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Michigan State Football: Report card from first month of 2021 season

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State running back Connor Heyward (11) warms up before the Youngstown State game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Michigan State running back Connor Heyward (11) warms up before the Youngstown State game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. /
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Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III runs for a gain against Nebraska during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 089a
Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III runs for a gain against Nebraska during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 089a /

Running Backs: A

How can you not give the nation’s leading rusher an A for his performance through the first month of play?

Kenneth Walker III has been a godsend for this offense as he’s averaging well over 100 yards per game and he kicked things off early on with a 264-yard performance against Northwestern. The Wake Forest transfer has been a magician this year with his cutbacks and his burst through running lanes. He has been trucking defenders and making them look silly.

The transfer from the ACC has 554 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry through four games. He also has two 100-plus yard games on the year and that number is sure to grow in October.

Other than K-9, Michigan State has Jordon Simmons who has been solid and has a 100-yard game under his belt already. He has 145 rushing yards on 5.6 yards per carry and he also has a receiving touchdown. He makes a heck of a one-two punch with Walker III.

Elijah Collins has been used lightly and he has three carries for 32 yards as well as a 20-yard touchdown catch and run. Harold Joiner has been quiet and Donovan Eaglin looked solid in mop-up duty against Youngstown State.

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