Michigan State ditches potentially known signals, using odd method to call plays vs. Michigan

With the possibility that Michigan had sussed out Michigan State’s signals — potentially as part of an illicit sign-stealing operation — the Spartans had to adapt. And with the information coming to light late in the week, there wasn’t enough time to alter signals.

So instead Michigan State ditched signals entirely. The solution? Quarterback Katin Houser coming to the sideline between each play to get the call from a backup quarterback on a headset.

It’s quite the rigamarole for the Spartans and resembles high school play calling mechanics, but it ensures the opposition doesn’t know what’s coming before the play starts.

I don’t know if they’ve done this all season, but it looks like Michigan State backup QB Andrew Schorfhaar is relaying offensive play calls to Katin Houser in between plays rather than using signals. pic.twitter.com/aMNYzQbnxx

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 22, 2023

Though the Spartans have shielded their play calls from getting deciphered, it hasn’t yielded much. The Spartans’ offense has been impotent and the defense has only forced one punt while the Wolverines offense has pushed Michigan to a comfortable 28-0 lead.

Michigan State apparently briefly considered not playing on Saturday in light of Michigan potential knowing their signals

The fallout from an investigation into whether Michigan football illegally stole signs from other teams nearly included the loss of the rivalry game for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, according to a report from The Athletic.

The Athletic reported that Big Ten officials informed Michigan State there was “credible evidence” of Michigan successfully stealing signs called by opposing teams’ coaches. Upon learning this, the Spartans “initially warned the Big Ten it might consider not playing Saturday’s game out of concern for health and safety for its players.”

But the program confirmed on Thursday that it would play the game as scheduled.

News of the alleged sign-stealing first surfaced on Thursday, when Yahoo! Sports published a piece outlining the allegations. Shortly after the Big Ten Conference and Michigan both released statements on the news.

“Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program. The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time,” the Big Ten statement read.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines also released a statement:

“The university has been notified by the NCAA, along with the Big Ten, that the NCAA is investigating allegations of play signal stealing by Michigan football. The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA. The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday’s game. At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community.”