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What Mel Tucker said following Michigan State’s win over Penn State to secure 10-win season
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Michigan State finished off one of the most impressive turnarounds of the college football season.
Saturday, the Spartans posted a 30-27 victory over Penn State in snow globe-like conditions in East Lansing. The win bumped Michigan State to 10-2 on the year, a huge improvement after finishing 2-5 a season ago.
There’s no question, Mel Tucker certainly earned that contract extension.
Michigan State was able to get the job done in all facets of the game and closed out the regular season with an impressive win over a quality Nittany Lions squad. After the game, Tucker met with reporters to discuss the win and reflect on the team’s impressive season.
Here’s what Tucker had to say:
Tucker on his contract extension: "I really haven't had an opportunity to reflect on that yet, obviously because the preparation for the game was our main focus and my main focus."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker says again he believes MSU is a destination job and not a stepping stone. "We want to bring a national championship to East Lansing and be in the conversation year in and year out. There's obviously a commitment to that."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker on he and Franklin getting their big contracts as Black head coaches: "Everything I do has significance and meaning across all different type of fronts. Everyone's watching."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker on Kenneth Walker III: "We're an all-weather football team, and he's an all-weather back."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker says MSU "had some issues with our specialists in kicking" today.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker makes pitch for MSU to bowls and said he expects to get players back for postseason game. Says Spartans have "an exciting and attractive team, and our fans travel well." Adds it is "an exciting team to watch, we have some play-makers" who are elite.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker: "The power of the team, we really tapped into that this week. And when you get into the game, it's who wants it more."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker said path to today's win started in locker room in Columbus. "It's a keep-it-real session with our guys every single day. We knew what our challenges would be, and we had a plan of attack. And our players executed the plan." Says it came down to mental/physical toughness.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker confirms MSU battled through illness as well as the injuries. "At the end of the day, no one cares how many guys you have out." Says "the guys really wanted to get this one."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker said MSU had to "shuffle some lineups during the week" and make contingency plans based on illness.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Tucker: "They're resilient, they fight like heck out there. You can tell they play for each other." Says he's proud of the team and staff, thanks fans who showed up and "gave us a boost today. They were in there deep and thick. … It's a perfect way to send our seniors out."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
MSU coach Mel Tucker: "A lot to say about this team and their performance today. It was a really gutsy performance from our guys."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 28, 2021
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB