Michigan State football suspends pair after arrests
By John Buhler
Michigan State football isn’t starting their season the right way
The Michigan State football team is down two linebackers after their indefinite suspensions.
Luke Fulton and Charles Willekes were arrested back on Sept. 8. Fulton was charged with aggravated assault. While Willekes charges aren’t known publicly, it was connected to the same incident that resulted in Fulton’s arrest. Their arrests came during Michigan State’s final week of strength and conditioning before the Big Ten season was back on. The Spartans play on Saturday.
"“Luke Fulton and Charles Willekes were suspended from all team activities immediately, and remain suspended from the program indefinitely,” said Michigan State football spokesperson Ben Phlegar."
Mel Tucker needs a big first win over Rutgers in his first game at East Lansing
Even though Fulton and Willekes weren’t major contributors to the team, even if Willekes is the younger brother of former Michigan State standout Kenny Willekes, this could be a blow to the depth of Mel Tucker‘s team in his first year in East Lansing. The longtime NFL and college defensive coordinator left the Colorado Buffaloes after one year to replace Mark Dantonio in 2020.
While Tucker has the luxury of this being a rebuilding year for the Spartans, he cannot afford to fall at home to Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in his first season leading Michigan State. Though Schiano is the greatest coach in Rutgers history, now back in his second stint leading the Scarlet Knights, a home loss would be devastating for all of Michigan State.
No, Michigan State isn’t expected to do any better than fourth place in the Big Ten East this season. If they finish above the Michigan Wolverines or even the Ohio State Buckeyes or Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten East standings, something went horribly wrong with those teams. However, Michigan State has the talent to hold off Indiana, Maryland and Rutgers this year.
Tucker and his team have to adjust without a pair of linebackers they thought they’d have in 2020.
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