Michigan State finds reliable running back in Jeremy Langford

Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, right, runs past Indiana's Mark Murphy (37) for a 32-yard touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 42-28. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2013 file photo, Michigan State's Jeremy Langford (33) celebrates his 32-yard touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, in East Lansing, Mich. Langford lifted Michigan State's offense with four touchdowns against Indiana. The question now is whether he's ready to shoulder a bigger workload for the Spartans, who had to replace star running back Le'Veon Bell this year. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File) (The Associated Press)

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Mark Dantonio wants Michigan State to handle success the same way it handled its first loss of the season.

The Spartans (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) lost 17-13 at Notre Dame on Sept. 21, and then beat Iowa and Indiana in consecutive weeks. With Purdue visiting on Saturday ahead of next week's trip to Illinois, Dantonio's team is in a great spot before the challenge stiffens in November.

Dantonio cited an improved rushing attack, with Jeremy Langford and Delton Williams leading the way in last Saturday's 42-28 win over the Hoosiers. Langford, the Big Ten's offensive player of the week, carried 23 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns and caught a pass for an 11-yard score.