PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Brian Lewerke continues to struggle and after completing just 5-of-25 passes in the loss to Michigan it was revealed the junior had injured his right throwing shoulder the week before at Penn State. If he’s not ready to go this week, the Spartans will go with a quarterback who has only completed one pass in his career — redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi. Clearly, the struggling offense needs Lewerke to be at his best of the Spartans expect to score enough to keep up with the Boilermakers.
–RB LJ Scott played against Michigan after missing the previous four games with an ankle injury. He didn’t put up any huge numbers but there was a burst there the Spartans have been missing in the running game. A lot depends on the play of the offensive line, but if Scott can get back to the form that allowed him to lead the team in rushing in each of the past three seasons, it could be the spark the MSU offense needs heading down the stretch.
–CB Justin Layne has been Michigan State’s best cover man all season and regularly draws the assignment of covering the opponents’ top receiver. With all the injuries at receiver, the junior has been forced into two-way duty, seeing some snaps at wide receiver. It’s where Layne began his career in 2016 as a true freshman before quickly switching to defense, so he has some idea of what he’s doing. He’s also got play-making ability that can add another element to the Michigan State offense.
–DE Kenny Willekes has been Michigan State’s most consistent pass rusher all season and bothered Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson on a regular basis. He’ll need to do the same this week against Purdue’s David Blough, who is having the best year of his career. With the secondary having its ups and downs, getting to the quarterback will be vital against the Boilermakers.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads Purdue 35-28-3. The Spartans won the last meeting in 2015, 24-21, in East Lansing.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m not going to have any more comments about the situation. I’ve made my comments. I’m going to let God take care of my battles.” — Mark Dantonio on the pregame altercation last week with Michigan.