When a play is executed to perfection in the run game, it's almost always just as much about other players holding their blocks and making an effort to get upfield as it is about the ball carrier hitting the hole and breaking free. Normally, the blockers don't get the glory that the runner gets, but Saturday's game between Michigan State and Rutgers saw one player get real-time props from the ball carrier on his way to the end zone.
In the third quarter of a 21-13 game between the Spartans and the Scarlet Knights, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker took a carry from the Spartans' own 6-yard line and found a hole up the middle before cutting to the left side of the field. After Walker forced several missed tackles, wide receiver Jalen Nailor began running stride-for-stride with his teammate as a lead blocker.
Once the end zone was in sight and no defenders were near the pair, Walker took a quick second to shake hands with Nailor as his 94-yard touchdown gave Michigan State a two-score lead.
Watch Michigan State shake hands around the 20 on this touchdown run 😂 pic.twitter.com/hiCuWcsubH
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 9, 2021
Nailor's handshake was well earned, as he himself had a huge day for the Spartans as well. In the first half, all three of Michigan State's touchdowns came from Nailor, who had 208 receiving yards and three touchdowns by halftime. Michigan State ended up winning 31-13 over Rutgers, giving them a Big Ten win that improves them to 6-0.
