Former Spartan Noah Kim puts Michigan State on notice with impressive opener

Michigan State got its first opportunity to scout a future opponent on Saturday as Eastern Michigan took on Sacramento State and former Spartan quarterback Noah Kim was under center.

For the past two years, Kim has been at Eastern Michigan after a 2024 pitstop at Coastal Carolina where he spent the entire season as a backup. He played well in his first season at Eastern, passing for over 2,800 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he had 11 interceptions which was an issue that plagued him in East Lansing (he had six touchdowns and six picks in 2023).

During college football’s official kickoff in Week 0, Kim’s Eagles were able to take care of Sacramento State, 28-17, in their first-ever FBS and MAC game.

And Kim looked pretty good in the process, potentially putting the Spartans on notice for Week 2.

Not only did he finish 27-for-38 with 279 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but he also added a rushing score and had one of the most impressive throws of the opening weekend.

That dot to Nick Devereaux to kick off the fourth quarter really put the game out of reach for Sacramento State, and that was a legitimate NFL throw.

While he’s not necessarily an NFL prospect right now, a really good fifth year could put him on some draft boards by the end of the season. He’s off to a great start and Michigan State’s defense will have its hands full trying to plan for the former Spartan in Week 2.

Granted, Sacramento State is still acclimating to FBS football and it was its first-ever game at this level, but he made some plays with his arm that he didn’t quite see in East Lansing — at least not consistently.

Eastern Michigan will face San Jose State before coming to East Lansing in Week 2.

There aren’t any cakewalks on Michigan State’s schedule

Every year, there are a few games where you can pretty much pencil in a win and fell 99 percent confident about it, but this season feels like more of a gauntlet than most.

Michigan State gets “easy” matchups against Toledo and Eastern Michigan, but many expect the former to compete for the MAC title and the latter looked at least halfway decent in the opener. Eastern is the one game on the schedule that would be considered a “cakewalk” but with a veteran quarterback like Kim leading the way, that may not be the case.

MAC teams with veteran quarterbacks who have arm talent are tough to beat. Just ask Mark Dantonio how that 2009 matchup with Central Michigan and Dan LeFevour went. Sorry to bring that up, but I had to prove my point.

The schedule is going to be tough which is why some experts are predicting a 3-9 finish to the year, but if Pat Fitzgerald can get this team to the postseason, it’ll be one of his best coaching jobs to date.

A bowl berth would go a long way in this program’s turnaround.

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