Michigan State Football: Tyler O’Connor Will Start at Quarterback Week One
Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio said on Monday that fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor will start at quarterback for the Spartans in week one.
The Michigan State quarterback position battle has been decided, at least for week one, as head coach Mark Dantonio said on Monday, “I think Tyler O’Connor’s our quarterback right now. He’s the No. 1 guy.”
“I can say right now he’ll start week one,” Dantonio said, “He’s had a good enough camp to say that right now.” Dantonio did not rule out the possibility that the other quarterbacks on Michigan State’s roster would see the field, adding, “but will the other guys play? Possibly.”
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Dantonio informed the fifth-year senior in a private conversation reportedly held Monday that would be the starter when the Spartans face Furman on September 2. O’Connor said that Dantonio told him, “you’ve done what you’re supposed to, you’ve done what you’ve been asked to do this fall camp, so be ready to start.”
“It’s finally my turn and I’m very excited about it,” O’Connor told the media on Monday.
O’Connor is the most experienced quarterback on Michigan State’s roster, appearing in a total of 14 games. He played his first career start last season against Ohio State, replacing the injured Connor Cook, and completed seven of 12 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Spartans crucial 17-14 win over the Buckeyes. He has also been named academic all-Big Ten three times.
Three other quarterbacks have also been competing in camp for Michigan State this offseason: junior Damion Terry, redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke and true freshman Messiah deWeaver.
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Terry saw limited action last season as a change-of-pace run-first quarterback, carrying the ball 21 times for 68 yards in ten different appearances and also completing two of seven passes for 15 yards. Lewerke was redshirted in 2015 and played with the scout team, deWeaver is a true freshman who enrolled in January.
Dantonio said it “remains to be seen as we move forward,” who the number-two quarterback will be for the Spartans. “I think (it is) Damion right now,” he also said, “but it remains to be seen.”
All four quarterbacks participated in the spring game this April. O’Connor was listed as the number-one quarterback on the depth chart and outperformed his competition, completing ten of 16 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Terry, who was listed second on the depth chart, was inconsistent. He completed six of 12 passes for 70 yards and ran for a short touchdown but also put the ball on the ground twice.
Lewerke and deWeaver both saw limited action, Lewerke throwing two-for-nine with an interception and deWeaver throwing two-for-six while leading a touchdown drive.
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The Spartans, who are ranked 12th in the preseason AP poll, will open their season at home against the Furman Paladins on September 2 at 7:00 p.m.