Best quotes from Mel Tucker, Xavier Henderson, and Payton Thorne following Michigan State football’s win over Indiana
A Big Ten road win is a Big Ten road win. While it wasn’t a perfect outing for Michigan State, they were able to do what they needed to do to take out Indiana on the road. The Spartans are now 7-0 heading into a bye week as they prepare for a tough stretch to the end of the season.
After the win, Mel Tucker and safety Xavier Henderson spoke to the media to recap a tough fought win and what comes next.
Xavier Henderson sick of being told that the offense carries the defense
Xavier Henderson says before the game, he talked about how he was tired of hearing how the offense carries the defense.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) October 16, 2021
Sounds like the defense had a chip on it’s shoulder heading into this one and it showed on the field.
MSU has a new team motto
Xavier Henderson reveals a new slogan from Scottie Hazelton: "So what, now what?"
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 16, 2021
Henderson on upcoming Michigan game
Henderson on having Michigan up next on Oct. 30 after MSU's bye week: "We've been thinking about that for a while now."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2021
Henderson on Tyler Hunt trick play
Henderson said Tyler Hunt is left-handed but threw the pass to Payton Thorne with his right hand, something we have heard he can do. "Jay Johnson getting a little spicy in the play-calling."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2021
Mel Tucker proud of the win. Knew Indiana would be tough
MSU coach Mel Tucker: "This was a good, good win for us on the road in a tough environment." Knew Indiana would be better than what they've seen on film. Proud of how his players and staff "held it together."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 16, 2021
Tucker: 'If you score on defense, you're gonna win 90 percent of your games'
Tucker: "If you score on defense, you're gonna win 90 percent of your games."
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 16, 2021
Tucker noticing receivers getting contained downfield
Tucker on his receivers getting contained downfield: "We're not always gonna have wide-open opportunities all the time."
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 16, 2021
Tucker focused on fixing and correcting some things during bye week
Mel Tucker post-game: “We got a bye, so we’ll rest up, we got some things we need to fix and correct, we’ll do that and then we’ll get ready for the next one, which we all know what that one is.”
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) October 16, 2021
The Spartans haven’t lost yet, but the team definitely has some noticeable things they need to tighten up.
Thorne tells funny story about trick play reception and Indiana sideline
Payton Thorne said he turned to Indiana's sideline after his catch and asked if he was in bounds. Said he expected them to tell the truth. They told him "no way."
When Thorne left, Indiana players turned to a ball boy and said: "Yeah, he was definitely in bounds."
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 16, 2021
Thorne on where reception ranks for him
Payton Thorne on where today's reception ranks today for him: "That’s going to have to go up there with a few of the catches I had in recess back in elementary school."
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) October 16, 2021
1
1
