EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University’s football team held its first practice Friday after postponing it when two staff members and an athlete previously tested positive for COVID-19.
As part of the athletic department's return to campus policy, the university says student-athletes quarantine when coming into close contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.
Without spring practice and having only limited summer workouts, Friday was the first extended time head coach Mel Tucker said had to work with his players on the field since he was hired on Feb. 12.
"First day was great, it felt good to be out here with the players and all the coaches," Tucker said. "Really good enthusiasm, guys were really into it. I thought we got a lot of work done and we had really good tempo. I'm excited to see the film.”
Tucker said he thought they had a “pretty clean” practice.
“We had too many guys on the ground, we’ll get those cleaned up,” he said. “A couple of the periods, we’re going to need to slow down some of the periods. But the periods where we were going fast, our guys looked quick and they knew what to do and they were running to the ball.”
The team is scheduled to practice in helmets, jerseys and shorts again on Saturday before transitioning to shells on Sunday and Monday. Following an off day on Tuesday, the first practice in full pads is planned for Aug. 12.
