The Spartans and Hoosiers kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Michigan State is on the road again, playing at night again, and this time is hoping for a better result. The Spartans travel to Indiana for its Big Ten opener looking to bounce back from a Week 2 loss to Arizona State.
GAME INFORMATION
* Who: No. 24 Michigan State vs. Indiana * When: 7:30 p.m. * Where: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind. * TV: Big Ten Network * Radio: Spartan Sports Network (WJR-AM 760 Detroit; WJIM-AM 1240/WMMQ-FM 94.9 Lansing); Sirius Ch. 134, XM Ch. 202 (Internet Ch. 971) * Twitter: Follow Matt Wenzel and Kyle Austin * Live updates: Join the MLive conversation at 6:30 p.m. * Latest line: Michigan State -3 1/2 * Series record: Michigan State leads, 46-16-2
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Five must-reads before kickoff:
* Michigan State has lost a non-conference game in three of the previous five seasons. Each time, the Spartans have followed that loss with at least four straight wins. Mark Dantonio hopes the Spartans can respond to adversity once again.
* Michigan State has six would-be starters currently injured in some way or another. Some of those players’ statuses for Saturday are known, others are not so sure. Take a look at the full injury report.
* The offensive strategies of Michigan State’s first two opponents have been similar: lots of short passes, many over the middle. The Spartans have taken the week off to address that, and expect more of the same against Indiana.
* As Michigan State’s backup quarterback, Rocky Lombardi has been trying to get on the field in any way possible. He has a role now, but not one he would have expected: Spartans starting punter.
* Matt Wenzel gives his weekly scouting report and prediction for the game, predicting another one-score game for the Spartans.
STAT LEADERS
Michigan State * Passing: Brian Lewerke 50-72,601 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT * Rushing: LJ Scott 30 carries, 103 yards, 0 TD * Receiving: Cody White 14 catches, 183 yards, 2 TD * Tackles: Joe Bachie 21 * Sacks: Kenny Willekes 2 * Interceptions: Khari Willis, Joe Bachie, Matt Morrissey 1
Indiana * Passing: Peyton Ramsey 56-76,479 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT * Rushing: Stevie Scott 69 carries, 388 yards, 3 TD * Receiving: Luke Timian 13 catches, 12 yards, 0 TD * Tackles: Jonathan Crawford 15 * Sacks: Jerome Johnson, Jonathan Crawford, T. D. Roof, Reakwon Jones, Kayton Samuels 1 * Interceptions: Jonathan Crawford, Isaac James 1
BIG TEN SCHEDULE ( with predictions)
Friday, Sept. 21 Penn State at Illinois, 9 p.m. (FS1)
