On Monday, Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald spoke to the media for his first game week conference as head coach. The Spartan coach previewed Toledo, a school the Spartans have not faced since 1925.
Overall Thoughts On Toledo
Overall, the head coach has a healthy respect for the Mid American Conference program, once that he has yet to face in his career dating back to head coaching Northwestern. When asked about the lack of games with the team, the head coach cited difficulties in Big Ten scheduling with the recent rule changes.
Fitzgerald then was complimentary of the Toledo staff, particularly of former coach Jason Candle, pointing out his sustained success in his 10-year run with the school. That said, new head coach Mike Jacobs is not a pushover either, with Fitzgerald pointing out that Toledo brought in the top transfer portal class in the MAC this offseason.
Despite the MAC being significantly less prestigious than the Big Ten, this game is not viewed as a cakewalk for the Spartans. MSU is currently favored by 11.5 points, which is less than their previous MAC opponents, who had a spread in the 20-point or greater range.
“We are playing a perennial MAC Championship program,” Fitzgerald said. “They know how to win, they brought in the No. 1 transfer portal class in the MAC. This is a storied program, as you look at their talent. It’s a hard matchup in week one.”
Fitzgerald was also quick to point at the noted coaching success that the Rockets have had, with Candle’s run, along with being the starting point of former Spartan head coach and Alabama legend Nick Saban.
Mirror Images
The head coach pointed out that the two programs are mirror images of each other, as Fitzgerald and Jacobs are each slated to open their head coaching stops with their new programs in this matchup. Both schools brought in over 50 new players this offseason, with Toledo having 52 players slated to make their debut as a Rocket while the Spartans are north of 60 players getting their first gameday in the green and white.
In fact, both programs have a defensive player now on the other side of the matchup, as Spartan reserve defensive tackle Carlos Hazelwood will be squaring off against former Spartan safety Armorion Smith’s squad on Friday night.
Excitement in the Air
With students back on campus, Pat Fitzgerald described it as a different buzz in the air, and the excitement is building for kickoff at 8 p.m. EST on Friday. The students recently got their student section t-shirts, with players and Fitz himself handing them out, describing the joy of players meeting everyone, including new Spartans Kenny Soares Jr. and Rhys Dakin.
For Fitzgerald, looking out onto campus and seeing students roaming the campus is making the buzz even stronger, even if he is slightly unhappy with the lateness of the kickoff. During his opening statement, the head coach included a quip about how he could not wait to answer questions about who is standing out “as late as 1 a.m. EST on Saturday morning, thanks Big Ten.”
Standouts and Depth Remain Quiet
Fitzgerald was also mum about potential standouts, which has been consistent by both coaches and players since summer camp started at the start of the month. The Spartans have plenty of rotation at the defensive tackle and wide receiver spots currently, and those are positions to monitor snap counts of after the Toledo game.
The big note to add for players was that Fitzgerald made sure to mention Carlos Hazelwood and Mikeshun Beeler as being names to add in the interior defensive line race alongside Ben Roberts, Eli Coenen, and Derrick Simmons.
Fitzgerald also spoke briefly on Alessio Milivojevic, expressing nothing but optimism and pride in his leadership this offseason process.
Injury Update
Unlike Jonathan Smith, who was very transparent with the media about player’s recovery timelines, Fitzgerald remained tight-lipped about injury status ahead of the home opener. The Spartans are not required to release an injury report until the week four matchup with Nebraska, per the Big Ten’s new policy announced over the weekend.
Fitzgerald had the answer of “we will see you Friday for that” at the ready. Media is not allowed to report any players out during their practice observation period from summer camp, as well. Once players start streaming out onto the field for Friday’s game, check for notes on my X (formerly Twitter), @E_Matasovsky57.
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