2011 Michigan State Spartans football | |
Outback Bowl Champions Big Ten Legends Division Champions | |
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Big Ten Championship Game vs. Wisconsin, L 39–42 | |
Outback Bowl vs. Georgia, W 33–30 3OT | |
Conference | Big Ten Conference |
Legends Division | |
Ranking | |
BCS | No. 17 |
Coaches | No. 10 |
AP | No. 11 |
2011 record | 11–3 (7–1 Big Ten) |
Head coach | Mark Dantonio (5th season) |
Offensive coordinator | Dan Roushar (1st season) |
Defensive coordinator | Pat Narduzzi (5th season) |
Captain | Kirk Cousins |
Captain | Joel Foreman |
Captain | Trenton Robinson |
Home stadium | Spartan Stadium (c. 75,005 natural grass) |
Seasons |
2011 Big Ten football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#11 Michigan State xy | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#12 Michigan ‡ | 6 | – | 2 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#24 Nebraska | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northwestern | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#10 Wisconsin xy† | 6 | – | 2 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Penn State | 0* | – | 2 | 0* | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purdue | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio State | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois | 2 | – | 6 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† – BCS representative as champion ‡ – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant
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The 2011 Michigan State Spartans football team competed on behalf of Michigan State University in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Mark Dantonio was in his fifth season with the Spartans. Michigan State played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in Big Ten play to be champions of the Legends Division. They represented the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game where they lost to Leaders Division representative Wisconsin 39–42. They were invited to the Outback Bowl where they defeated Georgia 33–30 in three overtimes. Significantly, the Spartans were able to give 19 of their 20 true freshman redshirt years.
Previous season[]
Schedule[]
Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-Conference Schedule | ||||||||
September 2* | 7:30 PM | Youngstown State | #17 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN | W 28–6 | 75,910[2] | |
September 10* | 12:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | #17 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | ESPN2 | W 44–0 | 70,249[3] | |
September 17* | 3:30 PM | at Notre Dame | #15 | Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, Indiana (Megaphone Trophy) | NBC | L 13–31 | 80,795[4] | |
September 24* | 12:00 PM | Central Michigan | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | ESPNU | W 45–7 | 72,119[5] | ||
Conference Schedule | ||||||||
October 1 | 3:30 PM | at Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | ABC | W 10–7 | 105,306[6] | ||
October 15 | 12:00 PM | #11 Michigan | #23 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan (Paul Bunyan Trophy) | ESPN | W 28–14 | 77,515[7] | |
October 22† | 8:00 PM | #4 Wisconsin | #15 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | ESPN | W 37–31 | 76,405[8] | |
October 29 | 12:00 PM | at #13 Nebraska | #9 | Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska | ESPN | L 3–24 | 85,641[9] | |
November 5 | 12:00 PM | Minnesota | #15 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN | W 31–24 | 72,219[10] | |
November 12 | 12:00 PM | at Iowa | #13 | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ESPN2 | W 37–21 | 70,585[11] | |
November 19 | 12:00 PM | Indiana | #12 | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan (Old Brass Spittoon) | BTN | W 55–3 | 74,128[12] | |
November 26 | 12:00 PM | at Northwestern | #11 | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | BTN | W 31–17 | 32,172[13] | |
Conference Championship | ||||||||
December 3 | 8:00 PM | vs. #15 Wisconsin | #11 | Lucas Oil Stadium • Indianapolis, Indiana (Big Ten Championship Game) | Fox | L 39–42 | 64,152[14] | |
Bowl Game | ||||||||
January 2* | 1:00 PM | vs. #18 Georgia | #12 | Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, Florida (Outback Bowl) | ABC | W 33–30 3OT | 49,429[15] | |
*Non-Conference Game. †Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Game notes[]
Youngstown State[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
First meeting |
Florida Atlantic[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
2–0 | 2010 | MSU, 30–17 |
The Spartans earned their first shutout since 2008, which was also against FAU in a 17–0 win.
Notre Dame[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
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28–45–1 | 2010 | MSU, 34–31 |
Central Michigan[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
4–3 | 2009 | CMU, 27-29 |
Ohio State[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
12–27 | 2008 | OSU, 45–7 |
The Spartans were 16 seconds from their 2nd shutout of the year, but a touchdown pass put the Buckeyes on the board. Michigan State recovered the onside kick securing the victory, their first against Ohio State in 7 meetings.
Michigan[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
31–67–5 | 2010 | MSU, 34–17 |
Mark Dantonio and his Spartans earned their fourth straight victory over arch-rival Michigan. MSU's defense shut down quarterback Denard Robinson and sealed the victory on safety Isaiah Lewis' interception return for a touchdown. The Spartans wore unique Nike Pro Combat uniforms for the game.
Wisconsin[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
28–21 | 2010 | MSU, 34–24 |
Michigan State found themselves down 14–0 early in the first quarter after two quick Wisconsin drives. Momentum turned at the beginning of the second quarter, when Russell Wilson committed an intentional grounding penalty in the endzone, resulting in a safety and two points for the Spartans. A subsequent touchdown made the score 14–9 UW. On Wisconsin's next possession, they marched down to the Michigan State 13 yard line, but their field goal attempt was blocked. MSU recovered and drove down the field to make it 16–14 MSU. With the second quarter clock running down, Wisconsin punted it away, but this too was blocked and recovered in the endzone for a Michigan State touchdown, making the halftime score 23–14 Spartans.
With 8:40 to play in the 4th quarter, the Badgers found themselves down 31–17. A quick score made it 31–24. The teams traded possessions and Wisconsin got the ball back with 4:28 to play. The Badgers marched down the field once again and tied the game at 31–31 with 1:26 to play.
Michigan State started the next drive at their own 22. After a first down QB Kirk Cousins was sacked for a ten yard loss, and Wisconsin then called a timeout with 00:42 left. Following a twelve yard pass to make a 3rd and 8 situation, it appeared Michigan State was willing to let the clock run out and take the game into overtime. However, Wisconsin called timeout again with 00:30 left. The Spartans completed passes of 11 and 9 yards on their next two plays to get to the Wisconsin 44 yard line and then called timeout with 00:10 to go. After an incomplete pass four seconds remained on the clock.
Michigan State lined up in a shotgun formation. Kirk Cousins took the snap and rolled out to the right before launching a Hail Mary to the endzone. Waiting there was BJ Cunningham, but he was screened by Wisconsin player Jared Abbrederis who had jumped too early to try to deflect the ball. The ball made it to Cunningham but went off his facemask, bouncing into the hands of Keith Nichol who was at the one yard line. As Nichol fought to cross the goal line, he was met by two Badgers attempting to keep him out. After the whistles blew, the officials marked the ball at the one foot line, sending the game to overtime as the clock had run out. Then a call came down from the review booth to look at the play again on replay. After review, the officials found "The runner did cross the line", and Spartan Stadium erupted in celebration.
In the post game interview on the field, Dantonio was asked what the play call was, replaying with "It's a Rocket play. You know, throw it in the endzone, let it be tipped around and see who comes up with it." It was the third game in two years to be labeled by a play name, with Rocket joining the 2010 games of Little Giants (Notre Dame fake field goal) and Mousetrap (Northwestern fake punt).
Nebraska[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
0–5 | 2003 | NU, 17–3 |
Minnesota[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
26–17 | 2010 | MSU, 31–8 |
Iowa[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
18–22–2 | 2010 | Iowa, 37–6 |
The Spartans earned their first victory in Kinnick Stadium since 1989.
Indiana[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
40–15–2 | 2008 | MSU, 42–29 |
Win clinched at least share of Legends Division. The title became outright later in the day when Michigan defeated Nebraska.
Northwestern[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
35–16 | 2010 | MSU, 35–27 |
Michigan State secured sole possession of the Legends Division championship with the victory.
Big Ten Championship[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
29–21 | October 22 | MSU, 37–31 |
Outback Bowl[]
|
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
0–2 | 2009 | UGA, 12–24 |
The Spartans played their first overtime game since Notre Dame in 2010, and their first triple overtime game since 2004. Prior to overtime, the Spartans had a ten play, 85 yard drive that tied the game at 27 with nineteen seconds left and sent the game into overtime. In the first overtime, Kirk Cousins threw an interception to end MSU's possession, but Georgia kicker Blair Walsh missed a 42 yard field goal to allow the game to continue into a second extra period. The teams traded field goals in the second overtime, and Michigan State opened the third overtime with a 28 yard field goal by Dan Conroy. On the final play of the game, Walsh's 47 yard kick was blocked by Anthony Rashad White, giving the Spartans a 33–30 victory. It was Coach Dantonio's first bowl victory with Michigan State, and Michigan State's first bowl victory since the 2001 Silicon Valley Bowl.
Roster[]
2011 Michigan State Spartans football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Rankings[]
Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | 17 | 17 | 15 | RV | RV | RV | 23 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches' | 17 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Harris | Not released | 22 | 15 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | Not released | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
BCS | Not released | 16 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | Not released |
References[]
- ↑ Schedule
- ↑ "Youngstown State Penguins vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 2, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312450127.
- ↑ "Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 10, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312530127.
- ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Box Score". ESPN.com. September 17, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312600087.
- ↑ "Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 24, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312670127.
- ↑ [1] Saturday, October 1, 2011 Michigan St. Spartans – Ohio St. Buckeyes Box Scores, Game Results & Summary – USATODAY.com
- ↑ "Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 15, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312880127.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 22, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312950127.
- ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Box Score". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313020158.
- ↑ "Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 5, 2011. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313090127.
- ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Box Score". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313162294.
- ↑ "Indiana Hoosiers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 19, 2011. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313230127.
- ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Northwestern Wildcats Box Score". ESPN.com. November 26, 2011. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313300077.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. December 3, 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313370127.
- ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Georgia Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. January 2, 2012. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=320020061.
- ↑ "Spartans Kick Off New Season With 28–6 Win Over Youngstown State." MSUSpartans.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michigan State University. |
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