PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Brian Lewerke continues to throw the ball well, completing 70 percent of his passes through the first two games. However, he’s been intercepted in each of the first two weeks, the second coming in the end zone at Arizona State. It hasn’t helped that he’s been under more pressure than he was last season, his first as Michigan State’s starter. But pressure or not, it appears the junior will need to carry the Spartans’ offense until the running game can find its footing.
–WR Cody White is just one part of Michigan State’s three-headed attack in the passing game. The sophomore had a career-high nine receptions against Arizona State for 113 yards and a touchdown. He’s got big-play ability and with the way Lewerke spreads the ball around to White, Felton Davis and Darrell Stewart, any one of them can have a big game. Through two weeks, however, it’s been White that has led the way with 14 catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
–LB Joe Bachie continues to be the heart of the defense with 21 tackles through the first two games. While Michigan State’s defense has given up big chunks of yardage in the passing game, it continues to be impossible to run against. The Spartans have allowed only 34.5 yards a game on the ground, good for first in the nation. Much of that is thanks to Bachie, though, until the Spartans can slow opponents’ passing attacks, teams will likely shy away from running the ball at all.
–DT Raequan Williams won’t produce the big numbers a defensive end might, but the junior has been making an impact nonetheless. He had five tackles at Arizona State, including two for loss while coming close to scooping a fumble and running it back for a touchdown. He plays a big part in Michigan State’s run defense, and along with fellow junior tackle Mike Panasiuk, clogs up the middle of the line. If he can get to the quarterback from time to time, he’ll likely find himself on the all-Big Ten first team by the end of the season.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads Indiana, 46-16-2. The Spartans won the last meeting, 17-9, in East Lansing in 2017
QUOTE TO NOTE: “What do you do with a Brass Spittoon? We spit in it, then we clean it out, get it ready for next year, if we’re fortunate enough to win.” — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio on the trophy that goes to the winner.
