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Mel Tucker challenges fans to show up in big numbers as MSU travels to Purdue
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Playing Purdue can be risky.
No. 5 Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is fully aware of that. When the Spartans travel to West Lafayette this weekend they will be up against a dangerous Boilermakers team.
Tucker is counting on the Spartan faithful to make the trip south to bring some of that Spartans Stadium magic with them.
Tucker: "Our fans have traveled well all season, and we need Spartan Nation to show up for us in West Lafayette."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 1, 2021
The Boilermakers are dangerous when unranked, and squaring off against a favored opponent, and Tucker isn’t ignoring that.
“It’s obvious they have a good football team, and they have a history of beating ranked teams when they’re unranked,” he said on Monday. “They’ve won some big games this year.”
But the same can be said for Michigan State. Last weekend’s dramatic rally from a 30-14 deficit in the second half was impressive. Heisman Trophy candidate Kenneth Walker III had a career day with 5 touchdowns and 197 rushing yards. Walker now ranks second in the FBS with 1,194 rushing yards this season to accompany his 14 touchdowns.
Tucker and crew could use any help they can get, since the Spartans may be without one of their top receivers. Jalen Nailor suffered a hand injury and was on the sideline with the hand heavily wrapped during the second of the game with the Wolverines.
So have the Spartans, none bigger than last weekend’s dramatic second-half rally. They were down 30-142, but stormed back behind Heisman Trophy candidate Kenneth Walker III. The Wake Forest transfer continued his season-long rampage, rushing for all five of the Spartans’ touchdowns while racking up 197 yards.
Michigan State and Purdue will kickoff at 3:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 6 Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.