Mel Tucker speaks at halftime of Michigan State vs. Penn State

It doesn’t get better than this. Michigan State vs. Penn State in the snow at Spartan Stadium for the Land Grant Trophy.

The Spartans and Nittany Lions have gone back and forth, but it’s Michigan State taking the 17-14 lead into halftime. Spartans coach Mel Tucker spoke with ABC sideline reporter Molly McGrath before heading into the locker room and talked about how he’s adjusted to playing in the snow.

“We’re just running our offense,” Tucker told McGrath. “We figured out wherever to throw the ball, that was no problem, we were able to run the ball. So everything’s out there for us. We’ve just got to keep executing.”

As for how Michigan State did containing Sean Clifford, Jahan Dotson and a potent Penn State offense, Tucker acknowledged the Spartans need to shore up on that side.

“We’re just giving up too many big plays,” Tucker said. “So we’re going to have to lean on our front, play some split-safety coverage to help out our corners.”

Both quarterbacks are off to fast starts despite the snowy conditions. Clifford completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan State’s Payton Thorne, meanwhile, is 12-for-17 for 168 yards and a touchdown.

Dotson is leading the way for the Penn State offense, totaling 80 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions. Potential Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III has 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for the Spartans.

Michigan State and Penn State are currently squaring off on ABC.

Michigan State, Mel Tucker agree to contract extension

Michigan State has agreed to a contract extension with football coach Mel Tucker, according to Tucker himself via social media. The Detroit Free-Press previously reported the deal is worth $95 million over 10-years but the terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. If the reported numbers are correct, it makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten and the nation’s highest-paid Black coach across all sports.

Tucker made a huge splash in the transfer portal last offseason, when he landed Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III. Walker has become a Heisman contender this season, leading the nation with 148.3 rush yards per game — a stark contrast to last year when Michigan State’s run game was almost non-existent.

After the departure of long-time coach Mike D’Antonio, Michigan State went after Mel Tucker. Despite just one season at Colorado, he was viewed as a rising star in the industry with time spent at Alabama and Georgia as an assistant.

The Spartans went 2-5 in Tucker’s first season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Michigan State hit a new gear this year, now 9-1 over the first 10 games. They are now ranked No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, with a win over No. 6 Michigan and an upcoming game against No. 4 Ohio State.