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Michigan State Football: Report card for season-opening win over WMU

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne hands the ball to running back Jalen Berger against Western Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne hands the ball to running back Jalen Berger against Western Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. /
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Sep 2, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jalen Berger (8) sprints for a long first down that sets up the final touchdown of the game at Spartan Stadium during their game against Western Michigan University. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jalen Berger (8) sprints for a long first down that sets up the final touchdown of the game at Spartan Stadium during their game against Western Michigan University. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

Running backs: A-

I loved — loved — what I saw from the duo of transfer running backs that Michigan State landed in the offseason.

Jalen Berger led the way with his first 100-yard game in the green and white, putting up 120 yards and a touchdown on 7.6 yards per carry. He looked strong, showed good vision, and was the more powerful back of the two. Michigan State would probably feel great moving forward with him as the workhorse.

But then Jarek Broussard came in and provided an excellent change of pace. He’s the more explosive back in terms of speed and moves, but he had just 10 touches for 54 yards. Not too shabby for a backup running back in his first game in a new offense.

If you would have told me back in January that the two transfer running backs would combine for 176 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in the opener, I would have been ecstatic.

I am ecstatic.

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