Michigan State Football: 5 biggest storylines after spring 2018

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

1. Brian Lewerke’s year two (as starter) progression

Year two is crucial for Michigan State starting quarterbacks — just ask Connor Cook and Kirk Cousins. The two Spartan greats had strong first seasons as full-time starters but it was their progress in year two which helped them become all-time leading passers in the program’s history.

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In fact, Cousins passed for 145 more yards, one more touchdown and, most importantly, his completion rate increased by about six percent from his sophomore to his junior season. Cook passed for 459 additional yards and two more touchdowns while his completion rate continued to hover around 58 percent.

Lewerke passed for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns with a 59 percent completion rate, which puts him on the same level of both Cook and Cousins. Their numbers are all eerily similar in their first seasons as starting quarterbacks.

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Year two for Lewerke could yield some impressive results. If he follows the footsteps of Cook and Cousins, we can expect to see him pass for about 3,000 yards with 22-25 touchdowns and a 60-plus percent completion rate.

This is an important season for the starting quarterback’s career progression.