Wikipedia

2020 Michigan State Spartans football team

The 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans competed as members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was the program's first season under head coach Mel Tucker.

2020 Michigan State Spartans football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record2–5 (2–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJay Johnson (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorScottie Hazelton (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumSpartan Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 2 Ohio State xy$^   5 – 0     7 – 1  
No. 12 Indiana   6 – 1     6 – 2  
Penn State   4 – 5     4 – 5  
Maryland   2 – 3     2 – 3  
Rutgers   3 – 6     3 – 6  
Michigan   2 – 4     2 – 4  
Michigan State   2 – 5     2 – 5  
West Division
No. 10 Northwestern xy   6 – 1     7 – 2  
No. 16 Iowa   6 – 2     6 – 2  
Wisconsin   3 – 3     4 – 3  
Minnesota   3 – 4     3 – 4  
Nebraska   3 – 5     3 – 5  
Purdue   2 – 4     2 – 4  
Illinois   2 – 6     2 – 6  
Championship: Ohio State 22, Northwestern 10
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Big Ten suspended the season on August 11, but later decided to begin play on October 24. In addition to the title game that was played on December 19, the conference seeded all remaining teams for "championship week" games.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll.

In a limited season, which was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated, the Spartans compiled a 2–5 record, all in conference games. On December 20, the program announced that it would not participate in any bowl game.[2]

Previous season

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The 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.[3]

On February 4, 2020, the school announced that head coach Mark Dantonio had retired and Mike Tressel would be taking over as interim head coach for the Spartans.[4] Tressel was previously the team's defensive coordinator.[5] On February 12, the school announced the hiring of Colorado head coach Mel Tucker as the university's 25th head football coach.[6][7]

Offseason

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2020 NFL Draft

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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 fourth 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:

Coaching changes

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After Dantonio abruptly retired in March, new head coach Mel Tucker took approximately 10 days to assemble his assistants for the season.[15] Tucker brought with him from his Colorado staff offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, running backs coach William Peagler, and special teams coordinator Ross Els.[15] Former Spartan wide receiver Courtney Hawkins was named the wide receivers coach, Ted Gilmore the tight ends coach, and Scottie Hazelton the defensive coordinator.[15] Former MSU defensive coach Harlon Barnett returned to coach the secondary after spending two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Florida State.[16] Ron Burton (defensive line) and Mike Tressel (safeties) were the only holdovers from Dantonio's staff.[15]

Recruiting

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College recruiting information (2020)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Ricky White
WR 		Marietta, GA Marietta 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Dallas Fincher
OG 		Grand Rapids, MI East Kentwood 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 274 lb (124 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Terry Lockett
WR 		Minneapolis, MN Minnehaha Academy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ian Stewart
WR 		Rockwood, MI Oscar A. Carlson 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tommy Guajardo
TE 		Dearborn, MI Dearborn 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 230 lb (100 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Simeon Barrow Jr.
WDE 		Grovetown, GA Grovetown 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 252 lb (114 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Avery Dunn
WDE 		Cleveland, OH Shaker Heights 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 216 lb (98 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Montorie Foster
WR 		Lakewood, OH St. Edward 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Chris Mayfield
SDE 		Hilliard, OH Hilliard Bradley 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 250 lb (110 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Noah Kim
PRO 		Chantilly, VA Westfield 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jeff Pietrowski
WDE 		Lakewood, OH St. Edward 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 235 lb (107 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Cole DeMarzo
OLB 		Hilton Head Island, SC Hilton Head 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg)  
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jasiyah Robinson
SDE 		Groveport, OH Groveport Madison 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 222 lb (101 kg) Jan 22, 2020 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Donovan Eaglin
SDE 		Manvel, TX Manvel HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jan 29, 2020 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Nolan Rossback (Transfer Illinois)
LS 		Hudsonville, MI {{{highschool}}} 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg)  
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Scout". Scout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020.

Preseason

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Preseason Big Ten poll

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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 fifth in the East Division.[17]

Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Ohio State 237 (33)
2 Penn State 204 (1)
3 Michigan 169
4 Indiana 134
5 Michigan State 94
6 Maryland 76
7 Rutgers 38

COVID-19 effects on season

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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.[18] 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.[19]

On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten canceled the college football season for the fall of 2020 due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21][22] On September 16, the conference reversed course and announced that a season would be played. Teams would begin play on October 24.[23][24] On September 19, the conference announced an eight-game schedule.[25]

One game, against Maryland, was canceled due to the school's COVID-19 outbreak.[26] A scheduled rematch on December 19 as part of the Big Ten Champions Week was also canceled due to continued COVID-19 issues at Maryland.[27]

Personnel

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Roster

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2020 Michigan State Spartans football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 2 Julian Barnett So
WR 4 C. J. Hayes   Jr
WR 5 Jayden Reed Jr
QB 6 Theo Day   So
WR 7 Ricky White Fr
WR 8 Jalen Nailor Jr
QB 10 Payton Thorne So
QB 12 Rocky Lombardi   Jr
WR 13 Laress Nelson Sr
QB 14 Noah Kim Fr
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
G 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
G 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 83 Montorie Foster Jr. Fr
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. # Name Class
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. # Name Class
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
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: February 14, 2020

Coaching staff

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Name Position Season
Mel Tucker Head coach 1st
Jay Johnson Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 1st
Chris Kapilovic Offensive Line/run game coordinator 1st
Ted Gilmore[28] Tight ends 1st
Courtney Hawkins Wide receivers 1st
William Pegler[29] Running backs 1st
Scottie Hazelton Defensive coordinator 1st
Ron Burton Defensive line 7th
Harlon Barnett Defensive backs 12th
Ross Els[29] Special Teams 1st
Mike Tressel Linebackers 14th

Schedule

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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.[30]

On August 4, the Big Ten Conference announced the schedule for all Big Ten teams.[31] In conference play, the Spartans were play all members of the East Division, as well as Northwestern, Iowa, and Minnesota from the West Division. The season was canceled by the conference on August 11, 2020.[22]

On September 19, the conference changed course and announced a new, revised, eight-game schedule.[25] A ninth game will be played the week of December 19 where the first place teams in each division will play for the Big Ten Championship, while the remaining teams will play the same-seeded team in the opposite division.[32]

On November 19, it was announced that the November 21 game against Maryland had been canceled as all team-related activities were paused because of an elevated number of coronavirus cases within the Terrapins' program.[33] A rescheduled game against Maryland as part of Big Ten Champions Week was also canceled due to COVID-19 issues at Maryland.[27]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
October 2412:00 p.m.Rutgers
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
BTNL 27–380
October 3112:00 p.m.at No. 13 Michigan
FOXW 27–24615
November 712:00 p.m.at Iowa
ESPNL 7–491,441
November 1412:00 p.m.No. 10 Indiana
ABCL 0–24340
November 2112:00 p.m.at Maryland
BTNNo Contest _
November 283:30 p.m.No. 8 Northwestern
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
ESPN2W 29–200
December 512:00 p.m.No. 4 Ohio State
  • Spartan Stadium
  • East Lansing, MI
ABCL 12–520
December 1212:00 p.m.at Penn State
ABCL 24–390
December 197:30 p.m.at Maryland
  • Maryland Stadium
  • College Park, MD (Champions Week)
BTNNo Contest _

Rankings

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Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
AP—————————RV———————
Coaches—————————RV———————
CFPNot released—————Not released

Radio

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Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on the Spartans Sports Network[34]

Game summaries

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Rutgers

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See also: 2020 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
8–3 Nov 23, 2019 MSU, 27–0
Week One: Rutgers at Michigan State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rutgers 14 14 01038
Michigan State 7 6 7727

at Spartan Stadium

  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 44°F, Wind: 5 mph NNW, Crisp fall afternoon
  • Referee: J. Servinski
  • TV announcers (BTN): Lisa Byington, Matt Millen
  • Sources:[35]
Game information

MSU opened the 2020 season at home against Rutgers. Rutgers scored on their first possession, moving 75 yards before Isiah Pacheco rushed for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Scarlet Knights the early 7–0 lead. MSU quickly turned the ball over to Rutgers on their first offensive play as Jayden Reed fumbled and the Knights took over at MSU's 44. The Spartan defense forced a three-and-out, but the offense again turned the ball over as Rocky Lombardi fumbled the ball and Rutgers took over at the MSU four-yard line. A one-yard touchdown run a few plays later put the Knights up 14–0 with just under seven minutes remaining in the quarter. MSU's offense took the ensuing kickoff at mid-field and moved to the Rutgers' 42-yard line. However, MSU turned the ball over again, this time on downs, failing to get the first down on a fourth and three play. After a Rutgers' punt, Lombardi hit Reed on a 50-yard pass to bring MSU within seven points. Another Knights' punt gave MSU the ball with 14 minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, once again, the MSU offense turned the ball over as Lombardi was intercepted and Rutgers took over inside the MSU 30-yard line. Two plays later, a Rutgers' 24-yard touchdown run moved the Knights' lead to 21–7. MSU answered with an 11-play drive that moved into Rutgers territory, but another Jayden Reed fumble gave the ball back to Rutgers with less than eight minutes remaining in the half. MSU took the ball back on an interception by Shakur Brown and MSU notched a field goal to draw within 21–10. With just over three minutes remaining in the half, Rutgers pushed the lead to 28–10 with a three-yard touchdown run. Matt Coghlin hit his second field goal of the game as time expired to make the score 28–13 at the half.

On the first possession of the second half, MSU again turned the ball over on a Jordan Simmons fumble. Rutgers could not capitalize and punted the ball back to MSU. MSU was forced to punt, but a Rutgers fumble on the punt gave MSU the ball at the Rutgers 30. Jalen Nailor scored on the next play, a 30-yard touchdown catch to narrow the lead to 28–20. A Rutgers' fumble on their ensuing possession set MSU up at the 29-yard line. However, the Spartans were again stopped on a fourth down run, turning the ball over on downs. A Rutgers' field goal to start the fourth quarter pushed the Knights' lead to 31–20. The teams exchanged punts before Rutgers put the game out of reach with a 14-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Another Jayden Reed touchdown catch brought the Spartans within 11. A Rutgers' punt preceded another turnover, the seventh in the game, as Lombardi was intercepted with under 40 seconds remaining. The Knights were able to run out the clock as the Spartans fell 38–27.

Michigan

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See also: 2020 Michigan Wolverines football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
36–71–5 Nov 16, 2019 Mich, 44–10
Week Two: Michigan State at Michigan – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Michigan State 7 7 6727
No. 13 Michigan 7 3 7724

at Michigan Stadium

  • Date: Oct 31, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 45°F, Wind: 10–15 mph S, Sunny
  • Game attendance: 615
  • Referee: T. Stapleton
  • TV announcers (FOX): Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt
  • Sources:[36]
Game information

In their first road game of the season, the Spartans traveled to face their rival, Michigan, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Despite being a multiple touchdown underdog, the Spartans took the early lead after each team traded punts when Rocky Lombardi hit Ricky White for a 30-yard touchdown pass. However, Michigan quickly responded by scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run following an eight-play drive to tie the game at seven. Each team again was forced to punt on their next two possessions as the game moved to the second quarter. Lombardi put the Spartans up again on a two-yard touchdown pass to Connor Heyward moving the Spartan lead to 14–7. Again, each team traded punts before the Wolverines settled for a field goal with 2:49 remaining in the half. Another exchange of punts left MSU with the ball with less than a minute remaining in the half as they ran out the clock to go to halftime with the three-point lead.

In the second half, Michigan punted on their first possession and the Spartans moved the ball into Wolverine territory on the ensuing possession, but settled for another Matt Coghlin field goal to extend the lead to 17–10. Michigan tied it on their next possession with a one-yard touchdown run to put the score at 17–17. MSU retook the lead on their next possession as Coghlin connected on a 51-yard field goal to move MSU into the lead at 20–17. Following a Michigan punt, MSU moved to the Wolverine 23, but Coghlin missed a 40-yard field goal that would have moved the Spartan lead to six points. Michigan again failed to move the ball and was forced to punt on their next possession. Following the punt, MSU took over at their own eight-yard line with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Spartans, helped by a Ricky White 31 yard reception, moved to the Michigan 13 with just over five minutes remaining. Lombardi then hit Heyward again for a 13-yard touchdown catch and run to push the Spartan lead to 10 at 27–17. The Wolverines scored on their next possession, but the 18-play drive took over four and a half minutes and left less than 40 seconds remaining on the clock while the Spartans held a 27–24 lead. The onside kick was recovered by Heyward and Lombardi gave the Spartans on a fourth down sneak to run out the clock as the Spartans defeated their rivals 27–24. The win moved MSU to 1–1 on the season.

Iowa

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See also: 2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
22–23–2 Sept 30, 2017 MSU, 17–10
Week Three: Michigan State at Iowa – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Michigan State 0 0 707
Iowa 14 21 7749

at Kinnick Stadium

  • Date: Nov 7, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 6°F, Wind: 12 mph S, Sunny
  • Game attendance: 1,441
  • Referee: Ron Snodgrass
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky
  • Sources:[37]
Game information

At Indiana

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See also: 2020 Indiana Hoosiers football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
48–16–2 Sept 28, 2019 MSU, 40–31
Week Four: Michigan State at Indiana – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Michigan State 0 0 000
No. 10 Indiana 14 10 0024

at Spartan Stadium

  • Date: Nov 14, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 38°F, Wind: 6 mph SSE, Sunny
  • Game attendance: 340
  • Referee: J. O'Neill
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy
Game information

Northwestern

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See also: 2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
38–20 Sep 21, 2019 MSU, 31–10
Week Six: Northwestern at Michigan State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Northwestern 0 6 7720
Michigan State 10 7 01229

at Spartan Stadium

  • Date: Nov 28, 2020
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 45 °F, Wind: 7 mph SW, Sunny, light clouds
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: M. Kluczynski
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman
Game information

Ohio State

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See also: 2020 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
15–33 Oct 5, 2019 OSU, 34–10
Week Seven: Ohio State at Michigan State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Ohio State 14 14 101452
Michigan State 0 0 7512

at Spartan Stadium

Game information

Penn State

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See also: 2020 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
Series Record Previous meeting Result
17–16–1 Oct 26, 2019 PSU, 28–7
Week Eight: Michigan State at Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Michigan State 0 21 3024
Penn State 3 7 151439

at Beaver Stadium

  • Date: Dec 12, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 45 °F, Wind: 3 mph SSW, Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: R. Snodgrass
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore
  • ESPN box score
Game information

References

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  1. ^ Stevens, Matthew (September 16, 2020). "Big Ten To Play A "Championship Weekend" 9th Game Of 2020 Season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Solari, Chris (December 20, 2020). "Michigan State football will not accept bowl invitation". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Michigan State vs. Wake Forest – Game Recap – December 27, 2019".
  4. ^ Forde, Pat. "Where Does Michigan State Turn From Here?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Solari, Chris; Jesse, David. "Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio retires after 13 seasons". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  6. ^ Bonesteel, Matt. "Mel Tucker turned down Michigan State the first time. The second time, he couldn't say no". Washington Post. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "Michigan State hires Mel Tucker after coach said he would stay at Colorado". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. ^ "Western's Cody White inks NFL contract with Kansas City Chiefs". The Spinal Column. May 1, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Stiefel, Keagan (June 8, 2020). "Patriots undrafted free agent profiles: QB Brian Lewerke". Pats Pulpit. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  10. ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (May 18, 2020). "Eagles Rookie Profile: 6 things to know about Raequan Williams". Bleeding Green Nation. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  11. ^ "Former MSU LB Joe Bachie on why he signed with the Saints". 247Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Williamson, Bill (April 29, 2020). "Raiders rookie DT Mike Panasiuk will do whatever it takes to make the roster". Silver And Black Pride. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "Green Bay Packers: Scouting Report on UDFA WR Darrell Stewart". Dairyland Express. May 18, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  14. ^ "Vikings waive undrafted free-agent signee Tyler Higby". Twin Cities. August 9, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d "A look at Mel Tucker's assistant coaching staff at Michigan State". mlive. March 10, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  16. ^ Solari, Chris. "Harlon Barnett returning to Michigan State football as secondary coach". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Baird, Nathan (July 31, 2020). "Ohio State voted 2020 Big Ten favorite in cleveland.com Preseason Poll". cleveland. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "Big Ten to play conference-only football schedule for 2020 season amid COVID-19 pandemic". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  19. ^ "Entire MSU football team in 14-day quarantine". ESPN.com. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  20. ^ "Big Ten cancels college football season for fall 2020, hopes to play in spring 2021". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  21. ^ West, Jenna. "Big Ten Postpones Fall Sports, Including Football". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Big Ten nixes fall football season, eyes spring". ESPN.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  23. ^ "Big Ten football to resume weekend of Oct. 24". ESPN.com. September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  24. ^ "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23–24, 2020". Big Ten Conference. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Big Ten football schedule 2020: Eight-game conference slates begin Oct. 24 with Ohio State-Michigan on Dec. 12". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  26. ^ Solari, Chris. "Michigan State football game at Maryland canceled due to Terps' COVID-19 issues". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  27. ^ a b Solari, Chris. "Michigan State football game vs. Maryland canceled again". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  28. ^ "Tucker Names Ted Gilmore Tight Ends Coach, Announces Additional Staff Hirings".
  29. ^ a b "Tucker Names Ross eLS Special Teams Coordinator, William Peagler Running Backs Coach".
  30. ^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  31. ^ "Big Ten to start Sept. 3; Michigan-OSU on Oct. 24". ESPN.com. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  32. ^ Wells, Seth. "Big Ten reveals new 2020 football schedule, MSU to open at home vs. Rutgers". wilx.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  33. ^ "Terrapins coach Mike Locksley tests positive as Michigan State-Maryland canceled over COVID-19". ESPN. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  34. ^ "Spartans Radio".
  35. ^ https://msuspartans.com/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=15171l [dead link‍]
  36. ^ "Football vs Michigan on 10/31/2020 - Box Score".
  37. ^ "Football vs Iowa on 11/7/2020 - Box Score".
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