Payton Thorne
FILE - Colorado head coach Deion Sanders in the first half of the team's spring practice NCAA college football game Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. Scouting and recruiting players in the NCAA transfer portal has become a vital part of building a college football program. Sanders’ team has added 20 transfers since the portal window opened April 15. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
In transfer recruiting, NFL-style personnel departments try to get out in front of the portal

By Ralph D. Russo May. 25, 2023 04:27 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) looks to pass the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne is headed to Auburn. Auburn announced the signing of the two-year starter on Friday, May 5, 2023, giving new coach Hugh Freeze an experienced quarterback to boost a passing game that ranked among the nation's worst last season.(AP Photo/Matt Marton, File)
Auburn lands ex-Michigan State QB Payton Thorne

May. 05, 2023 02:46 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan State coach Mel Tucker watches the NCAA college football team's game against Rutgers, Nov. 12, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. Tucker will wrap up spring practice Saturday afternoon, April 15, at Spartan Stadium, where fans will watch a 15-period practice that will include first-string offensive players scrimmaging against the team's top defense. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Michigan State CB Charles Brantley withdraws from portal

May. 02, 2023 08:29 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan State quarterback Noah Kim hands off to running back Elijah Collins (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Oct. 8, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. Spartans coach Mel Tucker will likely lean on the transfer portal to recruit candidates to join Kim and Katin Houser in a competition to start this year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Michigan State's Thorne, Coleman, Brantley enter portal

Apr. 30, 2023 01:48 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) looks to throw a pass while pressured by Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Clifford throws 4 TDs, No. 11 Penn State tops Michigan St

By Travis Johnson Nov. 26, 2022 07:51 PM EST

Michigan State tight end Daniel Barker (9) breaks away from Indiana defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 11 Penn State looking to wrap season strong against MSU

By Travis Johnson Nov. 23, 2022 11:50 AM EST

Michigan State wide receiver Keon Coleman sits in the end zone as Indiana celebrates the win after the second overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 11 Penn State looking to finish strong against Spartans

Nov. 23, 2022 11:44 AM EST

Indiana quarterback Dexter Williams II (5) is chased by Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Indiana rallies for a 39-31 victory over Michigan St. in 2OT

By Bob Tripi Nov. 19, 2022 04:34 PM EST

Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt throws a pass against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State holds on for 27-21 victory over Rutgers

By Bob Tripi Nov. 12, 2022 04:02 PM EST

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower, left, is upended by Michigan State linebacker Aaron Brule during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Michigan State halts skid by upending No. 14 Illinois 23-15

By Gavin Good Nov. 05, 2022 07:49 PM EDT

Security and police break up a scuffle between players from Michigan and Michigan State football teams in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan State President Samuel Stanley has apologized and says the actions of the football players who were involved in a postgame melee with Michigan players are “unacceptable.” He also says the players involved would be held responsible by coach Mel Tucker. (Kyle Austin/MLive Media Group via AP)
No. 14 Illinois hosts downtrodden Michigan State

By Gavin Good Nov. 03, 2022 03:56 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
High-flying No. 14 Illinois hosts struggling Michigan State

The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 02:20 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 4 Michigan tops Michigan St 29-7 and stews about scuffle

By Larry Lage Oct. 29, 2022 11:19 PM EDT

The Michigan State team celebrates after their overtime win in an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State outlasts Wisconsin in double overtime 34-28

By Bob Tripi Oct. 15, 2022 08:42 PM EDT

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker talks to the referee during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Badgers, Spartans try to salvage seasons that have gone awry

By Steve Megargee Oct. 12, 2022 03:13 PM EDT

Ohio State coach Ryan Day, left, and Michigan State coach Mel Tucker shake hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
CJ Stroud throws 6 TDs, No. 3 Ohio St tops Michigan St 49-20

By Larry Lage Oct. 08, 2022 07:40 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud drops back to pass against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 3 Ohio State heavy favorite at Michigan State

By The Associated Press Oct. 06, 2022 02:01 PM EDT

Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett runs a route against Michigan State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Taulia Tagovailoa leads Maryland over Michigan State 27-13

By Noah Trister Oct. 01, 2022 09:01 PM EDT

Maryland wide receiver Jeshaun Jones (6) scores on a 2-point conversion as Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Struggling Spartans try to get back on track at Maryland

By The Associated Press Sep. 29, 2022 11:20 AM EDT

Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) celebrates his four-yard touchdown reception with Dontay Demus Jr. (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Even in defeat, Terps took a step forward against Michigan

By Noah Trister Sep. 27, 2022 04:11 PM EDT