Michigan State Football: 5 most productive players in Mark Dantonio Era

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 03: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first quarter of the Big 10 Conference Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Kirk Cousins was a lightly-recruited prospect out of little Holland, Mich. He held offers from MAC schools but no other power five until MSU came in. Cousins helped to elevate the Spartan program to levels they had not been at since the Duff Daugherty days of the 1960s.

Cousins finished with 9,131 yards and 66 touchdowns. He was at the helm for some of Mark Dantonio’s most memorable games from 2010’s Norte Dame aka Little Giants to the Hail Mary game against Wisconsin and then the comeback effort in the 2012 Outback bowl against Georgia.

The former Spartan will forever be remembered for his speech during the Big Ten media days. He was a leader and one that the Spartans had not had before. He showed his leadership with his voice, consistent play, and taking ownership of his mistakes. This was huge because MSU players under John L. Smith was notorious for blaming one another. Cousins set the tone and the whole team followed.

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