Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from blowout loss to Indiana

1. This is Payton Thorne’s team now

Rocky Lombardi got his fourth straight start and while that was expected, the performance against Iowa last weekend should have been a warning signal for the staff. It was clear about five minutes into Saturday’s game that he just didn’t have it and it was time to move on.

Spartan fans will be forever grateful for Lombardi after he led Michigan State to a win over Michigan but he just doesn’t have the look of a QB1 and Mel Tucker finally saw that.

Payton Thorne was given the nod in the second quarter and he did a decent job with his arm and legs. Yes, he made some bad throws and one even led to an interception, but he showed much more promise under center with his ability to avoid a barrage of pass-rushers all afternoon. He didn’t just stand there and take hits, he knew how to avoid pressure.

Bad throws are going to happen with young quarterbacks and he will get more comfortable with more game reps, but he looked like a nice spark.

Thorne came in and rushed for 38 yards on his first play. He finished the day 10-for-20 with 110 yards and an interception, but he looked like a guy who can lead this offense out of the dark ages.