"We have multiple guys that can make plays," Head Coach Mel Tucker said after the game. "All those guys want the ball. They all want touches, they don't want targets."

Wide Receivers

Of all the pieces on offense, Michigan State’s receiving core looks like its greatest strength. The most proven of the group, graduate student Jayden Reed, had a relatively quiet night, finishing with just 31 yards. Surprisingly, it was the underclassmen that shined in the home opener. 

In the first offensive snap of his collegiate career, freshman wide receiver Germie Bernard brought the offense to life, snagging a high pass from Thorne and sprinting to the endzone to score a 44-yard touchdown. While the freshman didn't add another catch the rest of the night, he also put in time on special teams, returning kicks alongside Reed. 

"He's a really good player. We're excited about what he brings to the table," Thorne said. "That's just an example of what he's been doing all year in practice."

Sophomore wide receiver Keon Coleman led the team with 84 yards and a touchdown, proving that all of the offseason hype may have been justified. If it weren’t for a few overthrows from Thorne, who wasn't at his best Friday night, that number could’ve been higher. Coleman’s athleticism and competitiveness were on display throughout the night. 

Redshirt junior wide receiver Tre Mosley also joined the receiver scoring party, taking off the top of Western Michigan’s defense for a 43-yard touchdown. Mosley’s catch effectively iced the game, staving off any potential comeback from Western Michigan. 

With Reed and Mosley as the proven talent, the emergence of underclassmen like Bernard and Coleman could make this room lethal. 

Tight Ends

It has been a while since Michigan State has had a true weapon in the tight-end room. While there were no breakout stars in the win against Western, there were a few signs that the position is heading in the right direction.

Fifth-year tight end and Illinois transfer Daniel Barker had perhaps the most jaw-dropping play of the night, earning a 13-yard touchdown on an acrobatic one-handed snag in the back corner of the end zone. He also played a couple of snaps in the backfield (although both were ineffective).

Redshirt sophomore Maliq Carr and graduate student Tyler Hunt had quiet nights, each with just one reception.

While there is still plenty to improve upon, the building blocks are there for a competent group of tight ends.

Running backs

On the ground, Michigan State relied on redshirt sophomore Jalen Berger, the transfer from Wisconsin, for the bulk of the work. On 16 carries, Berger earned 120 yards and a touchdown, as well as a fumble in the third quarter that led to a Western Michigan field goal. Other than that, Berger looked solid in the backfield. He had a massive 50-yard run in the fourth quarter and four plays later punched into the end zone on fourth down with the game still in the balance.

"Jalen played really well today, we've seen that from him for a while now," Thorne said. "We knew we had a pretty good back."

Behind Berger, graduate transfer Jarek Broussard had a decent performance too, ending the night with 54 yards on 10 carries.

It is impossible to truly replace a player like Kenneth Walker III, but Michigan State seems comfortable with who they have at running back. Barring a surge from Broussard, Berger looks comfortable as the go-to back.