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Michigan State OC says Spartans could play 2 quarterbacks in season-opener
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Michigan State may potentially do something a bit unorthodox in their season opener this season.
According to Spartans offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, the team is considering the possibility of playing both Anthony Russo and Payton Thorne against Northwestern.
MSU offensive coordinator Jay Johnson says it’s still “certainly a possibility” both Thorne and Russo could play at Northwestern but hopes to identify a starter before the opener.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 17, 2021
Deciding a starter during a game isn’t usually the wisest decision since it can mess with one or both of their rhythms but this could end up happening.
Russo may have the inside track for the job and a lot of that has to do with him staring for Temple the last 3 years. In 2020, Russo threw for 863 yards with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, which was a harsh difference from 2019. That year, he threw for 2,861 yards with 21 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
As for Thorne, he has just 1 season of playing experience and it came during last season. He appeared in 4 games and had his best game against Penn State in mid-December. The Spartans may have lost, but Thorne did everything in his power to try and win them the game as he threw for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Spartans’ first game against Northwestern will be on Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. ET.