If you were hoping to hear an answer today on who will be the starting quarterback for Michigan State against Rutgers…you’re out of luck.
Mel Tucker met with the media on Tuesday for his first game week presser as the new Spartans head coach, and he was keeping everything close to the vest, including who will be the starting quarterback on Saturday. Tucker confirmed he will not be announcing his starting quarterback today, and that a “fierce competition” is still playing out.
Tucker adds “We’re gonna play who gives us the best chance to win. We’re gonna see how this week unfolds.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 20, 2020
The fierce competition Tucker is referring to includes junior Rocky Lombardi, sophomore Theo Day and redshirt freshman Payton Thorne. The three have been battling it out for the starting quarterback spot all camp, and it appears the coaching staff is still waiting to make a decision.
Lombardi holds by far the most experience of the three, appearing in 11 career games, while Day has only two career pass attempts and Thorne has yet to see the field. Many assumed Lombardi would win the job with relative ease but the fact that no decision has been announced yet makes you wonder if there’s truly a tight battle taking place or if Tucker simply doesn’t want to reveal any extra details.
Tucker also made it clear during his weekly presser that he has no intentions to release a depth chart early this week, and will not reveal if any players are out as part of the Big Ten’s COVID-19 protocols.
Tucker not revealing whether any players are out Saturday due to COVID-19 protocol.
Said they've had 2 scrimmages in the stadium and a mock game that featured Big Ten-approved noise levels and music to simulate a fan-less game day.
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) October 20, 2020
Check back with Spartans Wire throughout the week for more coverage on the upcoming Michigan State-Rutgers matchup on Saturday.
