A former Michigan State football quarterback kicked off an exciting weekend of games on Thursday night, putting on a show in primetime to lead East Carolina to a 3-2 record.
That quarterback, as you probably already know by the hints provided, is Katin Houser.
The former Elite 11 star and Michigan State gunslinger is off to a terrific start to his senior season with East Carolina. So far, he's averaging over 300 yards passing over the first five games, and he's on pace to break his previous career-high in the next two games. He's thrown for over 1,500 yards and five touchdowns and he had 2,006 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.
On Thursday night, the former Spartan passed for 251 yards (he hasn't had fewer than 250 yards all year) and two touchdowns with one interception. He also showed off some accuracy, completing 15-of-22 passes in the 28-6 win over Army.
East Carolina’s Katin Houser is one of the more underrated G5 QBs. Has the Pirates cruising early vs. Army (ft. a helmet catch from Anthony Smith).
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 25, 2025
Houser, a Michigan State transfer, came into today with 27 big-time throws since taking over at ECU. pic.twitter.com/H3osuvN0zy
Houser wasn't the only former Spartan quarterback to have shined already this week in primetime wins, Sam Leavitt, too, also accomplished that feat on Friday night against No. 24 TCU.
TCU jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in that game at Arizona State, but Leavitt didn't waver, leading a furious comeback, and eventually tying things up late. After the game-tying touchdown pass to his favorite receiver, Jordyn Tyson, the Sun Devils would get the ball back on a strip-sack, and Leavitt would calmly get ASU down inside the five before kicking a chip-shot field goal.
Arizona State would come back to win after being down 17 early, and Leavitt's 291 passing yards, 62 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns were the difference.
Sam Leavitt looking like Lamar Jackson with these spin moves 👀@ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/aXT2LLQ1mD
— College Football Zone (@CollegeFBonX) September 27, 2025
Michigan State fans are more than happy with Aidan Chiles, but these types of performances by the former Spartans have to make you wonder what the staff was thinking in 2023 when they began the season with Noah Kim as QB1.
It's good to see Chiles, Leavitt, and Houser all having success and earning national recognition.