What stood out the most from Saturday’s game was MSU’s ability to make big plays when they were needed.

Take senior linebacker Greg Jones, for example, who in the first half wrapped up an FAU runner who could have broken into the open field and had room to go.

Or junior safety Trenton Robinson, who made two big pass break-ups to break FAU’s offensive rhythm. Senior defensive end Colin Neely also made big plays as he registered three tackles for loss and was all over the field.

None of those plays single-handedly led the Spartans to victory Saturday, but without them, FAU could’ve come closer.

That’s what will allow MSU to leap from a six or seven win season to one that involves eight or more wins and perhaps a Big Ten championship.

The question heading into the year was not whether or not MSU had enough talent and experience returning this year — with 13 starters returning, they do — it was whether or not they had difference-makers or, at least, players who can rise to the occasion late in games.

Jones leads the defense and is a difference-maker, and junior wide receiver Keshawn Martin is also one, as he showed on his outstanding punt and kickoff returns Saturday.

But beyond them, MSU needs other players to step up and make a big play if it wants to have that special season head coach Mark Dantonio so desires.

As recent conference teams have proven, Big Ten championships are won by players on every unit being able to make big plays. MSU has proven it has the talent to win a lot of games, but this year it wants to do more than that — win the Big Ten championship. Plays like Martin’s kick returns are what separate decent teams from championship-winning ones.

Remember Adam Decker’s late tackle against Iowa on Oct. 4, 2008 that stopped the Hawkeyes on fourth-and-one? That was the same year MSU went 9-3 and landed an appearance in the Capital One Bowl.

With this year’s team boasting more talent than Dantonio has ever had in his four years as coach, the Spartans can expect similar results this season if they find players who can step up in late-game situations.

They found that out Saturday, with the defense making a late stop with less than five minutes remaining to force a questionable FAU field goal. Robinson, Neely and sophomore running back Edwin Baker, who had an 80-yard touchdown run Saturday, are all candidates to make big plays this year.

Saturday’s game could have wound up the same way as MSU’s loss against Central Michigan on Sept. 12 of last year, but enough big plays were made to prevent that result.

Saturday’s game was too different from last year’s loss to draw too many comparisons, but MSU’s big plays led them to victory against FAU.

Saturday’s win was ugly, but at least the Spartans saw their players step up into the difference-making role. Doing it against FAU isn’t the same as against Penn State, but at least it’s a good sign of moving forward.

Jeff Kanan is a State News football reporter. Reach him at kananjef@msu.edu