MSU's Andrew Maxwell "bummed" he'll miss spring game

 Andrew Maxwell put on a good face Tuesday, but there is no doubt, he will be hurting on Saturday during Michigan State’s spring game, and it will have nothing to do with the sprained right knee he suffered more than a week ago.

“Obviously I’m disappointed,” Maxwell said after practice, confirming he will not be able to play on Saturday. “It was abig spring for my development; it was a big spring for a lot of guys. The receivers had some injuries there with Tony (Lippett) getting dinged up and Keith (Mumphery) and Bennie (Fowler). Not to go the full 15 practices is hard and kind of a bummer, but it puts a bigger emphasis on this summer and getting routes run and getting 7-on-7 organized.”

It will be the next test for Maxwell in his quest to replace Kirk Cousins, following the one he’ll have Saturday as mentor to freshman Connor Cook.

Maxwell said it was a “freak pileup” in the first scrimmage of the spring that led to his injury and that he plans to be the team’s biggest cheerleader on Saturday. He also feels a lot better now that roommate Aaron Bates no longer has to tie his shoes.

But as he admitted Tuesday, he’s not football ready.

It’s a tough break, because he felt like he was coming into his own as a quarterback and a leader.

“I felt like I was hitting my stride and getting pretty comfortable out there,” he said.

So Spartan fans will have to wait for a glimpse at the next Michigan State quarterback. Sure, they will likely be happy with what Cook shows, but Maxwell has done nothing to show he doesn’t deserve his shot.

It won’t come this spring, but rest assured, barring anything else unforeseen, Maxwell will be there when Michigan State faces Boise State on Aug. 31.