2020 Michigan State Spartans football team

2020 Michigan State Spartans football team was to represent the Michigan State Spartans during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans were to play in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was to be the first season for head coach Mel Tucker.

2020 Michigan State Spartans football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
2020 record0–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coachMel Tucker (1st season)
Offensive coordinatorJay Johnson (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorScottie Hazelton (1st season)
Home stadiumSpartan Stadium
(Capacity: 75,005)
Uniform
2020 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
East Division
Indiana   –      –  
Maryland   –      –  
Michigan   –      –  
Michigan State   –      –  
Ohio State   –      –  
Penn State   –      –  
Rutgers   –      –  
West Division
Illinois   –      –  
Iowa   –      –  
Minnesota   –      –  
Nebraska   –      –  
Northwestern   –      –  
Purdue   –      –  
Wisconsin   –      –  
Championship: TBA
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Big Ten suspended the 2020 football season.
As of August 14, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll.

On July 9, 2020, the Big Ten announced that member teams will only play conference games in effort to reduce issues related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

On July 24, the school announced that the entire team, which had returned to campus for voluntary workouts, was being placed on a 14-day quarantine after two staff members and one player tested positive for COVID-19.[2]

On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten canceled the college football season for the fall of 2020 due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The conference expressed hope that a season could be played in the spring of 2021.[4][5]

Previous season

Spartans finished the 2019 season 7–6, 4–5 in Big Ten play to finish in fifth place in the East Division. The Spartans received a bid to the 2019 Pinstripe Bowl where they defeated Wake Forest 27–21.[6]

On February 4, 2020, the school announced that head coach Mark Dantonio had resigned and Mike Tressel would be taking over as interim head coach for the Spartans.[7] Tressel was previously team's defensive coordinator.[8] On February 12, the school announced the hiring of Colorado head coach Mel Tucker as the university's 25th head football coach.[9][10]

2020 NFL Draft

MSU kept its streak of 80 years of having at least one player drafted in the NFL Draft when cornerback Josiah Scott was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Round Pick Team Player Position
4 31 Jacksonville Jaguars Josiah Scott Cornerback
7 11 Minnesota Vikings Kenny Willekes Defensive End

Several other undrafted players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams:

Preseason

Recruiting

Position key
Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR


Preseason Big Ten poll

Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2020 poll, Michigan State was projected to finish in third in the East Division.

Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Ohio State
2Michigan
3Penn State
4Indiana
5Maryland
6Michigan State
7Rutgers

Personnel

Roster
2020 Michigan State Spartans football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 2 Julian Barnett So
WR 4 C. J. Hayes  Jr
WR 5 Jayden Reed Jr
QB 6 Theo Day  So
QB 7 Noah Kim Fr
WR 8 Jalen Nailor Jr
QB 10 Payton Thorne So
QB 12 Rocky Lombardi  Jr
WR 13 Laress Nelson Sr
WR 17 Tre Mosley So
WR 18 Tre’Von Morgan So
WR 20 Emmanuel Flowers  Jr
QB 23 Eli McLean  So
RB 24 Elijah Collins  So
RB 26 Brandon Wright So
RB 34 Anthony Williams Jr. So
RB 36 Noah Sargent  Sr
RB 39 Alante Thomas  Sr
TE 40 Jonathan Brys  Jr
FB 41 Reid Burton  Sr
FB 49 Max Rosenthal  Jr
OT 55 Jordan Reid Sr
OG 56 Matt Carrick  Jr
OL 58 Spencer Brown So
OL 59 Nick Samac So
OT 62 Luke Campbell  Sr
OL 64 Matt Allen  Sr
OL 66 Blake Bueter  Jr
OL 67 J.D. Duplain So
OT 68 Dan Vanopstall  So
OL 69 Tommy Liesveld  Sr
OL 71 James Ohonba  So
OL 72 Damon Kaylor So
OL 73 Jacob Isaia  So
OL 74 Jack Henrichs  Jr
OG 75 Kevin Jarvis Sr
OT 76 A. J. Arcuri  Sr
OL 77 Dimitri Douglas  So
OT 79 Mustafa Khaleefah  Jr
WR 80 Jalen Allen  So
WR 82 Javez Alexander  So
WR 85 Cade McDonald So
TE 86 Parks Gissinger  So
WR 87 Jahz Watts  Jr
TE 88 Trenton Gillison  So
TE 89 Matt Dotson Sr
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
S 3 Xavier Henderson Jr
DE 5 Michael Fletcher So
S 7 Michael Dowell  So
CB 8 Chris Jackson  So
S 9 Dominique Long Sr
LB 13 Marcel Lewis So
CB 14 Davion Williams  So
CB 18 Kalon Gervin  So
LB 21 Chase Kline  So
DB 23 Andre Welch Sr
CB 24 Tre Person Sr
S 28 Tate Hallock So
CB 29 Shakur Brown  Jr
LB 30 Tanner Hallock  Jr
LB 31 Edward Warinner  So
DB 32 Corey Pryor  Sr
LB 33 Jeslord Boateng  So
LB 34 Antjuan Simmons Sr
LB 37 Dante Razzano  Sr
LB 38 Luke Fulton So
LB 41 Charles Willekes So
DE 42 Brent Mossburg  Jr
S 43 Jack Mandryk  Jr
DE 44 Adam Berghorst So
LB 45 Noah Harvey  Jr
S 49 David Kruse  So
LB 53 Peter Fisk  Sr
DE 55 Zach Slade  So
DL 57 Evan Brunning So
LB 58 Terry O'Connor  So
DT 64 Jacob Slade  So
DL 86 Drew Beesley  Sr
DL 89 Jalen Hunt So
DE 91 Jack Camper  Jr
DE 92 DeAri Todd  Jr
DT 93 Naquan Jones  Sr
DT 94 Dashaun Mallory  So
DE 96 Jacub Panasiuk Sr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 4 Matt Coghlin  Sr
LS 51 Jude Pedrozo So
K, P 92 Evan Morris So
K 97 Tyler Hunt  Jr
K 98 Cole Hahn  Jr
P 99 Bryce Baringer  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Scottie Hazelton (Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers)
  • Jay Johnson (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)
  • Chris Kapilovic (Offensive Line)
  • Ron Burton (Defensive Line)
  • Harlon Barnett (Defensive Backs)
  • Ted Gilmore (Tight Ends / Special Teams Coordinator)
  • Courtney Hawkins (Wide Receivers)
  • William Pegler (Running Backs)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster
Last update: February 14, 2020

Coaching staff
Name Position Season
Mel TuckerHead Coach1st
Jay JohnsonOffensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks1st
Chris KapilovicOffensive Line/Run Game Coordinator1st
Ted Gilmore [11]Tight Ends1st
Courtney HawkinsWide Receivers1st
William Pegler[12]Running Backs1st
Scottie HazeltonDefensive Coordinator1st
Ron BurtonDefensive Line7th
Harlon BarnettDefensive Backs12th
Ross Els[13]Special Teams1st
Mike TresselLinebackers14th

Schedule

Michigan State's 2020 schedule originally was planned to begin with a conference home game against Northwestern, followed by three non-conference opponents: the independent BYU Cougars, Toledo of the Mid-American Conference, and finally Miami of the ACC. The non-conference slate was canceled on July 9 due to the Big Ten Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

On August 4, the Big Ten Conference announced the schedule for all Big Ten teams.[15] In conference play, the Spartans will play all members of the East Division, as well as Northwestern, Iowa, and Minnesota from the West Division.

The season was canceled on August 11, 2020.[5]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 5Minnesota
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
September 12at Maryland
September 19Northwestern
September 26at Penn State
October 3at Michigan
October 17Ohio State
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
October 24Rutgers
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
October 31at Iowa
November 7Indiana
November 14at Nebraska

    Rankings
    Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final 
    AP  
    Coaches  
    CFP Not released Not released

    Radio

    Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on the Spartans Sports Network[16]

    Game summaries

    Northwestern Wildcats
    See also: 2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    38-20 Sep 21, 2019 MSU, 31–10
    Week One: Michigan State vs Northwestern– Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Northwestern 0
    Michigan State 0

    at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

    • Date: September 5, 2020

    Iowa Hawkeyes
    See also: 2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    22-23-2 Sept 30, 2017 MSU, 17-10
    Week Five Michigan State at Iowa – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Michigan State 0
    Iowa 0

    at Kinnick Stadium

    • Date: Oct 3, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Michigan Wolverines
    See also: 2020 Michigan Wolverines football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    36-71-5 Nov 16, 2019 Mich, 44-10
    Week Six Michigan State vs Michigan – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Michigan 0
    Michigan State 0

    at Spartan Stadium

    • Date: Oct 10, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Ohio State Buckeyes
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    15-33 Oct 5, 2019 OSU, 34-10
    Week Seven Michigan State vs Ohio State – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Ohio State 0
    Michigan State 0

    at Spartan Stadium

    • Date: Oct 17, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Indiana Hoosiers
    See also: 2020 Indiana Hoosiers football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    48-16-2 Sept 28, 2019 MSU, 40-31
    Week Eight Michigan State at Indiana – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Michigan State 0
    Indiana 0

    at Memorial Stadium

    • Date: Oct 24, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Minnesota Golden Gophers
    See also: 2020 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    30-17 Oct 14, 2017 MSU, 30-27
    Week Nine Michigan State vs Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Minnesota Golden Gophers 0
    Michigan State 0

    at Spartan Stadium

    • Date: Oct 31, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Penn State Nittany Lions
    See also: 2020 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    17-16-1 Oct 26, 2019 PSU, 28-7
    Week Ten Michigan State at Penn State – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Michigan State 0
    Penn State 0

    at Beaver Stadium

    • Date: Nov 14, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    See also: 2020 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    8-3 Nov 23, 2019 MSU, 27-0
    Week Eleven Michigan State vs Rutgers – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Rutgers 0
    Michigan State 0

    at Spartan Stadium

    • Date: Nov 21, 2020
    • Game time: TBA

    Maryland Terrapins
    See also: 2020 Maryland Terrapins football team
    Series Record Previous meeting Result
    9-2 Nov 30, 2019 MSU, 19-16
    Week Twelve Michigan State at Maryland – Game summary
    1 2 Total
    Michigan State 0
    Maryland 0

    at Maryland Stadium

    • Date: Nov 28, 2020
    • Game time: TBA
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    References
    1. "Big Ten to play conference-only football schedule for 2020 season amid COVID-19 pandemic". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
    2. "Entire MSU football team in 14-day quarantine". ESPN.com. 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
    3. "Big Ten cancels college football season for fall 2020, hopes to play in spring 2021". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
    4. West, Jenna. "Big Ten Postpones Fall Sports, Including Football". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
    5. "Big Ten nixes fall football season, eyes spring". ESPN.com. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
    6. "Michigan State vs. Wake Forest – Game Recap – December 27, 2019".
    7. Forde, Pat. "Where Does Michigan State Turn From Here?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
    8. Solari, Chris; Jesse, David. "Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio retires after 13 seasons". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
    9. Bonesteel, Matt. "Mel Tucker turned down Michigan State the first time. The second time, he couldn't say no". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
    10. "Michigan State hires Mel Tucker after coach said he would stay at Colorado". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
    11. https://msuspartans.com/news/2020/2/21/football-tucker-names-ted-gilmore-tight-ends-coach-announces-additional-staff-hirings.aspx
    12. https://msuspartans.com/news/2020/2/24/football-tucker-names-ross-els-special-teams-coordinator-william-peagler-running-backs-coach.aspx
    13. https://msuspartans.com/news/2020/2/24/football-tucker-names-ross-els-special-teams-coordinator-william-peagler-running-backs-coach.aspx
    14. Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
    15. "Big Ten to start Sept. 3; Michigan-OSU on Oct. 24". ESPN.com. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
    16. "Spartans Radio".
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