PLAYERS TO WATCH
–DE Kenny Willekes continues to be a play-making machine on defense for the Spartans. The junior and former walk-on had nine tackles in the loss at Nebraska as he and the MSU defense allowed just nine points and less than 250 total yards. He leads the Big Ten and is ranked fourth in the FBS with 20.5 tackles for loss, the second-most in a season in Michigan State history. Willekes ranks second in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation with 8.5 sacks while he’s been credited with 11 quarterback hurries.
–LB Andrew Dowell is doing his best to end his career on a high note. The senior had a career-high 14 tackles in the loss to Ohio State and followed that with 10 stops against Nebraska while forcing a fumble that he recovered. His 85 tackles are a career high and it leads the team while his 50 tackle assists rank third in the Big Ten. He has 14 tackles for loss and five sacks in his career, but the versatile play-maker also has 14 pass breakups and an interception in his four years, three as a starter, for the Spartans.
–QB Rocky Lombardi was back in the starting lineup for Michigan State last week at Nebraska, and while the redshirt freshman didn’t fare as well as he did in his first start against Purdue, there’s a decent chance he gets another crack this week against Rutgers. He was only 15-for-41 for 146 yards vs. the Cornhuskers but was hurt by a handful of drops, including one in the end zone and three on the final drive of the game. He’ll play if junior Brian Lewerke isn’t healthy and every snap he gets could be critical headed into the offseason of quarterback uncertainty for MSU.
–RB Connor Heyward was one of Michigan State’s few effective offensive players in the loss at Nebraska. The versatile sophomore ran 21 times for 80 yards while he caught five passes for 78 yards. Since senior LJ Scott shut things down for the season, Heyward has been the No. 1 tailback and has made the most of it, running for 157 yards in the win over Maryland. If the Spartans are going to get the offense rolling this week, odds are it will be with Heyward getting plenty of touches.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads Rutgers 6-3. The Spartans won the last meeting, 40-7, last season in Piscataway, N.J.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “What I’m looking for is a response, a response from our players, coaches, our staff, people that are involved, and you know, when you get knocked down, you get back up, and that’s the message of this football game.” — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio
