Payton Thorne, Jalen Nailor connect on three early TDs for Michigan State

Quarterback Payton Thorne has already connected with wide receiver Jalen Nailor for three long, early touchdowns for Michigan State against Rutgers. Thorne and Nailor teamed up for two 63-yard touchdowns as well as a 65-yard strike.

After Rutgers found the end zone to take an early lead in the first quarter, Michigan State was in need of an answer. It took Thorne and Nailor just two plays to do just that. It took just 46 seconds for the Spartans to tie the game behind the first 63-yard touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, Rutgers kicked a field goal to take a 10-7 lead. On the next possession, Thorne and Nailor again connected on a 63-yard touchdown to take a 14-10 lead. On this score, Thorne placed a ball on Nailor’s outside shoulder by the sideline. Nailor hauled in the catch before turning back towards the middle of the field, out running multiple defenders to find the end zone.

Jalen Nailor with ANOTHER 63 yard touchdown for @MSU_Football 🔥🤩 pic.twitter.com/5YeVWOQnoM

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

Thorne, Nailor quickly connected on a THIRD touchdown to extend Michigan State’s lead over Rutgers

As if two touchdown connections wasn’t enough, Thorne and Nailor connected on a third first half touchdown to give Michigan State a 21-13 lead following a Rutgers field goal. The third connection came on a flea flicker and went 65 yards for the score.

Thorne has completed eight of his first 11 passes for Michigan State against Rutgers with 268 yards and the three touchdowns.

✅ 63-yard TD
✅ 63-yard TD
✅ 65-yard TD

Jalen Nailor reels in the flea flicker for his third (!) TD of the first half. 🤯@SpeedyNailor // @MSU_Football pic.twitter.com/GlTcUynp6L

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 9, 2021

The third touchdown gave Nailor four receptions for 208 yards and three scores on the day. His 208 yards sets a new record inside Rutgers’ home stadium. Previously, Larry Fitzgerald held the stadium record for most receiving yards in a game with 207.

Entering Saturday’s game against Rutgers, Thorne had completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 1,236 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interceptions on the season for Michigan State. He has also run in two scores. His great start against Rutgers will only add to his impressive totals.

Nailor has already nearly matched his season output in Saturday’s game against Rutgers. Coming into the game, Nailor had 18 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns.