It was a tough day on Saturday for Michigan State football, as the Spartans fell to Washington in a blowout at home. However, it was a tough week for the program and there is some optimism around this week’s match-up against Maryland, who has struggled a little out of the gate this season.
On Tuesday, acting head coach Harlon Barnett took to the podium to address the media and preview Saturday’s match-up against Maryland. You can find the most notable quotes from that session below.
On Maryland
Acting MSU coach Harlon Barnett at the podium to preview Maryland. "Another excellent quarterback coming in here" with Taulia Tagovailoa. "We need to do better as a coaching staff and as a team. We've been addressing that this week."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 19, 2023
On his meetings with players
Barnett says he's still meeting with players, something he learned from Odell Haggins who was interim coach at Florida State after Willie Taggert was fired when Barnett was DC there.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 19, 2023
On the loss to Washington
Barnett: "Everything wasn't terrible" and "you saw some light at the end of the tunnel. But it wasn't consistent enough." Said he felt he earned a failing grade in his coaching debut.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 19, 2023
Barnett on differences between Penix and Tagovailoa
Barnett on the difference between Penix and Tagovailoa: "This dude is all over the place. He's running all over the place. He's different in that manner. … He's gonna be a challenge. Trying to capture him and get him on the ground is the challenge."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 19, 2023
Barnett on the stadium being empty at end of Washington game
Barnett on the near-empty stands at the end of the Washington game: "We have to play better. We have to make them want to stay."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 19, 2023
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
