Indiana Football vs Michigan State: Key players, notes and opening spread

Indiana football hosts the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium this Saturday in the Old Brass Spitoon game.

Michigan State comes into this game with a record of 3-7 with wins against Central Michigan, Richmond, and Nebraska. The team’s losses came against Washington, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers, Michigan and Minnesota.

Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Saturday and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Here is a look at some of the key players, notes and the opening spread.

Key players

QB Katin Houser: The redshirt freshman quarterback took over as starting quarterback after a number of injuries to the Michigan State QB room. The former four-star recruit committed to the Spartans in 2021. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback is primarily a pocket passer but has scored two touchdowns on the ground this year. Houser has played in nine games in 2023, totaling 776 passing yards on a 57.1 completion percentage with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on the season.

RB Nate Carter: The redshirt sophomore running back is in his first year with Michigan State after transferring from UConn as a three-star transfer. In 17 games with the Huskies, Carter totaled 983 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per rush. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back has been the most productive piece of a stagnant Spartan offense, leading the team with 809 yards from scrimmage and 4 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per rush.

WR Montorie Foster: The senior wide receiver is in his fourth year with the Spartans after committing as a three-star recruit in 2019. Foster had not played a big role in the Michigan State offense prior to this season, totaling 19 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns in 25 games over his first three seasons. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound wide receiver is having his best year of his Spartan career, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. In ten games, Foster has 34 catches for 447 yards and two touchdowns.

WR Tyrell Henry: The sophomore wide receiver is in his second season with the Spartans after committing as a three-star recruit in 2021. In his freshman season, Henry was primarily used as a kick returner and special teamer, averaging 18.3 yards per kick return. The 6-foot-0 175-pound receiver has seen his role grow within the offense, leading the team in receiving touchdowns with three. Henry has caught 20 passes on the season for 180 yards. He has also continued to work as a returner, averaging 16.7 yards per kick return and 7.3 yards per punt return.

LB Cal Haladay: The redshirt junior linebacker is in his fourth year with the Spartans and has been an extremely productive part of their defense over the last two years. In the 2021-2022 seasons, Haladay totaled 216 tackles with 16 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions which were both taken back for touchdowns and three fumbles forced. The 6-foot-1 235-pound linebacker has been a playmaker in the middle of the Spartans defense since he stepped into a starting role. In ten games this season, he has totaled a team-leading 74 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

LB Aaron Brule: The sixth year senior linebacker is in his second season with the Spartans after transferring from Mississippi State after the 2021 season as a three-star transfer. In four years with the Bulldogs, Brule played in 30 games, totaling 139 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 4 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-2 240-pound linebacker played a big role for the Spartans in his first year, totaling 6.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. In ten games this year, Brule leads the team in sacks with 4 and tackles for loss with 7.5.

S Jaden Mangham:The sophomore safety is in his second year with Michigan State after committing as a four-star recruit in 2021. Jaden Mangham’s brother Jaren also plays for the Spartans as a running back. The 6-foot-2 185-pound safety played wide receiver in high school and his ball skills have translated to his play at the college level. Mangham has been a ball hawk for the Spartan defense, leading the team with four interceptions in nine games in 2023. He has also added 45 total tackles, including one for loss, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

DB Malik Spencer:The sophomore defensive back is in his second season with the Spartans after committing as a three-star recruit in 2021. In his freshman season, Spencer played mostly on special teams but has seen his role on the defense grow in his second year. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety has played a big role in the Michigan State defense. He is currently second in tackles with 62, including one tackle for loss. Spencer has also added six pass breakups on the season.

Other Notable Players: 

Christian Fitzpatrick WR, Rs-Jr. 

Angelo Grose DB, Sr.

Simeon Barrow Jr. DL, Rs-Jr. 

Maliq Carr TE, Rs-Jr.

Dillon Tatum DB, So.

Jordan Hall. LB, Fr.

Key Notes

• Indiana football is 18-49-2 against Michigan State all time with the first matchup taking place in 1922
• Indiana football won its last matchup against the Spartans in 2022, winning 39-31 on the road in double overtime
• Michigan State has won 7 of the last 10 matchups against Indiana
• Interim head coach Harlon Barnett is 1-7 after taking over following Mel Tucker’s firing
• Michigan State is averaging 16.7 points-per-game, which 131st out 133 teams
• The road team has won each of the last three meetings, with Indiana winning in East Lansing during the 2020 and 2022 campaigns and Michigan State winning at Memorial Stadium in 2021
• Michigan State’s schedule currently ranks the most difficult in the FBS

Spread

• Indiana football opened as 4.5-point favorites and an the O/U opened at 47.5.

SEE ALSO: Michigan State looking to ‘finish’ this year against Indiana football

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