Last week, MSU traveled to Ann Arbor to try to stop Michigan’s ground game, which had run for 324.4 yards per game, due mostly to quarterback Denard Robinson.

And when No. 13 MSU takes on Illinois at noon this Saturday at Spartan Stadium, it will be just another chance for the Spartans to shut down a potent running game.

“We’ll have to take away hopefully what they do best,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “And again, it always starts with the run.”

The Fighting Illini will be the third consecutive Big Ten team MSU has faced this season averaging more than 200 yards on the ground (217.6).

The Spartans were able to hold the Badgers to 165 yards — almost 100 less than their average. And MSU followed that performance up the next weekend by limiting Robinson and the Wolverines to less than half (162 yards) of what they had been putting up per game.

“We’ve been pretty good against the run thus far,” Dantonio said. “But if they’re going to run for 200 yards, then it’s going to be a tough situation.”

Against Wisconsin, the Spartans were faced with stopping a power running game led by Clay and running mate James White, while U-M used a spread rushing attack, which was made difficult to defend by the speedy Robinson.

With Illinois led by another dual-threat quarterback in freshman Nathan Scheelhaase, MSU again will have to contain a dangerous runner who happens to be able to throw.

However, Dantonio said running back Mikel Leshoure, who ran for 119 yards last Saturday against Penn State, also presents the Fighting Illini with a ground game similar to the Badgers’.

“They’re a little bit of an option attack, a little bit of power run attack,” Dantonio said. “That’s the challenge every week, because you have to adapt to who you’re playing defensively every single week to some extent.”

Spreading the wealth

Halfway through the season, the Spartan offense has been the epitome of balance, averaging 225 yards per game on the ground and 248.2 through
the air.

But MSU has taken the idea of balance to another level.

Through six games, the Spartans are not just mixing up the run and pass effectively, but also those who are are catching the passes.

Two MSU receivers — juniors Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham — are tied for the team lead with 22 catches, while senior Mark Dell isn’t far behind with 19.

On top of that, seven different receivers have hauled in junior quarterback Kirk Cousins’ 10 touchdown passes this season.

Dantonio said the even distribution in the passing game partly can be attributed to Cousins’ development in his fourth year in the same system.

But Dantonio also said he had reason to believe numerous players would be involved heavily before the season even started.

“I knew coming into the football season we were going to have a lot of skill and we were going to be able to spread the ball around,” Dantonio said. “There is no favorite target.”

Replacing Rucker

The day after the Spartans’ 34-17 win against the Wolverines, Dantonio announced senior cornerback Chris L. Rucker had been suspended for at least one game for violating team rules.

Rucker was arrested early Sunday morning for drunken driving and property damage and was released the same day on a $200 bond.

With Rucker out for the game against Illinois and possibly even longer, Dantonio said true freshman Darqueze Dennard will start at corner.

Dennard has two tackles in four appearances this season, but Dantonio said he had a solid summer before suffering a sprained toe.

Now healthy, Dantonio said he has faith Dennard will be able to fill in fine for Rucker with the help of his teammates.

“I believe in him,” Dantonio said. “Everybody will have to play a little harder and push a little harder.”