Michigan State Football: 5 players to watch vs. Wisconsin

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Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive back Nick Coleman (24) during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Like Reschke, senior receiver R.J. Shelton saw the majority of his first action of the 2016 season in week two against the Fighting Irish after suffering a minor injury against Furman.

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The Spartans’ starting F receiver picked up right where left off in 2015, torching Notre Dame for eight receptions, 80 yards and a touchdown in the victory. None, however, were as important as Shelton’s reception on a third-down play with just over a minute left. The 23-yard pick-up effectively iced the game for MSU, which had allowed the Irish to score three consecutive touchdowns and shave down its comfortable 29-point lead to just 8.

While fellow senior Monty Madaris was the leading receiver in Shelton’s absence against Furman, there was no denying which pass-catcher was the go-to target for quarterback Tyler O’Connor against the Irish. After losing Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge to the NFL, the Spartans needed its seniors to step up early to help ease the transition for O’Connor and they have gotten just that.

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Expect more of the same from the Beaver Dam, Wisc. native and his Cincinnati running mate this week, as MSU must find a way to move the ball through the air against a Badgers secondary allowing a paltry 178.7 passing yards per game thus far. The aforementioned freshman Corley and senior tight ends Josiah Price and Jamal Lyles will impact the game, but if one or both of Shelton and Madaris can serve as a consistent safety net for O’Connor, MSU should leave Spartan Stadium with another victory.

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