Wildcats unable to match pace of this Walker
RB’s debut with Spartans is a 264-yard, 4-TD performance
Kenneth Walker III ran for career highs of 264 yards and four touchdowns in an impressive debut with his new team, leading Michigan State to a 38-21 victory against Northwestern in the season opener Friday night in Evanston.
Walker finished with the highest total for Michigan State since Le’Veon Bell ran for 266 yards against Minnesota on Nov. 24, 2012. His previous best was 131 yards for Wake Forest in a loss to North Carolina State last season. He never ran for more than three touchdowns in two years with the Demon Deacons.
Walker set the tone when he broke off a 75-yard touchdown run on the game’s first play from scrimmage and scored from the 3 on the next possession to make it 14-0.
“All week I was saying I can’t wait to watch Kenneth run because that’s the kind of stuff he was doing against us in practice,” safety Xavier Henderson said. “I’m like, I’m waiting for him to do that against somebody else.”
The Spartans cruised from there, denying the Wildcats the payback they were seeking. Northwestern lost in East Lansing last season on the way to a 7-2 mark and its second West Division championship in three years.
Payton Thorne, starting over Temple transfer Anthony Russo, threw for 185 yards and one touchdown. The sophomore completed 15 of 26 passes in his second
career start.
Michigan State outgained Northwestern 511-400 in total yards and 326-117 on the ground. And the Spartans opened their second season under coach Mel Tucker on a winning note after going 2-5 in 2020.
Hunter Johnson threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in his first start for Northwestern since 2019. With Peyton Ramsey starting, Johnson played in two games last season and did not attempt a pass. He beat out former South Carolina starter Ryan Hilinski and senior Andrew Marty for the job this season.
Trey Pugh caught two touchdown passes, but Northwestern lost to Michigan State
for the seventh time in the last eight home games.
“A lot to grow from, but more importantly a ton to learn from, a ton to teach,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “And ultimately it’s my responsibility to have us be a little bit more consistent in our execution than we were today.”
Walker had Michigan State fans cheering when he burst 75 yards up the left side for a touchdown on the first play of the first possession. He struck again on the next possession, running it in from the 3 to cap a 74-yard drive.
“It’s great,” Walker said. “But at the same time, it’s not just me.”