EVANSTON, Unwell. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III ran for a career-high 264 yards and a personal-best 4 touchdowns in a formidable debut together with his new crew, Michigan State beat Northwestern 38-21 within the season opener on Friday night time.
Walker greater than doubled his earlier excessive of 131 yards for Wake Forest in a loss to North Carolina State final season. He by no means ran for greater than three TDs in two years with the Demon Deacons.
Walker set the tone on this one when he broke off a 75-yard landing on the sport’s first play from scrimmage and scored from the three on the subsequent possession to make it 14-0.
The Spartans (1-0, 1-0 Massive Ten) cruised from there, denying the Wildcats (0-1, 0-1) the payback they had been searching for. Northwestern misplaced in East Lansing final season on the best way to a 7-2 mark and its second West division championship in three years.
Payton Thorne, beginning over Temple switch Anthony Russo, threw for 185 yards and one landing. The sophomore accomplished 15 of 26 passes in his second profession begin.
Michigan State outgained Northwestern 511-400 in whole yards and 326-117 in speeding. And the Spartans opened their second season underneath coach Mel Tucker on a profitable be aware after going 2-5 final 12 months.
Hunter Johnson threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in his first begin for Northwestern since 2019. With Peyton Ramsey beginning, Johnson performed in two video games final 12 months and didn't try a cross. He beat out former South Carolina starter Ryan Hilinski and senior Andrew Marty for the job this season.
Trey Pugh caught two TDs. However Northwestern misplaced to Michigan State for the seventh time previously eight dwelling video games.
Walker III had Michigan State followers cheering when he burst 75 yards up the left facet for a TD on the sport’s first possession. And he struck once more on the subsequent possession, working it in from the three to cap a 74-yard drive after Northwestern’s Charlie Kuhbander missed a 44-yard discipline objective.
Michigan State added to the lead early within the second quarter, aided by Chris Bergin’s late hit on Thorne after the quarterback stepped out of bounds on the finish of a 16-yard keeper. Thorne linked with Jordon Simmons for a 14-yard TD on the subsequent play to bump the result in 21-0.
Northwestern scored with a minute left within the half, when Johnson discovered an open Pugh ultimately zone on fourth down on the 1. Walker added 5-yard landing within the third, making it 28-7.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan State: The Spartans introduced in 20 transfers, hoping for a fast turnaround after struggling final season. They’re off to a promising begin.
Northwestern: The Wildcats misplaced some key gamers from a unit that ranked fifth within the nation and led the Massive Ten final season in scoring protection, together with main tacklers Blake Gallagher and Paddy Fisher and cornerback Greg Newsome II. And it confirmed.
UP NEXT
Michigan State: The Spartans host Youngstown State on Sept. 11.
Northwestern: The Wildcats host Indiana State on Sept. 11.
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