Tyler O'Connor wins Spartans' starting quarterback job

Share

Tyler O'Connor is the man who will attempt to fill Connor Cook's shoes at Michigan State.

Mark Dantonio told reporters Monday that O'Connor will be the Spartans' starting quarterback in the season-opening game against Furman on Sept. 2.

"I think Tyler O'Connor's our quarterback right now," Dantonio said, his quotes published by mlive.com. "He's the No. 1 guy, he's had a good enough camp to say that right now."

O'Connor was presumed to be the favorite or at the very least have an advantage over competitors Damion Terry and Brian Lewerke after it was O'Connor who filled in for an injured Cook and led Michigan State to arguably its biggest win of the season on the road at Ohio State.

O'Connor wasn't given too much to do in that game, completing seven of his 12 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and adding an additional 25 rushing yards, but he helped the Spartans to a 17-14 walk-off win.

Cook is a tough act to follow. The longtime starter left as Michigan State's all-time winningest quarterback. Cook ranked second in the Big Ten last season with 3,131 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

O'Connor has seen sparing action throughout his career, completing 34 of 54 passing attempts for 374 yards and four touchdowns compared to two interceptions.

Contact Us