Red-hot Huskies take on Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State players are less than a week removed from the suspension of coach Mel Tucker and now have to overcome the distraction and face explosive No. 8 Washington.

The Spartans (2-0) and Huskies (2-0) meet Saturday without Tucker, who was suspended Sunday after allegations went public that he sexually harassed a rape survivor during a phone call last year. A hearing is scheduled for the week of Oct. 5 to determine if Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment and exploitation policy.

Interim coach Harlon Barnett, a former Michigan State defensive back who spent seven years in the NFL and is in his 15th season on the Spartans staff, said the team will be ready to face star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the top passing offense in the Bowl Subdivision.

“Our job as a staff is to focus on our guys and get them ready and prepared for the game on Saturday,” Barnett said. “They’ve been focused. They’re locked in. They know the challenge that’s ahead of us with Penix. He’s a really good football player. …We know the challenge that is before us.”

Penix has had success against Michigan State in three previous games. He has completed 82 of 120 passes for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns against the Spartans, including last year’s 39-28 win in Seattle. In his first game against Michigan State in 2019 as Indiana’s quarterback, he set a program record with 20 straight completions. This season he is ranked No. 1 in FBS total offense, averaging 434 yards per game.

See HUSKIES, Page 2B