EAST LANSING — Ten days before his debut as Michigan State's football coach, Mel Tucker posted a video — produced by his well-oiled social media team at MSU — of a glimpse inside practice.
“Ball security is job security,” he bellowed. “The ball, the ball, the ball.”
That is about as clear a message as he could send to his new team. But when a coach has to preach it and teach it, players must perform it.
Jayden Reed fumbled on the Spartans’ first offensive play of the season. Rocky Lombardi fumbled on the fourth, then threw an interception to end the fifth drive.