Michigan State was embarrassed at home against Minnesota, losing 34-7 to drop to 2-2 on the 2022 season. The loss was considered by many a very embarrassing loss for the Spartans, following the rough performance in Seattle the week prior.
Mel Tucker came to his press conference, with many people looking to hear what he had to say about the pitiful performance his team put on infront of the hometown fans.
Here are some highlights from his post game press conference:
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MSU coach Mel Tucker at podium. "I'm gonna keep it short and concise the best I can." Credits Minnesota as a "good football team." Says the Spartans "are not good enough on either side of the ball to play complementary football. … We were terrible on third down defensively."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker says MSU isn't tackling well enough and giving up yards after the catch, not getting pressure on the QB, "and obviously we have to play tighter in coverage." Says offensively, Spartans need to "do something with it" when they get the ball. "You can't win like that."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker: "I'm really not happy with what I'm seeing. I don't accept it." Says he "understands what our issues are. I'm probably not gonna talk about them right now, I don't want to say anything I shouldn't say right after a game like this."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Asked about MSU having certain DBs picked on by opposing QB for second straight game. Is it players or scheme? Tucker says he's got some ideas "because I've kind of been down this road a little bit." Doesn't answer the question, defers until after he watches the film.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker: "That's not a good form, especially after a game like this" to answer specific questions.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker says he's looking for "push and surge" on the OL. "Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker on players' mental state in second half: "That's up to individuals. If you feel beaten, then what are you gonna do about it? … I can't say if guys felt like they were beaten or not. I saw guys continue to play, but the excecution wasn't there."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker on Thorne: "I didn't see a lack of confidence in him. We were moving down there, driving the ball. We were going in to score. … There was no time during the game where I didn't feel he was confident in what he was doing."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker asked about Khris Bogle, said he doesn't have an injury update.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker: "I'm very confident in the coaching staff. We're just going through a tough stretch right now. … That's one of the things that gives me confidence that we can figure things out."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker on the Gophers: "I'm not blindsided. We knew what their gameplan was. Their plan was to run the ball and control the clock. Time of possession, that's what they do."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker: "I'm not shocked. I might be disappointed, I may be angry, I may get frustrated at times, which I do. We all we all want to compete and play better." Says he's not shocked by anything he sees on the field from all the football he's watched/coached.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022
Tucker said his players definitely heard boos and definitely continue to show a care factor. "We'll get it figured out."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 24, 2022