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Mel Tucker names Michigan State starting QB for Maryland game
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With Rocky Lombardi likely out on Saturday, Michigan State is going with Payton Thorne this weekend at Maryland.
Thorne, a redshirt freshman, will get his second-straight start of the season against Maryland (2-3) after impressing last week for the Spartans (2-5).
Last Saturday, he was 22-of-39 for 325 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Penn State. It was his first collegiate start.
Lombardi was hurt two weeks ago, a head injury in the second quarter of what was a blowout loss at Ohio State.
Tucker says Payton Thorne will start at QB this week and he hopes Rocky Lombardi will be available, but that will be determined later in the week
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 15, 2020
Thorne was the No. 26 dual-threat quarterback in the nation according to 247Sports. He was a three-star recruit who was a bit under-recruited with offers from Cincinnati, Western Michigan and Central Michigan among others. He has seen some limited snaps this season despite last weekend being his first collegiate start.
Michigan State has struggled this year to move the ball, last in the Big Ten in total offense and scoring offense.
The 24 points scored last Saturday in the loss to Penn State was the third-most they’ve scored this season.