Michigan State wide receiver makes brilliant one-handed TD catch in season opener

The college football season is officially underway, and there is already a candidate for “catch of the year.” 

Michigan State opened its season Friday night against Central Michigan with the Spartans moving to 1-0 on the season in a 31-7 win over the Chippewas. 

Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) eludes a pair of Central Michigan defenders on a punt return during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Central Michigan Chippewas on September 1, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.  (Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In the fourth quarter with Michigan State up 17-7, Spartans quarterback Noah Kim floated a pass into the endzone from the Central Michigan 10-yard line. 

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Wide receiver Tyrell Henry leaped into the air to make the grab, coming down with a brilliant one-handed touchdown catch, the first of his collegiate career.

Henry, a sophomore, finished the night with two catches for 25 yards as Michigan State pulled away in the fourth quarter. 

“It’s a SportsCenter highlight,” Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain said of the catch, according to Michigan Live. 

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Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) makes a catch for a touchdown against Central Michigan defensive back De’Javion Stepney (5) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, September 1, 2023. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Henry did not have a catch in his freshman season, but he did average over 18 yards on kickoff returns.

“My whole goal coming to college was to be the playmaker,” Henry said. “Even when I was younger, I’ve always been the player that’s going to be explosive. That’s what I bring, the elusiveness, the quickness, stuff like that.”

Michigan State is coming off a disappointing season in 2022, going 5-7 in Mel Tucker’s third season as head coach. 

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 1, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan.  (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

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“We started slow, but we kept chopping,” Tucker said after beating Central Michigan, via 247 Sports. “We were able to execute in all three phases and get the win. It’s a good start for us, we’re 1-0. The 24-hour rule, we’re gonna get back to work, get on Richmond. We expect to have a better football team next week.” 

The Spartans welcome the Richmond Spiders to East Lansing in Week 2.