For Wisconsin’s part, redshirt senior outside hitter Romana Kriskova helped out with five kills in the 25-16 victory in the first set. In the Badgers’ three games this season, Hornibrook is 13-of-17 passing for 183 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Both the Spartans and Badgers have wins over nationally ranked programs this year, but know how important this game is, as they kickoff their Big Ten schedules. Michigan State comes back.
Advertisement
It’s not the only offensive concern: Three of Wisconsin’s four primary running backs came out of the Georgia State game nursing injuries and figure to be at best somewhat limited against the Spartans.
Spartans starting linebacker Riley Bullough is not in uniform as No. 8 Michigan State has kicked off against No. 11 Wisconsin at Spartan Stadium. Left guard Micah Kapoi is also questionable due to a leg injury.
There’s little rest for the tired in the games following as they’ll get Iowa and then Nebraska next. In the teams’ 2011 regular-season meeting, Michigan State scored on a blocked punt and blocked a 30-yard field-goal attempt in a 37-31 victory. His 459 yards of total offense per game are more than 87 other FBS teams. They’ve got pretty similar identities, and they’ve found success in similar places: with stout defenses and efficient ground games. Peppers leads the country in punt return yards at 143 and leads his team in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back carried the ball 20 times for 65 yards and a touchdown last week, but faces a much tougher defense in the Spartans. Expect to see Michigan State to bring the heat early and often, especially with Hornibrook making his first career start. Michigan State is healthier at tailback and has run the ball more effectively than UW. Defensively, MSU is holding opponents to 72 rushing yards per game, which could come in handy against Wisconsin.
The Spartans are coming off a 36-28 win over Notre Dame last week to really show they are still a team to be dealt with in the Big Ten. Anthony Lotti’s 46-yard punt was taken by R.J. Shelton, who called for a fair catch at the MSU 26-yard line, where the Spartans will start, down 7-3.
Advertisement
Wisconsin (9-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) did just that, out blocking the Buckeyes 15-2. The Spartans and Badgers each have three conference championships since 2010, the year they both tied for the title.
