The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 137 BY ANDREW HUSSEY While Michigan State's offense faltered in 2018, the Spartans featured the stingiest defense in the Big Ten by allowing only 17.2 points per game, which was good for eighth in the country. It's reasonable to believe that success can continue because the Spartans return eight defensive starters, including six of its front seven players. Fifth-year senior linebacker Joe Bachie and senior defensive end Kenny Willekes will once again lead the way for that unit. Bachie has started the past 26 games for the Spartans and his 102 tackles in 2018 were ninth most in the league, earning him first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. In addition to leading the team in tackles, Bachie had 8.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five passes broken up and three forced fumbles. Willekes considered leaving for the NFL last season before he broke his leg in the bowl game against Oregon. He was named a first-team All-American by The Athletic, and was tabbed as a second-team pick by Sport- ing News, the Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele and Walter Camp. According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes led the country in quarterback hits by edge rushers with 23 and he was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. His 78 tackles in 2018 were the most among all defensive linemen in the Football Bowl Sub- division, his 20.5 tackles for loss led the Big Ten and he also had 8.5 sacks. However, Michigan State's defensive line is not a one-man show. Senior tackles Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams plus junior end Jacub Panasiuk — who have combined to start 69 games — join Willekes to form a unit that Athlon Sports ranks as the sixth- best defensive line in the country. Michigan State's secondary takes a hit after Justin Layne decided to leave early for the NFL Draft, and third-team All-Big Ten selection Khari Willis graduated. The secondary will be anchored by junior cor- nerback Josiah Scott, who after missing the first eight games of last season with a knee injury, still ranked fourth on the team with seven passes broken up and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. On the back end of Michigan State's tal- ented defense is senior safety David Dowell, who was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media in 2017 and was tabbed as a third- team selection by the coaches in 2018. He has started the last 23 games for the Spar- tans, and has 121 career tackles, seven inter- ceptions and six additional passes broken up. The Spartans' offense struggled might- ily in 2018, scoring only 18.7 points per game, which ranked 13th in the Big Ten and 126th nationally. Michigan State had 10 of- fensive starters combine to miss 48 games last season, which contributed to the lack of production. However, with all the injuries, a lot of younger players received increased playing time. The offense returns nine starters, and brings back three of their top four rushers and their top three receivers. Michigan State hopes fifth-year senior quarterback Brian Lewerke regains his form in 2019. After suffering a shoulder injury against Penn State midway through last sea- son, he continued to play but was not effec- tive. As a result, the Spartans scored seven or fewer points in four of the final seven games. They scored more than a touchdown only against Purdue (23 points), Maryland (24) and Rutgers (14). The Spartans' rushing attack was limited in 2018, with junior running back Connor Heyward rushing for only 529 yards. Junior wide receiver Cody White and senior wide receiver Darnell Stewart Jr. combined to start 16 games while compiling 968 yards and three touchdowns last season. In the offseason, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio shuffled around his offensive staff, hoping to spark change. If that works, the Spartans have the defense to compete for the East Division crown once again. Notes Michigan State's defense gave up only 77.9 rushing yards per game in 2018, which ranked No. 1 in the country … The Spartans have won 10 or more games in four of the last five seasons … Michigan State's 85 wins since 2010 are the third most in the conference and tied for 11th among Power Five teams. ❑ 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 30 Tulsa — Sept. 7 Western Michigan — Sept. 14 Arizona State L, 16-13 Sept. 21 at Northwestern L, 29-19 Sept. 28 Indiana W, 35-21 Oct. 5 at Ohio State L, 26-6 Oct. 12 at Wisconsin — Oct. 26 Penn State W, 21-17 Nov. 9 Illinois — Nov. 16 at Michigan L, 21-7 Nov. 23 at Rutgers W, 14-10 Nov. 30 Maryland W, 24-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Brian Lewerke, 5th-Sr., QB — Last season, he threw for 2,040 yards with eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions … He also rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns … In 2017, he threw for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns against just seven picks, and rushed for 559 yards and five scores. Defense: Kenny Willekes, 5th-Sr., DE — The for - mer walk-on became the first-ever defensive end to win team MVP honors last year … Led team and ranked among Big Ten's top 10 in both sacks and tackles for loss each of the last two years … In 27 ca - reer games, he has racked up 151 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks … Enters 2019 second among Football Bowl Sub- division players in career tackles for loss. Fifth-year senior linebacker Joe Bachie has started the last 26 games for the Spartans and posted a team-high 102 tackles in 2018. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS GAME 10 • MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS • NOV. 16 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: U-M leads 70-36-5 First Meeting: U-M 39, MSU 0 (Oct. 12, 1898 at Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 21, MSU 7 (Oct. 20, 2018 at East Lansing) Head Coach: Mark Dantonio, 114-57 at Michigan State (14th year) and 132-74 overall (17th overall) 2018 In Review: 7-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten (4th East) Final 2018 Ranking: Not ranked Returning Starters: 19 (9 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2018 (Red Bowl vs. Oregon, L 7-6) Big Ten Championships (Last): 9 (2015) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Brian Lewerke (2,040 yards, 8 TD, 11 INT) Rushing: Connor Heyward (529 yards, 5 TD) Receiving: Cody White (555 yards, 2 TD) Tackles: Joe Bachie (102) Sacks: Kenny Willekes (8.5) Interceptions: David Dowell and Josiah Scott (2) Michigan State Is Led By One Of The Big Ten's Best Defenses