“We just got to play better, execute better,” junior linebacker Jordan Hall said. “It’s a little unfortunate bringing that performance to such a big crowd, but we’ve got to continue to prepare throughout the week to be able to execute in these big games.”

The committed MSU fans who stuck around to watch the homecoming spirit drain from Spartan Stadium were rewarded with a fourth-quarter touchdown from sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh — only the team’s second of the game. But that late spark could not make up for the Spartans’ struggles. After junior quarterback Aidan Chiles scored on the opening drive, UCLA went on a 38-0 run, and MSU completely fell apart.

Questionable coaching decisions, overthrows and blown coverages led to a disastrous performance.

The most concerning decision came on fourth-and-1 from MSU’s own 34-yard line. Instead of a simple quarterback sneak, the Spartans ran a toss play to sophomore running back Makhi Frazier that was stuffed for a loss.

“We were gonna sneak it. They [UCLA] squeezed it, then [we] checked it to an outside play and lost one-on-ones out there,” Smith said.

This loss feels different. The previous two were competitive and showed flashes of progress — things MSU could build on.

Against USC, a game that had all the makings of a blowout against the nation’s top scoring offense and an 11 p.m. Eastern kickoff, the Spartans remained competitive for three quarters, entering the fourth down just one score in a 31-24 game.

A 45-31 final did not reflect the fight they showed. Chiles’ productive passing performance, which included no turnovers, provided some promise. The defense, however, was the Achilles’ heel, unable to get stops and missing its captain, Hall, who was ejected for targeting early in the second quarter.

A 38-27 loss to Nebraska followed — a game with fewer positives that left the fan base angry after a winnable game slipped away due to simple mistakes.

A muffed kick return in a 21-21 game proved to be the backbreaker, while the offense, particularly Chiles, struggled to move the ball. He went 9-of-23 for 85 yards with two interceptions.

The defense, however, delivered its best performance of the year, compiling five sacks and an interception behind relentless pressure.

But Saturday’s showing was one the staff will look to bury. Aside from a 10-play, 59-yard opening drive that ended in a touchdown, every facet of the team failed to produce. UCLA looked more energized and took advantage of every one-on-one opportunity.

“I don’t think we matched UCLA’s new life, new energy on some one-on-ones, and we got beat,” Smith said.

The Bruins outgained MSU by 165 yards, recorded six more first downs and scored 25 more points — dampening the mood on what was supposed to be a celebratory weekend in East Lansing.

The pressure to win is now at an all-time high for Smith after a disappointing loss that dropped his team to 3-3, but he accepts it.

“I think there’s always pressure. This is what you sign up for,” Smith said. “Your own expectations are really what you’re chasing.”

The Spartans will spend the next week regrouping and trying to figure out what went wrong before traveling to Bloomington, Indiana, for their biggest challenge yet — a matchup with No. 7 Indiana.