FAU was defeated in a 30-17 loss as it traveled to Detroit  to play as the home team at Ford Field against Michigan State University on Saturday, Sept. 11.

MSU got off to a 10-0 lead with a field goal and a nine-yard touchdown run by running back Le’Veon Bell in the opening minutes of the first quarter.

The Owls responded by giving running back Alfred Morris plenty of touches, but his only score came in the first quarter on a two-yard touchdown run. Morris finished the day with 57 yards on 20 carries.

The Spartans continued to rack up points as quarterback Kirk Cousins completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver B.J. Cunningham in the second quarter. Cousins finished the day 9-17 for 142 yards and the one touchdown.

MSU added a 41-yard field goal through kicker Dan Conroy to take a 20-7 lead late in the first half.

MSU running back Edwin Baker began the third quarter by rushing for an 80-yard touchdown. Baker completed the day rushing for 183 yards on 15 carries.

It wasn’t until late in the third quarter that FAU got something going as quarterback Jeff Van Camp completed his first and only touchdown pass of the day to running back Xavier Stinson, making the score 27-14 in favor of the Spartans. Van Camp ended the day going 23-35 for 215 yards.

The Owls then found the momentum they were looking for as cornerback Tarvoris Hill intercepted a pass in the end zone in the third quarter. The excitement was short-lived, as MSU recovered a fumble by Van Camp on the MSU 26-yard line on the ensuing drive.

Following the fumble recovery, Conroy booted a 50-yard field goal to increase the Spartans’ lead to 30-14.

FAU made the score more respectable with a late field goal from kicker Ross Gornall.

FAU plays its first game at Lockhart Stadium against the University of North Texas on Saturday, Sept. 25.