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Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling Peach Bowl win over Pitt

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) and tight end Connor Heyward (11) against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) and tight end Connor Heyward (11) against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Payton Thorne stepped up when it mattered

I think we can all agree that Payton Thorne was off all night long. The sophomore quarterback was just not on his game and it almost felt like he was injured because his passes had little to no zip on them and he was missing guys high, low, and throwing behind his receivers constantly.

Thorne probably played one of his worst games of the year through three quarters and yet he was still putting up numbers because Pitt’s secondary was not great.

All hope seemed lost heading into the fourth quarter with Michigan State down 21-10 but Thorne finally put together some drives with multiple completions in a row and he gained some confidence with a beautiful touchdown pass to Connor Heyward and an even more impressive catch to make it 21-16 after the missed two-point conversion.

Thorne then got the ball back and led the team down the field on another touchdown drive capped off with a perfect jump ball to Jayden Reed near the front of the end zone where he absolutely Moss’d a cornerback. This put Michigan State up one and then he hit Jalen Nailor for the two-point conversion.

These two drives showed that he’s mentally tough because he put a horrid first three quarters behind him to lead Michigan State to a comeback win in the fourth. He finished the game with 354 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-50 completions.

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