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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 7 • 11 BY TRAVIS BAUGH AND ALAN KARPICK M ichigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi's physical, aggressive style has created an abundance of turnovers once again in 2014. The Spartans have forced a Big Ten- leading 16 turnovers (nine fumbles and seven interceptions), a mark that ties for No. 4 in the FBS. Trae Waynes' red zone interception with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter sealed Michigan State's victory over Nebraska last week. Waynes' interception was his second of the game, the second time in his career he's nabbed two interceptions after doing so against Minnesota in 2013. CONTROLLING THE CLOCK If Michigan State has its way Saturday, Austin Appleby and the Purdue offense won't have the ball in its hands very often. The Spartans lead the FBS in time of pos- session (36:25) and are 51-9 under Mark Dan- tonio when leading in time of possession. Last season, Michigan State held a slim 31:01-28:59 time of possession margin in a 14-0 victory over Purdue. READY FOR THE ROAD Michigan State's last Big Ten road loss was a 12–10 setback at Michigan on Oct. 20, 2012. The Spartans went 4-0 on the road last year in conference play with wins at Iowa, Il- linois, Nebraska and Northwestern and are now 19-9 in Big Ten road games under Dan- tonio. This year's Michigan State squad has only played away from Spartan Stadium once this season, a 46-27 loss to Oregon on Sept. 6. "I think our football team is ready to go play on the road," Dantonio told reporters. "It will be a change for us. Keeps us fresh, and it's another challenge. It's more challenging when you go on the road, and I think you have to rise up to those challenges." HICKS OUT WITH BROKEN ARM Purdue won't be the only team in Ross-Ade Stadium Saturday missing a senior linebacker on the field. Michigan State's Mylan Hicks will not suit up after he broke his arm against Nebraska. Hicks, who racked up 12 tackles, had two pass breakups and a sack, was a versa- tile piece of the Spartan defense, lining up at outside linebacker and the Spartans' fifth defensive back in nickel packages. "He's a senior, he's playing well for us, and he'll continue to be a guy there that will bring a lot of emotion to our football game," Dantonio said. Sean Robinson is out for Purdue with a knee injury. HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Michigan State has won the last five games between the schools, including the last two of the Joe Tiller Era in 2007 and '08. Yet, Tiller, who is going to be in at- tendance at Saturday's game, had a remarkable run against the Spar- tans, especially against legendary coach Nick Saban during his time in East Lansing. As most Purdue fans can recite by heart, Tiller's team pulled out two of the most dramatic wins in school history in his first two years at the helm. In 1997, the Boilermak- ers trailed 21-10 late in the fourth quarter when Saban decided to kick a relatively meaningless 39- yard field goal. Purdue defensive tackle Leo Perez blocked it and Rosevelt Colvin returned it 62 yards for a score. The Boilermakers recov- ered the onside kick, scored and, in the end, Purdue won 22-21. The following year at East Lan- sing, the Boilermakers also trailed by two scores in the fourth quarter only to have Drew Brees and Co. rally for a 25-24 win. In '99, Brees and the Boilermaker of- fense exploded for a 52-28 win over the No. 5-ranked Spartans. Purdue has not beaten a higher-ranked team since. Simply put, Tiller is known for a lot of things at Purdue, and being the only college coach to beat a Saban-coached team three- straight times is one of them. j What You Need To Know About Michigan State Tom Campbell In MSU's most recent appearance in Ross-Ade Stadium on Nov. 14, 2009, senior quarterback Joey Elliott had a career best 373 passing yards, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans hit a game-winning field goal with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter to seal a 40-37 win. Turnovers Abundant For Spartan D THE LAST TIME...