WATCH: Michigan State takes lead over Western Michigan with 44-yard touchdown
Western Michigan struck first early on against Michigan State. But the Spartans answered back fast late in the first quarter to take the lead.
Payton Thorne found freshman Germie Bernard, who broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown to put Michigan State out in front 7-3 with 4:37 to play in the first half at The Woodshed. It marked the first touchdown reception for Bernard, a freshman wide receiver out of Henderson, Nevada.
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Bernard joins Mel Tucker’s group as a four-star recruit and the No. 32-ranked wide receiver from the class of 2022, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Michigan State, the No. 15 team in then country in the preseason AP Top 25, is trying to build off an impressive 2021 season a year ago. The Spartans went 11-2 overall, including 7-2 in Big Ten play, to punch their ticket to the Peach Bowl.
Illinois transfer Daniel Barker makes impressive one-handed touchdown catch in Michigan State debut
On the very next drive following Bernard’s touchdown reception, Daniel Barker left his mark on the Michigan State offense.
Barker, a former Illinois tight end, hauled in an impressive one-handed touchdown catch to extend the Spartans’ lead over Western Michigan 14-3 on the first play of the second quarter in East Lansing. He tested the NFL Draft waters after last season, but withdrew and entered the transfer portal upon doing so. That’s when he decided to commit to Mel Tucker and the Spartans, and so far, he’s fitting into the offense well.
Once he entered the portal, Barker became the No. 7 tight end to transfer during the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Last season at Illinois, he had 18 receptions for 202 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown to his resume.
The Spartans then added another touchdown on their next series to extend their lead to 21-7 over the Broncos at The Woodshed.