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Here’s what Mel Tucker said following Michigan State’s blowout loss to Iowa
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State was riding high following a Week 2 win, but Mel Tucker’s team followed that up with a clunker of a performance Saturday against Iowa.
After a big-game showing against Michigan, quarterback Rocky Lombardi struggled with three interceptions against the Hawkeyes. That included a pick-six with Iowa essentially securing a win by halftime with 35 points before the break.
The only touchdown of the game came courtesy of Tyler Hunt, a former punter who has been converted to a tight end. He punched in a tough run for the lone bright spot in Michigan State’s 49-7 defeat.
Tucker knows that is not the kind of performance fans want to see, and he took responsibility for the blowout after the game:
Tucked said Iowa set the tone at line on offense and defense. Didn’t sense a letdown from his players. “It took is a couple series to match the physicality and tempo at line of scrimmage.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 7, 2020
Mel Tucker in his postgame presser called the performance "totally unacceptable" and said they'll take a hard look at every single play and every player.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) November 7, 2020
Tucker said there will be evaluations and corrections by all players in coming days.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 7, 2020
Tucker: “Consistency in performance is how you become successful. Right now, it was inconsistent. And this is the result you get.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 7, 2020
Tucker: "Own it, what happened. Trust the process and don't lie to yourself. We got beat today in all three phases."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 7, 2020
Tucker on TE Matt Dotson and CB Chris Jackson says "they're banged up."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 7, 2020
Tucker on changes in the lineup: "It's a continuous evaluation. Nothing is set in stone."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 7, 2020
Tucker: "People respond to two things, they respond to pain and pressure … there's a lot of pain right now in our locker room."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 7, 2020
Tucker: "In this game of football you're gonna get punched in the mouth. The question is how do you respond? When your back is against the wall you've got to come out swinging. We're gonna find out."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 7, 2020
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.