Observations: Aidan Chiles steady, Michigan State’s backfield shines

EAST LANSING – The first impression led to mixed reviews.

Michigan State jumped out to a three-score lead early before a lackluster finish offensively in a 23-6 season-opening win against Western Michigan on Friday.

Here are quick takeaways and observations from the game:

* Other than giving up a pair of chunk plays in the passing game, Michigan State’s defense carried the night by pitching a shutout. The few times the Broncos threatened, they were stymied with their lone points on a late pick-6.

Offensively, the Spartans dominated the first half with a strong run game and three touchdowns in the first four possessions before wilting over the final 30 minutes. Given the score and situation, going vanilla down the stretch made sense but the execution wasn’t there.

— Now in his second year as the starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles appeared more comfortable and displayed better decision making. The junior had a solid but unspectacular night by completing 17 of 23 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Chiles fumbled twice while being pressured with the lone turnover coming on a strip sack in the fourth quarter due to a free rusher. There were some high-level throws mixed with overshooting a few deep balls. He didn’t take the top off the defense but there will be more opportunities ahead.

After taking a 21-0 lead into halftime, Michigan State didn’t look eager to go much deeper in the playbook ahead of a visit from Boston College next week. That should provide a better look into Chiles’ progression and the offense overall.

— Coach Jonathan Smith’s confidence in an unproven backfield led by sophomores Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis was justified for at least one night as both put together career-best performances. Frazier got the start and finished with 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown while the more physical Tullis had seven rushes for 52 yards and a score. Elijah Tau-Tolliver, a transfer from Sacramento State, was third in the mix with eight carries for 17 yards in mostly late action.

It’s only one game but Frazier clearly looks like the top option with Tullis behind him and Tau-Tolliver running third. Michigan State gave Jay Coyne an increased number of snaps at fullback.

— In what seemed predictable based on fall camp talk, wide receiver Omari Kelly was a featured target in his Michigan State debut. He looked slippery while hauling in seven passes for 75 yards. Standout sophomore Nick Marsh was targeted five times for five grabs and 32 yards with a touchdown on a crossing route. There’s more potential in the pass game with receivers Rodney Bullard, Chrishon McCray and Evan Boyd but it was tempered in the opener.

— Upgrading the offensive line was a huge priority in the offseason and the early returns were strong with a few surprises. It seemed obvious Stanton Ramil would start at left tackle with Wake Forest grad transfer Matt Gulbin at center. The other starting jobs went to Gavin Broscious at left guard, Caleb Carter at right guard and FCS transfer Conner Moore at right tackle.

Michigan State went seven deep up front with Gulbin being the only constant. Moore worked both tackle spots while Ashton Lepo got snaps at right tackle and guard reps were split between the starters and Kristian Phillips. Following the game, Smith said transfer guard Luka Vincic was dealing with a recent foot injury but will be part of the rotation.

— As expected, a lot of guys played at a lot of spots on defense. The interior front – led by Alex VanSumeren – remained a high-rotation plus while stuffing Western on the ground.

It may take some time to sort through the new EDGE players but Anelu Lafaele and end Jalen Thompson each had a sack. Hall and Wayne Matthews were the primary linebackers with a mixture filtering behind them.

— At cornerback, veteran transfers Joshua Eaton and Malcolm Bell got the bulk of the reps at a position that didn’t rotate as much. With safety Nikai Martinez out due to injury, Armorion Smith replaced him to join Malik Spencer with Ade Willie as the primary nickelback.

— Ryan Eckley remains one of the nation’s top punters and is adding to his skillset. The Michigan State redshirt junior came through with a pair of pin punts inside the 5 – the second of which led to a safety – while expanding his game.

With the Spartans down a pair of top kicking options due to injury, Eckley took over kickoffs with two touchbacks in four attempts. He was also the long kicker option for the night and missed a 46-yard field goal – the first attempt of his career – as time expired in the first half. Walk-on Blake Sislo made all three of his extra-point attempts in his college debut but the Spartans are far from stable in the kicking game.