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What Michigan State’s Mel Tucker said during his weekly press conference
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With a late start to the season, and spring workouts erased by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mel Tucker’s first season as head coach at Michigan State was destined to be a challenge.
But nobody expected it to be this rough.
After losing 52-12 to Ohio State last Saturday, the Spartans, now 2-4, enter the final week of the regular season with some of the worst stat-lines in the recent history of the program.
The Spartans rank outside of the top-100 for scoring (No. 119, 17.0 ppg), rushing yards per game (No. 121, 95.2 ypg), total offense (No. 115), team passing efficiency (No. 113), and turnovers lost (No. 118).
Furthermore, MSU is on a pace to finish 2020 with its worst numbers in total offense and scoring since 1991, which was a team that just averaged 14.7 points per game.
As the Spartans prepare for their Land Grant Trophy Game with Penn State on Saturday, Tucker discussed some of the problems facing the program, and how he’s preparing for the Nittany Lions.
Mel Tucker opens addressing Saturday’s “unacceptable” performance as he called it after the game. “Yes, we are rebuilding the culture here.” Neutral thinking and recruiting are keys. “Our fans don’t want excuses, they want results.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
Tucker: "We're a very inconsistent football team."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 8, 2020
Tucker said MSU talked yesterday about the rivalry trophy being on the line this weekend vs. Penn State. @LandGrantTrophy on Line 1.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
Tucker with a ton of great insight and clarity into his recruiting philosophy, how much on field results right now do/don’t matter, how MSU has identified and assessed prospects during the pandemic. Signing day next week.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
Mel Tucker says they've offered well over 300 players for MSU's recruiting class. Says 200 is the minimum to sign 25.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) December 8, 2020
Tucker on the support from Tom Izzo and how they have had their plenty of interactions over the years since he was a graduate assistant under Nick Saban: “I don’t think he’d support me if he didn’t believe in me. He’s not that type of guy.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
Mel Tucker says MSU has a "fit score" to determine if a player is a good fit for the program and the things they're trying to do.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) December 8, 2020
Tucker on changing the culture and mindset: “We knew it wasn’t gonna be easy. That’s the challenge.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
Tucker said MSU categorizes penalties as foolish or aggressive. Wants aggression – pass interference/hold/late hit on QB (thinking Beesley here). Feels those can be coached through with better technique/understanding. “Penalties will get you beat, especially dumb penalties.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 8, 2020
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.