EVANSTON, IL (WKZO AM/FM) – Kenneth Walker III was a one man wrecking crew for the Michigan State University Spartans Friday night at Northwestern. The transfer from Wake Forest scored on a 75 yard touchdown the first time he got the ball as a Spartan as MSU romped to an opening night 38-21 victory over the Wildcats.
Walker’s touchdown on the first play from scrimmage for MSU set the tone for the night as the Spartans jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never trailed. Walker carried the ball 23 times for a career-high 264 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time a Spartan running back had rushed for over 200 yards a game since Le’Veon Bell in 2012.
Walker’s performance was a big shot in the arm for the MSU rushing game which averaged a meager 91 yards per game last season.
Redshirt sophomore Payton Thorne started at quarterback. He passed for 185 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Jayden Reed had five catches for 64 yards.
