MSU's defense fades in 28-10 loss to Penn State
(11/16/25 2:55am)
Michigan State football fought, but again it couldn’t finish, and again it lost, this time to Penn State, falling 28-10.
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Michigan State football fought, but again it couldn’t finish, and again it lost, this time to Penn State, falling 28-10.
On Nov. 1, Michigan State football experienced the feeling of defeat — a feeling it knows all too well. The loss marked the Spartans’ sixth straight, and their last win came Sept. 13 against Youngstown State.
Michigan State football has been placed on a three-year probationary period by the NCAA after investigators found that former staff members "arranged and provided impermissible recruiting inducements and benefits and unofficial visit expenses" during the tenure of former head coach Mel Tucker.
Finish drives. Finish games. Finish the season – preferably with victories.
A poor product on the field isn’t the only thing upsetting MSU football fans at Spartan Stadium.
Walk along the banks of the Red Cedar and carefully observe every student who passes. Some scurry to class with haste; others sit perched on a blanket with ease. Some drive, some bike, some walk and talk, gossip and sing. Some walk alone, listening to music or thinking about how comfortable the couch will feel after a long day’s work. Some have long hair, some have short hair, and some have no hair at all. There are differences in race, class, age, ethnicity, and gender. There are so many differences between everyone that it all seems perfect.
Three plays, 75 yards and just 49 seconds. That’s how fast Michigan State scored on its opening drive of the second half — an offensive revival led by redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, keeping his team in the game with its first score of the day.
With seven seconds left in the game, redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic fired into the end zone and found his receiver for a 21-yard touchdown. The score had no effect on the outcome of the rivalry matchup — it only cut Michigan State’s deficit against Michigan to 31-20 — but it capped an impressive 2:41 drive to end the game.
What happens when the eye in the sky leaves the nest to coach from the field?
A roaring crowd welcomed Michigan’s offense as it approached the line of scrimmage for its first third down of the second half. Redshirt senior cornerback Malcolm Bell crept up before the snap, looking to make an impact — and he did. Bell charged full speed at the quarterback and forced a fumble.
In the most important football game of the season, Michigan State’s offense didn’t show up.
117 total meetings of bitter hatred, where two in-state college football rivals dream of the opportunity to rip each other's heart out, all while dividing households of the many; brother against brother, father against daughter, husband against wife. Spartan against Wolverine. Meeting 118 of Michigan State (3-4, 0-4) versus Michigan (5-2, 3-1) kicks off on Saturday.
Although an autumn breeze and rain rushed through Michigan State University’s campus, it didn’t stop members of the Spartan Marching Band and alumni from showing up for the annual Sparty Watch on Wednesday night, rekindling the spirit and tradition that defines Rivalry Week.
"That [game] is different. That [game] is important. … I will not forget that [game]."
By the time Michigan State kicks off against Michigan on Saturday, 1,455 days will have passed since the Spartans last beat their in-state rival.
Touchdown Michigan State.
Indiana scored touchdowns on each of its first possessions drives against Michigan State’s defense — and the Spartans had no answers. No adjustments. No stops. Just one touchdown after another.
After falling to USC in a back-and-forth offensive showdown, Michigan State sat 3-1 with what looked to be a proficient passing unit — an offensive spark that hasn’t been seen since.
Loss. Loss. Loss. For weeks this word has been relevant to a program that has struggled to find any sort of success. There has been a loss of games. There has been a loss of recruits. There has been a loss of hope.
On Oct. 17, 2015, Michigan State stunned the college football world with one of the most unforgettable endings in history — a last-second touchdown return by Jalen Watts-Jackson after a botched Michigan punt, a play now known as "Trouble with the Snap."