Kenneth Walker garners national award following rivalry performance

Kenneth Walker III has been one of the most electrifying players in all of college football this season.

The Michigan State running back delivered when it mattered the most, single-handedly accounting for five of Sparty’s touchdowns in the rivalry win over Michigan.

The Spartans’ dynamic ball-carrier has been no stranger to accolades in 2021, but Saturday’s eye-popping performance earned him yet another honor this season.

“Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III & Kansas State DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah are Walter Camp National Offensive & Defensive Players of the Week,” Brett McMurphy reported.

Kenneth Walker for Heisman

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn has a new frontrunner for Heisman. After his impressive day rushing the ball to beat rival Michigan, Quinn now backs Kenneth Walker III for the Heisman. And he took to Twitter to show his support for the Michigan State running back and get a light jab in the process.

“I’ll tell you what, there’s NOTHING like coming back for a big win in East Lansing. Congrats to MSU_Football! What a game! Kenneth_Walker9 needs to be the front runner for theHeismanTroph,” wrote Quinn.

Walker had a performance for the ages running the ball against the Michigan Wolverines. On his own, he outrushed the entire Michigan team. The junior running back rushed for 197 yards on 23 attempts with five rushing touchdowns. In comparison as a team, Michigan rushed for 146 yards on 34 carries with no touchdowns. His five rushing touchdowns on the day are more than the Wolverines allowed in the season (3) coming into the game.

Unsurprisingly, head coach Mel Tucker was pleased with the performance and even dropped the “H word” in his postgame press conference.

“He’s a special player, he’s a team player, and we all know he’s a Heisman type guy,” Tucker said of Kenneth Walker III after the win. “And credit to our O-line, our receivers blocking downfield, but we’ve got to give the guy credit where credit is due. He’s a Heisman guy.”

Walker now has 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He is averaging 6.8 yards per carry. 

Heading into Saturday, Kenneth Walker trailed only Syracuse’s Sean Tucker in rushing yardage nationally. And it’s likely Walker will lead Power Five running backs in touchdowns by the conclusion of the Saturday slate.

The junior had the sixth-best Heisman odds (+1600) entering Saturday, per Vegas Insider. Michigan State has never had a Heisman Trophy winner.