Cam Edwards Leads the Big Ten in Rushing

Michigan State’s newest running back, Cam Edwards, may be new to the Big Ten, but the highly touted veteran has already shown exactly how good he can be through the first two games of the season.

After an impressive 98-yard performance in Week 1, Edwards had plenty more to say in Week 2.

Against an Eastern Michigan defense that entered the game ranked 55th in the nation in run defense, Edwards lit up the field, breaking off monstrous runs with his electric speed and impressive vision behind the offensive line.

Edwards rushed the ball 21 times for 152 yards while adding one reception for five yards. With that performance, Edwards now leads the Big Ten in rushing yards with 250 yards through two games.

However, simply running between the 20s is not remotely close to the best part of Edwards’ game.

In my mind, that comes when the Spartans get inside the five-yard line. That is when the veteran showcases just how much stronger he can be than everyone else on the field.

Edwards notched his first Spartan touchdown in Week 1 and added two more Saturday against Eastern Michigan. That gives him three rushing touchdowns on the season, tying him for third-most in the Big Ten behind UCLA’s Wayne Knight with six and Purdue’s Fame Ijeboi with four.

The Spartans struggled to get the ball into the end zone in Week 1, but with the help of Edwards’ strength, they had no problem doing so in Week 2 as Michigan State took care of business with a 35-7 victory.

Spartan fans knew the offense would run through Edwards once he committed to East Lansing through the transfer portal. Many had also watched him at UConn last season, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top running backs, and already knew just how talented he was.

Now, Edwards has showcased exactly what the tape promised through the first two games.

But for Michigan State, those games were closer to preseason games than anything else.

Now comes the real test.

The Spartans will begin a stretch of 10 difficult games with a Week 3 matchup against Notre Dame, and Michigan State will undoubtedly lean on Edwards to help control the clock and keep the time of possession in its favor.

That could be one of the Spartans’ best paths to staying within striking distance against the Fighting Irish.

For Michigan State to do it, Edwards will have to turn it up even more.