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Michigan State Football: Report card from win over Western Kentucky

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Payton Thorne, left, and Kenneth Walker III celebrate after beating Western Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211002 Msu Wku Fb 225a
Michigan State's Payton Thorne, left, and Kenneth Walker III celebrate after beating Western Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211002 Msu Wku Fb 225a /
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Oct 2, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) runs after a catch against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Beanie Bishop (21) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) runs after a catch against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Beanie Bishop (21) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Receivers/Tight Ends: A-

I’m going to preface this by saying that there were a couple of really bad drops (one by Jayden Reed and one by Connor Heyward) from this group which is why it wasn’t a perfect score.

But other than that, the receivers and tight ends were fantastic and make life easy for Payton Thorne who was throwing darts all night long.

Reed was obviously the star of the night with his punt return touchdown along with four catches for 127 yards and another toe-tapping touchdown that still blows my mind — I have no idea how he got past 2-3 defenders, stayed inbounds, and scored. His connection with Thorne is borderline impeccable.

While Reed was a star, Jalen Nailor’s performance has gone somewhat unnoticed. He was really, really good against Western Kentucky and had his best game of the season with eight catches for 128 yards. He and Thorne were finally on the same page and they looked really good.

Tre Mosley also had a sneaky-good night, catching three passes for 57 yards.

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