Michigan State WR Trishton Jackson shows glimpses of spring game success in loss to Irish

EAST LANSING — April 1 was a good day for Trishton Jackson.

Michigan State’s sophomore receiver hauled in eight passes from Brian Lewerke and racked up a game-high 168 yards to lead all other wideouts at the annual Green-White spring game. After that game, MSU coach Mark Dantonio praised Jackson’s size, speed and hands. This, after a freshman season in 2016 that saw Jackson catch only five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

That showcase was supposed to be a glimpse into what that combo could do during the regular season.

The coaches felt it. So did the fans.

But through the first two games of the regular season, it seemed like just a cruel April Fool’s Day joke.

That is until Saturday night.

MORE MSU FOOTBALL:

• Couch: LJ Scott should worry Michigan State; Brian Lewerke should not
• Three first-half turnovers doom Michigan State football in loss to Notre Dame
• Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 38-18 loss to Notre Dame
• Michigan State notes: QB Brian Lewerke stays in, has up-and-down night
• Turning point, unsung hero and what's next for Michigan State football

Lewerke threw a season-high 51 passes in a 38-18 home loss to rival Notre Dame, completing five of those to the West Bloomfield native. Jackson finished with 69 yards, including a long of 22. He even completed a 5-yard pass to Lewerke.

The numbers aren’t eye-popping. He wasn’t even the team’s leading receiver. And that throw to his quarterback wasn’t exactly pretty. But on a night when not much went right for the Spartans, Dantonio called Jackson’s play a “positive.”

“I was impressed with Trishton Jackson tonight,” Dantonio said. “He made some catches, which he needed to do, and stepped up. He made some big catches.”

In the Spartans home-opening win over Bowling Green, Jackson caught three passes for 41 yards. Once again, nothing to write home about. The second game against Western Michigan, however, Jackson failed to catch a pass and had some wondering: where was the guy who was flying around making game-changing grabs in April?

Jackson was not made available to the media Saturday night, but Lewerke was. And he likes what he is seeing out of the sophomore. He also said this combo could be on the verge of clicking.

“It was good,” MSU’s sophomore signal caller said about the connection Saturday night. “Obviously, he hasn’t been one of the main guys the past couple games, so it’s good to get him the ball a lot and get his confidence back up.

“I fully trust him. It’s just a matter of getting the ball to him.”

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.