By Courtney Baumann | [email protected]
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spoke to members of the media at the Big Ten Media Days to discuss the upcoming 2017-2018 season.
- Dantonio: “Obviously 2016 presented some challenges for us.”
- Dantonio is “very impressed” with the freshman class’s maturity and attention to detail. Said they have a lot of opportunity for getting onto the field this season.
- Jack, Brian, and Matt Allen are at the “top of the list” for sets of brothers Dantonio has seen as a coach.
- “We have a lot of your players who are able to take a step forward on the leadership path.” Joe Bachie, a sophomore linebacker, named as one of them.
- On Brian Lewerke: “He has all the attributes to be a championship quarterback.”
- On the challenges faced last season as well as the upcoming challenges for the team: “I sense the togetherness on our football team. I sense the sense of responsibility.”
- Dantonio looks at turnover ratio, three quarterbacks playing as reasons for Michigan State’s 3-9 2016 season.
- “We had some good times, and those are easy to stand up and sing the fight song… I was hired to solve problems.”
- More on Michigan State’s young team for 2017: “Just because you’re young, doesn’t mean you don’t have opportunities to lead. Sometimes things need to be cleared away in order to take a chance to lead.”
