EAST LANSING, Oct. 11, 2025 ~ Michigan State’s homecoming turned sour as the Spartans were overwhelmed by UCLA, falling 38-13 in East Lansing. The game started with promise when sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles led a balanced opening drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run, giving MSU a 7-0 lead. But that would be the last time the Spartans found the end zone until late in the fourth quarter. UCLA responded with 38 unanswered points, led by sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s 180 passing yards and three touchdowns. Former Spartan and now Bruins senior running back Jalen Berger added three touchdowns of his own, including a 16-yard direct snap score that flipped the momentum early.
The game’s turning point came on a fourth-and-inches gamble deep in MSU territory. Offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren called a toss sweep to sophomore running back Makhi Frazier, which was stuffed by UCLA’s defense. “It was a weird look,” said senior offensive lineman Matt Gulbin. “We shifted back. It wasn’t really exactly what we wanted to do.” Three plays later, Berger scored, and the Bruins never looked back. Michigan State’s defense struggled to adjust to UCLA’s unscouted looks, a result of midseason coaching changes. “You’re going to get unscouted looks every game,” said junior linebacker Jordan Hall. “We just have to respond better and execute.”
SOCIAL MEDIA:
(CONTINUED) Injuries and execution issues plagued the Spartans throughout. Chiles was knocked out of the game in the third quarter after a sack by senior defensive lineman Keanu Williams, marking his second consecutive game leaving due to injury. Freshman backup Alessio Milivojevic stepped in and threw a late touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh, who finished with seven catches for 77 yards. “We can run the ball. We can pass protect,” Gulbin said. “We just have to do a better job of it.” The Spartans failed to convert on four fourth-down attempts and were outgained 418-253 in total yards.
Despite the loss, team leaders emphasized resilience and belief. “It’s not a week-to-week thing,” Hall said. “It’s something we’ve been building since January.” He referenced a defensive mantra: “Good times create soft people. Soft people create hard times. Hard times create good people.” The Spartans, now 3-3 and winless in Big Ten play, head to Indiana next week hoping to turn the tide. “We just gotta face this loss in the face, get better from it, watch the film and move on,” Gulbin said. “That’s all we can do.”
760 WJR TOP STORIES:
Photo: Nick King ~ Imagn Images
