East Lansing, MI — December 18, 2020
For the 2nd time, this season, Maryland has canceled a football game with Michigan State. The schools were set to meet on November 21st, but a COVID outbreak in the Maryland football program the previous week caused the Terrapins to miss their date with Ohio State. They were unable to clear the pandemic protocol the following week so the Michigan State game was canceled also.
Maryland returned to the field to play Indiana but was hit again and canceled their December 5th matchup with Michigan. After losing to Rutgers in overtime last week. the program has again been sidelined for the Champions Week contest with the Spartans.
Michigan State Ends Disappointing Season
Other than the two cancelations against Maryland, Michigan State was able to complete the remainder of their schedule against Big Ten foes. A 2-5 record for first-year head coach Mel Tucker was highlighted by wins over in-state rival Michigan and nationally ranked Northwestern. Still, the Spartans expected to fare better against conference opponents. Other than the two victories, they were overwhelmed in every contest.
So the season is now mercifully over for Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines having canceled their Champions Week contest with Iowa due to the ongoing COVID outbreak in the Michigan football program.
Off-Season Recruiting
Tucker will continue his rebuilding efforts with the Spartans after inheriting an empty cupboard when former coach Mark Dantonio left East Lansing.
While the Jim Harbaugh contract negotiations drag on Michigan, signing day was a mixed bag for the Wolverines. They lost defensive four-star recruits Branden Jennings to Maryland and Quintin Somerville to UCLA. On offense, they did grab five-star quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy. Another highlight was the addition of 4-star running back Donovan Edwards from West Bloomfield.
