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Controversy in East Lansing: Should Kenneth Walker III’s TD run have counted?
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In Saturday’s battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy between No. 6 Michigan and No. 8 Michigan State it didn’t take long to inject a little controversy.
After Michigan State quarterback Payton Throrne was intercepted during the Spartans first drive, the Wolverines responded just three plays later with a 93-yard touchdown pass from Cade McNamara to Andrel Anthony. A Michigan field goal moved the score to 10-0, and the Spartans marched down field on the next drive with Kenneth Walker III finding the end zone on a 27-yard touchdown run.
YOU CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN KENNETH WALKER 😤
Sparty back in it 🟢⚪️
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 30, 2021
Or did he?
Walker lost control of the ball right as he hit the front of the end zone. When Jordan Nailor tried to recover the ball it left the back end of the endzone, the ball skirted out of play. Ruling the play a fumble would’ve resulted in a touchback, with Michigan taking over on the MSU 20-yard line.
That was soooooo close to being a disaster for Michigan State. Kenneth Walker fumbled just as he approached the goal line. It was ruled a touchdown on the field and the call stood. pic.twitter.com/8Xz0iBHFd1
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) October 30, 2021
The play was reviewed, and the touchdown call stood. But, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Spartans fans were sure to say Walker still had control at the line, and Wolverines fans would argue otherwise.
But hey, it wouldn’t be a Michigan-Michigan State game with some fun?
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.