Takeaways from Michigan State’s Ugly Season-Opening Win

Michigan State struggled in its season opener on Friday night but still emerged 1-0 with a 16-10
victory over Florida Atlantic.
While the game left most fans with a negative taste, there was a mix of good and bad.
Here are some takeaways from the season’s first win and the first game of the Jonathan Smith
era.

The defense is back.
Man, that was great to see. After four years of watching Scottie Hazelton’s pitiful scheme get
torched in the passing game while making no adjustments, the Spartans defense looked like the
old-school unit we had grown accustomed to seeing in the green and white. Guys were flying all
over the field, sticking to receivers, handling business at the line of scrimmage, and pressuring
the quarterback. Yes, it was just FAU and there are many more difficult challenges on the
horizon, but seeing a unit that had struggled mightily and was filled with transfers at every level
perform so well in its first real game was about as much as you could have asked for.

Aidan Chiles has talent, but the offense needs work.
The stats won’t show it, but you could see what people talk about when it comes to Aidan Chiles
and his potential. The sophomore has electric athleticism and elite arm strength. He just needs
to make better decisions and more accurate throws while on the run. A few of his teammates
did not help him with their own play, but the plays were certainly there to be had. It’s the
conversions and execution that need work. Once that gets solved, this offense can hit a new
level.

Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams = RB1
The UMass transfer showed exactly why the Spartans went after him in the transfer portal,
running for 106 yards and a touchdown in his team debut. He also had another touchdown
called back on a poorly-timed whistle. (Don’t get me started on those refs.) Lynch-Adams looked
like the more polished back between him and Nathan Carter and should be the starter going
forward. The duo can be one of the conference’s best backfields if they play to their capabilities.

Montorie Foster /= WR1
Montorie Foster has spent the entire offseason as the Spartans’ No. 1 receiver, and we’ve heard
nothing but good things. That did not translate to the field, as the senior had several dropped
passes and missed plays throughout the game. Again, it’s foolish to overreact to one
performance, but this has happened more than once. Nothing against Foster. He’s worked hard
for this team and should stay in the rotation. But, if he remains MSU’s best receiver all year, this
will not be a good team.

We’re in good hands.
No, it wasn’t a great performance. In fact, what was the worst possible scenario other than a
loss is now a reality. However, there is a noticeable change in the attitude of the locker room
and the program, and that will go a long way. Just look at the postgame press conferences and
all the media sessions since. It’s all about the team and accountability, not individual gains. It
might take some time, and there will be hard days, but the Michigan State Spartans will right the
ship under Jonathan Smith.

About The Author

Travis Tyler

Spartan Savants Podcast Host