BY RYAN TICE
M
ichigan State powered its way to a
school-record 13 wins, its eighth
Big Ten championship and a final nation-
al ranking of No. 3 — the program's best
since 1966 — last year, thanks to a stingy
defense that surrendered an average of just
13.2 points and 252.2 yards per game.
Running back Jeremy Langford entered
the campaign with just nine career carries
and quarterback Connor Cook was in his
first year as the starter after supplanting
the senior incumbent in week two.
The duo took some time to hit their
strides, but both ended the year with All-
Big Ten honors. Langford, who is enter-
ing his fifth season, rushed for 1,422 yards
and a league-best 18 touchdowns en route
to honorable mention all-league laurels,
while Cook was named to the all-confer-
ence second-team by the coaches after he
threw for 2,755 yards and 22 touchdowns
as a redshirt sophomore.
It was no secret that the two would have
to take on bigger roles this fall with the suf-
focating defense welcoming back just five
starters. They have done exactly that —
the veteran offense has scored a school-re-
cord 329 points in seven games — and
OCT. 22, 2014
Fifth-year senior running back Jeremy
Langford leads Michigan State in rushing
in 2014, with 125 carries for 664 yards
(5.3-yard average) and seven touchdowns.
PHOTO COURTESY
MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Getting It Done
On Both Sides
Offensive Improvements Have Made
Michigan State A Well-Rounded Powerhouse
