Michigan State will rock the classic green tops, white pants and green helmets look for Friday’s 2024 season opener versus Florida Atlantic. If you listen to the video closely, you can hear the AC/DC song “Thunderstruck” playing in the background, so it appears Michigan State will be sticking with that as the walk-out song in the Jonathan Smith era.

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Michigan State opens up the season this Friday, and starts things off against Florida Atlantic. This is a perfect tune up game for the Spartans for a couple reasons.

Florida Atlantic was 4-8 last season. Despite having a decent offseason through the transfer portal, the Owls still do not look to be much threat to the Spartans, especially after MSU made so many big positive moves this offseason. FAU also lost their best player from last season, LaJohntay Webster, to Colorado.

The FAU defense was bad last season, especially giving up balls over the middle. If Aiden Chiles is able to be stable, be patient, and find Jack Velling over the middle, it will be an easy victory for the Spartans. As long as Chiles can be smart, it will be a perfect tune up game before a big conference challenge vs Maryland.

Lastly, with Michigan State having some challenging games coming up, the Spartans need to play some games to get them prepared for the future, especially with the inexperience that this team has with each other.

Hey all! My wife and I started a MSU podcast and are just getting things rolling. Our first episode is out and a 2nd is coming out tomorrow! Would love for anyone to check it out and give it a follow! We actually have a pretty cool guest coming on next week that I think many of you all will be interested in hearing from after Friday's game! Also on Apple Podcat!

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1. I like what Tom Herman is building at FAU; he has something to prove if he wants to return to the next level.

2. FAU went to USF's homecoming last year and spanked them 56-14, shortly after USF gave Alabama all they could handle.

2. FAU nearly upset Illinois 23-17 on the road in 2023.

3. Defense travels, and FAU was good defensively in 2023. It has many returning players and a quick front seven.


What bodes well for MSU:

1. FAUs lose their top two rushers, and several new players are learning the offensive scheme.

2. Their leading receiver, LaJohntay Wester (108 catches), bolted for Colorado, and they struggled to find dependable receivers this fall.

3. QB Cam Fancher is a turnover machine: 21 TD passes but 17 interceptions in the last two years at Marshall. He is a real dual-threat QB, however, and can hurt you with his feet.
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Fancher: 2023: 202 of 308 for 2,162, eleven touchdowns, and eleven interceptions. 2022: 131 of 235 for 1,558 yards with ten touchdowns and six interceptions.

4. Nate Carter and Kay'ron Lynch Adams could have big days running, especially in the red zone.

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Michigan State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi said that there's been a "work mentality" from his defense ahead of the FAU game.

"We got to prepare, we got a lot of work to do."

More from Rossi and the "tremendous challenge" that the Owls will bring:

MSU/FAU
Friday, 8/30
Kickoff: 7:01pm EDT
Spartan Stadium

Parking:
Donor lots open at 2:00pm
Public lots open at 3:00pm

TV:
Play-by-Play: Jason Ross Jr.
Analyst: Brock Vereen
Sidelines: Dannie Rogers

Radio:
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jason Strayhorn
Sidelines: Jehuu Caulcrick

The 2024 Paris Paralympics begin today with the opening ceremony. There are always really inspiring stories to come out of the Paralympics. Here's the story of an athlete that has local Mid-Michigan ties.

When competition begins tomorrow (Thursday), keep an eye on St. Johns native and Lansing Community College student Jayci Simon who will compete in Para-badminton.

Simon has acromicric dysplasia (a form of dwarfism) and she will compete in the SH6 (Standing, short stature) classification of the Para-badminton event. Simon is in the SH6 Women's Singles tournament and SH6 Mixed Doubles tournament with her partner Miles Krajewski.

She trains with the MSU club badminton team playing with and against non-Para athletes because she doesn't have a regular coach or a facility to train at.

Here are some links if you want to learn more about Simon's story.

Feature story on Simon:


Athlete bio:

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith announced the Scout Team Players of the Week ahead of Florida Atlantic game, via social media. The players highlighted include true freshman wide receiver Jaylan Brown, true freshman defensive end Kekai Burnett, true freshman walk-on offensive lineman Kyler Brunan, redshirt freshman walk-on defensive back Caleb Gash and redshirt senior walk-on wide receiver Zach Gillespie.

Perhaps a new weekly feature from Smith?

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