Winston's returns special for MSU

EVANSTON Ill. - Michigan State's Glenn Winston had one thing on his mind when the opening kick headed his way.

"Just catch the ball," thought the freshman kick returner, who replaced Javon Ringer as the starting returner Saturday in the Spartans' 37-20 win against Northwestern.

After that?

"It's natural reaction," Winston said.

Winston's reaction resulted in a 50-yard kick return to the 50 yard line and set the tone for what was a special day for MSU's special teams.

Winston, who spent the week imitating Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton with the scout team, finished with 103 yards on three returns against a team that came into the game ranked seventh in the nation in kickoff coverage.

"It felt really good because I've been kind of frustrated not getting to touch the ball, but I was kind of disappointed because I wanted to score," Winston said.

Winston might have scored if not for a collision with Northwestern punter Stefan Demos at midfield. Winston left Demos flat on his back after lowering his shoulder for the collision.

"I saw him coming and was thinking I've got to punish this guy so I have something to talk about tonight," Winston said.

MSU's special teams came up big after the Spartans scored on their second possession when David Rolff forced and recovered a fumble on the kick return by Northwestern's Sherrick McManis.

Spartan kicker Brett Swenson capitalized on the turnover with his first of three field goals (26, 42, 34) in the game. The conversions set a new Spartan record as Swenson has now connected on 15 consecutive field goals. The former record of 13 was set by Paul Edinger.

"I was trying not to think about it," Swenson said. "I just wanted to focus on the kick, relax and execute. I'm happy that I was able to do that."

The special teams unit helped the Spartans finish with the field position advantage.

Spartan punter Aaron Bates had four punts for 175 yards (43.75 average) and pinned three inside the 20.

Bates' performance coupled with Winston's kick returns and three Northwestern turnovers gave MSU an average starting field position of the Northwestern 49-yard line. The Wildcats averaged starting at their own 18.

"When you looked at our specialty teams, and we said we had to have explosive plays and superior special teams play, we got that," MSU coach Mark Dantonio said. "That was as big as anything. Two big returns, field goals and punts dropping in there, a recovered fumble ... those are all huge plays for our football team."