Lansing Sun

Michigan State University commenced the Jonathan Smith era and its 128th football season with a 16-10 victory over Florida Atlantic on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans have now won all 12 of their home Friday night games since 2011, with each being a season opener. This marks the fourth consecutive year MSU has opened its season on a Friday night and the third straight year at home.

Friday's game was the 29th night game in Spartan Stadium history, where MSU holds a 21-8 record. The first-ever night game at the stadium was a 27-13 win over USC to open the 1987 season.

This was also MSU's first August game since the 2019 season opener. The Spartans are now 9-2 in August games, with previous losses in the 1998 and 2008 season openers. They improved to an overall record of 88-37-3 in season openers and have won 23 of their last 26 such games.

In home openers, MSU boasts a record of 106-22, having triumphed in 25 of the last 26 years, including winning all non-conference home openers for the past two decades.

Friday's match marked the fourth meeting between Michigan State and Florida Atlantic, with MSU maintaining an undefeated record against FAU. Their previous encounters include victories in 2008, 2010, and a shutout win in 2011.

Graduate running back Kay'ron Lynch-Adams led MSU's offense with nine rushes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles made his debut after transferring from Oregon State, completing ten passes for 114 yards and rushing six times for another touchdown. Junior running back Nathan Carter added to the ground effort with nineteen carries for forty-eight yards.

Senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. extended his streak to fourteen straight games with at least one catch, leading his team with three receptions for twenty-three yards. Redshirt sophomore Michael Masunas recorded career highs with two catches for twenty-nine yards.

On defense, Michigan State registered ten tackles for loss, including seven sacks. Graduate defensive back Angelo Grose led with twelve tackles and an interception. Junior defensive back Nikai Martinez also made his debut after transferring from UCF, contributing six tackles and an interception returned forty-one yards.

Senior defensive lineman Khris Bogle posted five tackles along with career-highs of two-and-a-half tackles for loss and one-and-a-half sacks. Fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Turner also made his debut after transferring from Wisconsin, finishing with five tackles including one-and-a-half tackles for loss and one sack.

Redshirt sophomore punter Ryan Eckley averaged nearly fifty yards per punt on six attempts, pinning two inside FAU’s twenty-yard line.

Sam Edwards was named team captain for this game alongside season captains Aidan Chiles, Nathan Carter, Maverick Hansen, Tanner Miller, and Jordan Turner.

###