Michigan

Michigan State Needs to Utilize Jack Velling to Be Successful

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2024

Michigan State Needs to Utilize Jack Velling to Be Successful

In Michigan State’s recent matchup against Florida Atlantic, tight end Jack Velling recorded just one reception for 15 yards.

These statistics underscore a critical area for improvement if the Spartans aim to excel this season. Velling, a standout talent with a versatile skill set, has the potential to be a game-changer for the Spartans, and utilizing him more effectively could be the key to elevating Michigan State’s offensive performance.

Velling’s lone reception against FAU did highlight his potential but also the current underutilization of his skills. Due to his size, athleticism, and route-running prowess, his ability to create mismatches with defenders is a significant asset that Michigan State’s offense must fully leverage. Tight ends often serve as crucial components in an offense, providing a reliable target for the quarterback and valuable assets in both the passing game and blocking schemes.

For Michigan State to be competitive on a higher level, it must explore ways to integrate Velling into its offensive strategies more frequently. This can be achieved through various methods, such as designing plays specifically for him, ensuring he is involved in both short-yardage and red-zone situations and creating opportunities for him to exploit mismatches against defenders.

Velling’s ability to stretch the field and create separation can open up opportunities for other offensive players, making the entire unit more dynamic and unpredictable.

Moreover, incorporating Velling more into the game plan can also alleviate pressure on the wide receivers and provide a more balanced offensive attack. When tight ends are effectively utilized, they can pull defenders out of their comfort zones, creating space for wideouts and improving overall offensive efficiency. This balanced approach not only enhances the passing game but also contributes to a more effective ground game, as defenses are forced to account for more offensive threats.

Velling’s potential impact on Michigan State’s offense cannot be overstated. By prioritizing his involvement in the game plan, the Spartans can significantly improve their offensive output and become a more formidable team. Effective utilization of Velling could very well be the difference between a good season and a great one, making it imperative for the Michigan State coaching staff to adjust its strategies to maximize his contributions.

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Michigan

Michigan backup QB Colin Hurley no longer on roster

Published

4 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Michigan backup QB Colin Hurley no longer on roster

Michigan backup quarterback Colin Hurley is no longer on the roster.

“Colin has departed the program,” Michigan football spokesman Dave Ablauf confirmed Tuesday.

Hurley, who has not yet played a game in college, transferred to the Wolverines from LSU. He participated in winter conditioning and spring practice, which is ongoing.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham had said Bryce Underwood, who started every game last season as a freshman, is the starting quarterback.

Whittingham also praised early enrolled freshman Tommy Carr when asked early in spring practice about who might be the backup.

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a graduate transfer from Colorado State, is expected to arrive in Ann Arbor this summer. He has started 27 games.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

@chengelis

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Michigan

Scouting the Pioneers: Three Denver Threats Michigan Must Neutralize in Las Vegas

Published

16 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Scouting the Pioneers: Three Denver Threats Michigan Must Neutralize in Las Vegas

Michigan must shut down Pohlkamp’s offensive blue line presence, Lorenz’s momentum-building play, and Hicks’ rookie goaltending to advance.

Video Transcript

Give me, yeah, give me like 30 seconds to a minute.

obviously their overall record, Michigan, let’s see here.

They’re running right now at 22 and 4, I think.

They’re 10 and 2 at home.

They’re on a six-game win streak.

and in conference right now they’re 13 and 3.

So they did play Michigan State twice already.

they split the series.

I think, the first game it was in Ann Arbor or whatever.

They won the, against, in the opposite place, right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And they split the series, so- Each home, each home team won a game, right?

That’s it, right.

Yeah, exactly.

and so I was looking this up earlier ’cause I was looking up probably the most interesting stat ear- when I first, you know, the season started, Michigan was oh, way in ahead with the most goals overall for Division I hockey.

and I looked up again and I refreshed that and they’re still 26 games played, 125 goals scored, 56 goals scored against them.

That’s- I mean, that’s- Whoa.

That’s, that’s amazing.

That’s Yeah.

The next, the next best team is Quinnipiac, and they’ve played two more games and they have 115 goals and 62 goals scored against them.

So- Wow I think, I think you got the top five teams are all in the Big 10 right now.

You got Michigan, Michigan State, Western Wisconsin, and I think Penn State was up there, but I know they just lost two games to Michigan State, and then Gavin McKenna might be going to prison, so.

Yeah, I saw that.

That’s kinda crazy.

Yeah.

Anyways, but the thing about it is some of the players like Michigan has right now, Will Horkoff, he has Let’s see.

He has the most goals.

He has 20 goals right now.

TJ Hughes, he’s right behind him with 13.

Michael Hage, another great player.

You’re gonna, guys You guys are obviously are, is familiar, so those are probably three of the names you’re gonna hear.

Jayden Perron, one of the best defensemen.

His name’s Dakota, so you’ll probably hear him too.

but the way they play- Gotta sneak that in, huh?

Yeah.

The, the way they play, their coach, Brandon Yarioto, he’s, he’s, he played at Michigan.

He’s a great coach.

They extended his contract.

Yeah.

So you just kinda see the success just getting more and more.

Their, their goaltender went down a few games ago, and he was phenomenal.

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Michigan

Michigan lawmakers consider bills to require licenses for tobacco retailers

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Michigan lawmakers consider bills to require licenses for tobacco retailers

LANSING, Mich. — Convenience stores, smoke shops and even drug stores across Michigan often offer a wall of tobacco products behind the counter. Michigan is one of only eight states where retailers aren’t required to obtain a license to sell the items, and now lawmakers want to change that.

A package of House bills making its way through committee would strengthen regulations, seeking to protect minors.

“We know how potentially dangerous tobacco usage is, and that we need to prevent teens from starting in the first place, helping them to avoid a lifelong health challenges that are caused by smoking and vaping,” Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) said.

The package, a version of which already passed the state Senate, would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco or nicotine products.

It would also penalize those who sell to minors, from the cashier to the store’s owner.

“We license people that might give me a bad haircut, but we’re not going to license people selling tobacco, and increasingly more to our youth,” Jeff Griffith, of The Youth Connection, said.

The bills would further remove penalties for minors that obtain or attempt to buy tobacco products.

“There is no evidence demonstrating that these laws are effective in reducing youth initiation, use of or addiction to tobacco products,” Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) said. “Research shows that African American and Hispanic youth were more likely to receive these citations. We do not want to increase interactions between young people of color and law enforcement.”

The 2023 Michigan Youth Tobacco survey found 29% of minors got their products through retailers.

Only 9% of respondents reported that retailers refused to sell cigarettes to them because of age, and only 5% said the same for vapes.

According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, within just the past five years, more than 3,100 enforcement actions have been taken against retailers for selling to minors.

Among them, five violations since 2022 at just one store, Deering’s Market in Traverse City. Last year, the FDA even sought a 30-day ban on tobacco sales at the store.

Under the bills, Deering’s would have been fined $10,000 and their license would have been revoked.

Two other stores, one in Ann Arbor and the other in Detroit, also received those orders.

“They continue to operate and profit in the State of Michigan, while, as it was pointed out, the kids pay the price for the laws that criminalize them,” Jodi Radke, regional director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said. “Today, Michigan kids are counting on you to place accountability where it belongs.”

Critics note mistakes are made and welcome regulation, but call the effort as a cash grab, with its $500 license fee.

They also point out the bills fail to address the 64% of minors who got their tobacco elsewhere, citing the 2023 survey.

“Quite frankly, we have little faith that based on our past experience with regulation enforcement and all these investigations we’ve seen that this is going to solve the problem of mom and dad and aunt and uncle giving smokes to kids,” Mark Griffin, president of the Michigan Association of Convenience Stores, said.

Supporters acknowledge the bills won’t completely solve the issue, but believe it shows Michigan is serious on the matter.

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