MSU news and notes for this weekend...

 

BIG TEN OPENERS –

Michigan State enters its 55th season of Big Ten competition with a 29-21-4 record (.574) in league openers. The Spartans are 6-4 in Big Ten openers since 1997.

 

Michigan State is 4-0 (1.000) in Big Ten openers vs. Wisconsin, including a 2-0 mark in games played in Camp Randall Stadium. The Spartans open Big Ten play against the Badgers for the first time since 1994.

 

Here’s a look at Michigan State’s results against Wisconsin in Big Ten openers:

 Date MSU Result SiteOct. 1, 1994 W, 29-10* Spartan Stadium

Oct. 1, 1994 W, 29-10* Spartan Stadium

Oct. 5, 1968 W, 39-0 Madison, Wis.

Oct. 7, 1967 W, 35-7 Spartan Stadium

Sept. 30, 1961 W, 20-0 Madison, Wis.

*Win later forfeited as part of MSU’s self-imposed sanctions in 1996.

 LARSON NAMED HONORARY CAPTAIN –

Former Michigan State outside linebacker Kurt Larson has been selected as an honorary captain for Saturday’s game at Wisconsin. A native of Waukesha, Wis., Larson started 32 games for Coach George Perles during his four-year career (1985-88) and appeared in three postseason bowl games (1985 All-American, 1988 Rose and 1989 Gator Bowls). He recorded 211 career tackles and his 14 interceptions rank fourth (tied) on MSU’s all-time list.

 

As a senior, Larson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after registering 65 tackles and a team-leading eight interceptions. He intercepted two passes in MSU’s 48-3 victory at Purdue in 1988, returning one 36 yards for a touchdown.

 

As a junior on MSU’s Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship team, Larson finished fourth on the squad in tackles with 66 and picked off four passes.

 

He was a college teammate of current Spartan assistant coaches Harlon Barnett and Dan Enos.

 

Larson, an eighth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1989 NFL Draft, spent three years in the pros (Indianapolis, 1989-90; and Green Bay, 1991).