Michigan State Football: Looking back at 3 keys that won 2021 Peach Bowl

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) catches a touchdown pass over Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back M.J. Devonshire (12) in the second half 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 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 /

2. Receivers bailed out a struggling Payton Thorne

The Spartan receivers made difficult catches appear routine (masking the slightly inaccurate tosses of their quarterback), winning jump balls, snagging one handed-handed grabs, and almost never catching a ball in stride.

Payton Thorne wasn’t as sharp as he normally is although he did set the MSU single-season record for passing touchdowns — with 27 — and he helped Jayden Reed break the 1,000-yard receiving milestone.

The fearsome foursome of Reed, Jalen Nailor, Tre Mosley, and Connor Heyward each had five or more receptions. They combined for 283 receiving yards (80 percent of Thorne’s passing yard total) and three touchdowns. With Nailor (declaring early for draft) and Heyward off to the NFL, Tre Mosley will be in-line for a breakout campaign as a junior in 2022 alongside their returning superstar WR1 in Reed.

Maliq Carr, Montorie Foster, and Keon Coleman will all be called on to replace the loss in production from the departing duo of Nailor and Heyward.

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