Harlon Barnett says Michigan State sticking with Noah Kim as QB1: 'He's our guy'

As early as the first quarter of Michigan State's season-opener against Central Michigan, portions of the fanbase have called for redshirt freshman Katin Houser to replace redshirt junior Noah Kim as the Spartans' starting quarterback.

Kim dispelled some of those rumblings with the way he finished that game against the Chippewas, completing 12 of his final 16 passes, and his Week 2  performance against Richmond: 18-of-22 passing, 292 yards and three touchdowns.

However, the rumblings have grown to a roar again after Michigan State has been outscored 72-16 in back-to-back losses to Washington and Maryland. Kim's combined numbers in those two games are not pretty: 30-for-63, 47.6 completion percentage, 326 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Numbers don't tell the entire story, but it's fair to say Michigan State needs better from its starting quarterback. For now, that will continue to be Noah Kim.

"Noah's our quarterback, he's our guy," MSU acting head coach Harlon Barnett said after the Maryland game, in which Kim threw a pair of costly interceptions.

At a follow-up press conference on Monday, Barnett reiterated that the Spartans' were "going with the status quo" at quarterback this week against Iowa.

"We're going to stick with how we have it right now, with Noah being our quarterback," Barnett said. "You see the glaring things, the interceptions. But, he put some balls on the money man where guys need to make those plays."

Barnett also said he likes what he's seen from Kim in the run game, and wants to use the quarterback more in that area.

"He's fast," Barnett said. "He can put pressure on the defense running the football as well."

Questions surrounding Michigan State's quarterback situation have only intensified after both Houser and true freshman Sam Leavitt played this past Saturday.

Houser replaced Kim early in the fourth quarter, after the starter limped to the sideline after taking a sack. Houser led an impressive drive in the fourth quarter against the Terrapins, but overthrew tailback Nathan Carter on a screen pass in the red zone, which resulted in an interception. He finished 6-of-10 for 75 yards. Leavitt, meanwhile, completed two passes on two attempts on MSU's last offensive possession in his first collegiate action.

"Katin came in and did his job, and did what we asked him to do in trying to come in and help us," Barnett said. "And, I thought it was good to get Sam in there and get some minutes and get a feel."

On Saturday, Barnett said the decision to go to Houser was not based on Kim's performance, nor to him being banged up by the sack on the previous possession.

"Not so much performance, more so just try to get a spark," he said. "Sometimes, you're just trying to find a spark and see if you can find something to help us get going. That's what that was about more than anything."

If nothing else, it did appear there were conversations between Barnett and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson about switching quarterbacks throughout the Maryland game, as Kim struggled.

"Coach Johnson, he kept saying, 'Let's stick with him. Let's go with him. He's our guy.' You've got to be careful with that stuff, if you pull a guy," Barnett said.

"Nobody's perfect, first of all, and you know the guy has worked his butt off to get in that position. It was a competition all summer long to be the guy, and he's our guy. So, you don't just run from him after a game or two where he's not playing the way he wants to or we want him to. But, he's our guy. He's a really good player, and he's going to get better from it."

Michigan State's road game at Iowa is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. with NBC carrying the broadcast. The game will also be available to be streamed on Peacock.

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