Riley Bullough returns, will start for Michigan State

EAST LANSING – Mark Dantonio wouldn’t say who his starting quarterback on offense will be, but Michigan State will have its defensive quarterback back on the field for today’s game against Northwestern.

Middle linebacker Riley Bullough (right shoulder) will start for the first time since the Spartans’ win at Notre Dame on Sept. 17. The senior captain missed MSU’s last three games.

Dantonio on his pregame radio show said he and his staff have made a decision at quarterback between Tyler O’Connor, Damion Terry and Brian Lewerke, but he would not reveal it until the Spartans’ offense takes the field for its homecoming game against the Wildcats (3:30 p.m./Big Ten Network).

Recap: Northwestern 54, Michigan State 37

Fifth-year senior O’Connor has started the first five games, but MSU’s offense has struggled mightily the past three weeks. Junior Terry replaced him last week in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman Lewerke has only played one drive, the final one in the loss to Wisconsin on Sept. 24.

That game sent the Spartans on their first three-game losing streak since 2009, losing back-to-back Big Ten games to start the season since 2007 in Dantonio’s debut. MSU has not lost four in a row since the end of the John L. Smith era in 2006, also the last time it started the conference slate 0-3.

The Spartans also have a number of other players dressed who either missed or were injured during last week’s loss to BYU: redshirt freshman defensive tackle Raequan Williams, cornerback Darian Hicks, offensive lineman Kodi Kieler and linebacker Byron Bullough.

Junior Star linebacker Jon Reschke (left ankle) will miss his third straight game and his fourth this season. Sophomore safety Grayson Miller (undisclosed) also is not dressed.

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Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@chrissolari.

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