MSU tabs Houser starting QB vs. Minnesota

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State football is making a significant change at quarterback, with Katin Houser slated to start against Minnesota this Saturday, October 28. The redshirt freshman will take over for Noah Kim, who has been the primary starter for the majority of the season, as the Spartans aim to snap a five-game losing streak.

Interim Head Coach Harlon Barnett confirmed the decision on Tuesday, emphasizing the shift comes after extensive discussions with his coaching staff and direct conversations with both quarterbacks. The move signals a proactive effort to spark the offense and reverse the team’s fortunes, currently standing at a disappointing 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play.

“This wasn’t an easy call,” Barnett told reporters Tuesday. “We evaluated everything, and after talking with my staff, we felt this was the direction we needed to go. I’ve spoken with both Noah and Katin, and they understand the situation.”

Kim, a redshirt junior, has struggled with consistency throughout the season, particularly in recent weeks. His performance against rival Michigan last Saturday, where he completed 10 of 21 passes for 174 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in a 49-0 blowout loss, proved to be a critical factor. For the season, Kim has thrown for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, completing 56.4% of his passes.

Houser, who saw action in relief against Michigan and also earlier this season against Washington and Richmond, has completed 20 of 34 passes (58.8%) for 172 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. While his playing time has been limited, coaches and fans alike have noted his composure and arm talent, offering a glimmer of hope for an offense that has stalled.

Michigan State’s challenging five-game skid includes losses to Washington, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers, and Michigan. The Spartans have been outscored 176-30 during this stretch, highlighting the urgent need for an offensive turnaround.

The upcoming matchup against Minnesota (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) presents another tough road test. The Golden Gophers, led by head coach P.J. Fleck, enter the game having lost to Iowa and Illinois in their last two outings, but they remain a formidable opponent, especially at home.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM Eastern Time at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network (BTN).