Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Enter Third Week of Preseason Camp
8/17/2021 4:50:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team practiced in full pads on Tuesday morning for its 11th overall workout of preseason camp. The Spartans held their first scrimmage last Saturday (Aug. 14) in Spartan Stadium and are preparing for the second scrimmage of preseason camp this upcoming Saturday (Aug. 21).
"With the scrimmage that we had (last) Saturday, I felt good about the work that we accomplished," said Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker. "We wanted to see where we were as a football team on offense, defense and special teams. I feel like it was very productive in all three phases. We've got a lot of work to do, but I have seen some improvement with our team each time out in practice. We have some things that we need to work on, and we're taking this week to get those things done, and then we're looking forward to having a better scrimmage this weekend."
MSU will return to the practice field on Wednesday morning.
"Just gaining ground every single day," remarked Tucker on what he is looking for at practice. "I like the work we got in today. Guys have been very competitive. We've been more consistent the past three or four practices with our effort, toughness – both mental and physical, and knowing what to do. We need to take care of the football, and make sure that we play smart, and not have foolish penalties, and those are all things that don't take ability, so those are things that certainly are under our control. We have to do simple better, but we're moving in the right direction."
In addition to Coach Tucker, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson also met with the media after practice. Below are selected quotes from Johnson's press conference:
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Jay Johnson
On what he sees and what he likes so far...
We've had a good start. We've had a good start offensively and so we're excited about that, just as I'm sure Coach (Tucker) alluded to, but to kind of have a pretty normal spring and then now leading into fall camp, it's just great with the different things you can do with the meeting time and the walk-through times and things of that nature to really teach our guys and kind of take them to another level mentally, which hopefully then translates to on the field performance. So far we've been pretty good and staying healthy and the guys are working hard, so we're excited about it, really excited about it.
Obviously, I know you're interested in the quarterback spot, me too, very much. We started back in January, really if you think about the quarterback spot at every level of play, it gives the whole organization hope and it's a challenge in our room to play at a higher level. And so those guys have been working extremely hard, obviously right now it's really a competitive battle between Anthony Russo and Payton Thorne. We are monitoring about everything they do, to a T, but they've done well, they've been very, very competitive. It kind of vacillates a little bit each and every day. I guess the thing where I'm at on it is we've just really only had the one live scrimmage, so there's a bunch more work to get in this week and then another good scrimmage coming up on Saturday. So then I think once we get that, things will start to maybe unfold, but I mean as far as rep count they're within like two or three reps, as far as we're monitoring every rep they take. So I'm excited about them. What we really focus on with them is how do you run the offense, I mean their essence has to be running the offense, they don't have to do... I think a lot of times at quarterback spot you try to do too much, and I think with the way we've transformed our roster a little bit, we feel good about the other guys and so my goal with them is how do you manage this deal and put our offense in a good positive situation and position. So far they've been doing that. I put a lot on them, I put a ton on them, but I think that's why they play the position and so far they've been done a really good job mentally in handling all that, so that's an exciting piece.
Then the other one is, the other two guys that have been in there a bunch, but is Noah Kim and Hamp Fay. Noah has really improved, but Hamp has improved 1,000 percent since spring ball. So I feel good about the young guys, they obviously still need to grow and continue to develop, but really excited about that.
Other positions, I would say the biggest thing that I think has changed for us, there's more competition in every room that we have, every position room we have there's more competition, and when you have more competition obviously that lends itself to change for everybody, and so that's really been a goal and focus with some of the influx of players and the addition of our newcomers. So that's been really positive, and with more bodies, we're able to do more, we're able to get more reps in practice, and again that really bodes well for all of us, offensively and defensively, but the main person that bodes well for is the quarterback, because now I can get double reps and get those guys more and it's a more evaluation tool for us as a staff and an organization. So that's what I'm excited about.
On following up from Coach Tucker calling the evaluation of the quarterbacks a mixed bag from the scrimmage, and what some of the pluses and minuses were from the scrimmage...
Yeah, I think they both did some positive things. There's a few things that I felt mentally that we needed to work on, our defense does some really good stuff and so we're continuing to work through that, so what I'm looking for is how do we get on a consistent level at a higher level of that. That's what I kind of saw from them a little bit on Saturday, but as far as their command and their presence and poise, we're working on so many different aspects of their game, I think they're taking steps, but obviously you've still got to drive on different things there, but overall it was solid.
On being known as an aggressive offensive coordinator and on if he's still managing talent here to find out how aggressive he can be...
Yes, I think I have a much better feel for that, absolutely. You're trying to establish and evaluate your players, certainly, and establish who are the guys, who needs to get touches to help us be explosive, to help us be aggressive, and obviously, the other part is can we keep the other guys off balance a little bit. So it is definitely a mix-and-match, but now that you're around them more, you see more of our team, I think us as a whole staff are kind of finding our comfort zone a little bit more in that, and what we can do and when we can do it, absolutely.
MEET THE SPARTANS SET FOR MONDAY, AUG. 23: Michigan State football fans of all ages are invited to attend the 18th annual "Meet the Spartans," presented by Sparrow Health System, on Monday, Aug. 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
The free event will feature an opportunity to watch the team practice in Spartan Stadium as second-year head coach Mel Tucker and the Spartans prepare for the season opener on Sept. 3 at Northwestern.
The stadium gates (B, C, K, J) will open at 5:30 p.m. Please note that the Spartan Stadium no-bag policy will be in effect for the event.
Parking will also be free on campus (lots 79, 62, 63, ramp 7).
Fans can purchase $1 menu items at the south concession stands, including fountain drinks, bottled water, hot dogs, popcorn, smokestack sliders, cotton candy and sno cones.
The MSU cheerleaders and dance team, along with Sparty, will be on hand for the event. In addition, corporate partners of Michigan State Athletics will be on site with giveaways to Spartan fans.
Sparty's Locker Room, the Official Fan Supply store, will also be open for merchandise and apparel sales. Additional fan activities will be located throughout the concourse.
For health and safety concerns, please note that there will not be autograph or photo opportunities with the players at the event.
"With the scrimmage that we had (last) Saturday, I felt good about the work that we accomplished," said Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker. "We wanted to see where we were as a football team on offense, defense and special teams. I feel like it was very productive in all three phases. We've got a lot of work to do, but I have seen some improvement with our team each time out in practice. We have some things that we need to work on, and we're taking this week to get those things done, and then we're looking forward to having a better scrimmage this weekend."
MSU will return to the practice field on Wednesday morning.
"Just gaining ground every single day," remarked Tucker on what he is looking for at practice. "I like the work we got in today. Guys have been very competitive. We've been more consistent the past three or four practices with our effort, toughness – both mental and physical, and knowing what to do. We need to take care of the football, and make sure that we play smart, and not have foolish penalties, and those are all things that don't take ability, so those are things that certainly are under our control. We have to do simple better, but we're moving in the right direction."
In addition to Coach Tucker, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson also met with the media after practice. Below are selected quotes from Johnson's press conference:
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Jay Johnson
On what he sees and what he likes so far...
We've had a good start. We've had a good start offensively and so we're excited about that, just as I'm sure Coach (Tucker) alluded to, but to kind of have a pretty normal spring and then now leading into fall camp, it's just great with the different things you can do with the meeting time and the walk-through times and things of that nature to really teach our guys and kind of take them to another level mentally, which hopefully then translates to on the field performance. So far we've been pretty good and staying healthy and the guys are working hard, so we're excited about it, really excited about it.
Obviously, I know you're interested in the quarterback spot, me too, very much. We started back in January, really if you think about the quarterback spot at every level of play, it gives the whole organization hope and it's a challenge in our room to play at a higher level. And so those guys have been working extremely hard, obviously right now it's really a competitive battle between Anthony Russo and Payton Thorne. We are monitoring about everything they do, to a T, but they've done well, they've been very, very competitive. It kind of vacillates a little bit each and every day. I guess the thing where I'm at on it is we've just really only had the one live scrimmage, so there's a bunch more work to get in this week and then another good scrimmage coming up on Saturday. So then I think once we get that, things will start to maybe unfold, but I mean as far as rep count they're within like two or three reps, as far as we're monitoring every rep they take. So I'm excited about them. What we really focus on with them is how do you run the offense, I mean their essence has to be running the offense, they don't have to do... I think a lot of times at quarterback spot you try to do too much, and I think with the way we've transformed our roster a little bit, we feel good about the other guys and so my goal with them is how do you manage this deal and put our offense in a good positive situation and position. So far they've been doing that. I put a lot on them, I put a ton on them, but I think that's why they play the position and so far they've been done a really good job mentally in handling all that, so that's an exciting piece.
Then the other one is, the other two guys that have been in there a bunch, but is Noah Kim and Hamp Fay. Noah has really improved, but Hamp has improved 1,000 percent since spring ball. So I feel good about the young guys, they obviously still need to grow and continue to develop, but really excited about that.
Other positions, I would say the biggest thing that I think has changed for us, there's more competition in every room that we have, every position room we have there's more competition, and when you have more competition obviously that lends itself to change for everybody, and so that's really been a goal and focus with some of the influx of players and the addition of our newcomers. So that's been really positive, and with more bodies, we're able to do more, we're able to get more reps in practice, and again that really bodes well for all of us, offensively and defensively, but the main person that bodes well for is the quarterback, because now I can get double reps and get those guys more and it's a more evaluation tool for us as a staff and an organization. So that's what I'm excited about.
On following up from Coach Tucker calling the evaluation of the quarterbacks a mixed bag from the scrimmage, and what some of the pluses and minuses were from the scrimmage...
Yeah, I think they both did some positive things. There's a few things that I felt mentally that we needed to work on, our defense does some really good stuff and so we're continuing to work through that, so what I'm looking for is how do we get on a consistent level at a higher level of that. That's what I kind of saw from them a little bit on Saturday, but as far as their command and their presence and poise, we're working on so many different aspects of their game, I think they're taking steps, but obviously you've still got to drive on different things there, but overall it was solid.
On being known as an aggressive offensive coordinator and on if he's still managing talent here to find out how aggressive he can be...
Yes, I think I have a much better feel for that, absolutely. You're trying to establish and evaluate your players, certainly, and establish who are the guys, who needs to get touches to help us be explosive, to help us be aggressive, and obviously, the other part is can we keep the other guys off balance a little bit. So it is definitely a mix-and-match, but now that you're around them more, you see more of our team, I think us as a whole staff are kind of finding our comfort zone a little bit more in that, and what we can do and when we can do it, absolutely.
MEET THE SPARTANS SET FOR MONDAY, AUG. 23: Michigan State football fans of all ages are invited to attend the 18th annual "Meet the Spartans," presented by Sparrow Health System, on Monday, Aug. 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
The free event will feature an opportunity to watch the team practice in Spartan Stadium as second-year head coach Mel Tucker and the Spartans prepare for the season opener on Sept. 3 at Northwestern.
The stadium gates (B, C, K, J) will open at 5:30 p.m. Please note that the Spartan Stadium no-bag policy will be in effect for the event.
Parking will also be free on campus (lots 79, 62, 63, ramp 7).
Fans can purchase $1 menu items at the south concession stands, including fountain drinks, bottled water, hot dogs, popcorn, smokestack sliders, cotton candy and sno cones.
The MSU cheerleaders and dance team, along with Sparty, will be on hand for the event. In addition, corporate partners of Michigan State Athletics will be on site with giveaways to Spartan fans.
Sparty's Locker Room, the Official Fan Supply store, will also be open for merchandise and apparel sales. Additional fan activities will be located throughout the concourse.
For health and safety concerns, please note that there will not be autograph or photo opportunities with the players at the event.
Players Mentioned
Monday, September 28
Saturday, September 26
Thursday, September 24
Monday, September 21