How Payton Thorne and Anthony Russo are treating Michigan State’s QB competition
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Penn State defensive end Shaka Toney pressures Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne during the first quarter on Dec. 12, 2020.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
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Michigan State has almost five months left to prepare for its season opener at Northwestern.
Nearly half of spring practice remains, along with the summer program, followed by fall camp, so coach Mel Tucker doesn’t seem like he’s anywhere close to revealing a leader in the quarterback competition, much less naming a starter.
“It’s great competition,” Tucker said. “The guys are pushing each other to get better, it’s a good room, guys are working hard. (Quarterbacks) Coach (Jay) Johnson does a heck of a job with those quarterbacks and I’m just looking forward to how we end up, what can we become at that position. Competition is good.”
After another miserable offensive season, Michigan State’s goal is to ‘improve everything’
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Offensive linemen help Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) up after being sacked in the second quarter of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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Michigan State is nearly four months removed from the end of the 2020 season.
Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has had plenty of time to review the performance and is looking to “improve everything.”
That would be a good place to start.
Will year of growth lead to Payton Thorne taking over as Michigan State’s starting QB?
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Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws a pass in the second half of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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It all came together very quickly.
Payton Thorne was committed to play at Western Michigan for coach Tim Lester, a family friend, and with receiver Jayden Reed, his friend and former high school teammate.
That was more than two years ago and Thorne’s progression has him on the verge of potentially taking over as Michigan State’s starting quarterback in the fall. That would require beating out graduate transfer Anthony Russo, who has a massive edge in experience, but Thorne believes he’s shown notable growth since appearing in four games with one start last season.
Why QB Anthony Russo transferred from Temple to Michigan State
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Michigan State quarterback Anthony Russo throws a pass during a scrimmage on April 3, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State athletic communications)Photo courtesy of Michigan State athletic communications
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Anthony Russo spent five seasons at Temple and ranks among the top passers in program history.
Playing for the Owls a short drive away from his hometown of Doylestown, Pa., the quarterback remained close to family. His younger sister attended Temple with him and his older sister worked at the university’s hospital.
As much as Russo was connected to the Philadelphia school, he was a college graduate in need of a change. That meant transferring from Temple to Michigan State in January.
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