Purdue free safety Stuart Schweigert is a playmaker.
Whether it's making a big hit, knocking a ball down or intercepting a pass, the 6-3, 215-pounder does it all and he relishes the opportunity to change a game.
"If there's a time for a big play to be made, I'm going to try to be that player to step up and make it," he said. "If you're around the ball and if you're running toward the ball 100 percent, that just gives you more opportunities for making plays, picking up fumbles and stripping the ball yourself."
It didn't take long for Schweigert long to make a name for himself once he strapped on the old gold and black.
In 2000, he garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award as he tallied a team-high 85 tackles and set a freshman school record with five interceptions.
Schweigert's sophomore campaign yielded more success. His 98 tackles led the team and his six picks gave him 11 for his career, tying the Boilermakers' career record for interceptions in just two seasons. He was one of 12 Thorpe Award semifinalists, which is awarded to the nation's best defensive back, and the only sophomore on the list.
Coming into this season, it was only a matter of time before Schweigert improved on his already decorated career. With his theft against Western Michigan on Sept. 14, Schweigert broke a seven-way tie at the top of Purdue's career interception list.
But outside of his record-breaking interception, the Saginaw native's third year in West Lafayette, Ind., hasn't lived up to his expectations.
"I wanted to probably get some more interceptions than I have this year," he said. "One of my goals was to make it to the finals for the Jim Thorpe Award and I feel that because of my injury it has kept me from getting the statistics that you need to be a finalist for that."
The 2002 Thorpe Award semifinalist has made 69 tackles - second on the team - and two interceptions, while suffering through a sprained knee, abdominal strain and calf muscle strain. Purdue's 4-6 record has added to the frustration.
MSU interim head coach Morris Watts said Schweigert is still a player that the Spartans have to be concerned with.
"Stuart Schweigert is, no question, their leader back there," Watts said. "He makes plays and he's a very energetic, high energy guy that I think the entire defensive team feeds off of."
Schweigert will have additional motivation this weekend as he returns to his home state to face off against junior wide receiver Charles Rogers, his high school rival. Rogers said he knows Schweigert will be playing at his highest level when they hit the field.
"We've been going at it since high school so I feel like he brings an extra 'umph' to me and I feel like I bring the same thing to him," he said. "When you see two players of my caliber and his caliber and on the same field, you're going to see a good football game."
In the past, Schweigert has played well against MSU. In two games, he has tallied 22 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. Schweigert said knowing Rogers is a part of the other team definitely influences his play.
"In high school, we had some great battles and last year we had a pretty good game against each other," he said. "So it's always fun and I think we always raise each other up to another level of competition."
Romando J. Dixson can be reached at dixsonro@msu.edu.
