Mark Dantonio updates Michigan State's plan at QB for Pinstripe Bowl
Michigan State will have a new starting quarterback for 2020, but it sounds like it will be business as usual for the Pinstripe Bowl.
Brian Lewerke is currently the starter and is wrapping up his career with the Spartans as a senior. He really found his groove as a sophomore in 2017, posting over 3,300 yards and 25 total touchdowns while leading Michigan State to 10 wins. Unfortunately, the offense as a whole has struggled since then with Lewerke unable to hit those marks since that season.
Heading into the season-ending Pinstripe Bowl, Lewerke remains the most experienced quarterback on the Spartans’ roster. Sophomore Rocky Lombardi has appeared in three games this season but has completed just 7-of-21 passes for 74 yards. Freshman Theo Day has thrown just three passes on the season.
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With the Spartans not playing for a championship and losing their starter for 2020, some have wondered if Michigan State would try and prepare for next season in getting one of the younger players reps. Based on Mark Dantonio’s comments from Thursday, that doesn’t seem to be the plan.
Dantonio said the current plan is to start Lewerke and then play whichever QB gives the team the best chance of winning. Based on the current makeup of the roster, that will likely mean playing Lewerke for the majority of the game:
Dantonio says no set plan on QB outside of Lewerke starting. "We're gonna play to win so whoever gives us the best chance."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 26, 2019
Dantonio says MSU is going to play "whatever quarterback gives us the best chance" to win the game.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 26, 2019
Can Lewerke wrap up his Spartans career with one more victory? Friday’s kickoff is set for 3:20 pm EST on ESPN.