EAST LANSING, MI- The #12 ranked Michigan State Spartans opened the 2016 campaign with a 28-13 win over Furman at Spartan Stadium on Friday night.   The score doesn't really tell one how close the game actually was.    The Spartans didn't put the game away until the final 4:55 minute mark with a 12 yard touchdown pass from Tyler O'Conner to Jamal Lyles to seal the win. 

Tyler O'Conner now has the spotlight on him starting his first game this young season did finish with 13 of 18 passing good for 190 yards and 3 touchdown passes.    Leading the way for the Spartans on the ground was L.J. Scott with 105 yards rushing on 20 attempts.    This would be Michigan State's 18 straight home opener victory.   The Spartans lead 14-3 going into the halftime break and then would score another touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Michigan State now has a bye week before heading to South Bend to face the Notre Dame Irish and then returning home to face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Opener on September 24th.   This will be an interesting year for the Spartans who will have several performers in key positions without a great deal of experience.   Only time will tell.