MSU forward Farai Mutatu named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

MSU forward Farai Mutatu vies for possession in the Spartans’ 4-3 road win over Notre Dame on Sept. 14, 2021/ Photo Credit: MSU Athletic Communications

Nathan Stearns, Sports Broadcast Director
September 21, 2021

EAST LANSING— Following a three-goal outburst against Notre Dame on Sept. 14, Michigan State forward Farai Mutatu has been named as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

Mutatu, who is currently leading the team with four goals and nine points, scored a hat trick in the Spartans’ come-from-behind- 4-3 overtime victory over the Fighting Irish on Sept. 14. He is the first Spartan to record a hat trick since midfielder Jay Chapman in 2012; Chapman is currently a member of Inter Milan CF, a Major League Soccer team.

Two of Mutatu’s goals came in the second half, including the game-winning goal courtesy of an assist from midfielder Jack Beck.

MSU forward Farai Mutatu (9) celebrates after scoring a goal in the Spartans’ 2-0 win over Northwestern on March 11, 2021/ Photo Credit: MSU Athletic Communications

It’s the second time Mutatu has been named as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week in his career; he first received the honor on Oct. 1, 2019, after collecting a goal and an assist in the Spartans’ 3-0 win over No. 22 Rutgers on Sept. 27, 2019.

Overall, Mutatu has scored 10 career goals and collected 26 points since 2018. He has also appeared in 57 games and made 27 starts from 2018-2020.

MSU is currently 3-3-1 on the season with wins over Cleveland State, Oakland and Notre Dame and losses to Akron, Bowling Green and Tulsa. The Spartans are set to take on Duquesne at home tonight at 7 p.m. before welcoming in Indiana on Sept. 26 and Penn State on Oct. 1.