Payton Thorne
FILE - Michigan State running back Elijah Collins, left, runs for a touchdown against Youngstown State's Vinny Gentile (54) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Collins is among the candidates to fill the hole left by the departure of Kenneth Walker III. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Michigan State searching for Walker replacements this spring

By Larry Lage Apr. 14, 2022 02:22 PM EDT

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Michigan State players embrace after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game between Pittsburgh and Michigan State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Michigan State won 31-21. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Thorne leads No. 11 Spartans past No. 13 Pitt in Peach Bowl

By Charles Odum Dec. 30, 2021 11:05 PM EST

Michigan State, Pitt are without biggest stars in Peach Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2021 11:53 AM EST
No. 13 Pittsburgh (11-2, Atlantic Coast Conference) vs. No. 11 Michigan State (10-2, Big Ten), Thursday, 7 p.m. Eastern (ESPN) Line: Michigan State...

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) is tackled on run by Penn State's Charlie Katshir, right, and Arnold Ebiketie during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 30-27. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Pitt's reward for ACC title is Peach matchup vs Michigan St

By Charles Odum Dec. 05, 2021 03:33 PM EST

Oklahoma State running back Dezmon Jackson (27) is stopped short of the goal line by Baylor defensive lineman Gabe Hall (95) and safety Jalen Pitre (8) in the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
The Latest: Notre Dame, Oklahoma St to clash in Fiesta Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 12:40 PM EST

FILE - Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) throws against Michigan in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 18, 2021. Lombardi was looking for a new place to football after deciding to transfer from Michigan State nearly a year ago. Northern Illinois was searching for a quarterback to spark a turnaround. Lombardi and the Huskies proved to be a great match in the Mid-American Conference. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Rocky Lombardi-led N. Illinois faces Kent St. for MAC title

By Larry Lage Dec. 03, 2021 02:00 AM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, left, throws a pass for a touchdown against Michigan State's Dashaun Mallory (94) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 12 Michigan State bounces back, beats Penn State 30-27

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 27, 2021 07:09 PM EST

Michigan State players walk through the tunnel before an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Penn State at Michigan State 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:27 PM EST

Rutgers defensive lineman Aaron Lewis (71) tries to tackle Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 12 Michigan State looks to rebound vs. Penn State

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

Penn State safety Jonathan Sutherland (0) celebrates his second-half interception with Tariq Castro-Fields (5) during the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Penn State won 28-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 12 Michigan State looks for bounce back vs Penn State

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 26, 2021 03:10 AM EST

Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson, right, celebrates his touchdown against Michigan State with teammate Chris Olave during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Stroud tosses 6 TDs, No. 5 Ohio St blows out No. 7 Mich St

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 20, 2021 03:53 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud drops back to pass against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan State at Ohio State 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson celebrates as he scores a touchdown against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Plenty at stake when No. 4 Ohio St hosts No. 7 Michigan St

Nov. 18, 2021 07:24 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Big Ten preview: Spartans visit Ohio State for key East game

By Eric Olson Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is chased by Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Thorne, Walker help No. 8 Michigan State beat Maryland 40-21

By Larry Lage Nov. 13, 2021 07:47 PM EST

Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still (12) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Tre Mosley (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland at Michigan State 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 05:59 PM EST

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 8 Michigan State looks to tighten defense vs. Maryland

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 11, 2021 10:52 AM EST

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
O'Connell, Bell help Purdue take down No. 5 Spartans 40-29

By Michael Marot Nov. 06, 2021 07:45 PM EDT

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Spencer Holstege (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State at Purdue 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:33 PM EDT