What Mark Dantonio said after Michigan State defeated Utah State

Michigan State entered Friday night’s game against Utah State as a three-touchdown favorite, but the No. 11 Spartans were pushed to the limit in the season opener.

A few late plays — a Felton Davis catch, a Connor Heyward touchdown and a Joe Bachie interception — helped the Spartans escape Week 1 with a victory. The game didn’t go according to play, but a win is a win.

Here’s what head coach Mark Dantonio had to say after the victory over Utah State:

MSU coach Mark Dantonio: "Great fourth quarter comeback by our football team again." Hits on the mistakes being a major factor.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 1, 2018

Dantonio: “We certainly make it interesting. I wish we wouldn’t, but that seems to be the trend sometimes.”

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) September 1, 2018

Dantonio on MSU having been in close games: "They've been there, they've had to do it before, there's no panic. It's just going about our business and making some plays."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 1, 2018

Dantonio: "We're able to play down the stretch, we've got the experience to be able to do that. There was no panic in our offense."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 1, 2018

Dantonio: "We just need to clean up some of our mistakes."

— Kara Keating (@kara_keating26) September 1, 2018

Dantonio on penalties, in particular inside the 5-yard line. "It's frustrating. Especially when you say, 'Don't jump offsides.'"

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 1, 2018

Dantonio: "The unforced penalties are what concern me."

— Souichi D. Terada (@SouichiTerada26) September 1, 2018

Dantonio: “Gotta be able to run the ball and win up front. I’ve said that for years.”

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) September 1, 2018

Dantonio on Felton Davis: "That was a huge catch" in the fourth quarter to set up the TD, then his 2-point catch.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 1, 2018