Spartans Enter Third Week of Spring Practice

April 5, 2016

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State football team held its sixth workout of the spring on Tuesday afternoon at the John and Becky Duffey Football Practice Fields under sunny skies and temperatures in the low-40s.

With the Spartans entering their third week of spring drills, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio gave an update on the team before practice.

"Just like every other spring, you've got to try and find answers to certain situations, and keep trying to expand on everything we're doing here from different situations we try and work through," said Dantonio in his opening comments, before publicly congratulating men's basketball coach Tom Izzo for being selected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday.

"I'm pleased with our football team right now. You try and work your ones, your twos and your threes, and so as you go through that process, you'd like to see everybody move forward. It's more of a team thing, how we move forward. We've got some guys nicked up and things like that, really from last season, so that will add depth to our football team as we work our young players right now. But I don't think I'm really disappointed in anything. I think we have a chance to be a very good football team."

With the departure of Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, the long race for the starting position is in full swing. Fifth-year senior Tyler O'Connor and fourth-year junior Damion Terry are the two quarterbacks on the roster with game experience, while red-shirt freshman Brian Lewerke and early enrollee Messiah deWeaver are also taking plenty of reps in practice.

Dantonio said that until the team holds its first scrimmage on Friday, it's difficult for any player to create too much separation at the beginning of spring practice, although O'Connor has the slight edge at the moment. Dantonio also noted that the competition will be a "slow process."

"It's always about decision making, and the ability to create when things break down," remarked Dantonio on what he's looking for at quarterback. "You can't make a lot of mistakes at that position. You have to control everybody else and lead on the field. You have to get everything started, even if it's just a pure running play, and then obviously execution, decision-making, and creativity."

O'Connor, who started in the win at No. 2 Ohio State last season, was named the team's offensive player of the week for his performance against the Buckeyes, which included career highs in passing yards (89) and completions (7). He also showed off his running ability with eight carries for 25 carries at OSU, including two first downs. In O'Connor's other extended action of the season, he was 6-of-11 passing for 44 yards and a TD in the win against Maryland on Nov. 14.

For his career, he has completed 63 percent of his passes (34-of-54) for 374 yards, four TDs and two interceptions in 14 games of action.

"I think Tyler has a lot of ability and obviously what he was able to do in the second half against Maryland and then at the Ohio State game speaks volumes," commented Dantonio. "So he was very successful, and he's going to have a great spring and a great fall camp."

Terry played in 10 games last season, but most of those were brief appearances where he either lined up as a wide receiver or in the Wildcat formation at quarterback. Terry is also a threat to run as he collected 68 yards on the ground in 21 attempts (3.2 avg.) in 2015. In 15 career games, he has completed 54 percent of his career throws (14-of-26) for 103 yards.

On the two young quarterbacks, Dantonio said that Lewerke has a "quick release (and) knows where to go with the ball for a young player. Very steady, very cool. He's got great arm strength. He reminds me a little bit of Kirk Cousins in a lot of ways."

The 10th-year head coach also sees a benefit to having deWeaver participate in spring practice.

"I think you at least have a foundation when you get to fall camp," said Dantonio. "I think if they come in as a freshman and don't have a foundation underneath them that it's very difficult."

The Spartans return to the practice field on Thursday before holding their first scrimmage on Friday.