EAST LANSING, Mich. - Jeff Smoker is making the most of his second chance.
Smoker tied a Michigan State record with 32 completions on 40 attempts Saturday in a 31-3 victory against Indiana.
The senior tied the completion mark set by John Leister, who threw 46 passes in a loss to Michigan in 1982.
Smoker was suspended from the team last year with five games left because of a substance-abuse problem. After seeking treatment and following numerous undisclosed conditions set by new coach John L. Smith, Smoker was reinstated two weeks before the season.
"Everyone makes mistakes. I'm sure you guys can think back in your lives to a time you did something stupid," Smoker told the media. "You can learn a lot of things as you go through life, not just in football."
Smoker also increased his team records to 510 career completions on 858 attempts for 7,044 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Smith said Smoker's presence has helped his first season get off to a good start.
"In what we do, the one building block you really need is that quarterback," Smith said. "But don't give him too much credit so that he gets a big head and thinks he's real neat."
NEBRASKA: Tight end Matt Herian caught three passes for 110 yards during a 30-0 victory against Troy State, becoming the first Cornhusker in two seasons to go over 100 yards in a game. Also, it was Nebraska's first shutout in 39 games since beating Baylor 59-0 on Oct. 21, 2000, and its 35th consecutive home victory against a nonconference opponent.
NORTH CAROLINA: Stephen Gates, the sideline reporter for the Tar Heel Sports Network the past five seasons, was killed at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday after being struck by a car while changing a flat tire. He was 27. He was returning from Greensboro after visiting his parents. A State Highway Patrol accident report said a vehicle hit Gates' car then Gates. ... Darian Durant became the school's first 5,000-yard passer, moving ahead of Ronald Curry (4,987 yards, 1998-2001).
N.C. STATE: Leading rusher T.A. McLendon (hamstring) missed the game against Georgia Tech. He injured his leg in a victory against Texas Tech two weeks ago and sat out last weekend. ... Philip Rivers set an ACC record with his 14th career 300-yard game.
NORTHWESTERN: Wide receiver Kunle Patrick caught a pass in his 40th consecutive game, the longest streak in the nation.
PURDUE: Receiver John Standeford caught six passes for 101 yards and moved into second on the Big Ten's career reception list with 215. He trails David Williams of Illinois (245 from 1983-85). Standeford also set a school record for yards receiving at 3,062, passing Brian Alford's 2,968 from 1994-97.
RUTGERS: The 48-22 loss to Virginia Tech was the 23rd consecutive defeat in the Big East, including 0-15 under current coach Greg Schiano, for the Scarlet Knights.
SOUTHERN CAL: Quarterback Matt Leinart left against Arizona State in the second quarter with an injured right leg but returned in the third. The sophomore's knee and ankle were X-rayed. Matt Cassel came in to replace him briefly.
VIRGINIA: The team's 515 yards gained were its most against North Carolina in 108 meetings.
