The 2016 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. They were led by head coach Mark Dantonio, who was in his tenth season. They finished the season 3–9, 1–8 in Big Ten play to finish in sixth place in the East Division.
The season marked a major disappointment for the Spartans as it was their first losing season under Dantonio and the school's first losing season since 2006. As a result, the team was not bowl eligible. The Spartans had only lost five games in the three prior years combined, but had reached five losses by their seventh game. This was the worst record for a defending power conference champion until Florida State in 2024, who went 2–10.
Offseason
2016 NFL draft RoundPickTeamPlayerPosition18Tennessee TitansJack ConklinOffense Tackle375Oakland RaidersShilique CalhounDefensive End4100Oakland RaidersConnor CookQuarterback6213San Francisco 49ersAaron BurbridgeWide receiver7224San Diego ChargersDonavon ClarkOffense Guard
2016 CFL draft RoundOverall PickTeamPlayerPosition217Edmonton EskimosArjen ColquhounCornerback
Undrafted NFL free agents TeamPlayerPositionCincinnati BengalsDarien HarrisLinebackerDallas CowboysArjen ColquhounCornerbackHouston TexansJoel HeathDefensive EndNew York JetsLawrence ThomasDefensive EndNew Orleans SaintsJack AllenCenterBaltimore RavensTrevon PendletonFullbackSeattle SeahawksDeAnthony ArnettWide receiverBaltimore RavensTaybor PepperLong SnapperGreen Bay PackersRJ WilliamsonSafety
Recruiting class
Departures The Spartans suffered heavy losses on the defensive line in the off-season. It was announced in April that Sophomores Craig Evans and Montez Sweat would be leaving the team for personal reasons. The following month, Damon Knox declined to take a sixth year of eligibility in order to pursue a career in law enforcement. In late August, RS Freshman Enoch Smith Jr. and Sophomore Cassius Peat would transfer out; Peat would transfer to East Arizona, and Smith would transfer to Butler Community College in Kansas.
Coaching staff Name Position Joined staff Mark Dantonio Head coach 2007 Harlon Barnett Assistant head coach / Co-defensive coordinator / Defensive Backs 2007 Dave Warner Co-offensive Coordinator / Running Backs 2007 Jim Bollman Co-offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends 2013 Mike Tressel Co-defensive coordinator / Linebackers 2007 Brad Salem Quarterbacks / recruiting coordinator 2010 Terrence Samuel Wide receivers 2011 Mark Staten offensive line 2007 Ron Burton Defensive line 2013 Mark Snyder Linebackers / Special Teams 2015
Roster 2016 Michigan State Spartans FootballQuarterback 6 Damion Terry – junior (6'3, 238) 7 Tyler O'Connor – senior (6'3, 225) 10 Messiah deWeaver – freshman (6'4, 212) 11 Colar Kuhns – sophomore (6'1, 216) 14 Brian Lewerke – freshman (6'3, 200)
Tailback 3 LJ Scott – sophomore (6'0, 238) 22 Delton Williams – senior (6'1, 230) 24 Gerald Holmes – junior (6'0, 220) 28 Madre London – sophomore (6'1, 220) 29 Malik Smith – freshman (5'9, 215) 32 Nick Tompkins – senior (5'9, 180) 37 Corey Pryor – freshman (5'10, 193)
Fullback 40 Lucas Collin – sophomore (6'0, 232) 41 Reid Burton – freshman (6'0, 223) 45 Prescott Line – graduate (6'0, 253)
Wide receiver 8 Trishton Jackson – freshman (6'3, 190) 9 Donnie Corley – freshman (6'3, 185) 12 R.J. Shelton – senior (5'11, 205) 13 Robert Aiello – junior (6'2, 189) 13 Justin Layne – freshman (6'2, 180) 15 Brandon Sowards – sophomore (6'0, 190) 18 Felton Davis III – sophomore (6'4, 198) 20 Davis Lewandowski – freshman (6'0, 199) 21 Cam Chambers – freshman (6'3, 207) 22 Paul Andrie – senior (6'2, 187) 25 Darrell Stewart Jr. – freshman (6'1, 208) 26 Austin Wolfe – junior (6'0, 175) 33 Frank Epitropoulos – senior (6'1, 206) 36 Sinclair Farinholt – freshman (6'0, 183) 84 Brock Makaric – junior (6'2, 188) 85 Khylin Barton – freshman (6'1, 184) 86 Matt Macksood – senior (5'11, 195) 87 Edward Barksdale III – senior (6'2, 200) 88 Monty Madaris – senior (6'1, 202)
Tight end 11 Jamal Lyles – senior (6'3, 265) 42 Hussein Kadry – junior (6'3, 222) 81 Matt Sokol – sophomore (6'5, 250) 82 Josiah Price – senior (6'4, 260) 84 Noah Davis – freshman (6'4, 258) Offensive lineman 55 Miguel Machado – OL – senior (6'6, 302) 57 Collin Caflisch – OG – freshman (6'4, 293) 58 Devyn Salmon – C – junior (6'1, 315) 59 David Beedle – OT – sophomore (6'5, 310) 60 Casey Schreiner – OG – sophomore (6'3, 316) 61 Cole Chewins – OT – freshman (6'7, 265) 62 Luke Campbell – OL – freshman (6'5, 280) 63 Noah Listermann – OT – freshman (6'7, 316) 64 Brandon Clemons – OG – senior (6'3, 303) 65 Brian Allen – OL – junior (6'2, 303) 66 Matt Allen – OL – freshman (6'3, 291) 67 Bryce Wilker – C – freshman (6'4, 285) 68 Jeremy Schram – OL – sophomore (6'4, 322) 70 Tyler Higby – OG – freshman (6'4, 318) 71 Chase Gianacakos – OL – sophomore (6'6, 301) 72 Thiyo Lukusa – OL – freshman (6'5, 335) 73 Dennis Finley – OT – junior (6'6, 282) 75 Benny McGowan – OG – senior (6'3, 333) 76 A. J. Arcuri – OL – freshman (6'6, 260) 77 Nick Padla – OL – sophomore (6'6, 302) 79 Kodi Kieler – OL – senior (6'6, 310)
Defensive line 4 Malik McDowell – DL – junior (6'6, 280) 12 Josh King – DE – freshman (6'6, 267) 32 Cassius Peat – DL – freshman (6'3, 270) 41 Gerald Owens – DL – sophomore (6'2, 298) 48 Kenny Willekes – DE – freshman (6'3, 226) 51 Kyonta Stallworth – DL – freshman (6'3, 279) 52 Dillon Alexander – DE – sophomore (6'3, 240) 56 Enoch Smith Jr. – DL – sophomore (6'2, 294) 83 Mufi Hunt – DE – freshman (6'6, 255) 85 Evan Jones – DE – senior (6'5, 246) 86 Drew Beesley – DL – freshman (6'2, 231) 89 Gabe Sherrod – DL – graduate (6'3, 250) 91 Robert Bowers – DE – sophomore (6'4, 256) 92 Kevin Williams – DT – graduate (6'2, 281) 93 Naquan Jones – DT – freshman (6'4, 320) 94 Auston Robertson – DE – freshman (6'4, 275) 96 Mike Panasiuk – DT – freshman (6'3, 309) 97 Justice Alexander – DE – freshman (6'5, 243) 98 Demetrius Cooper – DE – junior (6'5, 252) 99 Raequan Williams – DL – freshman (6'4, 307) Linebacker 5 Andrew Dowell – sophomore (6'0, 217) 17 Tyriq Thompson – freshman (6'1, 225) 23 Chris Frey – junior (6'2, 222) 26 Brandon Randle – freshman (6'2, 217) 30 Riley Bullough – senior (6'2, 230) 31 T.J. Harrell – sophomore (6'1, 205) 33 Jon Reschke – junior (6'2, 225) 35 Joe Bachie – freshman (6'2, 236) 38 Byron Bullough – sophomore (6'1, 224) 43 Ed Davis – senior (6'3, 225) 49 Shane Jones – junior (6'1, 230) 50 Sean Harrington – junior (6'3, 212) 53 Peter Fisk – freshman (6'1, 215)
Defensive backs 2 Darian Hicks – CB – senior (5'10, 180) 7 Demetrious Cox – DB – senior (6'1, 198) 9 Montae Nicholson – S – junior (6'2, 220) 10 Matt Morrissey – S – sophomore (6'2, 201) 11 Demetric Vance – S – freshman (6'2, 200) 13 Vayante Copeland – CB – sophomore (6'0, 197) 14 Kenney Lyke – S – freshman (6'2, 182) 15 Tyson Smith – CB – sophomore (5'10, 173) 16 Austin Andrews – CB – freshman (5'11, 183) 19 Josh Butler – CB – freshman (5'11, 173) 20 Jalen Watts-Jackson – S – sophomore (5'11, 186) 27 Khari Willis – S – sophomore (5'11, 210) 28 David Dowell – S – freshman (6'0, 193) 34 Drake Martinez – CB – junior (6'2, 210) 35 Nick Krumm – S – freshman (5'11, 202) 36 Kaleel Gaines – CB – freshman (6'0, 187) 42 Drew Beesley – S – senior (5'11, 195) 44 Grayson Miller – S – sophomore (6'3, 212)
Specialists 4 Michael Geiger – K – senior (5'8, 183) 25 Jake Hartbarger – P – sophomore (6'4, 207) 45 Ryan Armour – LS – freshman (6'0, 206) 47 Bradley Robinson – LS – freshman (6'2, 228) 97 Brett Scanlon – K – junior (5'11, 215) 98 Drew Beesley – K – freshman (5'9, 205) 99 Kevin Cronin – K – senior (6'1, 215)
Schedule Michigan State announced its 2016 football schedule on July 11, 2013. The 2016 schedule consists of seven home and five road games in the regular season. The Spartans will host Big Ten foes Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin, and will travel to Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Penn State. The team will host two of the three non–conference games, versus BYU and Notre Dame, both Independent, and FCS-school Furman from the Southern Conference.
Schedule source:
Game summaries Furman
The Spartans opened their 2016 season under the lights against FCS opponent Furman, the last time the Spartans will play an FCS opponent in the foreseeable future as the Big Ten has agreed to no longer schedule FCS opponents following this season.
The Spartans came out strong, scoring on their opening drive as L.J. Scott carried the ball four times for 33 yards, capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give Michigan State an early 7–0 lead. The remainder of the quarter was a defensive struggle as both teams failed to move the ball effectively. Michigan State had an opportunity to extend their lead late in the quarter, however, Michael Geiger missed on a 43-yard field goal attempt, and the score remained 7–0 Michigan State heading into the second quarter.
Both offenses continued to struggle during the 2nd quarter, as neither offense could put a successful drive together until midway through the quarter when Michigan State completed an eight-play, 57-yard drive which culminated with a 13-yard Tyler O'Connor touchdown pass to Felton Davis III to take the lead 14–0. Furman would respond with a field goal following a 13-play, 73-yard drive to finally get on the board. At halftime, MSU led 14–3.
Furman received the ball to begin the second half and drove to the MSU 33-yard line before Jon Croft Hollingsworth missed a 50-yard field goal attempt. The Spartans turned the ball back over to Furman via a fumble by Darrell Stewart Jr. on the very first play of next possession. Furman took advantage and kicked a 23-yard field goal, reducing MSU's lead to 14–6. MSU responded with a five play, 58-yard touchdown drive capped by a Josiah Price 21-yard touchdown catch from Tyler O'Connor extending the Spartan lead to 21–6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Furman answered on an Antonio Wilcox six-yard touchdown run capping off an 11 play, 73-yard drive. The Spartans responded throwing an interception on their first possession of the fourth quarter, giving the Paladins favorable field position and an opportunity to tie the game. However, Andrew Dowell picked off P.J. Blazejowski on the first play of the possession to give the Spartans the ball right back. The Michigan State offense made up for the turnover by going on a 12 play, 60-yard drive, with Tyler O'Connor throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Lyles to give the Spartans a 28–13 lead. Furman turned the ball over on downs their next possession and Michigan State would run out the clock to end the game.
With the win, Michigan State won their eighth straight season opener and remained undefeated in home-openers under Mark Dantonio (10–0). Josiah Price recorded his 17th career touchdown reception, moving him up to seventh on the all time touchdown reception list in program history. Senior wide receiver R.J. Shelton, who came into the game as the starting receiver for the Spartans, was taken out of the game early after a punt return due to a tweaked hamstring; this was mainly done as a precaution. Starting linebacker Jon Reschke was also sidelined due to an apparent hand injury and did not play at all; both injuries were said to be minor. The Spartans played an unusually sloppy game, committing two turnovers and 10 penalties for 120 yards, many of which stunted momentum on several offensive possessions and extended several Furman offensive possessions. Tyler O'Connor completed 13 of 18 passes for 190 yards and three TDs. L.J. Scott rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown. Senior wide-out Monty Madaris caught five passes for 85 yards to lead the team in receiving.
Notre Dame