Michigan State football: Report card for clutch overtime win over Wisconsin

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after making the game-winning reception against the Wisconsin Badgers in double overtime at Spartan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to make a pass play against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Payton Thorne: A-

For everyone who wanted to bench Payton Thorne in favor of Noah Kim (I thought it might be time if Thorne wasn’t 100 percent), this was a humbling game.

Thorne went out and showed just why he was getting so much hype this offseason and he returned to his 2021 form. He was as steady as can be and didn’t make a single poor decision all game long. He didn’t have any near-interceptions or really bad reads and he finished with 265 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-28 passing.

Not only did he make a great throw to Maliq Carr that led to the game-tying score in the second half on a 97-yard drive, but he threw the game-winning touchdown pass on a beautiful jump ball to Jayden Reed in a spot where only his guy could get it.

Reed is getting hot and Thorne is returning to form at the right time. Seeing these two guys feed off each other is special and the offense looks so much better with both healthy.

It was good to see Thorne get some confidence back.

Next. 3 takeaways from MSU's win over Wisconsin. dark

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