Bruener Had a Michigan State Moment Way Back in Spring Ball

The Husky linebacker was reminded of a big hit against the Spartans and was eager to play the rematch.

Carson Bruener was thinking about this week's Washington-Michigan State rematch way back during spring football practice, holding court one April day in the Dempsey Indoor center, surrounded by media members.

The junior linebacker was reminded how he lit up former Spartans returner Jarek Broussard, unnamed during the conversation, with a big collision on a second-half kickoff and he responded by downplaying it some.

"I thought it was a big hit, but I didn't think it was that big," Bruener said.

Broussard might have been a better source for reaction after getting leveled at his 33, but the one-time Colorado player no longer with Michigan State, having passed on a final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft but ultimately going undrafted.

Curiously, Broussard shared the kickoff duties with Germie Bernard in that game, with the latter, of course, now catching passes and returning kicks for the Huskies after transferring.

Carson Bruener lifts off in his celebration after a big hit on a Michigan State kickoff return.  / Skylar Lin Visuals

As it stands, many of the Spartans players who suffered through a 39-28 loss at Husky Stadium have moved on, not to mention their coach, Mel Tucker, was suspended without pay this week while the school investigates alleged sexual harassment.

That won't dull any of Bruener's enthusiasm for Saturday's game in East Lansing, figuring the holdovers have plenty of motivation to reverse last season's result.

"That game, I'm definitely looking forward to," he said in the spring. "They're going to want to come back at us. They were ranked high, I think 11, when they came in here. We played well against them and kind of ran them a little."

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