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Michigan State Football: Midseason awards for 2021 Spartans

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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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Cal Haladay #27, Ronald Williams #9 and Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after recovering a fumble against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 02, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Cal Haladay #27, Ronald Williams #9 and Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after recovering a fumble against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 02, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Biggest surprise(s): Cal Haladay/Payton Thorne

Surprise, we’re seeing Cal Haladay’s name pop up again on these awards and he could honestly be in the running for defensive player of the year as well.

Haladay is third on the team in total tackles and the defense just runs better with him on the field. Don’t believe me? Rutgers was moving with ease in the first half against this Michigan State defense, scoring 13 points as Haladay was “suspended” for the first half because of a targeting call in the second half against Western Kentucky. When he came in to start the second half, the defense ran smoother and didn’t allow a single point.

This kid is a difference-maker.

And of course, Payton Thorne has been a surprise because we were all under the impression that Anthony Russo might win the starting quarterback job. Thorne won the job and hasn’t looked back, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two picks and a 62 percent completion rate through six games.

Plus, Thorne has already broken the Big Ten record for most 60-plus yard passes in a single season with five. We are only halfway through the year.

These two guys have been more than just pleasant surprises; they’ve been stars.

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