Michigan State football’s program is in a state of flux at this moment, following an 11-2 campaign a year ago, the Spartans fell to 2-2 after a home loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Now, many questions are surrounding Mel Tucker and his program with his mid-week press conference getting a lot of attention as a result.
Tucker took the podium to talk to the media ahead of his team’s upcoming match-up with the Maryland Terrapins:
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Mel Tucker opens his presser: “I see some smiles out there. Are y’all licking your chops or what?”
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) September 26, 2022
MSU coach Mel Tucker at podium. Ball security on offense a major takeaway from his review of the Minnesota game. "We need to create more explosive plays on offense, we need to sustain drives, and we need to score points." Says MSU is "really close" in the run game.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker says defensive alignment and tackling, along with tighter coverage in man/zone and getting more pressure key details that were lacking Saturday. Says he's "excited" and "optimistic" for his team.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker: How do you fix it? We have some plans to do it. Exactly how we’re going to do it, I’d prefer not to share that right now?
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) September 26, 2022
Tucker says defensive alignment and tackling, along with tighter coverage in man/zone and getting more pressure key details that were lacking Saturday. Says he's "excited" and "optimistic" for his team.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker says MSU needs "to make some scheme adjustments, and we're always evaluating personnel."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker: How do you fix it? We have some plans to do it. Exactly how we’re going to do it, I’d prefer not to share that right now?
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) September 26, 2022
Tucker says the team is "determined and optimistic" because they know MSU can fix the issues.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker on the run game: We have room to run. We have to make sure we hit the hole …
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) September 26, 2022
Tucker on facing Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa: "This QB, if you're not coordinated in your pass rush lanes … he'll pull it and take off running."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker asked how to get the defense playing with more swagger: "Swagger, I'm not sure exactly what the definition is. But I would think it's playing with confidence because of demonstrated ability in practice and then starting fast in games."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Mel Tucker says of Maryland coach Mike Locksley, who he considers a friend, he’s one of the best at putting together an offensive game plan to attack a perceived weakness.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) September 26, 2022
Tucker on "circling the wagons" says it's more difficult for players than him/staff to "block out the noise." Also points to saying things he wants "to keep in-house."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker on Thorne: "He has to do a better job in some areas, and we have to play better around him, offense, defense and special teams." Says his QB is a competitor who wants to play better.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker on Thorne: "He has to do a better job in some areas, and we have to play better around him, offense, defense and special teams." Says his QB is a competitor who wants to play better.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker says RB Jalen Berger was "banged up" coming out of the Washington game and why Jarek Broussard started vs. Minnesota. Came off in the 4Q in Seattle and met with trainers, entered in 2Q at home Saturday.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker: "When adversity hits, that's really where the rubber meets the road. I have a lot of confidence in our staff and also our players. It's about how you respond to adversity." He's optimistic because of what he's seen from team and his confidence still "high" with his staff.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker: "I don't feel like it's the coaches dragging the players through it, which gives me optimism." Says MSU's defensive players all came in on day off to watch tape, "something that was not directed by the coaches."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
Tucker on Xavier Henderson: "He's able to get more involved now, becuase he's more mobile." Was on crutches and now in just a right knee brace.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 26, 2022
