2018_Michigan_State_Spartans_football_team

2018 Michigan State Spartans football team

2018 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season


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.

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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]

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.[4]

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Additionally, one player, Chris Frey Jr., was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.[5]

Recruiting

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Preseason

Award watch lists

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Schedule

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Source[20]

Personnel

Roster

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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.[21] On January 19, the school announced that co-defensive coordinator Mike Tressel was promoted to defensive coordinator with the departure of Barnett.[22]

Also on January 19, former Kent State head coach Paul Haynes was hired as the secondary coach.[22][23] Haynes, who was fired from Kent State after five seasons as head coach,[24] returned to the Spartans after serving as defensive backs coach from 2003 to 2004. 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.[25] On February 1, the school hired Chuck Bullough as defensive ends coach.[26]

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Game summaries

Utah State

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Week One: Utah State at Michigan State – Game summary

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:[27]

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

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Week Two: Michigan State at Arizona State – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

At Indiana

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Week Three: Michigan State at Indiana – Game summary

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)
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Central Michigan

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Week Four: Central Michigan at Michigan State – Game summary

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

  • Date: September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 73,752
  • TV: FS1
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Northwestern

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Week Five: Northwestern at Michigan State – Game summary

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

  • Date: October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 72,850
  • TV: FS1
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At Penn State

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Week Six: Michigan State at Penn State – Game summary

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)
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Michigan

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Paul Bunyan Trophy: #6 Michigan Wolverines (6–1) at #24 Michigan State Spartans (4–2)

at Spartan StadiumEast 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
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Purdue

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Week Eight: Purdue at Michigan State – Game summary

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

  • Date: October 27, 2018
  • Game time: EDT
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At Maryland

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Week Nine: Michigan State at Maryland – Game summary

at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD

  • Date: November 3, 2018
  • Game time: EDT
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Ohio State

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Week Ten: Ohio State at Michigan State – Game summary

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

  • Date: November 10, 2018
  • Game time: EST
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At Nebraska

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Week Eleven: Michigan State at Nebraska – Game summary

at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE

  • Date: November 17, 2018
  • Game time: EST
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Rutgers

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Week Twelve: Rutgers at Michigan State – Game summary

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

  • Date: November 24, 2018
  • Game time: EST
  • TV: Fox
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Vs. Oregon (Redbox Bowl)

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2018 Redbox Bowl: Michigan State vs Oregon – Game summary

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

  • Date: December 31, 2018
  • Game time: PST
  • TV: Fox
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Rankings

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Awards and honors

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Players drafted into the NFL

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References

  1. Solari, Chris (January 8, 2019). "Final stats show the dichotomy of Michigan State football's 2018 season". Detroit Free Press.
  2. "2018 All-Big Ten Football Teams and Individual Award Recipients" (PDF). BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. Solari, Chris Solari and Chris. "Michigan State's Chris Frey agrees to deal with Carolina Panthers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  4. "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  6. "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  7. "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  8. "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  10. "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  11. "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  13. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  14. "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  15. "2018 Michigan State Football Schedule". fbsschedules.com. fbsschedules.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  16. "Veteran assistant Tressel named Spartans' DC". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  17. "'Totally different' MSU impresses Haynes in his return". Detroit News. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  18. "Michigan St. hires Bullough as defensive coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 10, 2018.

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