Michigan State Football Recap: Key takeaways from FAU win, previewing Maryland matchup

Michigan State football secured a narrow 16-10 victory over Florida Atlantic in their season opener, setting the stage for a challenging matchup against Maryland this Saturday.

The Spartans, now 1-0, will face the Terrapins, who also hold a 1-0 record after a dominant 50-7 win against Connecticut.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland, with coverage available on the Big Ten Network and WJR-AM (760).

Last season, Maryland defeated Michigan State 31-9, and they showcased their offensive strength in their recent game. New quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Tai Felton recorded 178 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Head coach Mike Locksley has led the Terrapins to back-to-back eight-win seasons and three consecutive bowl victories.

In their opener, Michigan State demonstrated resilience but also highlighted areas needing improvement.

The Spartans' offense struggled, particularly in the passing game, where the starting quarterback faced challenges with accuracy and decision-making. Despite scoring a touchdown, the overall performance fell short of expectations.

Defensively, Michigan State showed promise under new coordinator Joe Rossi. Although they allowed some penalties, the defense managed to contain Florida Atlantic's rushing attack effectively, limiting them to 132 yards.

The Spartans will need to build on this defensive performance as they enter conference play.

As the Spartans prepare for their Big Ten opener against Maryland, they must address their offensive inconsistencies and maintain their defensive momentum to secure a win.