As we head into Week 6 of the college football season, we have a pretty good idea of which teams are contenders or not. There are also a handful of teams that...
Payton Thorne, Michigan State Rally Past Pittsburgh to Win 2021 Peach Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 31-21 in the 2021 Peach Bowl on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to close out the season with an 11-2 record, the program's best finish since 2015.
The Spartans finished third in the Big Ten East Division to earn their first bowl appearance since 2019, when they defeated Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Michigan State's performance on Thursday was impressive, especially because the team was without star running back Kenneth Walker III, who opted out to prepare for the 2022 NFL draft.
Notable Stats
Payton Thorne, QB, MSU: 29/50 for 354 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT and 10 CAR for 4 YDS
Davis Beville, QB, PITT: 14/18 for 149 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Jayden Reed, WR, MSU: 6 REC for 80 YDS, 2 TD
Jordan Addison, WR, PITT: 7 REC for 114 YDS
Jalen Nailor, WR, MSU: 6 REC for 108 YDS
Late Push From MSU Seals Win Despite Poor Rushing Performance
Obviously, replacing Walker is no easy task. The Walter Camp and Doak Walker Award winner finished with 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in his first season with the Spartans after transferring from Wake Forest.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker even acknowledged that it would be challenging to replace Walker while meeting with reporters earlier this week.
"It's hard to replace a guy like Ken, you really can't do that, but we have other players obviously on our roster at that position that are going to be next man up and they're going to step up and get the job done," Tucker said. "We have a plan for that, and I feel really good about our run game right now in our preparation."
Walker averaged 137.2 yards per game this season. The Spartans opted to give Jordon Simmons most of his workload on Thursday, and it didn't work out so well.
Simmons finished the game with just 23 yards on 16 carries. As a whole, the MSU offense finished with just 56 rushing yards, which is far lower than the 185.6 yards on the ground they were averaging entering the Peach Bowl.
Despite Simmons' underwhelming performance, fans should look forward to seeing him as the team's top running back in 2022. He entered the Peach Bowl with 54 carries for 255 yards, in addition to six receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Simmons also led Michigan State in rushing last year and proved he could be a top running back earlier this season when he rushed for 121 yards against Youngstown State in September.
Despite the poor rushing performance, Payton Thorne got the job done under center, leading two late touchdown drives to capture the win. Receivers Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed, who finished with a combined 188 yards, were also instrumental in the win.
It should also be noted that Tucker agreed to a 10-year, $95 million contract earlier this season to continue serving as MSU's head coach. He's been a big reason the Spartans turned things around in 2021, and he'll only continue to have a positive impact on the program moving forward.
Pittsburgh Defense Comes Up Big, but Offense Falters Without Pickett
For Pittsburgh, Thursday's Peach Bowl was supposed to be all about junior quarterback Nick Patti, who has sat behind Pickett throughout his college career.
However, Patti exited in the first frame after rushing for a 16-yard touchdown with 7:57 left in the quarter. He went to the sideline and was taken to the locker room by Pittsburgh's medical staff.
Patti later emerged from the locker room with his jersey off and his left arm in a sling, signaling that he was done for the night. Sophomore quarterback Davis Beville was then thrust into the starting lineup.
Not much was expected from the third-string quarterback, and he didn't do enough under center. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown and one late, costly interception.
Pittsburgh's top receiver Jordan Addison had seven catches for 114 yards and no touchdowns. Entering Thursday night, Addison was averaging 113.8 yards per game. It was his second straight game without a touchdown catch.
The big reason the Panthers were even in Thursday's game was because of their defense.
The Spartans were controlling play through much of the first half until Panthers defensive back Brandon Hill picked off MSU quarterback Payton Thorne with 2:03 remaining in the second quarter.
The Panthers turned that pick into a touchdown when Beville hit wide receiver Jared Wayne for a four-yard score just before halftime. That score helped give Pittsburgh a 14-10 lead.
The Spartans got the ball to start the second half, but the Pittsburgh defense forced Thorne into another costly turnover when defensive lineman John Morgan III recovered a fumble for a touchdown to help give the Panthers a 21-10 lead.
The Panthers held the Spartans scoreless in the third quarter, but the defense eventually ran out of gas, allowing two four-quarter TDs.
In terms of the quarterback position, the Panthers are still in a good spot for 2022 after receiving a commitment from Kedon Slovis, who announced he would be transferring to Pittsburgh from USC earlier this month.
"I was so excited when Coach Narduzzi called, because I knew that Pitt and this program were the right fit for me to keep developing into the best leader I can be," Slovis wrote in a piece for The Players' Tribune. "I'm ready to win now β and talking to the players who are returning, and seeing how hungry they are for next season, that got me pumped. They have a lot of talented players coming back. And, man β¦ getting to throw the ball to the guy who just won the Biletnikoff?? That's something you don't pass up. The culture and identity that Coach Narduzzi has created is everything I want to be a part of."
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III to Skip Peach Bowl to Prepare for 2022 NFL Draft
Dec 16, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III runs against Michigan during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State star Kenneth Walker III is turning pro coming off a breakout 2021 season.
Walker announced on Twitter he will skip the Peach Bowl and begin preparing for the 2022 NFL draft.
Walker began his college career at Wake Forest, where he played from 2019-20. He was the No. 3 running back as a freshman, behind quarterback Jamie Newman, who led the team in carries, and Cade Carney.
Despite only carrying the ball 98 times, Walker racked up 579 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns. He continued to play at a high level in 2020 with 579 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 attempts in seven games.
After entering the transfer portal in January, Walker announced he would be attending Michigan State. The Spartans only had two rushing touchdowns for the entire 2020 season.
Walker turned into arguably the best running back in the nation in 2021. He ran for 1,646 yards and 18 touchdowns on 264 attempts in 12 games. The 21-year-old won the Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award and was named Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. The Spartans posted their first 10-win season since 2017 with Walker leading the offense.
B/R's latest big board for the 2022 draft has Walker ranked as the top running back and No. 23 overall player in the class.
Michigan State will take on ACC champion Pitt without Walker in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30.
Oxford HS Shooting Victim Tate Myre Honored with Michigan State Recruiting Class
Dec 15, 2021
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on the sidelines during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Tate Myre, who was killed in the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan on Nov. 30, will be an honorary member of the Michigan State Spartans' football recruiting class.
Head coach Mel Tucker announced on Wednesday that Myre will be included in the Spartans' 2022 class.
Per Sarah Rahal of the Detroit News, Myre played tight end and running back for the football team and hoped to play in college at Michigan State, Grand Valley State, Wayne State or Texas A&M.
It is with great grief that one of the victims of the tragic event at OHS today was one of our own, Tate Myre. Tate was on varsity since his freshman year and was an honor student. Tate was a great young man with a bright future and beloved by all. You will be missed, Tate ππ pic.twitter.com/AKJCH1UWBG
Per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren, Myre was a 2023 football recruit and had taken a recruiting visit to Toledo days before the shooting.
Several Michigan-based sports teams honored the victims of the shooting. The University of Michigan football team wore a jersey patch during the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa.
The Detroit Lions had special decals on their helmets and wore custom T-shirts and hats for their Dec. 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings, in addition to holding a moment of silence.
Myre received a regional award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association in February.
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III Wins 2021 Doak Walker Award
Dec 10, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, rushes against Penn State's Kalen King (4) and Ji'Ayir Brown (16) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III is the winner of the 2021 Doak Walker Award, which recognizes the best RB in college football.
Walker beat out finalists in junior Breece Hall of Iowa State and senior Tyler Badie of Missouri.
Walker had the best season of his collegiate career in 2021, entering Saturday's regular-season finale against Penn State with 1,614 yards (second in FBS) and 18 touchdowns (T-3rd in FBS) on the ground in addition to 13 catches for 89 yards and a score.
The 21-year-old transferred to Michigan State after two years at Wake Forest. He's racked up more rushing yards in his one season with the Spartans than he did in two seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Walker was also named a finalist for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the nationβs best overall player. Brandon Van Pelt is the only Spartan to ever win the Maxwell Award, doing so in 1972.
No Michigan State player had ever won the Doak Walker Award until this year.
Walker overcame some stiff competition for this award.
Hall had one of the best seasons of his collegiate career in 2021, rushing for 1,464 yards (fifth in FBS) and 20 touchdowns (T-1st FBS) on 253 carries in 12 games. He also caught 36 passes for 302 yards and three scores.
Badie had the best season of his collegiate career in 2021, rushing for a career-high 1,604 yards (third in FBS) and 14 touchdowns (T-6th FBS) on 268 carries in addition to 54 catches for 330 yards and four scores.
Kenneth Walker III, No. 12 Michigan State Hold off Jahan Dotson, Penn State 30-27
Nov 27, 2021
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, slips out of bounds on a run against Penn State's Kalen King (4) and Ji'Ayir Brown (16) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Coming off two losses in their previous three games, the Michigan State Spartans got back on track in Saturday's regular-season finale with a 30-27victory over Penn State at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State entered November looking like a potential College Football Playoff contender with an 8-0 record. Things took a sharp turn with a loss to Purdue on Nov. 6, and the bottom dropped out with last week's 56-7 defeat against Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions entered this week also trying to right the ship after a rough stretch. They have lost five of their last seven games after a 5-0 start. The previous four losses came by a total of 18 points.
Snowy weather certainly played a role in the game, especially for Penn State. The Nittany Lions were held to 61 rushing yards on 26 attempts. Kicker Jordan Stout missed his only field-goal attempt and one of his three extra-point opportunities.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker III had no problems finding openings in the snow. The Spartans running back finished with 138 rushing yards and one touchdown on 30 carries.
Both quarterbacks, though, had success throwing the ball. Penn State's Sean Clifford racked up 313 yards and three touchdowns. Michigan State's Payton Thorne finished with 268 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Thorne's 20-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed on 4th-and-15 with 5:10 remaining was the difference in the game.
Penn State did get a late score from Parker Washington to cut the deficit to three points, but Spartans recovered the onside kick to end the game.
Kenneth Walker III (MSU): 30 carries, 138 yards, TD
Jayden Reed (MSU): 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
Sean Clifford (PSU): 23-of-34, 313 yards, 3 TD
Jahan Dotson (PSU): 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
Keyvone Lee (PSU): 15 carries, 79 yards
Walker Boosts Heisman Resume in Spartans' Win
There's an argument that Walker was the Heisman favorite coming into Saturday's slate of games. The junior entered this week with 1,597 yards from scrimmage and 18 total touchdowns in 11 games.
To no one's surprise, Michigan State fed the ball to its star running back early in the game. He carried the ball four times out of eight plays on the team's first possession, including a touchdown from two yards out.
After Penn State pinned the Spartans at their own one-yard line following a punt, Walker gave the offense plenty of breathing room with a 35-yard run on first down. He followed that up with a 15-yard scamper on the next play.
Kenneth Walker never misses a hole when itβs there. Vision and burst is unreal.
Michigan State drove 99 yards on nine plays to take a 14-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Just when it looked like a blowout was on the horizon, the Spartans' unreliable defense allowed Penn State to get back in the game. Then, Daequan Hardy picked off Thorne and took the ball to the house to put the Nittany Lions up 20-17 in the third quarter.
Mel Tucker went back to the ground game on the ensuing possession to get the Spartans back on top. Walker once again started the drive with a big play, gaining 27 yards to get the ball in Penn State territory.
After the Nittany Lions defense kept Walker out of the end zone on back-to-back runs near the goal line, Thorne called his own number on 3rd-and-goal from the one for the score.
Clinging to a 23-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, Tucker's decision to go for it on 4th-and-15 from Penn State's 20-yard line rather than attempting a field goal in the driving snow turned out to be the difference.
Thorne just threw a jump ball to Reed, who was facing single coverage in the end zone. The Spartans wide receiver came down with it to extend the lead to 10 with 5:10 to play.
Walker certainly wasn't the only Spartans player creating big plays in this game, but he was the center of everything they did. They ran 77 total plays on offense, with Walker carrying the ball 30 times.
The Heisman Trophy race is far from settled, especially with Ohio State losing and Alabama struggling against Auburn on Saturday. Walker's resume this season is as strong as any of the top contenders. His 138-yard performance in poor weather conditions could be enough to catapult him to the top of the ballot.
Key Mistakes Doom Penn State's Upset Hopes
In a year that's been defined by missed opportunities and crucial mistakes in big moments, it's only fitting that Penn State would make several errors in the regular-season finale.
The issues began on the Nittany Lions' first offensive possession when Keyvone Lee was stopped short of the sticks on 3rd-and-2. James Franklin elected to punt the ball away from his own 47-yard line rather than go for it on 4th-and-1.
It seemed like a wise decision since Penn State downed the ball at the Spartans' one-yard line, but the defense gave up 99 yards on nine plays to go down by two touchdowns.
Penn State did respond with a 68-yard scoring drive of its own, capped off by Jahan Dotson's 27-yard touchdown reception from Sean Clifford.
Advice: Stay for the sweet replays of Jahan Dotson's latest TD. π―
Each of the next three drives by both teams ended in punts before Penn State was able to get in the end zone again to tie the score. Dotson once again made the big play with a 30-yard catch for his second touchdown of the game.
Hardy's pick-six in the third quarter could have turned the game in the Nittany Lions' favor. They took their first lead at that point, but a missed extra point kept the score at 20-17.
The missed extra point was the second missed opportunity of the game for Penn State. Jordan Stout missed a 27-yard field goal right before halftime that would have tied the score at 17.
After Michigan State went back on top 23-20, Penn State was faced with a 4th-and-1 from the Spartans' 16-yard line. Franklin chose to go for it rather than have Stout attempt a 33-yard field goal.
Keyvone Lee was stopped short of the first-down marker, giving Michigan State possession early in the fourth quarter.
Penn State's defense did force a punt, but the offense again made a blunder when Lee fumbled the ball away. Drew Beesley recovered to help set up the decisive touchdown for the Spartans.
The reason Penn State's season fell apart is because of miscues and turnovers. The defense gave up a 44-yard touchdown to Nico Ragaini midway through the fourth quarter in a 23-20 loss to Iowa.
Illinois held Penn State to 18 points in a game that featured nine overtimes. The offense had to settle for a field goal in the red zone after forcing a fourth-quarter turnover against Michigan. That allowed the Wolverines to drive 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in a 21-17 win.
Saturday's loss was a perfect microcosm of everything that has gone wrong for Franklin's squad down the stretch in 2021.
What's Next?
Penn State and Michigan State will learn which bowl game they will play in after the CFP field is announced on Dec. 5.
This article will be updated to
provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
Report: Michigan State Dealing With 'Pretty Bad' Flu Outbreak Before Penn State Game
Nov 27, 2021
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Helmets of the Michigan State Spartans during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
The No. 12 Michigan State Spartans are reportedly dealing with a flu outbreak ahead of their home game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday.
According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, a source described the outbreak as "pretty bad" and said players on both sides of the ball have been diagnosed with the flu daily leading up to the regular-season finale.
Rittenberg noted that the offensive and defensive lines have been impacted, as has the quarterback group and other positions.
The expectation is that "some" of those battling the flu will likely try to play through the illness as the 9-2 Spartans look to clinch a double-digit-win season.
Per The Action Network (h/t Rittenberg), MSU could be without six to eight starters for Saturday's Big Ten clash.
The Spartans have made big strides this season, posting their best record since going 10-3 in 2017. Michigan State went 7-6 in 2018 and 2019, and went just 2-5 last season, marking its worst winning percentage (.286) since going 3-8 in 1991.
Last season was Mel Tucker's first as head coach of the Spartans after he took over for Mark Dantonio, and this season he has solidified his status as the one to guide Michigan State football into the future.
Since starting the season 8-0, the Spartans have struggled, posting a 40-29 loss to Purdue and a 56-7 defeat at the hands of No. 2 Ohio State.
Michigan State did score a massive 37-33 win over rival Michigan, however, which represents the Wolverines' only loss of the season entering play Saturday.
Penn State is unranked and is 7-4, but the Nittany Lions own wins over Wisconsin and Auburn and could be a threat to the Spartans on Saturday, especially if MSU is missing some key players.
Mel Tucker, Michigan State Reportedly Agree to 10-Year, $95M Contract
Nov 25, 2021
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker greets wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Michigan State Spartans and football head coach Mel Tucker have completed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News.
Word that the deal is in the works has been in the news for a week. Last Wednesday, Inside the Locker Room podcast hosts Brian Mosallam and Jason Strayhorn (h/t the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari and David Jesse) reported that MSU alumni Mat Ishbia and Steve St. Andre would provide private funding for the deal. University sources confirmed that news to Solari and Jesse.
Per Charboneau, private funding takes care of the "bulk of the contract."
According to the USA Today college football coach salary database, this deal would make Tucker the second-highest-paid college football coach behind only Alabama's Nick Saban ($9.753 million). Tucker's robust annual average value makes him one of the richest coaches in the country across all American sports.
Michigan State coach Mel Tuckerβs new $9.5 million salary makes him one of the 11 highest-paid coaches *in all of American sports* per @Sportico data.
The deal also makes Tucker the highest-paid Black head coach in American sports, per Charboneau.
Tucker's 2021 season is the second year of a five-season deal that would pay him just under $5.5 million per campaign.
Under his guidance, the Spartans went 2-5 last year before bouncing back with a 9-2 overall mark (6-2 Big Ten) this season.
MSU started the 2021 campaign 8-0, earning the No. 3 spot in the initial College Football Playoff ranking. The Spartans have since lost to Purdue, beaten Maryland and fallen to Ohio State, and they rank No. 12 in the nation.
Tucker, who turns 50 years old in January, joined Michigan State after one year at Colorado, where he led the Buffaloes to a 5-7 record. His resume includes stops with three NFL teams as their defensive coordinator (Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars).
He was also an assistant head coach/defensive backs coach for Alabama in 2015 and Georgia's defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2018.
CJ Stroud Makes Heisman Race Statement as No. 4 Ohio State Routs No. 7 Michigan State
Nov 20, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 20: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave #2 celebrates a touchdown during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on November 20, 2021. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes have the best wide receivers in college football this season, and maybe the best quarterback, too. Just ask Michigan State.
C.J. Stroud and the receiving trio of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba smoked the No. 7 Spartans (9-2) on Saturday, leading the way in Ohio State's 56-7 blowout home win, a result that has huge implications in the Big Ten title race.
Ohio State's three-headed monster at wideout combined for 24 catches, 371 yards and five scores. Borderline comical production. And by the time the first half mercifully ended, with the Buckeyes up 49-0, Stroud had already thrown for 393 yards and six touchdowns.
6TDs 400yds 2 incompletions in the first half Lolol π
There are blowouts, and then there are blowouts. This was certainly the latter.
The win moved the Buckeyes to 10-1 and 8-0 in the Big Ten. They are a victory away from winning the Big Ten East and earning a berth in the Big Ten title game, though Michigan (9-1, 6-1) looms next week. Michigan State's conference title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations have vanished, however.
Key Stats
C.J. Stroud, OSU: 32-of-35 for 432 yards and six touchdowns
Chris Olave, OSU: Seven catches for 140 yards and two scores
Garrett Wilson, OSU: Seven catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns
Payton Thorne, MSU: 14-of-36 for 158 yards and a score
Kenneth Walker III, MSU: Six carries for 25 yards; one catch for four yards
Keon Coleman, MSU: Three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown
C.J. Stroud Has to Be the Heisman Favorite After Saturday's Performance
Stroud didn't even need to have a statement game against Michigan State. He said all he needed to say in the first half.
There's no doubt he'll be the unquestioned leader in the clubhouse for this year's Heisman Trophy after Saturday's performance. Unless he lays an absolute egg next week against Michigan, the hardware should be his.
One of Stroud's primary competitors for the Heisman coming into the matchup was Walker. But after being a non-factor against the Ohio State defense, Walker likely will fade from contention. This appears to be a race between Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young now.
MSU's Pass Defense Cost Them Everything This Season
Coming into Saturday, Michigan State was giving up 329 passing yards per game, the worst mark in the nation. Against Ohio State's incredibly deadly passing game, those deficiencies were more than exposed.
For most of the season, Michigan State has weathered the storm. But in losses to Purdue (536 passing yards allowed) and Ohio State (449 passing yards allowed), the Spartans couldn't find shelter.
It didn't help that Michigan State's offense failed to do anything against Ohio State and never established Walker and the run game. A bit of ball control certainly would have helped.
But this game was lost by Michigan State's complete inability to defend the pass. When these players and coaches reflect upon this season in the future, they'll lament that particular Achilles' heel.
What's Next?
The big one. Ohio State travels to Michigan next Saturday at noon ET, with absolutely everything on the line for both teams. Michigan State will look to stay in the running for a solid bowl game when it hosts Penn State next Saturday (time TBD).
Mel Tucker: Michigan State Is a 'Destination Job' amid 10-Year, $95M Contract Rumors
Nov 18, 2021
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is seen during warmups before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker is set to sign a historic 10-year, $95 million contract extension, per Chris Solari and David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press, and says he never intended to use the program as a steppingstone toward a more prominent position.
"I made it clear in my initial press conferences that I thought that Michigan State was a destination job and not a steppingstone," Tucker told The Draymond Green Show. "Obviously, I have Big Ten roots. ... This is where I started my career in 1997 as a graduate assistant for Nick Saban, so Michigan State is a special place for me. It was never my intention to come here and just pass through."
The contract extension would make Tucker college football's second-highest-paid coach behind Nick Saban.
"He's a veritable magician," board member Rema Vassar said of Tucker, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News. "He's come through, and we have seen unprecedented increases in student applications after his wins. He has rejuvenated us, our alumni and donors. He brought us back from COVID and united us. We want to keep the momentum going."
Tucker is 11-6 in two seasons at Michigan State, including a 9-1 mark in 2021. The Spartans sit seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's game against fourth-ranked Ohio State. Michigan State has not made the playoff since 2015 and finished outside the Top 25 in four of the last five years.
The long-term commitment from the Spartans is a bit surprising given Tucker is in just his third season as a head coach, two of which were losing campaigns. He spent one season at Colorado, going 5-7 in 2019, before arriving in East Lansing.
