Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1138762
P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L >>
2018 RECORD 7-6, 5-4 Big Ten
COACH Mark Dantonio (107-51 in 12
seasons at Michigan State; career
record: 125-68)
SERIES RECORD The Spartans lead the
all-time series, 17-15-1.
MOST RECENT MEETING Miles Sanders
ran for 162 yards and a touchdown
against the nation's top-ranked rush de-
fense, but it wasn't enough to hold o>
the Spartans, who scored on a 25-yard
pass to Felton Davis with 19 seconds le?
to pull out a 21-17 victory on Oct. 13,
2018, at Beaver Stadium.
OFFENSE Brian Lewerke returns a?er a
disappointing junior year in which he
completed only 54.3 percent of his at-
tempts for 2,040 yards, with eight
touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Those
numbers were driven down by a shoul-
der injury that Lewerke su>ered against
Penn State, and by injuries elsewhere on
o>ense, particularly on the line. If
everyone's healthy, Michigan State
should be a lot better than it was last
season when it failed to score more than
six points in three of its last four games.
The line returns mostly intact, and
Michigan State also welcomes back
rushing leader Connor Heyward (118
carries, 529 yards) and leading receiver
Cody White (42 catches, 555 yards).
DEFENSE The Spartans return eight
defensive starters, including two of the
top playmakers in the Big Ten: line-
backer Joe Bachie (102 tackles in 2018)
and defensive end Kenny Willekes (78
tackles, 8.5 sacks). Willekes had been
eyeing the NFL but opted to return to
East Lansing a?er breaking his leg
against Oregon in the Redbox Bowl. An
All-American last year, he sat out the
spring game but is expected to be
healthy this fall. The secondary will miss
graduated strong safety Khari Willis, but
cornerback Josiah Scott and free safety
David Dowell are back.
SPECIAL TEAMS The Spartans return
one of the Big Ten's top kickers in Matt
Coughlin, who hit 18 of 22