2011 Michigan State Spartans football team

2011 Michigan State Spartans football
Big Ten Legends Division champion Outback Bowl champion
Big Ten Championship Game, L 39–42 vs. Wisconsin
Outback Bowl, W 33–30 ^3OT vs. Georgia
Conference	Big Ten Conference
	Legends Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 10
AP	No. 11
2011 record	11–3 (7–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	Mark Dantonio (5th year)
Offensive coordinator	Dan Roushar (1st year)
Defensive coordinator	Pat Narduzzi (5th year)
Captain	Kirk Cousins Joel Foreman Trenton Robinson
Home stadium	Spartan Stadium (c. 75,005 natural grass)

2011 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Legends Division
#11 Michigan State x		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 Division
#10 Wisconsin xy$		6	–	2					11	–	3
Penn State x		6	–	2					9	–	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 conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant As of January 10, 2012; Rankings from AP Poll

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

^[1]

Date	Time	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	7:30 PM	Youngstown State*	No. 17	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan	BTN	W 28–6	75,910[2]
September 10	12:00 PM	Florida Atlantic*	No. 17	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan	ESPN2	W 44–0	70,249[3]
September 17	3:30 PM	at Notre Dame*	No. 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]
October 1	3:30 PM	at Ohio State		Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio	ABC	W 10–7	105,306[6]
October 15	12:00 PM	No. 11 Michigan	No. 23	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan (Paul Bunyan Trophy)	ESPN	W 28–14	77,515[7]
October 22	8:00 PM	No. 4 Wisconsin	No. 15	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan	ESPN	W 37–31	76,405[8]
October 29	12:00 PM	at No. 13 Nebraska	No. 9	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	ESPN	L 3–24	85,641[9]
November 5	12:00 PM	Minnesota	No. 15	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan	BTN	W 31–24	72,219[10]
November 12	12:00 PM	at Iowa	No. 13	Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa	ESPN2	W 37–21	70,585[11]
November 19	12:00 PM	Indiana	No. 12	Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan (Old Brass Spittoon)	BTN	W 55–3	74,128[12]
November 26	12:00 PM	at Northwestern	No. 11	Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois	BTN	W 31–17	32,172[13]
December 3	8:00 PM	vs. No. 15 Wisconsin	No. 11	Lucas Oil Stadium • Indianapolis, Indiana (Big Ten Championship Game)	Fox	L 39–42	64,152[14]
January 2	1:00 PM	vs. No. 18 Georgia*	No. 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

^[16]

Youngstown State at Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total Youngstown State 0 6 0 0 6 • Michigan State 0 14 7 7 28 Date: September 2 Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI Game start: 7:38 PM EDT Elapsed time: 3:11 Game attendance: 75,910 Game weather: 82°F, Wind: 3 MPH SW, Partly Cloudy Referee: Alex Kamp TV announcers (BTN): Tom Hart (Play-by-Play) Derek Rackley (Analyst) Lisa Byington (Sideline)

Scoring summary 2 12:04 MSU Larry Caper 6-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 7-0 2 7:38 YSU Jelani Berassa 10-yard pass from Kurt Hess (kick failed) MSU 7-6 2 5:47 MSU Le'Veon Bell 3-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 14-6 3 4:52 MSU B.J. Cunningham 18-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 21-6 4 7:09 MSU Le'Veon Bell 3-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 28-6

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

Michigan State vs. Youngstown State

Florida Atlantic

Florida Atlantic at Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total Florida Atlantic 0 0 0 0 0 • Michigan State 14 13 7 10 44 Date: September 10 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:01 PM EDT Elapsed time: 2:56 Game attendance: 70,249 Game weather: 69°F, Wind: 3 MPH NNE, Partly Cloudy Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (Play-by-Play) Mike Bellotti (Analyst)

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

Michigan State at Notre Dame
(Megaphone Trophy)

1 2 3 4 Total Michigan State 3 7 0 3 13 • Notre Dame 14 7 7 3 31 Date: September 17 Location: Notre Dame Stadium South Bend, IN Game start: 3:41 PM EDT Elapsed time: 3:19 Game attendance: 80,795 Game weather: 68°F, Wind: 9 MPH SE, Sunny Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (Play-by-Play) Mike Mayock (Analyst) Alex Flanagan (Sideline)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
28–45–1	2010	MSU, 34–31

Central Michigan

Central Michigan at Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total Central Michigan 0 0 7 0 7 • Michigan State 7 24 7 7 45 Date: September 24 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:01 PM EDT Elapsed time: 3:07 Game attendance: 72,119 Game weather: 61°F, Wind: 5 MPH SSE, Mostly Sunny Referee: Todd Geerlings TV announcers (ESPNU): Pam Ward (Play-by-Play) Dan Hawkins (Analyst)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
4–3	2009	CMU, 27-29

Ohio State

Michigan State at Ohio State

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 7 0 0 3 10 Ohio State 0 0 0 7 7 Date: October 5 Location: Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Game start: 3:37 EDT Elapsed time: 3:11 Game attendance: 105306 Game weather: 48°F, Wind: 10 MPH NNW, Overcast Referee: Scott McElwee TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Sean McDonough (Play-by-Play) Matt Millen (Analyst) Heather Cox (Sideline)

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

Michigan at Michigan State
(Paul Bunyan Trophy)

1 2 3 4 Total Michigan 7 0 0 7 14 • Michigan State 7 0 14 7 28 Date: October 15 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:01 EDT Elapsed time: 3:27 Game attendance: 77,515 Game weather: 50°F, Wind: 24 MPH WNW, Mostly Cloudy Referee: Bill LeMonnier TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-Play) Urban Meyer (Analyst) Chris Spielman (Analyst) Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 8:50 MICH Denard Robinson 15-yard run (Brendan Gibbons kick) MICH 7-0 1 5:08 MSU Edwin Baker 1-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) Tied 7-7 3 11:07 MSU Keshawn Martin 10-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 14-7 3 0:25 MSU Keshawn Martin 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 21-7 4 9:49 MICH Roy Roundtree 34-yard pass from Denard Robinson (Brendan Gibbons kick) MSU 21-14 4 4:31 MSU Isaiah Lewis 39-yard interception return (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 28-14

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

Wisconsin at Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total Wisconsin 14 0 3 14 31 • Michigan State 0 23 0 14 37 Date: October 22 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 8:06 PM EDT Elapsed time: 3:23 Game attendance: 76,405 Game weather: 50°F, Wind: Calm, Partly Cloudy Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (ESPN): Brent Musburger (Play-by-Play) Kirk Herbstreit (Analyst) Erin Andrews (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 8:48 WIS Jacob Pedersen 9-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Philip Welch kick) WIS 7-0 1 7:42 WIS Montee Ball 9-yard run (Philip Welch kick) WIS 14-0 2 13:10 MSU Safety, Russell Wilson tackled by Denicos Allen in end zone WIS 14-2 2 11:22 MSU Keshawn Martin 34-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) WIS 14-9 2 1:20 MSU B.J. Cunningham 35-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 16-14 2 0:37 MSU Bennie Fowler recovered blocked punt in end zone (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 23-14 3 8:29 WIS Philip Welch 33-yard field goal MSU 23-17 4 10:58 MSU Keshawn Martin 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins to B.J. Cunningham pass) MSU 31-17 4 8:10 WIS Russell Wilson 22-yard run (Philip Welch kick) MSU 31-24 4 1:26 WIS Montee Ball 2-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Philip Welch kick) Tied 31-31 4 0:00 MSU Keith Nichol 44-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (no kick) MSU 37-31

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, replying 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

Michigan State at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Michigan State 0 3 0 0 3 • Nebraska 10 0 14 0 24 Date: October 29 Location: Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE Game start: 12:02 EDT Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 85641 Game weather: 45°F, Wind: 5-10 MPH S, Sunny Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-Play) Urban Meyer (Analyst) Chris Spielman (Analyst) Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–5	2003	NU, 17–3

Minnesota

Michigan State at Minnesota

1 2 3 4 Total Minnesota 14 3 7 0 24 • Michigan State 7 14 0 10 31 Date: November 5 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:00 PM EDT Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 72,219 Game weather: 43°F, Wind: 9 MPH SSE, Sunny Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (BTN): Matt Devlin (Play-by-Play) Glen Mason (Analyst) Jon Jansen (Sideline)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
26–17	2010	MSU, 31–8

Iowa

Michigan State at Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 14 17 3 3 37 Iowa 0 7 14 0 21 Date: November 12 Location: Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA Game start: 12:00 PM EST Elapsed time: 3:35 Game attendance: 70,585 Game weather: 51°F, Wind: 12 MPH S, Partly Cloudy Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (Play-by-Play) Mike Bellotti (Analyst) Quint Kessenich (Sideline) Source:

Scoring summary 1 9:17 MSU B.J. Cunningham 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 7-0 1 7:37 MSU Edwin Baker 17-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 14-0 2 14:53 IOWA C.J. Fiedorowicz 8-yard pass from James Vandenberg (Mike Meyer kick) MSU 14-7 2 7:37 MSU Dan Conroy 22-yard field goal MSU 17-7 2 1:57 MSU Le'Veon Bell 25-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 24-7 2 1:21 MSU B.J. Cunningham 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 31-7 3 8:31 MSU Dan Conroy 31-yard field goal MSU 34-7 3 5:39 IOWA Marvin McNutt 3-yard pass from James Vandenberg (Mike Meyer kick) MSU 34-14 3 0:49 IOWA Marcus Coker 2-yard run (Mike Meyer kick) MSU 34-21 4 5:11 MSU Dan Conroy 48-yard field goal MSU 37-21

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
18–22–2	2010	Iowa, 37–6

The Spartans earned their first victory in Kinnick Stadium since 1989.

Indiana

Indiana at Michigan State
(Old Brass Spittoon)

1 2 3 4 Total Indiana 0 3 0 0 3 • Michigan State 17 17 14 7 55 Date: November 19 Location: Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Game start: 12:01 PM EST Elapsed time: 3:05 Game attendance: 74,128 Game weather: 46°F, Wind: 15 MPH SSW, Overcast Referee: Bill LeMonnier TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins (Sideline) Chris Martin (Analyst) Dionne Miller (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 10:07 MSU Dan Conroy 21-yard field goal MSU 3-0 1 6:24 MSU B.J. Cunningham 63-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 10-0 1 2:09 MSU Keshawn Martin 47-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 17-0 2 10:44 IND Mitch Ewald 22-yard field goal MSU 17-3 2 10:06 MSU Keshawn Martin 19-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 24-3 2 5:17 MSU Edwin Baker 10-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 31-3 2 0:48 MSU Dan Conroy 22-yard field goal MSU 34-3 3 11:35 MSU B.J. Cunningham 7-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 41-3 3 7:37 MSU Johnny Adams 86-yard interception return (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 48-3 4 14:28 MSU Edwin Baker 3-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) MSU 55-3

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

Michigan State at Northwestern

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan State 3 14 7 7 31 Northwestern 0 3 7 7 17 Date: November 26 Location: Ryan Field Evanston, IL Game start: 12:01 PM EST Elapsed time: 3:02 Game attendance: 32,172 Game weather: 54°F, Wind: 13 MPH SSW, Light Rain Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins (Play-by-Play) Chris Martin (Analyst) Dionne Miller (Sideline)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
35–16	2010	MSU, 35–27

Michigan State secured sole possession of the Legends Division championship with the victory.

Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship Game)

Wisconsin vs Michigan State
(Big Ten Championship Game)

1 2 3 4 Total • Wisconsin 21 0 7 14 42 Michigan State 7 22 7 3 39 Date: December 3 Location: Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN Game start: 8:19 PM EST Elapsed time: 3:33 Game attendance: 64,152 Game weather: Indoors (retractable roof closed) Referee: Bill LeMonnier TV announcers (FOX): Gus Johnson (Play-by-Play) Charles Davis (Analyst) Tim Brewster (Sideline)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
29–21	October 22	MSU, 37–31

Georgia (Outback Bowl)

Michigan State vs Georgia
(Outback Bowl)

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total • Michigan State 0 0 14 13 0 3 3 33 Georgia 2 14 0 11 0 3 0 30 Date: January 2 Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 4:10 Game attendance: 49,429 Game weather: 65°F, Wind: 12 MPH NW, Clear Skies Referee: Ed Ardito (Conference USA) TV announcers (ABC): Mike Tirico (Play-by-Play) Jon Gruden (Analyst) Jenn Brown (Sideline) Source:

Scoring summary 1 12:07 UGA Safety, Keshawn Martin tackled by Brandon Boykin in end zone UGA 2-0 2 3:06 UGA Tavarres King 80-yard pass from Aaron Murray (Blair Walsh kick) UGA 9-0 2 1:39 UGA Brandon Boykin 92-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick) UGA 16-0 3 7:52 MSU Le'Veon Bell 8-yard run (Kirk Cousins to Brian Linthicum pass) UGA 16-8 3 1:47 MSU Darqueze Dennard 38-yard interception return (pass failed) UGA 16-14 4 9:58 UGA Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal UGA 19-14 4 8:22 MSU Keith Nichol 7-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed) MSU 20-19 4 6:44 UGA Brandon Boykin 13-yard pass from Aaron Murray (Aaron Murray to Malcolm Mitchell pass) UGA 27-20 4 0:14 MSU Le'Veon Bell 1-yard run (Dan Conroy kick) Tied 27-27 2OT UGA Blair Walsh 47-yard field goal UGA 30-27 2OT MSU Dan Conroy 35-yard field goal Tied 30-30 3OT MSU Dan Conroy 28-yard field goal MSU 33-30

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
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class C 66 Allen, JackJack Allen Fr FB 42 Anderson, ToddTodd Anderson Sr QB 12 Badovinac, PeterPeter Badovinac Jr RB 4 Baker, EdwinEdwin Baker Jr RB 24 Bell, Le'VeonLe'Veon Bell So FB 45 Bobek, JeffJeff Bobek Jr OT 70 Burkland, SkylerSkyler Burkland  Fr WR 11 Caesar, JuwanJuwan Caesar Fr RB 22 Caper, LarryLarry Caper Jr TE 85 Celek, GarrettGarrett Celek Sr OL 76 Clark, DonavonDonavon Clark Fr OT 73 Conway, HenryHenry Conway So QB 18 Cook, ConnorConnor Cook Fr QB 8 Cousins, KirkKirk Cousins Sr WR 3 Cunningham, B. J.B. J. Cunningham Sr OT 65 Dennis, MichaelMichael Dennis  Fr OG 71 Deyo, JohnJohn Deyo Jr OT 51 Fonoti, FouFou Fonoti Jr OG 67 Foreman, JoelJoel Foreman Sr WR 13 Fowler, BennieBennie Fowler So OT 59 France, DanDan France So TE 92 Gleichert, AndrewAndrew Gleichert  Fr RB 20 Hill, NickNick Hill  Fr TE 84 Hoebing, DerekDerek Hoebing So OG 74 Hueter, ZachZach Hueter Jr C 63 Jackson, TravisTravis Jackson  Fr OL 69 Kamm, ShawnShawn Kamm  Fr C 72 Klatt, NateNate Klatt So OL 54 Kruse, ConnorConnor Kruse  Fr WR 23 Kubvoruno, TakudzwaTakudzwa Kubvoruno Fr TE 83 Lang, PaulPaul Lang Fr TE 88 Linthicum, BrianBrian Linthicum Sr OG 53 Lints, KyleKyle Lints Fr WR 82 Martin, KeshawnKeshawn Martin Sr QB 10 Maxwell, AndrewAndrew Maxwell So OG 62 McDonald, ChrisChris McDonald Jr OT 75 McGaha, JaredJared McGaha Sr WR 25 Mumphery, KeithKeith Mumphery  Fr WR 7 Nichol, KeithKeith Nichol Sr WR 17 Nichol, KyleKyle Nichol So FB 38 Palazeti, NikoNiko Palazeti  Fr FB 37 Pendleton, TrevonTrevon Pendleton Fr OG 73 Ray Jr., ArthurArthur Ray Jr. Sr WR 16 Rucker, Chris D.Chris D. Rucker Sr C 68 Ruhland, EthanEthan Ruhland Jr FB 47 Setterbo, AdamAdam Setterbo Sr TE 80 Sims, DionDion Sims So WR 21 Sims Jr., AndreAndre Sims Jr. Fr WR 81 Sonntag, BradBrad Sonntag Sr TE 48 Stevens, DrewDrew Stevens Jr C/OG 64 Treadwell, BlakeBlake Treadwell Jr QB 19 Troup, A.J.A.J. Troup Fr QB 16 Vento, TommyTommy Vento Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 5 Adams, JohnnyJohnny Adams Jr LB 28 Allen, DenicosDenicos Allen So LB 40 Bullough, MaxMax Bullough So DE 94 Calero, TaylorTaylor Calero  Fr DE 89 Calhoun, ShiliqueShilique Calhoun Fr DL 87 Clemons, BrandonBrandon Clemons Fr CB 36 Colquhoun, ArjenArjen Colquhoun Fr DT 65 Curtis, DougDoug Curtis Jr LB 43 Davis, EdEd Davis Fr CB 31 Dennard, DarquezeDarqueze Dennard So CB 12 Dixon, DanaDana Dixon So DE 52 Drone, DenzelDenzel Drone So S 27 Drummond, KurtisKurtis Drummond  Fr DB 29 Elliott, SpencerSpencer Elliott Fr LB 41 Elsworth, KylerKyler Elsworth So S 19 Folino, DannyDanny Folino So DE 55 Freeman, CoreyCorey Freeman Jr LB 47 Gainer, JeremyJeremy Gainer So LB 50 Gardiner, SteveSteve Gardiner Jr LB 2 Gholston, WilliamWilliam Gholston So LB 42 Hamilton, TyTy Hamilton  Fr LB 49 Hammock, TyQuanTyQuan Hammock So LB 45 Harris, DarienDarien Harris Fr DE 92 Heath, JoelJoel Heath Fr CB 6 Hicks, MylanMylan Hicks  Fr DE 91 Hoover, TylerTyler Hoover Jr NT 61 Jeremiah, AntonioAntonio Jeremiah Jr S 23 Jones, JairusJairus Jones So LB 34 Jones, TaiwanTaiwan Jones Fr DL 81 Kittredge, JamesJames Kittredge So DE 93 Knox, DamonDamon Knox Fr DB 35 Laneaux, ChrisChris Laneaux Fr CB 33 Langford, JeremyJeremy Langford  Fr S 9 Lewis, IsaiahIsaiah Lewis So CB 14 Lippett, TonyTony Lippett  Fr LB 10 Norman, ChrisChris Norman Jr DL 69 Pacheco, BlakeBlake Pacheco Sr NT 96 Pickelman, KevinKevin Pickelman Sr DT 56 Ramondo, MattMatt Ramondo Fr NT 60 Reynolds, MicajahMicajah Reynolds So LB 48 Rhomberg, PatPat Rhomberg Fr S 39 Robinson, TrentonTrenton Robinson Sr LB 44 Rush, MarcusMarcus Rush  Fr NT 58 Sanders, JordanJordan Sanders  Fr DT 97 Scarpinato, MarkMark Scarpinato Fr DT 57 Strayhorn, JonathanJonathan Strayhorn Sr LB 8 Thomas, LawrenceLawrence Thomas Fr CB 15 Waynes, TraeTrae Waynes Fr NT 98 White, Anthony RashadAnthony Rashad White Jr CB 32 White, MitchellMitchell White Jr S 26 Williamson, R.J.R.J. Williamson Fr DT 99 Worthy, JerelJerel Worthy Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 4 Conroy, DanDan Conroy Jr LS 58 Giampapa, MattMatt Giampapa Fr LS 51 Moore, SteveSteve Moore So K 17 Muma, KevinKevin Muma So P 3 Sadler, MikeMike Sadler  Fr P 20 Selden, KyleKyle Selden Sr	Head coach Mark Dantonio Coordinators/assistant coaches Pat Narduzzi – Defensive Coordinator Dan Roushar – Offensive Coordinator Harlon Barnett – Secondary Ted Gill – Defensive Line Brad Salem – Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Terrence Samuel – Wide Receivers Mark Staten – Offensive Line Mike Tressel – Linebackers/Special Teams Dave Warner – Quarterbacks Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.

	Week
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

1. Schedule
2. "Youngstown State Penguins vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 2, 2011.
3. "Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 10, 2011.
4. "Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Box Score". ESPN.com. September 17, 2011.
5. "Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 24, 2011.
6. Saturday, October 1, 2011 Michigan St. Spartans – Ohio St. Buckeyes Box Scores, Game Results & Summary – USATODAY.com
7. "Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 15, 2011.
8. "Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 22, 2011.
9. "Michigan State Spartans vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Box Score". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011.
10. "Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 5, 2011.
11. "Michigan State Spartans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Box Score". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011.
12. "Indiana Hoosiers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 19, 2011.
13. "Michigan State Spartans vs. Northwestern Wildcats Box Score". ESPN.com. November 26, 2011.
14. "Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. December 3, 2011.
15. "Michigan State Spartans vs. Georgia Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. January 2, 2012.
16. "Spartans Kick Off New Season With 28–6 Win Over Youngstown State." MSUSpartans.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.