Mel Tucker: Michigan State can't 'Live in the past' after blowout loss to Iowa
Michigan State rebounded from an opening weekend loss to Rutgers with an upset of rival Michigan in Ann Arbor, but that’s where Mel Tucker’s fun stopped.
The Spartans traveled to Iowa, and before they could get settled in on the sidelines Saturday afternoon, they were down 14-0, and then down 35 at the half.
“Last week’s game was unacceptable,” said Tucker. “I hold and will continue to hold this team to a higher standard and performance. We’ve looked at the tape and made the corrections that we needed to make relative to that game. And, you know, we’re moving forward.“
And there is little time for rest before moving forward, as the Spartans will welcome No. 10 Indiana to East Lansing this Saturday.
The Hoosiers are a team on the rise, “Indiana is a good football team.” said Tucker. “I like the way this team is built. They play complimentary football. We got a lot of work to do and we’re up for the challenge.”
Michigan State had more than a fair share of mistakes against Iowa. Rocky Lomardi was picked off three times, and the team only managed 59 yards on the ground on 32 carries, and the defense was sloppy with missed tackles and blown assignments.
Tucker stressed the need to move on.
“You can’t live in the past. That’s not a formula for success. You have to be neutral. You have to say, ‘OK, what happened? What are the facts?” Tucker said.
Kickoff for the Spartans and Hoosiers is scheduled for 12:00 PM, Saturday Nov. 14 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Here’s Tucker’s full press conference, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press: