EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State fell to Illinois in overtime Saturday, but one Spartan stood out in the Week 6 loss. Senior running back Jaziun Patterson earned praise from head coach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday, who referred to him as the “Jazmanian Devil.”
After Patterson’s four‑touchdown performance, Fitzgerald challenged the rest of his roster to “attack the day like Jazz attacks it.” Patterson opened the season as RB2 behind starter Cam Edwards, but stepped in after Edwards suffered a season‑ending injury in Week 4. In the two games since, Patterson has totaled 155 rushing yards, 26 receiving yards, and four touchdowns, including two game‑tying scores against Illinois. He was named MSU’s offensive player of the week on Monday.
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(CONTINUED) Fitzgerald also detailed Patterson’s path to East Lansing. Patterson previously played alongside Fitzgerald’s son at Iowa, who encouraged his father to recruit him. MSU coaches told Patterson he would begin as Edwards’ backup, to which Fitzgerald said Patterson responded, “I don’t care who you bring in, I’ll be ready to go.” As injuries continue to thin MSU’s roster, Patterson’s emergence highlights the value of dependable depth.
Patterson was not the only player recognized. Fitzgerald said he “saw Les probably play his best game” about quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. The sophomore posted 196 yards and an 84.6% completion rate, maintaining accuracy through overtime without injured backup Cam Fancher available.
As MSU works to regroup from its overtime loss, Fitzgerald said performances like Patterson’s and Milivojevic’s show the standard the Spartans will need to carry into the second half of the season.
