison (1985-88) 2992 by Wisconsin. 2. Charles Rogers (2001-02) 2757

Purdue’s Brandon Kirsch became only the fifth quarterback in Boilermaker history to rush for 100 Career Yards Per Catch yards in a game, picking up 125 yards on 21 attempts against the Spartans. Michigan’s B.J. 1. Charles Rogers (2001-02) 21.2 Askew rushed for a career-best 149 yards (32 carries) and two scores vs. Michigan State. 2. Kirk Gibson (1975-78) 21.0 Minnesota’s Terry Jackson II produced 238 yards on 29 attempts against the Spartans while his 3. Andre Rison (1985-88) 20.5 back-up Thomas Tapeh gained 147 yards on 25 rushes. Wisconsin had two backs record 100- 4. Mark Ingram (1983-86) 20.5 yard games against Michigan State, with Anthony Davis picking up 170 yards on 29 carries and 5. Daryl Turner (1980-83) 20.2 Dwayne Smith rushing for 110 yards on 14 attempts.

The Spartans have surrendered 200-plus yards on the ground five times in 2002. By compari- son, only two opponents in 2001 produced 200-yard rushing games against Michigan State (322 by Minnesota and 489 by Indiana). 10 • Michigan State Football Notes

MSU RECORD BOOK SPARTAN RUNNING GAME SEEKS CONSISTENCY – Career TD Receptions Michigan State ranks 10th in the Big Ten and No. 71 nationally in rushing, averaging 138.5 yards 1. Charles Rogers (2001-02) 27 per game. The Spartans have been held below 100 yards rushing in seven of their first 11 games 2. Kirk Gibson (1975-78) 24 in 2002, including 67 yards on 22 carries in last week’s 45-42 loss to Purdue.

Career Total Offense Yards The Spartan ground game came to life against Indiana as freshmen David Richard and Jaren 1. Ed Smith (1976-78) 5556 Hayes rushed for a combined 234 yards and three touchdowns in MSU’s 56-21 victory over the 2. Jeff Smoker (2000-02) 5435 Hoosiers. Michigan State yielded 289 rushing yards (6.7 avg.) and scored four rushing TDs against Indiana. Career Tackles 1. Dan Bass (1976-79) 541 Michigan State generated only 324 combined rushing yards during its recent four-game losing 2. Percy Snow (1986-89) 473 streak (81.0 yards per game), including 59 yards on 30 attempts (3.0 avg.) vs. Michigan, 159 3. Ike Reese (1994-97) 420 yards on 38 carries (4.2 avg.) vs. Wisconsin, 51 yards on 26 rushes (2.0 avg.) vs. Minnesota and 4. Josh Thornhill (1998-2001) 395 55 yards on 33 attempts (1.7 avg.) vs. Iowa. 5. Chuck Bullough (1988-91) 391 6. Sorie Kanu (1995-98) 365 The Spartans also managed only 58 yards on 32 rushes (1.8 avg.) against Rice, 87 yards on 30 7. Aric Morris (1996-99) 350 carries (2.9 avg.) vs. California and 53 yards on 34 attempts (1.6 avg.) vs. Notre Dame. It marked 8. T. Wright (1999-2002) 341 the first time since 1992 (60 yards vs. Michigan, 69 vs. Minnesota and 99 vs. Ohio State) that the Spartans had produced less than 100 yards rushing in three straight games. Career Pass Break-Ups Michigan State’s ground game also displayed flashes of brilliance vs. Northwestern and Eastern 1. Amp Campbell (1996-99) 56 Michigan. The Spartans’ running game accounted for 276 of its 539 total yards in a 39-24 victory 2. Cedric Henry (1998-2000, 02) 43 over Northwestern in the 2002 Big Ten opener. MSU’s running attack produced 369 yards in the 3. Renaldo Hill (1998-2000) 36 season opener vs. Eastern Michigan – its highest single-game rushing total since amassing 4. B. Nelson (1998, 2000-02) 35 452 yards on the ground vs. Penn State in the 1997 regular-season finale. First-year backs 5. Thomas Wright (1999-2002) 32 accounted for 233 rushing yards vs. EMU.

“RED ZONE” UPDATE – Michigan State has scored on 28 of its 38 possessions (.737) that have penetrated the opponent’s 20-yard line in 2002. The Spartans’ scoring drives have produced 23 touchdowns (10 rushing TDs and 13 passing TDs) and five field goals. Here’s a look at MSU’s and its opponents’ trips inside the “red zone” in 2002:

Michigan State “Red Zone” Results Eastern Michigan 4-4 (4 TDs) Rice 2-4 (missed FG, 2 TDs, time expired) California 2-5 (fumble, interception, 2 TDs, lost on downs) Notre Dame 2-2 (FG, TD) Northwestern 3-3 (3 FGs) Iowa 2-3 (2 TDs, lost on downs) Minnesota 1-1 (TD) Wisconsin 2-3 (FG, TD, interception) Michigan 0-2 (lost on downs twice) Indiana 7-8 (7 TDs, blocked FG) Purdue 3-3 (3 TDs) Totals 28-38 (.737)

Opponent “Red Zone” Results Eastern Michigan 1-1 (TD) Rice 2-2 (FG, TD) California 4-4 (2 FGs, 2 TDs) Notre Dame 2-2 (2 TDs) Northwestern 3-3 (FG, 2 TDs) Iowa 3-4 (2 FGs, TD, interception) Minnesota 3-5 (fumble, FG, 2 TDs, time expired) Wisconsin 4-8 (lost on downs twice, 4 TDs, missed FG, time expired) Michigan 5-6 (5 TDs, missed FG) Indiana 2-3 (2 TDs, lost on downs) Purdue 3-4 (lost on downs, FG, 2 TDs) Totals 32-42 (.762) Michigan State Football Notes • 11

“Red Zone” Breakdown 2002 MSU DEFENSIVE MSU Opponents LEADERBOARD “Red Zone” Chances 38 42 (based on production points) Rushing TDs 10 17 1. Thomas Wright 188 Passing TDs 13 7 2. Ronald Stanley 138 Total TDs 23 24 3. Monquiz Wedlow 127 TD Pct. .605 (23-38) .571 (24-42) 4. Clifford Dukes 90 FGs Made 5 8 5. DeMario Suggs 86 FGs Missed 2 2 6. Mike Labinjo 69 Total Points 174 193 Kevin Vickerson 69 Scoring Pct. .737 (28-38) .762 (32-42) 8. Matthias Askew 65 9. Greg Taplin 61 UPSET SPECIALS – 10. Jason Harmon 58 Michigan State is 13-11 (.542) in its last 24 games against teams ranked in the Associated 11. Darrell Hamilton 55 Press Top 25, including a 10-8 record (.556) since 1999. Eleven of those 13 wins over ranked Cedric Henry 55 teams have come while Michigan State was unranked or ranked below its opponent. The 13. Broderick Nelson 54 Spartans are 0-3 vs. Top 25 teams in 2002, including losses to No. 12 Notre Dame (21-17), No. Kyle Rasmussen 54 17 Iowa (44-16) and No. 15 Michigan (49-3).

The Spartans had been 3-22 (.120) in their previous 25 games against ranked teams before their current 13-11 run.

Michigan State is 8-2 in its last 10 games against Top 25 teams in Spartan Stadium.

Here’s a look at Michigan State’s last 24 games against Top 25 teams:

Date Result (Associated Press Ranking) Site Nov. 2, 2002 No. 15 Michigan 49, MSU 3 Ann Arbor Oct. 12, 2002 No. 17 Iowa 44, MSU 16 Iowa City Sept. 21, 2002 No. 12 Notre Dame 21, MSU 17 East Lansing Dec. 31, 2001 MSU 44, No. 20 Fresno State 35 San Jose Nov. 3, 2001 MSU 26, No. 6 Michigan 24 East Lansing Sept. 29, 2001 No. 16 Northwestern 27, No. 23 MSU 26 Evanston Sept. 22, 2001 MSU 17, No. 23 Notre Dame 10 South Bend Nov. 11, 2000 MSU 30, No. 9 Purdue 10 East Lansing Nov. 4, 2000 No. 16 Ohio State 27, MSU 13 Columbus Oct. 21, 2000 No. 16 Michigan 14, MSU 0 Ann Arbor Sept. 23, 2000 No. 23 MSU 27, No. 16 Notre Dame 21 East Lansing Jan. 1, 2000 No. 9 MSU 37, No. 10 Florida 34 Orlando Nov. 20, 1999 No. 15 MSU 35, No. 13 Penn State 28 East Lansing Nov. 6, 1999 No. 19 MSU 23, No. 20 Ohio State 7 East Lansing Oct. 23, 1999 No. 17 Wisconsin 40, No. 11 MSU 10 Madison Oct. 16, 1999 No. 20 Purdue 52, No. 5 MSU 28 West Lafayette Oct. 9, 1999 No. 11 MSU 34, No. 3 Michigan 31 East Lansing Sept. 18, 1999 MSU 23, No. 24 Notre Dame 13 South Bend Nov. 28, 1998 No. 23 Penn State 51, MSU 28 University Park Nov. 7, 1998 MSU 28, No. 1 Ohio State 24 Columbus Sept. 12, 1998 MSU 45, No. 10 Notre Dame 23 East Lansing Aug. 29, 1998 No. 15 Colorado State 23, No. 23 MSU 16 East Lansing Dec. 25, 1997 No. 21 Washington 51, No. 25 MSU 23 Aloha Bowl Nov. 29, 1997 MSU 49, No. 4 Penn State 14 East Lansing 12 • Michigan State Football Notes

ALL-TIME FIRST-ROUND WATTS PRODUCES WIN IN COACHING DEBUT – NFL DRAFT PICKS Veteran offensive coordinator Morris Watts made his head coaching debut on Nov. 9, 2002, as he 1. Notre Dame 59 led Michigan State to a 56-21 victory at Indiana, snapping a four-game losing streak. Watts 2. Southern Cal 58 became the 11th head coach in school history to produce a win in his Spartan debut. 3. Ohio State 56 4. Miami-Fla. 46 Here’s how Michigan State’s 22 head coaches have fared in their opening games (winning 5. Michigan 38 coaches in bold): Florida 38 7. Tennessee 35 • Morris Watts – Nov. 9, 2002 at Indiana (W 56-21) 8. Alabama 33 • Bobby Williams – Jan. 1, 2000 vs. Florida (W 37-34) in Florida 9. Nebraska 31 • – Sept. 9, 1995 vs. Nebraska (L 10-50) Texas 31 • – Sept. 10, 1983 vs. Colorado (W 23-17) 11. Michigan State 30 • Frank “Muddy” Waters – Sept. 13, 1980 at Illinois (L 17-20) Oklahoma 30 • – Sept. 11, 1976 at Ohio State (L 21-49) Research data provided by • – Sept. 15, 1973 at Northwestern (L 10-14) ESPN.com. • – Sept. 25, 1954 at Iowa (L 10-14) • Clarence “Biggie” Munn – Sept. 27, 1947 at Michigan (L 0-55) • – Sept. 30, 1933 vs. Grinnell (W 14-0) • – Sept. 28, 1929 vs. Alma (W 59-6) • – Sept. 29, 1928 vs. Kalamazoo (W 103-0) • Ralph Young – Sept. 29, 1923 at Chicago (L 0-34) • – Oct. 1, 1921 vs. Alma (W 28-0) • George “Potsy” Clark – Sept. 25, 1920 vs. Kalamazoo (L 2-21) • George Gauthier – Oct. 5, 1918 vs. Albion (W 21-6) • Frank Sommers – Sept. 30, 1916 vs. Olivet (W 40-0) • – Oct. 7, 1911 vs. Alma (W 12-0) • – Oct. 3, 1903 at Notre Dame (L 0-12) • George Denman – Sept. 28, 1901 at Alma (L 5-6) • Charles Bemies – Sept. 29, 1899 at Notre Dame (L 0-40) • Henry Keep – Sept. 25, 1897 vs. Lansing High School (W 28-0)

NATURAL GRASS RETURNS TO SPARTAN STADIUM – For the first time since 1968, Michigan State played its home football games on natural grass. The new playing surface, planted in May of 2001 at MSU’s Turfgrass Research Center, is com- prised of a blend of nine varieties of Kentucky bluegrass.

The field is comprised of 4,800 plastic modules. The installation process took five working days, from June 10-14, 2002. An additional 1,200 spare modules are being held for replacement purposes.

The original switch from natural grass to artificial turf came in time for the 1969 season.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH – Michigan State’s 12-game schedule featured a school-record eight games in Spartan Stadium in 2002, including the first five contests. It marked only the second time in school history that the Spartans had 12 games scheduled during the regular season. In 1998, Michigan State played seven of its 12 regular-season games at home, posting a 5-2 record in Spartan Stadium.

SPARTANS OPEN 2002 CAMPAIGN WITH FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND – For the first time since 1918 and only the second time in school history, Michigan State opened the season with a five game homestand. The 1918 Aggies won four of five games out of the gate.

Michigan State played its longest homestand in 1949 – six games from Oct. 1-Nov. 5. The Spartans opened the 1949 campaign at Michigan before playing their next six games in Macklin Field. Michigan State opened its six game homestand with five straight wins before losing to top- ranked Notre Dame, 34-21. Michigan State Football Notes • 13

WALK-ONS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS – Former Michigan State head football coach Bobby Williams awarded scholarships to three walk- FUTURE SCHEDULES ons prior to the 2002 season, including linebacker Richard Bryce (6-2, 218, Sr., East Lansing, 2003 Mich.), tight end Brian Dieckman (6-3, 240, Sr., Macomb, Mich.) and wide receiver Tim James (5- Aug. 30 WESTERN MICHIGAN 8, 171, Sr., Milan, Mich.). Sept. 6 RUTGERS Sept. 13 LOUISIANA TECH PLAYING IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE – Sept. 20 at Notre Dame Michigan State has played before a sellout crowd in 34 of its last 39 home games, including the Sept. 27 IOWA last 26 in a row. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA’s top 20 in attendance each of the Oct. 4 INDIANA last 46 years, including 19th in 2001, averaging 73,715 fans per game. Oct. 11 at Illinois Oct. 28 at Minnesota SPARTANS IN THE NFL – Nov. 1 MICHIGAN Michigan State had 18 former players listed on opening-day rosters for Nov. 8 at Ohio State teams in 2002. Here’s a complete list of Spartans currently playing in the NFL (opening-day Nov. 15 at Wisconsin rosters as of Sept. 5): Nov. 22 PENN STATE

Arizona Cardinals – CB Renaldo Hill, LB Rob Fredrickson 2004 Falcons – RB T.J. Duckett Sept. 4 at Rutgers – WR Muhsin Muhammad Sept. 11 CENTRAL MICHIGAN – K Paul Edinger, QB Jim Miller Sept. 18 NOTRE DAME Dallas Cowboys – OT Flozell Adams Sept. 25 at Indiana – QB Tony Banks Oct. 2 at Iowa – K Morten Andersen Oct. 9 ILLINOIS – OT Greg Robinson-Randall Oct. 16 MINNESOTA New York Jets – TE Chris Baker Oct. 30 at Michigan – LB Ike Reese Nov. 6 OHIO STATE Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Plaxico Burress Nov. 13 WISCONSIN – LB Julian Peterson Nov. 20 at Penn State Tennessee Titans – WR Derrick Mason, S Aric Morris, DL Robaire Smith Dec. 4 at Hawai’i Washington Redskins – LB Lemar Marshall

In addition, six former Spartans have signed contracts with NFL clubs (as of Sept. 5):

Denver Broncos – WR Herb Haygood – LB Josh Thornhill New England Patriots – DL Jace Sayler New York Giants – DE Nick Myers New York Jets – RB Little John Flowers Philadelphia Eagles – DE Ivory McCoy

Two more former Michigan State players are listed on NFL injured reserve (as of Sept. 5):

Kansas City Chiefs – DE Jabbar Threats San Francisco 49ers – DT Josh Shaw 14 • Michigan State Football Notes

SHERMAN LEWIS TO BE SPARTAN TRENDS UNDER WILLIAMS – HONORED AT SPARTAN Here’s how Michigan State fared during Bobby Williams’ tenure (33 games): FOOTBALL AWARDS SHOW The first-ever Spartan Football 2002 Overall Awards Show is scheduled for Mon- Games played in Spartan Stadium: 3-4 11-8 day, Nov. 25 at the Wharton Center Games played on the road/neutral site: 0-2 5-9 Great Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the awards program to begin When leading at halftime: 2-0 9-2 promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets for the When trailing at halftime: 1-6 4-12 Spartan Football Awards Show are When tied at halftime: 0-0 3-3 priced at $35 each, with $10 going as a tax-deductible contribution to the When scoring first: 3-3 12-8 Ralph Young Fund to support the When opponent scores first: 0-3 4-9 MSU football program. Entertain- ment will be provided by Cornell When leading after first quarter: 2-0 9-5 Gunter’s Coasters, The Platters and When trailing after first quarter: 0-5 3-9 Elsbeary Hobbs’ Drifters. When tied after first quarter: 1-1 4-3

Former Spartan All-American When leading after three quarters: 3-0 11-2 Sherman Lewis, who finished third When trailing after three quarters: 0-6 1-14 in the Heisman Trophy balloting in When tied after three quarters: 0-0 4-1 1963, will be presented the Duffy Daugherty Award at the 2002 Spar- When gaining more first downs than opponent: 2-3 9-13 tan Football Awards Show. The When gaining fewer first downs than opponent: 1-3 7-4 award, named in honor of MSU’s leg- endary head coach, has been pre- When gaining 200+ yards rushing: 2-0 7-1 sented annually since 1975 to a When opponent gains 200+ yards rushing: 2-2 2-6 Spartan football alumnus who has distinguished himself both on and When outrushing opponent: 2-0 12-3 off the field following his graduation. When being outrushed by opponent: 1-6 4-14 Lewis, who is in his 20th season as an assistant coach in the National When gaining 200+ yards passing: 3-4 11-12 Football League, currently serves as When opponent gains 200+ yards passing: 1-2 8-5 a special assistant (offense) with the Detroit Lions. When gaining more total yards than opponent: 3-1 14-7 When gaining fewer total yards than opponent: 0-5 2-10 During his career as a halfback for Michigan State from 1961-63, Lewis When leading in time of possession: 2-1 12-9 helped the Spartans to a combined When trailing in time of possession: 1-5 4-8 record of 18-8-1 (.685), including two Top 10 finishes in the United Press 2002 OPPONENTS UPDATE – International Poll (No. 9 in 1961 and Date vs. No. 10 in 1963). As a senior, he ac- MSU Opponent Last Game Result Next Game counted for 1,189 all-purpose yards Aug. 31 Eastern Michigan (3-8) vs. Northern Illinois (L 21-49) @ Bowling Green and scored eight touchdowns. The Sept. 7 Rice (4-7) vs. Hawai’i (L 28-33) – Louisville, Ky., native led the team in Sept. 14 California (6-5) vs. Arizona (L 41-52) vs. Stanford receptions with 11 for 303 yards (27.5 Sept. 21 Notre Dame (9-1) @ Navy (W 30-23) vs. Rutgers avg.) and ranked second in rushing Sept. 28 Northwestern (3-8) @ Iowa (L 10-62) vs. Illinois with 577 yards on 90 carries (6.4 Oct. 12 @ Iowa (11-1) @ Minnesota (W 45-21) TBA – Bowl avg.). Oct. 19 Minnesota (7-4) vs. Iowa (L 21-45) @ Wisconsin Oct. 26 Wisconsin (6-6) @ Michigan (L 14-21) vs. Minnesota Lewis rushed for 1,566 career yards Nov. 2 @ Michigan (9-2) vs. Wisconsin (W 21-14) @ Ohio State and scored 23 career TDs. He Nov. 9 @ Indiana (3-8) vs. Penn State (L 25-58) @ Purdue played four seasons in professional Nov. 16 Purdue (5-6) @ Michigan State (W 45-42) vs. Indiana football, including two years in Nov. 23 @ Penn State (8-3) @ Indiana (W 58-25) vs. Michigan State Canada (1964-65) and two seasons with the New York Jets (1966-67). Michigan State’s 2002 opponents have a combined record of 69-56 (.552). Note: Record Lewis spent 14 years as an assis- doesn’t include games played against MSU. tant coach at Michigan State (1969- 82) before heading to the NFL ranks. Michigan State Football Notes • 15

SPARTANS TOUGH ON HOME TURF – The Spartan Football Awards Show Spartan Stadium recently completed its 79th season as home to Michigan State football. Michi- replaces the Michigan State Football gan State has compiled a 291-124-13 (.695) since taking up residency in Spartan Stadium in Bust. 1923. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 16 times since the stadium opened, includ- ing a perfect 6-0 mark in 1999. It marked Michigan State’s first undefeated home record since Reservations for the Spartan Foot- 1966 (5-0-1) and its first unbeaten and untied home slate since 1965 (5-0-0). ball Awards Show can be made through the Ralph Young Fund by MAGIC NUMBER 24 – calling (517) 355-8257 or (800) 232- Since 1990, Michigan State is 66-16-1 (.801) when it scores at least 24 points and 11-55-1 (.172) 4MSU. when it scores fewer than 24 points. During that 13-year period, the Spartans have compiled an overall record of 77-71-2 (.520).

SPARTANS OF THE WEEK – Opponent Offense Defense Special Teams Eastern Michigan William Whitticker Greg Taplin Jason Daily Rice Charles Rogers Jason Harmon Jeremiah McLaurin California – – – Notre Dame Charles Rogers Thomas Wright Monquiz Wedlow Northwestern Dawan Moss Thomas Wright Dave Rayner Iowa Joe Tate Thomas Wright Eric Smith Minnesota Jeff Smoker Ronald Stanley Andrew Petterson Wisconsin Damon Dowdell Eric Smith Kyle Brown Michigan Stefon Wheeler Thomas Wright Ronald Stanley Indiana Damon Dowdell/ Ronald Stanley Chad Simon Charles Rogers Purdue Charles Rogers/ Thomas Wright Brandon Massey Steve Stewart

SPARTAN SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – Opponent Offense Defense Eastern Michigan Kyle Cook Matt Hasbrook Rice Kyle Brown Matt Hayes California Jerramy Scott/Jason Teague Carlos Alexander Notre Dame Chad Simon Matt Ott Northwestern Richard Bryce Iowa Nick Thompson Richard Bryce/Matt Hasbrook Minnesota Kyle Cook Luc Mullinder Wisconsin Jason Teague Marc Wilson Michigan Jason Teague Clifton Ryan Indiana Kyle Cook Eze Ejelonu Purdue Jerramy Scott Damien Fortson DEPTH CHARTS MICHIGAN STATE vs. PENN STATE SE 1 Charles Rogers (6-4, 205, Jr.) SE 11 Tony Johnson (5-11, 197, Jr.) 80 Ben Steckler (6-4, 217, R-Fr.) 19 Gerald Smith (5-10, 181, So.) LT 72 Stefon Wheeler (6-5, 310, R-Fr.) 31 Ernie Terrell (6-3, 199, R-Fr.) 71 Gordon Niebylski (6-4, 298, R-Fr.) LT 72 Gus Felder (6-5, 321, Sr.) LG 68 Joe Tate (6-5, 299, Jr.) 76 Damone Jones (6-4, 305, Jr.) 76 William Whitticker (6-6, 312, So.) LG 75 Chris McKelvy (6-3, 326, Jr.) C 73 Brian Ottney (6-6, 302, Jr.) O 77 E.Z. Smith (6-3, 287, R-Fr.) 67 DeMarco Monroe (6-4, 312, Jr.) C 63 Joe Iorio (6-3, 297, Sr.) RG 57 Paul Harker (6-3, 294, Sr.) F 61 David Costlow (6-2, 279, Jr.) 76 William Whitticker (6-6, 312, So.) F RG 50 Tyler Lenda (6-3, 293, Sr.) RT 77 Steve Stewart (6-5, 309, Jr.) 74 Tyler Reed (6-5, 312, R-Fr.) 79 Sean Poole (6-6, 304, So.) E RT 64 Matt Schmitt (6-4, 301, Sr.) TE 81 Jason Randall (6-5, 253, So.) 59 Eric Rickenbach (6-5, 298, Sr.) 4 Eric Knott (6-3, 258, So.) N TE 93 Casey Williams (5-11, 237, Jr.) 89 Ryan Woods (6-4, 250, R-Fr.) S 33 Mike Lukac (6-2, 251, Jr.) FL 6 BJ Lovett (6-3, 206, Sr.) FL 24 Bryant Johnson (6-2, 201, Sr.) 82 Ziehl Kavanaght (5-11, 185, Jr.) E 13 Kinta Palmer (6-4, 185, R-Fr.) 2 Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, Fr.) QB 7 Zack Mills (6-2, 220, So.) QB 7 Damon Dowdell (6-1, 214, So.) 12 Michael Robinson (6-3, 231, R-Fr.) 10 Aaron Alexander (6-5, 199, R-Fr.) FB 39 Paul Jefferson (6-1, 256, Jr.) or FB 35 Mark Goebel (6-2, 238, Jr.) 42 Sean McHugh (6-5, 260, Jr.) 41 David Herron Jr. (6-1, 244, Fr.) TB 5 Larry Johnson (6-2, 222, Sr.) TB 11 David Richard (6-1, 230, Fr.) 26 Mike Gasparato (5-11, 206, So.) 31 Jaren Hayes (5-9, 180, Fr.) 20 Tim Shaw (6-2, 228, Fr.) 20 Jason Teague (5-9, 180, Fr.)

DE 97 Kyle Rasmussen (6-4, 287, Jr.) LE 87 John Bronson (6-3, 265, So.) 88 Luc Mullinder (6-4, 277, Jr.) 86 Jeremiah Davis (6-4, 244, So.) DT 91 Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 293, So.) LT 98 Anthony Adams (6-0, 285, Sr.) 99 Brandon McKinney (6-3, 293, So.) 91 Tamba Hali (6-3, 263, Fr.) DT 96 Greg Yeaster (6-1, 269, So.) RT 73 Jimmy Kennedy (6-5, 316, Sr.) 95 Matthias Askew (6-6, 293, So.) D 99 Tim Falls (6-3, 277, Sr.) DE 94 Greg Taplin (6-5, 258, Jr.) RE 81 Michael Haynes (6-3, 268, Sr.) 88 Luc Mullinder (6-4, 277, Jr.) E 17 Lavon Chisley (6-5, 261, R-Fr.) SAM 45 Monquiz Wedlow (5-11, 200, Jr.) F OLB 37 LaMar Stewart (6-1, 224, So.) or 42 Mike Labinjo (6-1, 256, Jr.) 2 Deryck Toles (6-0, 217, Jr.) MIKE 42 Mike Labinjo (6-1, 256, Jr.) E ILB 47 Gino Capone (6-1, 238, Jr.) or 48 Seth Mitchell (6-2, 244, R-Fr.) 16 Andy Ryland (6-1, 234, Jr.) WILL 44 Ronald Stanley (6-0, 220, So.) N OLB 94 Derek Wake (6-3, 232, So.) 40 Michael Bazemore (6-2, 240, R-Fr.) S 38 Jimi Mitchell (6-2, 226, So.) CB 12 Ashton Watson (6-0, 170, Fr.) LCB 32 Bryan Scott (6-2, 218, Sr.) 17 Roderick Maples (5-10, 181, So.) E 21 Alan Zemaitis (6-2, 187, R-Fr.) SS 43 Thomas Wright (6-1, 191, Sr.) FS 23 Shawn Mayer (6-0, 196, Sr.) 33 Robert Flagg (6-2, 195, So.) 18 Andrew Guman (6-3, 207, So.) 24 Jeremiah McLaurin (5-11, 186, Jr.) HERO 27 Chris Harrell (6-2, 202, So.) FS 36 Eric Smith (6-1, 199, R-Fr.) 29 Paul Cronin (6-2, 205, R-Fr.) 25 Jason Harmon (5-11, 188, So.) RCB 25 Rich Gardner (5-11, 182, Jr.) 27 Derron Ware (6-3, 200, Fr.) 34 Gio Vendemia (6-0, 184, R-Fr.) CB 21 Broderick Nelson (6-0, 171, Sr.) 19 DeMario Suggs (5-11, 197, Sr.)

PK 16 Dave Rayner (6-2, 212, So.) KO 95 David Kimball (6-2, 186, Jr.) S 5 Bobby Belmonte (5-9, 171, Fr.) PK 4 Robbie Gould (6-0, 161, So.) P 18 Jason Daily (6-2, 175, Jr.) P P 14 David Royer (6-3, 206, Sr.) 8 Brandon Fields (6-5, 210, Fr.) E 4 Robbie Gould (6-0, 161, So.) SN 53 Andrew Petterson (6-0, 212, So.) C SSN 77 E.Z. Smith (6-3, 287, R-Fr.) 56 Brian Bury (6-0, 240, Fr.) I LSN 63 Joe Iorio (6-3, 297, Sr.) H 18 Jason Daily (6-2, 175, Jr.) A H 3 Chris Ganter (6-1, 195, R-Fr.) 2 Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, Fr.) L 7 Zack Mills (6-2, 220, So.) KR 31 Jaren Hayes (5-9, 180, Fr.) I KR 11 Tony Johnson (5-11, 197, Jr.) 17 Roderick Maples (5-10, 181, So.) or S 5 Larry Johnson (6-2, 222, Sr.) 6 BJ Lovett (6-3, 206, Sr.) T 19 Gerald Smith (5-10, 181, So.) 38 Damien Fortson (5-11, 177, So.) S PR 24 Bryant Johnson (6-2, 201, Sr.) PR 82 Ziehl Kavanaght (5-11, 185, Jr.) 19 Gerald Smith (5-10, 181, So.) 2 Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, Fr.)