Mel Tucker Vents Frustration Concerning Spartans' Run Game, Stopping The Run

Michigan State's head coach wants to see more out of his tight ends, running backs in the run game, and see his defensive front win in the trenches more consistently...

Mel Tucker is tired of Michigan State's offensive line catching all the blame for the Spartans' inability to run the football effectively last season.

At his weekly press conference ahead of MSU's third week of fall camp, Tucker vented some frustration after being asked what areas the Spartans most needed to improve between now and Michigan State's season-opener against Central Michigan on Sept. 1.

“We need to be able to run the ball better, on a more consistent basis with all the groups that are in there," Tucker began, before raising his voice and becoming more animated.

“Listen, this season, when people ask me about the run game because it’s not always what you want – I’m not going to put it all on the offensive line. I never have, okay?"

Tucker emphasized the responsibility the tight ends and running backs have in the run game.

“Today, I’m watching practice and if a tight end misses his block and the O-line has their man blocked, we can’t run the ball," Tucker said. "Or, if the running back doesn’t hit the hole right – like, we’ve got a hole there. He’s got to hit it. I mean, the hole’s not going to be there forever. We’re playing Power 5 football."

Tucker also noted the importance that the quarterback and/or offensive coordinator make sure Michigan State is in the correct play based on how the opposing defense is aligned.

"You've got to get the checks right," he said. "Like, we’re not going to just run the ball over here if they’ve got too many guys over there. We need to run over here or do something else. So, it’s a whole package and everybody contributes to a run game, and we need to run the ball better."

Tucker said MSU is making progress in the run game. In the Spartans' first fall scrimmage on Saturday, running back Nathan Carter got loose for a big run. Tucker said the transfer from UConn had another big run for a touchdown during practice on Monday.

“Today, [wide receiver Antonio] Gates made a huge block on Carter’s big run," Tucker said. "He doesn’t even score if [Gates] doesn’t go in there and dig out that safety."

Tucker's agitation did not end with the offenses' ability or inability to run the ball, however. The head coach also emphasized the importance of stopping the run defensively. In order to get back to where it wants to be as a program, Michigan State needs to win more consistently in the trenches. The Spartans were stout against the run in 2021, but fell off dramatically last year.

Based on the opposing offense's formation, Michigan State may be left with only five or six guys in the box to defend against the run. That's the reality of defending modern day offenses, most of which like to spread the field with multiple wide receivers. Tucker isn't going to use that as an excuse for his defense.

“We need to stop the run better in a split-safety defense," Tucker said. "We just can’t drop a safety down all the time and think we’re going to stop the run that way. We need to be in split-safety defense and play big boy ball and be able to knock guys back, control blockers and throw them on the ground and finish on the ball with maybe one linebacker in the box, so we can take some pressure off our back end.”

Fortunately, Michigan State spent its offseason scouring the transfer portal for defensive lineman who can strengthen their run defense. The Spartans added Tunmise Adeleye from Texas A&M, Jalen Sami from Colorado, Jarrett Jackson from Florida State and Dre Butler from Liberty. Throw in returners Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon, and MSU has multiple big-bodied dudes who can plug running lanes.

“We’ve got a huge defensive line right now," Tucker said. "If we can get these guys to the game [healthy], we should be stout. We got our linebackers back, they’re nice-sized dudes.”

With 15 practices remaining until the Spartans kick off the season against the Chippewas, controlling the line of scrimmage by running the ball effectively and stopping opposing run games are what Tucker is focused on most.

“Run game on both sides of the ball," he said. "I just want to know exactly what to expect when we go out there and play that first game. Right now, I’m not exactly sure.”

Mel Tucker's full comments on this topic can be viewed below:

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