Michigan State Football: Report card for shutout win over Akron

Payton Thorne: C-

No one should be giving up on Payton Thorne after his slow start to the 2022 season, but he needs to get back on the right track soon as the opponents are only getting tougher.

We saw much of the same from Thorne against Akron that we saw in the opener against Western Michigan: overthrows, happy feet in the pocket, throws off his back foot, and horrible interceptions. He had two really bad interceptions — I will give him a break on the second one because he was getting drilled by a defender when the ball left his hands.

Thorne finished 18-for-28 so his accuracy was a little better, but he needs to make better decisions and just settle down in the pocket. He had all day to throw but you wouldn’t know it if you watched his feet in the pocket. You’d think he felt defenders breathing down his neck all game.

I think he’ll be fine, but these correctable mistakes need to be addressed immediately.

Noah Kim: A

I loved what I saw from Noah Kim against Akron.

Although he only attempted two passes after Thorne took a few plays off with an apparent stinger, he looked great. He completed both for 22 yards and a nice touchdown throw to Tre Mosley. There’s no quarterback controversy, but Michigan State has to like what it sees from Kim as the backup right now.

Katin Houser: B

It’s tough to really give Katin Houser a fair grade for his performance in limited action since he attempted just two passes, but he completed one and the other was short of a receiver past the markers. He also had a 13-yard keeper for a first down and showed those wheels that we’ve heard about. He has a bright future in East Lansing.