Michigan State Football Suffers Blowout Loss to UCLA

East Lansing, Michigan, October 14, 2025

News Summary

Michigan State football’s disappointing season continues with a 38-13 defeat against UCLA at Spartan Stadium. This marks the Spartans’ third consecutive loss, dropping their record to 3-3 after an initial 3-0 start. The team struggled offensively, managing only two touchdowns while their defense allowed UCLA to outgain them by 165 yards. Frustrated fans expressed their disappointment during the homecoming game, and head coach Jonathan Smith faces mounting pressure to improve team performance as they prepare for the upcoming match against Indiana.

East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State football’s struggles continued as they faced an embarrassing 38-13 blowout loss to UCLA on October 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium. This defeat not only marked the Spartans’ third consecutive loss but also dropped their season record to 3-3 after a promising start of 3-0.

The homecoming game turned sour as frustrated fans booed the team at halftime, witnessing a disappointing performance that included only two touchdowns against UCLA. Early in the game, junior quarterback Aidan Chiles managed to lead Michigan State to their first touchdown with an opening drive score; however, the offense soon faltered, allowing UCLA to execute a dominant 38-0 run.

The Spartans’ second touchdown came late in the fourth quarter from sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh, but it offered little consolation as the team struggled throughout the match. An especially controversial moment occurred during the first half when a decision to run a toss play to running back Makhi Frazier on a fourth-and-1 from their own 34-yard line resulted in a turnover on downs, further contributing to the team’s woes.

Michigan State’s defense faced challenges as well, particularly after the ejection of team captain Jordan Hall for targeting in the second quarter. The lack of leadership was evident as the Spartans were outgained by UCLA by an alarming 165 yards, highlighting severe issues in both scoring and yardage compared to their opponents. The defense’s inability to step up affected the entire team’s performance, leading to a scenario where Michigan State managed to score on only two of ten offensive drives, resulting in several turnovers, punts, or lost fumbles.

The passing game struggled significantly; Chiles completed 8 of 17 passes for just 66 yards before being replaced by backup Alessio Milivojevic, who also had a difficult outing, completing 8 of 18 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. With this performance, the likelihood of the Spartans reaching bowl eligibility this season appears grim, dimming hopes for a turnaround.

Prior to the loss to UCLA, Michigan State had also faced setbacks against notable opponents, including a close game against USC which ended 45-31 and a disappointing 38-27 defeat against Nebraska. As a result of these losses, fans have become increasingly disheartened with the team’s trajectory under Head Coach Jonathan Smith. Following the game, Smith acknowledged the mounting pressure of expectations, especially after a defeat of this magnitude.

The road ahead does not become any easier for the Spartans, as they will face the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers on October 18, 2025. The program, now under scrutiny, is searching for answers and improvements to halt their losing streak and recover from one of their most humiliating losses in recent history.

Key Statistics from the Game

• Michigan State – 13 points
• UCLA – 38 points
• Michigan State record – 3-3
• Yardage difference – UCLA outgained MSU by 165 yards
• Offensive drives (MSU) – 10 (2 touchdowns, turnovers, punts, lost fumbles)
• Passing statistics (Chiles) – 8 of 17 for 66 yards
• Passing statistics (Milivojevic) – 8 of 18 for 100 yards, 1 touchdown

Upcoming Match

Michigan State is set to play against the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers next, hoping to improve their performance and salvage their season in the coming weeks.

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Additional Resources

• Detroit Free Press: Jonathan Smith and Michigan State Football
• Sports Illustrated: Michigan State vs. UCLA Analysis
• WLNS: Michigan State Football Live Updates
• Wikipedia: Michigan State Spartans Football
• Google Search: Michigan State Spartans Football Update

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