Former Michigan football players throw shade at Spartans

Chris Breiler | Aug 31, 2024

Michigan Football enters Spartan Stadium / Christopher Breiler

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Michigan Wolverines

Although the two in-state rivals won't meet until Oct. 26, it's never too early for trash talk. Ahead of Michigan's Saturday night matchup against Fresno State, Michigan State welcomed Florida Atlantic to Spartan Stadium for a primetime matchup in East Lansing on Friday night. With first-year head coach Jonathan Smith and sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles leading the way, Spartan fans - and even Michigan fans - were eager to get their first glance of this new-look MSU football team.

It didn't look great.

The Spartans got off to an extremely slow start, and it started when Chiles threw an interception on MSU's opening drive. After a punt on their next drive, the Spartans turned it over once again on their third drive of the game - a fumble by Chiles. At the end of the first quarter, Michigan State held a 2-0 lead thanks to a sack in the endzone by D'Quan Douse on FAU QB Cam Fancher.

While Michigan State ended up taking a 16-3 lead into the half, the Spartans would be held scoreless in the second half by the FAU defense. The Owls put their first touchdown on the board in the third quarter, bringing the score to 16-10 and putting FAU within striking distance of taking the lead. But with the Spartans struggling offensively, it was their defense that ultimately saved the day and prevented a major Week 1 upset in East Lansing.

As MSU fans tried to process the disappointing display, Michigan fans were enjoying every moment of it. In fact, a few former Michigan football players also took note of MSU's struggles at home against FAU.

Mike Sainristil, DB

Mike Sainristil takes note of Michigan State's struggles / Mike Sainristil

Taylor Lewan, OL

Woke up from a nap before the midnight Yell in college station and saw this.

Congrats to MSU squeaking out a win on a powerhouse like FAU. pic.twitter.com/sIGr65NRhq
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) August 31, 2024

Drake Harris, WR

Must have gotten that FanDuel NIL deal https://t.co/TLEfK7gLBd
— Drake Harris (@dharris04) August 31, 2024

Here are some other reactions to Michigan State's struggles against Florida Atlantic on Friday night:

Seeing little brother fans celebrating tonight and it’s making me laugh so much. What a truly horrible team. 4 wins if they are lucky
— National Champions Barstool Blue (@BarstoolUofM) August 31, 2024

Michigan State’s offensive coordinator in the locker room after doing absolutely nothing and winning tonight pic.twitter.com/M29TaadpZL
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) August 31, 2024

https://t.co/VpnPi4xlLL pic.twitter.com/2NN2Fm0nWj
— Johnny (@JohnnyTsunamiii) August 31, 2024

The over/under was 44 1/2. Final score: 16-10. https://t.co/UeE7synA1x
— Nick Daschel (@nickdaschel) August 31, 2024

Aidan chiles might be one of the biggest frauds of the szn😭 state is so cooked this year https://t.co/ZfVnLLXSjd
— Lennon Gwizdala (@McGwizzy) August 31, 2024

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