Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins Is Ready to End MSU Career with, “Nothing Left to Give!”

Tampa – QB Kirk Cousins and his senior receiving corps of B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin, Keith Nichol, and Brian Linthicum are ready for their final college

Tampa – QB Kirk Cousins and his senior receiving corps of B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin, Keith Nichol, and Brian Linthicum are ready for their final college game. The most productive aerial combination in MSU football history hopes to go out with an Outback Bowl victory over #18 Georgia (10-3) in their final game in a Spartan uniform.

No question that the “sting” of coming up just short of their “P4RB” goal of making it to the Rose Bowl still remains, but Cousins has moved on and even with numerous bowl week distractions is totally focused on going out a winner. “I want to leave on a win and can’t imagine not getting it done,” said Cousins.

The three year captain and career leader in QB victories and TD passes said, “I am ready to move on, for five years I have given everything I have to this team and university. Not just in season but also in the off-season, on Friday afternoon’s in March, I really have nothing left to give.”

Senior WR B.J. Cunningham the MSU career leader in receiving yards and touchdowns also said he is excited about playing in his final college game. “I have been enjoying all the practices and experiences leading up to the bowl game knowing that this is the end. I haven’t played in a bowl game since my freshman year having been suspended for the Alamo Bowl and then injured for last year’s bowl game.”

 “I am excited to play in a bowl game” said Cunningham who led MSU with six catches for 52 yards in the Spartans 24-19 loss to Georgia in the 2009 Capital One Bowl.

This MSU senior class has produced 36 wins the most by any senior class in the 115-year history of MSU football including four straight victories over Michigan.  

The first recruiting class for Mark Dantonio at Michigan State was assembled on short order. “These guys came when they had to trust me and

our staff” said Dantonio. “We recruited them for two months and they were in. They’ve raised the bar and they’ve raised expectations. They’ve changed the culture and that’s what we were looking to do when we came here.” 

Two years ago before the Capital One Bowl game with Georgia, the day before the game Mark Dantonio called the MSU media over announcing “We are going to try and get some early game reps for QB Kirk Cousins.” 

Cousins came in for starter Brian Hoyer for one series in the second quarter against Georgia and completed 4-of-5 passes for 36 yards. “Having that experience against a good defense and being able to move the ball gave me confidence heading into my first season as the starter,” said Cousins.  

Both Cousins and Offensive Coordinator Dan Roushar said they would like to get Andrew Maxwell into the game if possible, but both clearly indicated the focus is on winning this game.

Cousins is ready to turn the keys over to Sophomore Andrew Maxwell, but not before going out with a big performance in his final game in a Michigan State uniform. 

Cousins who is already committed to playing in the Senior Bowl said, “I don’t think that there is anything better that all us seniors can do to impress NFL scouts than going out with a big performance in our final bowl game.”

KIRK COUSINS WATCH:

GAMES WON AS THE STARTING QB:Â (#1)

Cousin’s 26-12 record as a starter (68.4%) broke Jeff Smoker’s record of 21 career victories as the starting quarterback.   

PASS COMPLETIONS:Â (#1)

Cousins who has 696 completions overtook Jeff Smoker who is #2 with 685 completions.

`PASSING YARDS:Â (#2)

With 8,831 total yards Cousins is in position to overtake Jeff Smoker who is #1 with 8,932 yards.

TOUCHDOWN PASSES:Â (#1)

With 65 TD throws Cousins passed Jeff Smoker who was #1 with 61.

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE:

Kirk Cousins is #1 on the list with a 64.6% completion rate.

WR B. J. CUNNINGHAM WATCH

CAREER RECEPTIONS:Â (#1)

B.J. CUNNINGHAM has 211 career catches;Â Matt Trannon (2003-06) is #2 with 148.

CAREER RECEIVING YARDS:Â (#1)

B.J. has 3,020 receiving yards passing Andre Rison (1985-88) who had 2,992 yards.

CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: (#2)

With 25 career TD catches Cunningham past Kirk Gibson (75-78) for #2 and needs two more TD grabs to tie Charles Rogers at the top of the career list with 27.