Tag: michigan state

Michigan State placed on 3-year probation, 14 wins vacated

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The past three seasons of Michigan State football have essentially been erased.

The Spartans will vacate all 14 of their wins from 2022 to 2024, which includes Jonathan Smith’s first year as their head coach, as part of the NCAA’s punishment over violations the program committed during former head coach Mel Tucker’s tenure. Michigan State football will also be put on probation for three years, during which the team’s official and unofficial visits, recruiting communications, recruiting person days, and off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations will be restricted.

The NCAA found that three ineligible players participated for the Spartans under Tucker. Although the NCAA concluded that Tucker wasn’t involved in the recruiting violations, the league still penalized him under head coach responsibility rules with a three-year show-cause order, which effectively bans him from college athletics for that duration. Tucker has contested the decision in writing.

In addition to the vacated wins and the probationary period, Michigan State will also be fined $30,000, plus 1.5% of the football program’s budget ($58.6 million in 2024).

As bad as the Spartans’ punishment may seem, it apparently could’ve been much worse. The school said that it negotiated a resolution to minimize the penalties on the current team.

“With this matter behind us, we are able to move forward, focusing on the present and future of Spartan football,” Michigan State president Kevin Guskiewicz and athletic director J Batt said in a joint statement.

The same can’t be said for ex-Spartans general manager Saeed Khalif and former assistant coach Brandon Jordan, who received show-cause penalties of six and five years, respectively. They received longer bans than Tucker because they knowingly provided impermissible recruiting inducements, per the NCAA.

Michigan State has struggled since firing Tucker in 2023 over sexual harassment accusations. The Spartans finished the 2023 season 4-8 and are 8-13 since Smith took over in 2024. That record includes a 3-6 overall mark this season, as well as an 0-6 record in Big Ten play.

–Field Level Media

Penn State, Michigan State chase end to 6-game losing streaks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Penn State and Michigan State both started the season 3-0, but that must feel like a distant memory.

The Nittany Lions and Spartans each hope to halt a six-game losing streak Saturday afternoon when they square off in a Big Ten matchup in University Park, Pa.

Penn State (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) has endured a nightmare of a season. Not only is the team winless in its last six games, but that stretch has included the firing of coach James Franklin, the loss of quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending ankle injury, and, most recently, a heartbreaking 27-24 defeat against then-No. 2 Indiana on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions were poised to beat the Hoosiers before allowing a touchdown — on a contested pass and a sensational toe-tapping catch by Omar Cooper Jr. — with 36 seconds left. Still, Penn State interim coach Terry Smith said he was pleased with the way his squad hung in against one of the nation’s best teams.

“Our guys are playing a little bit faster and a little bit looser,” Smith said. “You saw that on Saturday. They got after it. They were having fun.”

Nicholas Singleton, who had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score against Indiana, certainly will be a focal point of the Michigan State defense.

The Spartans (3-6, 0-6) outgained Minnesota 467-301 on Nov. 1 in their most recent game but lost 23-20 in overtime.

Following a bye week, Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith was not ready to reveal his plans at quarterback for the Penn State game.

Alessio Milivojevic made his first career start against the Golden Gophers and went 20 of 28 for 311 yards and a touchdown. Benched incumbent Aidan Chiles has thrown for 1,392 yards and 10 touchdowns against three interceptions this year, although the bulk of that success came in the first four games.

“Both those guys’ skill sets present some positive things, so we’re gonna let that play out again this week,” Smith said.

The Spartans and Nittany Lions both need to win their final three games to become bowl-eligible. Penn State has won four of the last five matchups between the schools.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Brandon Tullis (7) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Drake Lindsey keeps Minnesota afloat in comeback OT victory over Michigan State

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Drake Lindsey rushed for two touchdowns, including a game-winning 3-yard scramble in the first overtime, to lift Minnesota to a 23-20 win over Michigan State in a Big Ten Conference battle on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Fame Ijeboi rushed 17 times for 108 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota (6-3, 4-2), which secured bowl eligibility. Lindsey completed 26 of 39 passes for 197 yards in addition to rushing for a pair of touchdowns.

Alessio Milivojevic completed 20 of 28 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown in his first career start for Michigan State (3-6, 0-6). Elijah Tau-Tolliver rushed 11 times for 127 yards, and Rodney Bullard Jr. added four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown for the Spartans.

Lindsey won the game on a wild dash toward the left pylon. The play went to video review, which confirmed that the ball crossed the goal line before he stepped out of bounds.

The Golden Gophers erased a 20-17 deficit, which the Spartans held after Martin Connington kicked a 36-yard field goal on the opening possession of overtime.

Minnesota forced the extra session by evening the score at 17-all with 24 seconds remaining. Lindsey scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak.

On the previous drive, Michigan State grabbed a 17-10 lead with 1:52 to go. Brandon Tullis rushed for a 1-yard score two plays after Tau-Tolliver sprinted for 85 yards to put the Spartans in the red zone.

The Golden Gophers grabbed a 7-0 lead with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter. Ijeboi opened the drive with a 49-yard run to the Spartans’ 14-yard line, and four plays later he finished things off with a 1-yard touchdown run off the right side.

Minnesota made it 10-0 on Brady Denaburg’s 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

The Spartans sliced the deficit to 10-7 in the opening minute of the second half. Milivojevic rolled right and completed a pass to Bullard Jr., who caught the ball just shy of midfield and sprinted 55 yards untouched for a 71-yard touchdown.

Michigan State evened the score at 10-all with 14:16 remaining. Connington made a 34-yard field goal to finish a 12-play, 50-yard drive.

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kj Parker (1) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Lemeke Brockington (0) Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Minnesota plots for better execution vs. Michigan State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota is eager for a chance to prove itself.

P.J. Fleck says he and his coaching staff, not his players, have the most to prove.

The Golden Gophers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten Conference) will get a chance to move on from a lopsided loss last week when they face Michigan State (3-5, 0-5) on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The contest will come seven days after Minnesota lost 41-3 against border rival Iowa in a matchup that appeared even on paper before kickoff. Nearly everything that could go wrong did for the Golden Gophers, who fell behind 31-0 by halftime.

Fleck said he wants to see better execution this weekend against the Spartans.

“I never, never question how hard we play and our toughness, but we executed very poorly,” Fleck said. “So when you execute poorly, that comes down to the coaching staff, that comes down to me, and I take full responsibility for that.”

Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey will try to bounce back from one of his toughest performances as a first-year starter. He passed for only 109 yards and threw three interceptions against the Hawkeyes, which matched the number of picks he had thrown all season.

Fleck said he had full confidence in Lindsey, who has passed for 1,546 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions for the year.

“One thing about him is he’s got a great failing mechanism where he can flush it, learn and move on,” Fleck said. “Nobody works harder than that young man.”

Michigan State will look for its first conference win in a dismal season. The Spartans have lost five games in a row, including 31-20 to then-No. 25 Michigan a week ago.

The losses have put the spotlight on Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith, who could be on the hot seat along with his assistants. Smith said he meets weekly with the school’s athletic director and that he appreciates the pressure to win.

“I love being in a place that’s competitive,” Smith said. “I want to get things right. I want to come out on the right side of the scoreboard. And that’s where we’re at right now.”

Aidan Chiles leads Michigan State at quarterback. He has passed for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions and has rushed for 227 yards and six scores.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Fernando Mendoza throws for 4 TDs as No. 3 Indiana beats Michigan State

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Fernando Mendoza passed for 332 yards and four touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt, as No. 3 Indiana pulled away for a 38-13 Big Ten victory over Michigan State at Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday.

Mendoza completed 24 of 28 attempts. Omar Cooper Jr. caught eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, while E.J. Williams had five receptions for 59 yards and a score. Sarratt caught four passes for 70 yards, and Kaelon Black rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries.

The Hoosiers (7-0 overall, 4-0 conference) were coming off a statement win over Oregon.

Aidan Chiles completed 27 of 33 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown for Michigan State (3-4, 0-4), which has lost four straight. Chiles also led the rushing attack with 48 yards on eight carries. Nick Marsh caught seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

The Hoosiers scored two touchdowns in the last seven minutes of the first half to grab a 21-10 halftime lead.

Michigan State got on the board first, as Matt Connington kicked a 38-yard field goal. All of the Spartans’ touchdown drives required at least 75 yards.

Mendoza hooked up with Williams on a 13-yard scoring strike late in the first quarter. The Spartans briefly regained the advantage on Chiles’ 15-yard pass to Marsh with 9:22 left in the half.

Indiana only needed five plays to regain the lead. Mendoza’s 39-yard pass to Riley Nowakowski set up a 24-yard touchdown pass to Sarratt.

During the Hoosiers’ next possession, Mendoza completed a fourth-down pass to Cooper. Black then scored on a 29-yard run up the middle.

Following a weather-delayed second half, the Hoosiers increased their lead to 28-10 less than two minutes into the second half. Mendoza connected with Cooper on a 48-yard scoring play.

The Spartans missed a long field-goal attempt before Indiana’s next score. Sarratt caught his second touchdown pass of the game, this time from 27 yards out.

The teams traded field goals in the closing minutes.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to throw the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Skidding Michigan State faces daunting challenge at No. 3 Indiana

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana left no doubt over the weekend that it is a legitimate playoff contender. Following that statement victory on the road over then-No. 3 Oregon, the Hoosiers now seemingly get a schedule break.

They will oppose reeling Michigan State on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza bounced back from a game-tying pick-six early in the fourth quarter at Oregon to throw a go-ahead, 8-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.

Nico Radicic’s 22-yard field goal sealed the 30-20 win over the Ducks. Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) vaulted to No. 3 in the rankings this week.

Now, the challenge for the Hoosiers is to not get overconfident.

“Rip off the rearview mirror, so to speak. Total focus on Michigan State,” coach Curt Cignetti said. “I think the key now is our response coming off of this game.”

Mendoza, a transfer in his first season at Indiana, already has surpassed his passing touchdown total from last season at Cal. He threw for 16 scores in 386 attempts in 2024. He has racked up 17 in 153 attempts this season while completing 71.2% of his passes.

“The quarterback is the key figure. He gets too much credit and too much blame,” Cignetti said. “You know, he overcame adversity. That (pick-six) play wasn’t all on him, but at the end of the day, the ball came off his hand.

“… You don’t go on the road and win a game like this without being able to overcome adversity and never let doubt or frustration creep in. And that was a prime example of that.”

Mendoza has been complemented by a rushing attack averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. The defense has allowed just 11.3 points per game. Oregon was limited to 267 total yards, and Ducks quarterback Dante Moore was picked off twice and sacked six times.

“This team has met every challenge up to this point, because they’ve been hungry and humble, prepared properly and put it on the field,” Cignetti said.

It was uncertain who would start at quarterback for the Spartans, as Aidan Chiles was considered questionable early in the week due to an undisclosed injury. He left in the third quarter last Saturday after taking a hard hit during a 38-13 home loss to UCLA.

If Chiles can’t go, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic would get the nod. He threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after Chiles was sidelined.

“(Milivojevic) showed some good signs,” coach Jonathan Smith said. “We do have confidence in his capabilities and his preparation.”

The Spartans (3-3, 0-3) have lost three straight, all in conference, while giving up 121 points. The pressure from alumni and fans on Smith, who is in his second year in the program, has increased.

“Definitely, I have a greater awareness when things are out there, whether they’re talking about me particularly or things around the program,” Smith said.

A game against the undefeated Hoosiers couldn’t have come at a worse time for Michigan State. Indiana clobbered the Spartans 47-10 in East Lansing, Mich., last season.

Smith and his staff met with his team on Sunday after the UCLA debacle.

“Let’s face it — six games in, 3-3 and coming off a loss that was not good enough, obviously. We leaned on the leadership of this team,” he said. “The discussions were of what we want this thing to look like looking forward and any potential issues we might have.”

–Field Level Media

Michigan State's Aidan Chiles warms up before the football game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles out after hit vs. UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles was knocked out of Saturday’s home game in the third quarter against UCLA after absorbing a big hit on a running play.

Chiles was on the move in the third quarter when he was spun around by a UCLA defender before taking a hit from Bruins defensive lineman Keanu Williams. Chiles took a glancing blow off his helmet with just over 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter before absorbing much of the hit to his left shoulder.

Chiles was tended to by the Spartans’ medical staff then spent time in the sideline medical tent while Alessio Milivojevic took over at QB with the Spartans trailing 24-7.

Chiles was 8-of-17 passing for 66 yards and had six carries for nine yards and a touchdown as Michigan State struggled to move the ball against UCLA, which entered 1-4.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) scores a touchdown on 1 yard run during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

UCLA’s task: Produce impressive encore at Michigan State

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After his team shocked the college football world last week, the next objective for UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper is to avoid being “one-hit wonders” as they head into a Big Ten contest Saturday afternoon at Michigan State.

UCLA is coming off a stunning home upset of then-No. 7 Penn State, becoming the first 0-4 team to beat a team ranked in the Top 10 since an 0-6 UTEP squad stunned No. 7 BYU on Oct. 26, 1985.

While basking in the glow and taking countless congratulations from coaching friends and school alumni, Skipper hopes it is the start of something for the rest of this season and not an aberration. UTEP, for example, finished its 1985 season 1-10.

“I’m a 24-hour type guy,” Skipper said. “Once we started our team meeting (Sunday), it was watch, correct and critique things. Enjoy the good moments from the game, but then we moved on pretty quickly after that. We don’t want to be one-hit wonders. That’s the whole key to this thing. Do not be a one-hit wonder.”

UCLA (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten) hopes to make it two in a row when it opposes Michigan State (3-2, 0-2), which has a head coach familiar with the Bruins.

Jonathan Smith grew up in Pasadena, Calif., and has been rumored to be a candidate for the full-time UCLA job since DeShaun Foster was fired after Week 3.

Smith was impressed with what UCLA did against Penn State, particularly with the way quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran the ball. In addition to throwing for 166 yards and two touchdowns, the Tennessee transfer rushed 16 times for 128 yards and three scores.

“You look at the quarterback and how he hurt them with his legs,” Smith said. “The ability to run. I know he’s one of their leading rushers. But that part stood out, how he ran with the ball and really willingly made some plays for that offense.”

Michigan State also boasts a talented dual-threat quarterback in Aidan Chiles, who will look to rebound from a poor passing performance against Nebraska.

Chiles, who rushed for two scores, completed just 9 of 23 passes for 85 yards and two interceptions in the Spartans’ 38-27 road loss. Smith believes a lot of it was the byproduct of poor protection from the offensive line.

“It showed up being worse than it was on the film,” he said. “We’ve got to get a cleaner pocket for him.”

This will be the first meeting between UCLA and Michigan State since 1974. The all-time series is tied 3-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

Emmett Johnson powers Nebraska past Michigan State

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Emmett Johnson ran for 83 yards and three touchdowns and Carter Nelson returned a blocked punt for a score Saturday as host Nebraska rallied for a 38-27 victory over Michigan State.

Dylan Raiola also completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown for the Cornhuskers (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten).

The Spartans (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) tied it at 14 in the third quarter when quarterback Aidan Chiles scored on a 16-yard run on a fourth-and-4 play.

On the Cornhuskers’ following possession, Raiola was intercepted by Jordan Hall. Seven plays later, Chiles ran four yards for a touchdown to give the Spartans their first lead, 21-14.

Chiles finished 9 of 23 for 85 yards and two interceptions to go along with the two rushing scores.

Nebraska evened the game with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter when Johnson picked up his second touchdown on a 23-yard run. On the ensuing kickoff, Michigan State’s Sam Edwards fumbled and Neb Nelson recovered at the Spartans’ 28, setting up Kyle Cunanan’s 27-yard field goal with 13:32 left in the game.

Nebraska later added Raiola’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Nyziah Hunter and Johnson’s 11-yard scoring run to go up 38-21.

Michigan State backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic closed the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Neither team could get their offense rolling in the first half as they combined for just 138 yards of offense.

On the Cornhuskers’ first possession, Johnson ‘s two-yard run gave the Cornhuskers a 7-0 lead. Nebraska went ahead 14-0 when Jamir Conn blocked Ryan Eckley’s punt and Carter Nelson scooped up the ball at the Spartans 3 and ran it in for a score.

Chiles was forced from the game at the start of the second quarter when he was sacked by Elijah Jeudy on a first-and-goal from the Nebraska 6. Milivojevic replaced Chiles for two plays and tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jack Velling to pull the Spartans within 14-7.

Chiles, who returned to the field on Michigan State’s next offensive series, was intercepted twice by DeShon Singleton in the second quarter, but Nebraska was unable to convert the turnovers into points.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes against the Akron Zips during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska’s pass offense plots to pick on Michigan State’s defense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When Michigan State visits Nebraska on Saturday, both teams will be coming off a bye week with hopes of rebounding from a recent loss and reigniting the Big Ten campaign.

The Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) fell at home to Michigan 30-27 on Sept. 20. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said everyone involved with the program was frustrated with the outcome.

“No one cares about your feelings,” Rhule said. “I was frustrated, they were frustrated, play better. That’s the message, play better, practice better, no one’s coming to rescue you. There’s a lot of really good teams out there that are frustrated after a loss.”

Both Rhule and Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith focused on evaluating and addressing their teams’ biggest concerns heading into the Saturday matchup.

Rhule said the emphasis is on running the ball and also stopping the run. Nebraska’s run defense is allowing 173.5 yards per game, tied for 108th in the country, while the Cornhuskers are gaining 144.8 yards per contest on the ground, 86th in the nation.

And now they face Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles. In four games this season, he has thrown for 868 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception while adding 154 yards and two scores on the ground.

“He is dynamic,” Rhule said of Chiles. “He can run. We’ll obviously see the quarterback draw and all the things that we’ve seen. So we’ll have to be prepared to stop that. But it’s also him, his ability to run behind the line of scrimmage when needed to and create plays. (He’s an) explosive player, one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten.”

Michigan State (3-1, 0-1) lost 45-31 to Southern California on Sept. 20 in Los Angeles.

The Spartans have struggled stopping the pass, allowing 263.5 yards per game, which ranks 115th in FBS. They will have their hands full facing Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, who has thrown for 1,137 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception through four games.

Nebraska is second in the nation in passing offense at 351.8 yards per game and 12th in scoring at 43.5 points per contest.

“Good football team,” Smith said of the Cornhuskers. “They can score points. Quarterback’s one of the better ones we’re going to play. You can see their stats and points scored and passing yards.

“We got a real, real challenge coming Saturday.”

–Field Level Media