NOAH TRISTER
FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, Temple quarterback Anthony Russo looks for a receiver during an NCAA college football game against Navy in Annapolis, Md. Michigan State still has uncertainty at quarterback, and coach Mel Tucker is in no rush to clarify it. Russo, a transfer from Temple, joins the mix this offseason, and Payton Thorne is back after playing four games as a redshirt freshman. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
MSU's competition between Russo, Thorne just getting started

By Noah Trister Apr. 24, 2021 02:35 AM EDT
Anthony Russo went through plenty of change during his five seasons at Temple.

Ball State wide receiver Justin Hall (11) pulls away from Buffalo safety Tyrone Hill (33) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ball State contains Patterson, tops Buffalo 38-28 to win MAC

By Noah Trister Dec. 18, 2020 11:09 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Ball State coach Mike Neu had plenty of motivational material at

Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson (26) is tackled by Akron's Randy Cochran Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Amherst, N.Y., Saturday Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Patterson, No. 23 Buffalo eye MAC title against Ball State

By Noah Trister Dec. 17, 2020 02:31 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Jaret Patterson and No. 23 Buffalo have packed a lot of

FILE - Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker runs onto the field before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, file photo. In a season of video conferences and empty seats, new Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is doing his best to help people get to know him. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Tucker trying (remotely) to help people get to know him

By Noah Trister Dec. 09, 2020 05:33 PM EST
In the middle of a discussion about recruiting during a pandemic, Mel Tucker

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is shown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 3 Ohio State has no problem with Spartans in 52-12 win

By Noah Trister Dec. 05, 2020 04:01 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Justin Fields ran, passed and blocked for unbeaten

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks on during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 3 Ohio State hoping for return to field against Spartans

By Noah Trister Dec. 03, 2020 12:22 PM EST
The first step for No. 3 Ohio State is showing up. If the

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, greets Penn State head coach James Franklin after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Penn State won 27-17. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland-Michigan canceled; Wolverines' AD sounds off

By Noah Trister Dec. 02, 2020 02:17 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel strongly

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) looks for running room as Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett (23) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Penn State beats Michigan 27-17 for first victory

By Noah Trister Nov. 28, 2020 03:31 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — In a year when everything seems so unusual and

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Unbeaten Northwestern rolls into matchup with Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 27, 2020 01:41 PM EST
On the 25th anniversary of Northwestern's run to the Rose Bowl, Pat Fitzgerald

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) throws a pass over Iowa defensive end Joe Evans (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 49-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Uncertainty returns to Michigan State's QB situation

By Noah Trister Nov. 17, 2020 06:02 PM EST
Four games into the season, Michigan State might be back to square one at

Indiana tight end Peyton Hendershot (86) jumps over Michigan State cornerback Shakur Brown (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Penix, Fryfogle, No. 10 Indiana blank Michigan State 24-0

By Noah Trister Nov. 14, 2020 03:28 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — For Ty Fryfogle and No. 10 Indiana, each game brings

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts towards a game official after a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 38-21. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Big Ten blues: A rough start for trio of storied programs

By Noah Trister Nov. 12, 2020 05:34 PM EST
When Nebraska hosts Penn State this weekend, it will be a matchup between two

Indiana coach Tom Allen congratulates players during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
No. 10 Indiana puts unbeaten mark to test at Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 12, 2020 12:35 PM EST
It is probably a good sign for No. 10 Indiana that its quarterback is using

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker pumps his fist after the team defeated Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Blowout loss puts Tucker's culture to the test for Spartans

By Noah Trister Nov. 11, 2020 05:26 PM EST
Mel Tucker was nothing if not thorough when discussing last weekend's blowout

Michigan coach Juwan Howard calls in a play to the team as it played against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Howard touts experience for his second Michigan team

By Noah Trister Nov. 10, 2020 06:01 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Juwan Howard has an experienced roster for his second

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) is sacked by Iowa defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (57) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
An ugly day for both the Wolverines and Spartans

By Noah Trister Nov. 07, 2020 08:16 PM EST
A week after renewing their heated rivalry, both Michigan and Michigan State

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Lombardi settling in as Michigan State starter

By Noah Trister Nov. 04, 2020 06:17 PM EST
Rocky Lombardi quickly put Michigan State's quarterback uncertainty to rest.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker pumps his fist after the team defeated Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
What a difference a week makes for Michigan State, Michigan

By Noah Trister Nov. 01, 2020 02:25 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — When Mel Tucker talked about how much a team can

Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (3) knocks the ball away from Michigan State running back Jordan Simmons (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 13 Michigan hosts Michigan State in fan-free Big House

By Noah Trister Oct. 29, 2020 01:08 PM EDT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Toward the end of his video conference with reporters

Rutgers defensive lineman Julius Turner (50) tackles Michigan State running back Connor Heyward (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Loss to Rutgers shows how far Michigan State has to go

By Noah Trister Oct. 27, 2020 05:53 PM EDT
If anyone doubted the challenge facing new Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, it