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
Division	Legends Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 10
AP	No. 11
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 Joel Foreman Trenton Robinson
Home stadium	Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 75,005)
Seasons ←  2010 2012  →

2011 Big Ten Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Legends Division
No. 11 Michigan State x		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 12 Michigan  %		6	–	2					11	–	2
No. 24 Nebraska		5	–	3					9	–	4
Iowa		4	–	4					7	–	6
Northwestern		3	–	5					6	–	7
Minnesota		2	–	6					3	–	9
Leaders Division
No. 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 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.

Schedule

^[1]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	7:30 p.m.	Youngstown State *	No. 17	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	BTN	W 28–6	75,910 [2]
September 10	12:00 p.m.	Florida Atlantic *	No. 17	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	ESPN2	W 44–0	70,249 [3]
September 17	3:30 p.m.	at Notre Dame *	No. 15	Notre Dame Stadium South Bend, IN (Megaphone Trophy)	NBC	L 13–31	80,795 [4]
September 24	12:00 p.m.	Central Michigan *		Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	ESPNU	W 45–7	72,119 [5]
October 1	3:30 p.m.	at Ohio State		Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH	ABC	W 10–7	105,306 [6]
October 15	12:00 p.m.	No. 11 Michigan	No. 23	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (Paul Bunyan Trophy)	ESPN	W 28–14	77,515 [7]
October 22	8:00 p.m.	No. 4 Wisconsin	No. 15	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (College GameDay)	ESPN	W 37–31	76,405 [8]
October 29	12:00 p.m.	at No. 13 Nebraska	No. 9	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE	ESPN	L 3–24	85,641 [9]
November 5	12:00 p.m.	Minnesota	No. 15	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	BTN	W 31–24	72,219 [10]
November 12	12:00 p.m.	at Iowa	No. 13	Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA	ESPN2	W 37–21	70,585 [11]
November 19	12:00 p.m.	Indiana	No. 12	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (Old Brass Spittoon)	BTN	W 55–3	74,128 [12]
November 26	12:00 p.m.	at Northwestern	No. 11	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	BTN	W 31–17	32,172 [13]
December 3	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 15 Wisconsin	No. 11	Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Championship Game)	FOX	L 39–42	64,152 [14]
January 2, 2012	1:00 p.m.	vs. No. 18 Georgia *	No. 12	Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL (Outback Bowl)	ABC	W 33–30 3OT	49,429 [15]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

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 (28 °C), Wind 3 mph (4.8 km/h) 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

See also: 2011 Youngstown State Penguins football team

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 (21 °C), Wind 3 mph (4.8 km/h) NNE, Partly Cloudy Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (Play-by-Play) Mike Bellotti (Analyst)

See also: 2011 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

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 (20 °C), Wind 9 mph (14 km/h) SE, Sunny Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (Play-by-Play) Mike Mayock (Analyst) Alex Flanagan (Sideline)

See also: 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Megaphone Trophy

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 (16 °C), Wind 5 mph (8.0 km/h) SSE, Mostly Sunny Referee: Todd Geerlings TV announcers (ESPNU): Pam Ward (Play-by-Play) Dan Hawkins (Analyst)

See also: 2011 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

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 (9 °C), Wind 10 mph (16 km/h) NNW, Overcast Referee: Scott McElwee TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Sean McDonough (Play-by-Play) Matt Millen (Analyst) Heather Cox (Sideline)

See also: 2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

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 (10 °C), Wind 24 mph (39 km/h) 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

See also: 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team and Paul Bunyan Trophy

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

See also: 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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 (10 °C), 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

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

See also: 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

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 (7 °C), Wind 5–10 mph (8.0–16.1 km/h) S, Sunny Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-Play) Urban Meyer (Analyst) Chris Spielman (Analyst) Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

Minnesota

See also: 2011 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Minnesota at Michigan State

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 (6 °C), Wind 9 mph (14 km/h) SSE, Sunny Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (BTN): Matt Devlin (Play-by-Play) Glen Mason (Analyst) Jon Jansen (Sideline)

Iowa

See also: 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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 (11 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h) 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

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

Indiana

See also: 2011 Indiana Hoosiers football team and Old Brass Spittoon

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 (8 °C), Wind 15 mph (24 km/h) 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

Win clinched at least share of Legends Division. The title became outright later in the day when Michigan defeated Nebraska.

Northwestern

See also: 2011 Northwestern Wildcats football team

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 (12 °C), Wind 13 mph (21 km/h) SSW, Light Rain Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins (Play-by-Play) Chris Martin (Analyst) Dionne Miller (Sideline)

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)

See also: 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game and 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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 (18 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h) 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

See also: 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team and 2012 Outback Bowl

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 Jack Allen Fr FB 42 Todd Anderson Sr QB 12 Peter Badovinac Jr RB 4 Edwin Baker Jr RB 24 Le'Veon Bell So FB 45 Jeff Bobek Jr OT 70 Skyler Burkland  Fr WR 11 Juwan Caesar Fr RB 22 Larry Caper Jr TE 85 Garrett Celek Sr OL 76 Donavon Clark Fr OT 73 Henry Conway So QB 18 Connor Cook Fr QB 8 Kirk Cousins Sr WR 3 B. J. Cunningham Sr OT 65 Michael Dennis  Fr G 71 John Deyo Jr OT 51 Fou Fonoti Jr G 67 Joel Foreman Sr WR 13 Bennie Fowler So OT 59 Dan France So TE 92 Andrew Gleichert  Fr RB 20 Nick Hill  Fr TE 84 Derek Hoebing So G 74 Zach Hueter Jr C 63 Travis Jackson  Fr OL 69 Shawn Kamm  Fr C 72 Nate Klatt So OL 54 Connor Kruse  Fr WR 23 Takudzwa Kubvoruno Fr TE 83 Paul Lang Fr TE 88 Brian Linthicum Sr G 53 Kyle Lints Fr WR 82 Keshawn Martin Sr QB 10 Andrew Maxwell So G 62 Chris McDonald Jr OT 75 Jared McGaha Sr WR 25 Keith Mumphery  Fr WR 7 Keith Nichol Sr WR 17 Kyle Nichol So FB 38 Niko Palazeti  Fr FB 37 Trevon Pendleton Fr G 73 Arthur Ray Jr. Sr WR 16 Chris D. Rucker Sr C 68 Ethan Ruhland Jr FB 47 Adam Setterbo Sr TE 80 Dion Sims So WR 21 Andre Sims Jr. Fr WR 81 Brad Sonntag Sr TE 48 Drew Stevens Jr C/OG 64 Blake Treadwell Jr QB 19 A.J. Troup Fr QB 16 Tommy Vento Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 5 Johnny Adams Jr LB 28 Denicos Allen So LB 40 Max Bullough So DE 94 Taylor Calero  Fr DE 89 Shilique Calhoun Fr DL 87 Brandon Clemons Fr CB 36 Arjen Colquhoun Fr DT 65 Doug Curtis Jr LB 54 Nestor Padilla Fr CB 31 Darqueze Dennard So CB 12 Dana Dixon So DE 52 Denzel Drone So S 27 Kurtis Drummond  Fr DB 29 Spencer Elliott Fr LB 41 Kyler Elsworth So S 19 Danny Folino So DE 55 Corey Freeman Jr LB 47 Jeremy Gainer So LB 50 Steve Gardiner Jr LB 2 William Gholston So LB 42 Ty Hamilton  Fr LB 49 TyQuan Hammock So LB 45 Darien Harris Fr DE 92 Joel Heath Fr CB 6 Mylan Hicks  Fr DE 91 Tyler Hoover Jr NT 61 Antonio Jeremiah Jr S 23 Jairus Jones So LB 34 Taiwan Jones Fr DL 81 James Kittredge So DE 93 Damon Knox Fr DB 35 Chris Laneaux Fr CB 33 Jeremy Langford  Fr S 9 Isaiah Lewis So CB 14 Tony Lippett  Fr LB 10 Chris Norman Jr DL 69 Blake Pacheco Sr NT 96 Kevin Pickelman Sr DT 56 Matt Ramondo Fr NT 60 Micajah Reynolds So LB 48 Pat Rhomberg Fr S 39 Trenton Robinson Sr LB 54 Nestor Padilla  Fr NT 58 Jordan Sanders  Fr DT 97 Mark Scarpinato Fr DT 57 Jonathan Strayhorn Sr LB 8 Lawrence Thomas Fr CB 15 Trae Waynes Fr NT 98 Anthony Rashad White Jr CB 32 Mitchell White Jr S 26 R.J. Williamson Fr DT 99 Jerel Worthy Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 4 Dan Conroy Jr LS 58 Matt Giampapa Fr LS 51 Steve Moore So K 17 Kevin Muma So P 3 Mike Sadler  Fr P 20 Kyle 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

See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
RV = Received 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. #17 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 2, 2011.
3. "Florida Atlantic Owls vs. #17 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. September 10, 2011.
4. "#15 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. "#11 Michigan Wolverines vs. #23 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 15, 2011.
8. "#4 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #15 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. October 22, 2011.
9. "#9 Michigan State Spartans vs. #13 Nebraska Cornhuskers Box Score". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011.
10. "Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. #15 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 5, 2011.
11. "#13 Michigan State Spartans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Box Score". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011.
12. "Indiana Hoosiers vs. #12 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. November 19, 2011.
13. "#11Michigan State Spartans vs. Northwestern Wildcats Box Score". ESPN.com. November 26, 2011.
14. "#15 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #11 Michigan State Spartans Box Score". ESPN.com. December 3, 2011.
15. "#12 Michigan State Spartans vs. #11 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.