The Michigan State Spartans have pulled off the home opening win over the Florida Atlantic University Owls in a sloppy game overall.
Both teams turned the ball over multiple times and seemed to not yet be ready to play as cohesive units just yet. The Spartans receiving core seemed to have difficulty communicating with quarterback Aidan Chiles which put quite the stop to the passing game. The Michigan State football team found their success on the ground and broke off multiple impressive runs that were filled with broken tackles.
Michigan State Spartans Defeat Florida Atlantic University Owls, , Behind Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams
The Michigan State Spartans have defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls in a game that was perhaps tighter and sloppier than it needed to be. The Spartans new Head Coach Jonathan Smith made his debut as the coach of the team following his hiring this offseason. Smith went 34-35 in six seasons with the Oregon State Beavers before accepting the Spartans job.
With Smith came plenty of transfer players, including starting quarterback Aidan Chiles, who is starting for the first time in his career. Chiles was a reserve quarterback for Oregon State last season behind DJ Uiagalelei and recorded just over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns. Chiles struggled to settle in with the Spartans during the first few drives against the Owls, throwing an interception on his first pass attempt.
The quarterback also fumbled early in the game and missed some throws on what appeared to be miscommunications between himself and the wide receivers. Some throws sailed off into open areas of the field and Chiles could visibly be seen expressing his frustrations. The quarterback was able to pull himself together and help his offense out, particularly in the run game as Chiles recorded a touchdown on the ground.
The biggest boost to the offense, however, was transfer running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams who displayed a tenacious running style. The former Rutgers Scarlet Knights signee played the last few seasons with the UMass Minutemen, recording 1157 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for the team last season. Lynch-Adams got straight to work with the Michigan State football team, breaking off a 63-yard rushing touchdown as well.
What Did the Michigan State Football Team Do Right During Their Opening Win?
In their win over the Owls, the Michigan State football team did plenty of things right and proved that they have the potential to be a solid team. The Spartans admittedly shot themselves in the foot with sloppy play and turnovers in the first half of play, but composed themselves in the second and played a much different level of football. In the first half before recording a big 63-yard rushing touchdown, the Spartans had just 72 offensive yards and 56 return yards.
The offense in the second half, however, felt like progress as the Spartans began to put some plays and drive down the field. Chiles did not look like a stud in the first week of play, but then again the quarterback never had those expectations surrounding him. What Chiles did do well, however, was settle down after throwing an interception on his first pass.
The quarterback looked much more confident after getting the turnover out of the way and going right back to attacking through the air. Chiles also looked comfortable on designed runs and option plays, making excellent reads and scoring a touchdown himself. The quarterback has the skills to be successful and has shown flashes, but he still needs more game experience at the collegiate level.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans consistently found ways to disrupt the lackluster Owls offense. Opposing quarterback Cam Fancher threw two interceptions in his first five pass attempts and was hit a handful of times when handing the ball off. The Michigan State football team held the Owls down and did not allow any big plays, which is an improvement in an area the team struggled a season ago.
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