hoyer was redshirted by michigan state university in 2004, where he earned scout team offensive player of the week honors twice. in 2005, he saw action in five games in which he completed 15-of-23 passes (.652) for 167 yards and two touchdowns. in a game against illinois, he combined with drew stanton to throw seven touchdown passes, which tied the big ten single-game record. in 2006, he played in eight games and completed 82-of-144 passes for 863 yards, had four touchdowns and three interceptions. in 2007, hoyer was an honorable mention all-big ten selection. he completed 223-of-376 throws (.593) for 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 13 games. he had six 200-yard passing games. in 2008, his senior year, he was listed among 26 preseason candidates for the 2008 johnny unitas golden arm award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback. that year, he played in 13 games and completed 180-of-353 passes (.510) for 2,404 yards and nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.