Michigan State Squeaks By FAU in Defensive Clash

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Michigan State Spartans defeated the FAU Owls 16-10 in a defensive battle on Aug. 30 in East Lansing, Mich. to begin the season.

Game Summary

Jonathan Smith’s first game as head coach of the Spartans didn’t go as smoothly as he hoped but Michigan State ran the ball extremely well with 179 total rushing yards. Sixth-year running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams ran for 101 yards and scored on a 63-yard touchdown. 

That’s where the positives ended for the Spartans offense. Quarterback Aidan Chiles struggled in his first start. Chiles made headlines for telling reporters earlier this week to “take the over.” On Chiles' first pass, however, he was intercepted by defensive back Kahzir Brown. He threw for only 114 yards while completing 10 out of 24 passes the rest of the game. Coach Smith told reporters after the game: “We have a lot to work on cleaning up. First off, we have to take care of the ball.”

Fortunately for Michigan State, FAU quarterback Cam Fancher struggled through the air, completing 12 out of 25 passes and throwing for 116 yards. Fancher was intercepted twice and both interceptions led to touchdowns for Michigan State on the next drive. The first interception was by defensive back Angelo Grose which resulted in a Chiles 9-yard touchdown run. The second was by junior UCF transfer defensive back Nakai Martinez, which resulted in the long Lynch-Adams rushing touchdown. 

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK

Turning Point

Michigan State made two key stops against FAU late in the game. The first came on a fourth-and-1 when Fancher scrambled to his right and absorbed a hit from linebacker Jordan Turner which drew two flags: one for targeting and another for unsportsmanlike conduct. The targeting was overturned, and since Fancher was short of the first down mark the Spartans got the ball back and survived a potential scare.

Despite many scary hits, Fancher stayed in the game. On FAU’s final play on fourth-and-14, Fancher was flushed out of the pocket by defensive lineman Ken Talley, forcing an underneath pass to the sideline that ended the game. 

What's Next?

Michigan State heads to College Park, Md. next week to play the Maryland Terrapins in their first Big Ten conference game. The Spartans' strong showing on defense should help them on the road against the 'Terps.

As for the Owls, they play their home opener next Saturday against Army, which will be the Black Knights' first conference game as a member of the American Athletic Conference.