Lansing Sun

Michigan State Tops Florida Atlantic, 16-10, in Season Opener

Aug 30, 2024

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State defeated Florida Atlantic, 16-10, in the 2024 season opener Friday night before a crowd of 70,271 at Spartan Stadium in the Spartan head coaching debut of Jonathan Smith.

The Spartan defense recorded seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and had two interceptions in the win. MSU also held FAU to 2-of-15 on third-down conversions and made three fourth-down stops.

"Obviously, we try to win the game and we got that done," said Smith. "I do think the crowd was awesome and actually impacted the game. I look at us defensively with some of those stops on third down, fourth down, the crowd noise and energy got into it. I really appreciate everybody coming out and helping us there."

Fifth-year graduate senior defensive back Angelo Grose led the Spartans with a game-high 12 tackles; he also forced a fumble and returned an interception 15 yards. Seven different Spartans contributed on the sacks.

Offensively, sixth-year graduate Kay'ron Lynch-Adams became the fourth consecutive transfer running back to rush for 100 yards in his Spartan debut, compiling 101 yards on just nine carries, including a 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Making his first career start, sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles was 10-of-24 passing for 114 yards and two interceptions while also rushing for an 11-yard score.

The Spartans drove the ball into the red zone four times but only converted once.

"Game ones, you are going to learn a lot about your team, and we got a lot to work on," said Smith. "I did learn and was pleased with the response in this group. We all played for four quarters; you win the game in four quarters."

SCORING SUMMARY

After a Ryan Eckley punt that was downed at the one-yard line, the Spartans took advantage on the next play as D'Quan Douse sacked FAU quarterback Cam Fancher in the end zone with 7:49 left in the first quarter.

Following a Nikai Martinez interception he returned 41 yards to the FAU 18-yard line; the Spartans scored their first touchdown of the season at the 11:15 mark in the second quarter on Chiles' 11-yard scamper into the end zone to go up, 9-0.

MSU extended its lead to 16-0 as Lynch-Adams busted loose for a 63-yard touchdown—his first career TD as a Spartan and the second-longest of his career—with 9:07 left in the first half.

The Owls got on board with a 43-yard field goal by Morgan Suarez before halftime.

FAU scored its only touchdown of the game on a fourth-and-one at the end of the third quarter as Cam Fancher found Jayshon Platt in the end zone for a ten-yard TD pass.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. The Owls turned over on downs all three of their possessions in final minutes—including their last possession with just over one minute left.

MSU ran out clock to preserve win—their twenty-fourth consecutive victory over nonconference opponents in home openers.

"It's game one; we got much work to clean up," said Smith. "Obviously some things we want to do better—first is taking care of ball. We got three opportunities in red zone; we turned it over. If we get those—we're feeling different—it's twenty-one points."

"I want to give credit to FAU," added Smith. "Those guys played hard—that defense contested especially on back end—quarterback played great extending plays—a challenge back there—two teams playing hard—but we came out top."

UP NEXT

Michigan State returns action next Saturday Sept. seventh against Maryland—game starts at three-thirty p.m.—televised Big Ten Network.