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What Mel Tucker said as Michigan State approaches Friday matchup vs. Northwestern
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Michigan State opens the season on Friday with Northwestern after posting a disappointing 2-4 record in head coach Mel Tucker’s first season.
But one of those two wins was a 29-20 upset win over the then No. 13 Wildcats at Spartan Stadium last November.
The Spartans have been picked to finish last in the B1G East Division by the media this season, while Northwestern were picked to finish fourth. So the expectations surrounding the opener are low, but for Tucker, who is looking for a turn-around season with a host of new faces on the roster, the plan is to improve.
Tucker met with the Media on Tuesday and among other things, continued to tapdance around naming a starter at quarterback.
Here’s more of what he said.
Tucker on Northwestern: "They are always ready to play." Says he expects "a lot of Spartans there" at Ryan Field on Friday night.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker says "We're still in discussion" about who will start at QB between Anthony Russo and Payton Thorne. So no public announcement, it seems.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker dodging all QB questions like … well, a QB avoiding a pass rush. Says he thinks Northwestern will be prepared for whoever starts. Says other roles at other positions also are still being set, particularly at LB.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker: "What type of team we'll have, we'll have to see. Because it's gonna be about what we do on Friday, and then we'll see what we have."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker about opening with Big Ten opponent: "I don't have a preference. I've been a part of both." (breaking @Graham_Couch's embargo)
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker said "they may know" who is going to start at QB, meaning Russo, Thorne and the players. "I'm not gonna lie to you. That's something I won't do."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker on QB, asked if he would share what he told the backup: "I really don't want to get into that. The guys competed."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker: "We'll see who lines up out there and we'll go out and play. But we're not trying to fool anyone. It's a Big Ten game. It's gonna be about execution and playing hard."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker says he plans to use more starters on special teams to help shore up kick and punt units. "We feel like we have more depth overall in our team, and that bodes well for our special teams. We just have to go out and execute."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker doesn't give an update on DT Jacob Slade. "We'll have to see." Says he doesn't think any "major contributors" that are "out, out" for the season.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
Tucker says MSU is about 96 to 97% vaccinated going into the game
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2021
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.