Payton Throne threw four TDs, two to Jayden Reed, and ran for a score in Michigan State Spartans’ home opener vs. Youngstown State Penguins
EAST LANSING — One play, one touchdown seems to be the new format for Michigan State football to get off to a fast start. And Payton Thorne welcomed back Spartan fans by showing quickly why he won the starting quarterback job. Thorne handed the ball off to Kenneth Walker III, just as he did a week ago, but the running back this time pitched it back to Thorne. And the sophomore delivered an in-stride strike to Jayden Reed to send the Spartan Stadium faithful and full student section into immediate hysterics. It was a high-octane start to a productive performance from Thorne as MSU overpowered Youngstown State all afternoon Saturday en route to a 42-14 win in the home opener. TRENDING: Why Mat Ishbia says United Wholesale Mortgage ‘paved the way’ for other Michigan State athletes to get paid The dominating win over the Football Champion Subdivision foe in front of a crowd of 70,103 was the first game with fans in the stands for MSU since Nov.30,2019. The Spartans (2-0) face the 24th-ranked Miami Hurricanes next Saturday (noon) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The 75-yard deep post pass to Reed on the opening play was one of four touchdown passes for Thorne, who went 15 of 21 for 280 yards before being lifted for grad transfer Anthony Russo with the game in hand late in the third quarter.
