Brady Hoke downplays tweets

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Michigan coach Brady Hoke downplayed any controversy sparked by recent tweets from Michigan State players who criticized Denard Robinson's play against Alabama.

"I think we do a pretty good job of constantly trying to educate them (about social media pitfalls)," Hoke said Wednesday. "From what I know, they (Michigan's players) do a pretty good job of managing themselves in social media. But I think it's a weekly reminder of how we want to represent this program."

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio wasn't happy with how his players had represented the program when they took to Twitter to bash Robinson during Saturday's nationally televised game. The senior quarterback struggled in the contest, completing just 11-of-26 passes with two interceptions in the 41-14 loss.

Michigan State starting linebacker Denicos Allen tweeted that the Spartans' walk-on quarterback, Tommy Vento, is more talented than Robinson. Freshman linebacker Jamal Lyles added, "I can play quarterback for the school in blue."

Redshirt freshman safety Kyle Artinian was the most direct, tweeting, "DENARD IS SOOOO BAD!"

Dantonio responded to the tweets during his news conference Tuesday.

"Our guys need to keep their mouths shut," Dantonio said. "That blunt enough? ... Especially the ones not even playing."

Much like Hoke, Robinson didn't enter the fray when asked about the tweets on Tuesday evening.

"I heard about it but I don't think about it," said Robinson, who is 0-3 in his career against the Spartans. "I'm not even worried about that right now."

The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry rarely needs fuel added to the fire, and Hoke wouldn't say he would use the Spartans' slights as motivation for this year's game, set for Oct. 20 in Ann Arbor.

"I don't know if it has any benefit, to be honest with you," Hoke said. "That's not going to make you play any better. It's how you prepare, how you practice, how your mindset is, and the toughness that you play with."

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Chantel Jennings | email

Reporter, WolverineNation

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• Reporter for WolverineNation
• Covers Michigan Wolverines sports and recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011