Michigan State had relatively little trouble with Akron and Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium to open the 2022 season.

It may face a bit of a stiffer challenge, though, on Saturday, as it travels to Seattle to take on Washington. Like the Spartans, the Huskies enter the contest with a 2-0 record, having taken down Kent State and FCS Portland State.

And a familiar face is behind center for Kalen DeBoer’s team: Michael Penix Jr.

Penix, of course, transferred from Indiana in the offseason to reunite with DeBoer, his offensive coordinator in Bloomington in 2019. Penix didn’t play when the Spartans beat the Hoosiers 20-15 in 2021, but led Indiana to a 20-0 win in 2020 behind 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s thrown for over 300 yards in both of his outings in 2022 and has 6 touchdowns vs. just 1 interception.

Mel Tucker, though, brushed off any suggestions that having faced Penix before gives the Spartans an edge.

“I’m not sure if that’s going to help us very much other than we know he’s a great player and he’s playing at a very high level right now,” the Michigan State head coach said on Monday, according to MLive’s Matt Wenzel.

Kickoff on Saturday is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.