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What Michigan State’s Mel Tucker said at his weekly press conference
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Michigan State beat Michigan this season.
That’s about the only positive news to come out of East Lansing this season.
The Spartans have yet to post another win and enter Saturday’s contest with unbeaten Northwestern after suffering back-to-back blowout losses against Iowa and Indiana.
The Spartans game last week with Maryland was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues.
Head coach Mel Tucker, in his first season at the helm of the Spartans program, is dealing with quarterback questions, as well as how to put together an offensive scheme that can handle Northwestern’s stifling defense.
Tucker spoke with the press on Tuesday for his weekly media conference, and addressed some of the issues the Spartans will be dealing with heading into the weekend.
Tucker said he felt MSU had a good week practicing in preparing for Maryland and expects that to continue this week with 5-0 Northwestern up next. “We need to start fast and finish strong.” Adds it’s not just about evaluation but also “playing winning football.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker: “The sacrifices our players and staff have made are tremendous.” Talked about it this summer as investing in the team.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Mel Tucker on weekly news conference says MSU used the week off to recharge and refocus for Northwestern this week.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker says “it’s gonna be an ongoing thing” in determining MSU’s starting QB this week. “Everyone’s gotta compete. … You’re only as good as your next play.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker says a first year in a new program brings some expected disappointing times, frustrating times, times where there will be outright rage. “I happen to have the stomach for it.” Enjoys a rebuild.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker: “If we want to change the trajectory of our program, then we have to change our behavior.” Says being a .500 program requires a culture shift, “but that doesn’t happen overnight.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker: “Choice is an illusion” if you want to be good. “We don’t have options, and the choices are very limited.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Tucker: “Real players want to be coached.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 24, 2020
Mel Tucker on challenging older players after a string of .500 seasons: "If we want to change our trajectory, then we've got to change our behavior. (What we've done) will only get us what we've gotten in the past."
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) November 24, 2020
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.