Michigan State @ Florida Atlantic preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2008 ) Florida Atlantic 0, Michigan State 17

Florida Atlantic will travel more than 1,300 miles to "host" a game Saturday.

Florida Atlantic and Michigan State, both 1-0, square off for the second time in their history at Ford Field in Detroit. Two years ago, in East Lansing, the Spartans shut out the Owls 17-0.

The Owls from Boca Raton, Fla., were to host the game at their new facility but the project was pushed back to 2011 and the game was moved to Detroit, about 11/2 hours from East Lansing. A crowd of around 25,000 is expected.

The Spartans will be playing their first game in downtown Detroit since Oct. 27, 1944, when they blanked Wayne State 32-0.

FAU came from 16 down to defeat Alabama-Birmingham 32-31 last Thursday, blocking a potential winning 28-yard field goal on the last play of the game.

Michigan State easily defeated regional rival Western Michigan 38-14.

The Owls were led by quarterback Jeff Van Camp, who engineered four scoring drives in the win over UAB. Van Camp completed 14-of-24 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. Owls running back Alfred Morris finished with 103 yards on 16 carries and wide receiver Lester Jean caught nine passes for 164 yards. FAU had 347 yards in total offense.

The Spartans had an incredible debut by true freshman running back Le’Veon Bell.

Bell carried 10 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards ever by an MSU freshman in his first game.

Bell’s sidekick, Edwin Baker, gained 117 yards on 17 carries. The Spartans rushed for 297 yards total. Junior quarterback Kirk Cousins went over 3,000 career passing yards, completing 13-of-21 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown.


MSU’s defense limited Western Michigan to two touchdowns but the FAU defense allowed 345 yards rushing. UAB quarterback David Isabelle, rushed for 214 yards to establish a record for Conference USA quarterbacks. The Owls will have to contain the Spartans' ground game to stay in Saturday’s game.


Howard Schnellenberger, in his 10th season at FAU, is the only coach the Owls have had. After resurrecting programs at Miami and Louisville, he is attempting to do the same thing at FAU.

Fourth-year Spartans coach Mark Dantonio is 22-17.