Nov 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) looks to pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
EAST LANSING ~ In a game that reflected the ups and downs of Michigan State’s season, the Spartans battled hard but came up short in a 23-20 overtime loss to Minnesota. It was a night of firsts and frustrations, as redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic made his first career start at quarterback, stepping into the spotlight with poise despite relentless pressure. The Spartans showed heart, clawing their way back into the game, but critical mistakes and a breakdown in protection ultimately sealed their fate. Seven sacks and two missed field goals loomed large, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
Milivojevic’s debut was a solid, as he completed 20 of 28 passes for 311 yards, averaging 11.1 yards per attempt. The offensive line struggled to contain Minnesota’s aggressive front, which was led by sophomore defensive back Kerry Brown and junior linebacker Maverick Baranowski, who combined for 11 tackles.
Despite the offensive line woes, Michigan State managed to stay competitive. Senior wide receiver Omari Kelly led the Spartans with eight catches for 94 yards. On the ground, senior running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver led the team with 127 rushing yards, including a massive 85-yard run that set up a touchdown by sophomore running back Brandon Tullis.
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(CONTINUED) Special teams played a pivotal role in the game’s outcome. Michigan State’s freshman kicker Martin Connington went 2-for-4 on field goal attempts, missing a crucial 23-yard try in the fourth quarter that could have shifted momentum. The Spartans’defense, led by senior defensive back Nikai Martinez with seven tackles, kept the game within reach, but Minnesota freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey sealed the win with a game-winning touchdown run in overtime.
The loss drops Michigan State to 3-6 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten play, extending its conference drought and intensifying pressure on head coach Jonathan Smith. While the scoreboard didn’t favor the Spartans, the game offered glimpses of promise, especially in the poise shown by Milivojevic under pressure. With three games left in the regular season, Michigan State will need to regroup quickly if it hopes to salvage bowl eligibility and end its conference skid.
