No Spartan had ever run for 100 yards in a Super Bowl… before Kenneth Walker III broke that mark on Sunday evening in Super Bowl LX.
There have been a few Spartan running backs to have a shot at a Super Bowl ring over the years, including Le’Veon Bell with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, but no former Michigan State running backs had ever rushed for over 100 yards in a Super Bowl.
That changed on Sunday evening.
K9 was tasked with carrying the load in the backfield after Zach Charbonnet was ruled out for the season with an injury earlier in the postseason. With Sam Darnold struggling a bit against the Patriots, the burden of leading the offense was on Walker’s shoulders, and he didn’t disappoint.
In the first half, he had 94 rushing yards and several big plays that wowed the crowd. He was making some insane cuts, and he became the early MVP favorite.
Early in the third quarter, Walker had a short run and hit 100 yards for the game, becoming the first Spartan running back to ever reach that mark in a Super Bowl.
Incredible game for the Spartan rusher and Heisman snub.
Kenneth Walker III adds to his legendary resume
Walker was already in the record books at Michigan State, becoming the first-ever Spartan to win the Doak Walker Award. The Spartans have had some elite running backs, but the first to ever win the most prestigious award for the position, outside of Heisman, in college football was an unassuming Wake Forest transfer.
The former Michigan State star has surged into the record books, and he’s not done yet, recording another 1,000-yard season in the NFL, and potentially capping it off with an NFL MVP.
If Walker does win the Super Bowl MVP, he would become the first Spartan to ever win the award — just another impressive feat to add to the list.
Walker hitting 100 yards in the third quarter just means he can become the first Spartan to reach 125, 150, and potentially 200 yards in a Super Bowl.
He’s no stranger to starring on the biggest stages.