News Summary
Michigan State University football faced a humiliating defeat against UCLA, losing 38-13 in a match marked by a dramatic turnaround. After taking an early lead, the Spartans suffered 38 unanswered points, coupled with an injury to their quarterback Aidan Chiles. This loss drops MSU to a troubling 3-3 record, raising concerns about their coaching direction and upcoming challenges against No. 7 Indiana. As dissatisfaction among fans grows, questions arise about head coach Jonathan Smith’s future.
East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University (MSU) football faced a devastating defeat against UCLA, losing 38-13 on October 11, 2025. The loss comes as one of the most embarrassing moments in the program’s history, especially during what was expected to be a celebratory homecoming game. UCLA entered the contest with a disappointing 1-4 record but managed to outpower the Spartans with a dominant performance, marking MSU’s third consecutive loss in the Big Ten.
Initially, it seemed as though MSU had momentum when they took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, following a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Aidan Chiles. However, the tide turned dramatically as UCLA rattled off a staggering 38 unanswered points, including a staggering 27-point run in the first half, establishing an unassailable lead.
The Spartans’ performance suffered more when Chiles left the game due to an injury in the third quarter after taking a hard hit, contributing to MSU’s offensive woes. Up until that point, Chiles had completed 8 of 17 passes for 66 yards and scored one touchdown. Freshman Alessio Milivojevic took over the quarterback position but struggled, completing 8 of 18 passes for 100 yards along with a touchdown pass to Nick Marsh.
Nick Marsh was one of the few bright spots for MSU, finishing the game with 7 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. In contrast, UCLA’s performance was aided by their successful offense, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw for three touchdowns and resulting in 180 passing yards on 16 completions out of 24 attempts. Jalen Berger, a former MSU player, also had a standout game, scoring three total touchdowns with 89 rushing yards and 24 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, MSU’s defense struggled throughout the match, allowing UCLA to successfully convert a fake punt, a moment crucial to the Bruins’ commanding performance. The Spartans also faced challenges on offense, failing to convert on four attempts during critical fourth-down situations in the game.
This humiliating loss has now dropped MSU’s overall record to 3-3, with a dismal 0-3 standing in the Big Ten, prompting intense scrutiny on the team’s direction under head coach Jonathan Smith. Questions about Smith’s future as head coach are surfacing, with some fans calling for the elevation of popular assistant coach Courtney Hawkins to the interim head coach position.
The dissatisfaction of fans and significant donors is mounting, igniting discussions about the trajectory of the football program. The performance and setbacks have raised concerns about the retention of promising incoming recruits, especially in light of potential coaching changes. MSU’s next challenge will be facing No. 7 Indiana on October 18, as the team aims to rebound from this severe defeat. In the meantime, UCLA will look to build on their momentum as they prepare to host Maryland on the same day.
This loss underscores the uphill battle facing the Spartans as they navigate through a season filled with challenges and unfulfilled expectations.
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Additional Resources
- Spartans Wire
- Detroit Free Press
- ESPN
- Detroit News
- Wikipedia: Michigan State Spartans Football
- Google Search: Michigan State Spartans football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michigan State University
- Google News: Michigan State football
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