the unit a pair of physical defenders MSU
did not enjoy last season.
The Spartans are deepest up front,
though, which has allowed the team to to-
tal an impressive 26 sacks and 47 tackles
behind the line of scrimmage. Fifth-year
senior Marcus Rush and redshirt junior
Shilique Calhoun, the defending Big Ten
Defensive Lineman of the Year, form a
stellar 1-2 punch off the edge and have
combined for 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for
loss this year. The long athletes have to-
taled 57.4 tackles for loss, including 28
sacks, in their careers and are comple-
mented by a bevy of similar players in the
middle.
"Up front, we have two excellent de-
fensive ends in Marcus Rush and Shilique
Calhoun, who have played for us a long
time and are disruptive players," head
coach Mark Dantonio explained.
"Our inside players like Joel Heath and
Lawrence Thomas were both outside de-
fensive ends previous to this year and are
pushing near 300 pounds now. They're
also athletic, disruptive guys."
Although fifth-year safety Kurtis Drum-
mond leads the team in tackles, and is
tied with redshirt junior cornerback Trae
Waynes with a team-best two interceptions
and four additional pass breakups, the ae-
rial defense is not as solid as it was last
year when first-round draft pick Darqueze
Dennard was locking down opponents'
top option. Drummond has been exposed
when offenses move their best receiver
