Ad Disclosure
What Mel Tucker said before Michigan State’s matchup vs. Rutgers
Published:
Michigan State is 5-0 and 2-0 in B1G play, and they are the No. 11 in the country in the AP Top-25 poll.
They beat Western Kentucky last weekend in an offensive shootout 48-31.
Head coach Mel Tucker spoke to the media ahead of the road clash with Rutgers.
Tucker talked about moving practices to the morning instead of afternoons.
Tucker on moving practice to the mornings, instead of afternoon/evening as it was under Dantonio: “I think it keeps our players fresher and more productive.” Also something Tucker was used to working in NFL, “where they didn’t have class in the morning.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker talked about targeting and how he believes everyone is trying to get it right.
Tucker said he wanted to make sure he was clear about the interpretation of the targeting call. Talked with B1G director of officiating Bill Carollo by phone to see if coaching needed to change on the play. “Based upon the feedback we got, there was nothing more we need to do.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker: “I believe we’re all trying to get it right. We’re coaching tackling with low delivery a certain way for player safety reasons.” Realizes refs are trying to keep players safe. “It happens every week” in college, pro, HS “where calls don’t go your way. Part of the game.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker says he didn’t see Cal Haladay do anything he wasn’t coached on the targeting call he disagrees with. “Once it goes to review, that’s it. There’s no other type of recourse. You gotta move on. It’s already Tuesday.” Nothing MSU can do about it, he adds.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Mel Tucker presser underway. Said Haladay play was turned in to Big Ten. It’s a “judgment call” he doesn’t agree with but nothing else to do at this point.
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 5, 2021
Tucker spoke about the play of Freshman LB Ma’a Gaoteote.
Tucker on freshman LB Ma’a Gaoteote: Needs to have a good week of practice, “but it was good to see him out there and actually fairly productive when he was out there” against WKU.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker provides an injury update on RB Elijah Collins.
Tucker says RB Elijah Collins “working hard to get back.” Not surprisingly, he offers no detail. Pretty standard response from Tucker on all injuries
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about having to be focused at all times and making sure no one is losing focus.
Tucker said he’s always looking to see if anyone is being ‘casual’ or losing focus: “I don’t think anyone our team would feel like we’ve arrived anywhere. And if anyone does, that’s on me.”
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about the importance of older players teaching the younger players.
Tucker on MSU’s LBs: Older players doing a good job with teaching younger ones about assignments, handling coaching/criticism, how to practice
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about last year’s game against Rutgers.
Tucker on 2020 game, his MSU debut: “Give Rutgers and Greg (Schiano) credit, they beat us.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about the team and no one has thought they have arrived
Tucker: “I don’t think anyone our team would feel like we’ve arrived anywhere. And if anyone does, that’s on me.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about the Spartans 5-0 start.
Tucker on MSU’s 5-0 start: “Those type of things, you don’t act like it’s not there. My experience tells me you have to address that, and we did. The most important thing for us is the next game and our preparation.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker wants offense and special teams to play a full complete game.
Tucker says MSU’s offense and special teams need to play a full game. “We’re challenging ourselves to be able to do that.” Felt the Spartans’ defense played a solid 60 minutes against WKU.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Tucker talks about playing a full 60 minutes.
Mel Tucker at the podium. Says he was proud of MSU’s effort in starting fast vs. Western Kentucky. “It’s gonna take a complete effort from our team this week … for four quarters, 60 minutes,” against Rutgers. Says Spartans have yet to do that this season.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 5, 2021
Michigan State takes on Rutgers at noon ET on BTN.