While playing a lower-level FCS opponent, the Spartans got things done on both sides of the ball with improvements evident from their first two games. MSU finished with 458 total yards, only allowing 150 on defense. 

In 2021, the last time the Spartans started 3-0, they beat No. 24 Miami on the road. MSU travels to play No. 24 Boston College next Saturday in primetime. 

Against the Panthers, MSU was clearly the better team. At halftime, with MSU leading 27-0, those 70,000 fans became about half of what they were at kickoff. 

By the start of the fourth quarter, the backups were in to finish the job. 

One improvement that stood out was MSU's third down-efficiency. After an inefficient first game against Florida Atlantic in that category, the Spartans went 8-for-14 on third downs against Maryland last week, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. The Panther defense couldn't get off the field Saturday as MSU went 8-for-11 on third down. 

The ability to stay on the field has helped the MSU offense develop its chemistry. 

"I thought, offensively, there's a lot to like, especially on third down," Smith said postgame. "We’ve converted multiple times to get drives and come up with points, and so I did like that."

One problem that has plagued Michigan State so far this season: turnovers. Against Prairie View, the Spartans committed none. This was due to sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles and sixth year backup Tommy Schuster’s ability to hit open receivers and make smart decisions. 

Chiles and Schuster combined for a 68% completion percentage for 270 passing yards and one passing touchdown. On the ground, they both found the endzone on only four combined carries. 

The lack of turnovers can also be credited to the MSU offensive line, which showed strong pass protection numbers all season. So far, it has only allowed two sacks through three games, allowing none Saturday. 

As for the Spartan defense, it held the Panther offense scoreless. It was MSU's first shutout since 2022. 

In the second quarter, junior defensive back Chuck Brantley intercepted PVAM quarterback Cameron Peters and returned it 100 yards for a pick six. It was the second touchdown return of Brantley’s collegiate career and the longest returned interception in Michigan State history. 

"I haven't ran that well since high school," Brantley said. "(Holding the record) means a lot to me, but I know I have more in the tank."

As for Peters, his day didn’t get any better. He posted 123 passing yards, an interception and a 53% completion percentage. On the ground, the usually-nimble quarterback was kept in check, sacked three times. 

While the positives outweighed the negatives, penalties still caused issues for Smith and MSU. They tacked up 11 penalties for 88 yards, another double-digit penalty showing early in this season. 

If Michigan State wants to hang with better teams on its schedule – teams like Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan – the penalty problem must be solved.  

Another downside to Saturday for Michigan State was one out of its control: injuries. 

So far this season, the Spartans have been ravaged by the injury bug, with long-term injuries plaguing the team. Against Prairie View, this seemingly-contagious bug affected sophomore guard Gavin Brocious, who went down with a lower-body injury in the third quarter. 

Yet, the Spartan backups have embraced the "next man up" mentality, specifically at wide receiver. Last week against Maryland, freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh stepped up after wideout Alante Brown went down with an injury the week prior. 

On Saturday, sophomores Aziah Johnson and Antonio Gates Jr. played in elevated roles after junior wideout Jaron Glover got hurt against Maryland. 

Johnson and Gates found ways to get open, combining for five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. 

"It was nice for all three of those guys," Smith said. "You know, Marsh had some opportunities, Aziah was big in the red zone, Gates came in a couple of different times and had some nice catches. So, we've got some talent in there, those guys gotta keep on working. But we like where they're headed."

The dominant victory was expected for MSU. Next week, the Spartans have a tougher matchup at No. 24 Boston College, which played No. 6 Missouri close Saturday, losing 27-21. The ACC-Big Ten matchup will provide much more clarity of where this Spartan team currently stands. 

The Spartans will travel to Boston College Saturday, Sept. 21 for an 8 p.m. slate and BC's annual "Red Bandana" game honoring 9/11 hero Welles Crowther.