Michigan State football was able to overcome a slew of mistakes to win against Wisconsin on homecoming night in double-overtime. Despite winning by such a slim margin, it feels like a significant win for a program that was struggling and desperately needed a rivalry win, and they got it.
After the game, Payton Thorne, Jayden Reed, and Mel Tucker spoke to the media about the game. You can see the key quotes from that media session below.
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Reed: 'We're a team who cares'
Reed: "Things have been tough this year. But I think you guys can see that we're a team that cares."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 15, 2022
Reed on punt return TD being called back
Jayden Reed said he thinks the penalty that negated his punt return TD was "a little iffy."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 15, 2022
Thorne on game-winning throw
MSU QB Payton Thorne said he was playing for a TD on that last pass to Reed. Said "screw this" when he saw Reed in single coverage on the outside and checked into a different play.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 15, 2022
Thorne on Reed's catch to win the game: "People don't realize how hard it is to catch a ball like that."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 15, 2022
Thorne on the much-needed win
Thorne on ending the losing streak: "It feels good to be on the right side of things. The season's not over. … When you go a month without winning a game, it feels really good. It means a little bit more."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Thorne on 97-yard TD drive
Thorne says the 97-yard TD drive was "very satisfying." Said he told the team when they got on the field, "We're going 97."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker on the win
MSU coach Mel Tucker at the podium. "Just really proud of our guys, the way they've stuck together, handled adversity, responded to adversity, blocked out the noise. We had very good intentional focus today as a football team."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker says MSU "took a step in the right direction today."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker on Jacoby Windmon
Tucker says he moved Jacoby Windmon back to LB against Wisconsin but continues to use him as an edge rusher on third down. Getting DE back is the reason, though MSU is without Pietrowski/Bogle/Dunn and had Fletcher ejected.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker: 'Can't get seduced by success'
Tucker: "The one thing we can't do is get seduced by success." Says the "locker room was buzzing" but plans to get back into prep mode in 24 hours "for what's next, and we all know what that is." That would be a trip to Michigan after next week's bye.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker on the penalties
Tucker on MSU's nine penalties for 102 yards: "Those are choices and decisions we make" for some of the foolish ones and that players need to show "more poise and discipline as a football team." Aggressive penalties, he understands, are going to happen.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker on Xavier Henderson and Jacob Slade returning
Tucker on getting Henderson/Slade back: "It does make a difference, because Slade and X are good football players."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
Tucker on field goal mishap
Tucker on the final plays of regulation: "What exactly do you want to know, because that's a lot right there. I know everyone wants to get out of here." Says MSU was trying to score a TD "and it didn't work out." FG unit got out quick but needs to see what happened on snap/hold.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2022
