Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/349223
games against Youngstown State, West- ern Kentucky and Texas State, this isn't the kind of schedule that gets a rebuild- ing team into the postseason. And that may be what it takes for Beckman to get a fourth year. 2013 RECORD 13-1 (8-0 Big Ten) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 14- 13-1 MOST RECENT MEETING Michigan State has been in possession of the mighty Land Grant Trophy since Nov. 27, 2010, when it held off a Penn State rally to prevail, 28-22, on senior day in Beaver Stadium. OFFENSE Jeremy Langford returns after rushing for 1,422 yards and scoring a Big Ten-best 18 rushing touchdowns last season. The running game should be fine even though three starting linemen must be replaced. Michigan State played a lot of guys up front last year, and with guards Connor Kruse and Travis Jackson stepping into the starting lineup, Lang- ford should find ample running room. The Spartans are also welcoming back junior quarterback Connor Cook, whose impressive debut season included 2,755 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions. DEFENSE Graduation claimed four of their top defensive players, including leading tackler Denicos Allen, but the Spartans are still expected to field one of the league's best defenses. Junior end Shilique Calhoun was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year last sea- son after amassing 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and scoring three touch- downs on turnovers. He'll have plenty of help from a trio of seniors: defensive end Marcus Rush, inside linebacker Taiwan Jones and safety Kurtis Drummond. Drummond was the team's second- leading tackler last season. OUTLOOK It won't take long to find out whether the defending Big Ten champs are ready to take the next step toward national title contention. They visit Oregon on Sept. 6 in one of the biggest intersectional games of the sea- son. The Ducks have lost only two games at Autzen Stadium since 2009, so they'll be prohibitive favorites going in. But even if Michigan State doesn't shock the world, it figures to do very well in the Big Ten. Not only does it return a strong offense and a promising defense, it also has one of the league's most reliable kickers. Sophomore Michael Geiger converted 15 of 16 field goal attempts last season, including 8 of 8 from 40 yards and beyond. ■ >> W E E K 1 2 MICHIGAN STATE T I M E T BA , N OV. 2 9 B E AV E R STA D I U M