Eric Lacy: MSU Insider

Spartan seniors leave program better than when they arrived

East Lansing -- In the eyes of the 19 departing seniors, Michigan State's football program is in much better shape than when they arrived in East Lansing.

"No more of the old ways -- the Spartan ways, as some people called it," senior cornerback Ross Weaver said. "In big games we would be up and end up doing dumb stuff (and lose)."

By no means has Michigan State reached perfection under Mark Dantonio, but the Spartans have shown progress. A victory over Penn State on Saturday would give Michigan State a 3-0 mark in November, the first time that has happened since 1999 under Nick Saban.

In 2005 and 2006 under John L. Smith, the Spartans went 0-6.

"During those last couple games of the year it was like, 'Man, when is this thing going to get over with?'" senior receiver Blair White said.

In Dantonio's first two seasons, the Spartans went 4-2 in November.

Transition team

Senior defensive end Trevor Anderson can be considered a key member of Dantonio's transition team. Anderson, a Detroit native, transferred from Cincinnati after Dantonio left the Bearcats for Michigan State.

Anderson did his research about the program's struggles and instilled reasons to feel optimistic in several new teammates.

"I asked players, 'How was it with John L.?'" Anderson said. "They said it was a little bit disorganized at times. It was kind of the worst thing for them."

Emotional moment

Defensive line coach Ted Gill couldn't help but get emotional during a postgame radio interview after last week's 40-37 victory at Purdue.

"The thing I saw was the fight, the care and all the sweat we put into a lot of things," Gill said. "(Players) looked into my eyes and said, 'We can still do it.'"

By the numbers

14 -- S Trenton Robinson's tackles vs. Purdue, a career-high

61.9 -- QB Kirk Cousins' pass completion percentage (169 for 273)

100 -- K Brett Swenson's field-goal percentage from 20-29 yards (9 for 9)

He's No. 1

How kicker Brett Swenson ranks in Michigan State history:

Scoring: 368 (first)

Extra points: 158 (first)

Field goals: 70 (first)

Field-goal percentage: 78.7 (second, to Paul Edinger, 79.3 from 1996-99)