EVANSTON, Ill. — Payton Thorne learned more than a week ago he would be Michigan State football’s starting quarterback at Northwestern.
The Spartans got an efficient performance from the sophomore Friday night, going 15 of 26 for 185 yards and a touchdown in their 38-21 season-opening victory at Ryan Field on Friday night.
Thorne beat out Anthony Russo for the starting job after a battle that began when the Temple grad transfer arrived in January. That came after Thorne played in four games last season, setting a freshman record with 325 passing yards in his lone start during season-ending loss at Penn State.