Aidan Chiles made his debut as quarterback for Michigan State on Friday night, showcasing moments of talent but also revealing his inexperience. In a game that saw the Spartans edge out Florida Atlantic 16-10, Chiles completed 10 of 24 passes for 114 yards, while adding one rushing touchdown and throwing two interceptions, one of which was clearly his error. The offensive unit struggled with a lack of support from the ground game and playmakers. As a true sophomore in his first start, Chiles has time to develop, but anticipation for improvement is necessary, especially for those considering betting on Spartans’ games.
The Spartans’ defense demonstrated strength but also showed signs of indiscipline. The performance of quarterback Cam Fancher for FAU was largely limited, making it challenging to gauge the true capabilities of MSU’s defense led by coordinator Joe Rossi. The Spartans displayed lower penalties overall, with only a few aggressive flags and a coverage misstep late in the game. Players like Khris Bogle and D’Quan Douse made notable disruptive plays, contributing to a solid defensive effort characterized by seven sacks, ten tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Their resilience helped maintain a positive outlook despite the offensive struggles.
Michigan State’s ground game remains a challenge, though Kay’ron Lynch-Adams stood out with a remarkable 63-yard touchdown run, which showcased the offensive line’s best performance. However, the line frequently struggled to create space for their running backs, resulting in a disappointing overall rushing performance of 86 yards on 28 carries outside of Lynch-Adams’ explosive play. Improvement is essential moving forward to bolster both the running and passing game as the Spartans prepare for more formidable opponents in the coming weeks.