Michigan State wraps up drills, hoping to spring forward

EAST LANSING (AP) — Michigan State coach Mel Tucker hopes he doesn’t have this long of an offseason ever again.

The Spartans fell short of being eligible for a bowl last year — a season after winning 11 games — in a fall marred by a melee in Michigan Stadium’s tunnel and being humbled.

“Sometimes you have to get beat up and get your face kicked in before you can really lay the true foundation — and that’s happened,” Tucker said. “I know our guys are going to compete and fight. We have a chip on our shoulder and we know the areas we need to improve.

“We addressed a lot in recruiting. We have a lot to prove. Going through a season like that can build character.”

Tucker will wrap up spring practice Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium, where fans will watch a 15-period practice that will include first-string offensive players scrimmaging against the team’s top defense.

Entering his fourth year of leading the program, the 2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year is trying to move past his 2-5 debut, breakout second season and collapsing third year.

“It’s gong to be about what we do next,” Tucker said. “It’s not going to be about 11-2, 5-7 or whatever our record was in the COVID year.”

Even though quarterback Payton Thorne is back, Tucker has said more than once this season that he and every other returning starter — seven on offense and six on defense — has his job in jeopardy.