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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Former MSU All-American Max Bullough expected to return to East Lansing

Tyler Gaylord
December 15, 2025

Max Bullough, a former Michigan State All-American and the eldest member of one of the program’s most storied football families, is expected to return to East Lansing — this time as a coach. After climbing the coaching ranks at Cincinnati, Alabama and Notre Dame, Bullough has been hired as MSU’s linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator on Pat Fitzgerald’s inaugural staff. His return adds both pedigree and familiarity to a rebuilding Spartan program, reconnecting MSU with a name that has shaped its identity for generations.

FOOTBALL

MSU football lands 18 high school recruits for 2026 class

Tyler Gaylord
December 8, 2025

Michigan State’s recruiting class survived a chaotic coaching transition as new head coach Pat Fitzgerald arrived just two days before National Signing Day. Despite the late change, MSU held onto 16 of its 20 committed recruits and added key flips to finish with the No. 46 class. With headliners Collin Campbell and Kayd Coffman on board and four-star Samson Gash waiting until February, the Spartans now turn to the transfer portal to shape next season’s roster.

FOOTBALL

Inside Pat Fitzgerald's $30 million contract and incentives

Kaspar Haehnle
December 3, 2025

Michigan State football has hired Pat Fitzgerald as its new head coach, and recently the terms and details of Fitzgerald's contract has come to light. The contract includes base salary, supplemental pay and heavy incentives that could make Fitzgerald one of the highest paid coaches in all of college football.

FOOTBALL

Pat Fitzgerald's journey to becoming MSU's 27th football coach

Kaspar Haehnle
December 2, 2025

Michigan State's recent head coaching hire Pat Fitzgerald has had an illustrious career of accolades, player highlights and coaching victories. From his playing career to his coaching career to even his termination from the team that he once thought he would never leave, Fitzgerald's journey to MSU is one of unusual circumstances.

FOOTBALL

Jonathan Smith fired after two seasons at MSU

Tyler Gaylord
November 30, 2025

Michigan State fired head coach Jonathan Smith after a 4-8 season marked by an eight-game losing streak, growing fan frustration and public criticism from prominent alumni like Magic Johnson. The move ends Smith’s two-year tenure at 9-15 and launches another coaching search for a program now seeking its fourth head coach since 2019.

FOOTBALL

MSU football survives 38-28 victory over Maryland in season-finale

Kaspar Haehnle
November 30, 2025

Michigan State beat Maryland 38–28 in a chaotic, back-and-forth game highlighted by Alante Brown’s 92-yard kickoff-return touchdown and Maryland freshman QB Malik Washington’s huge passing performance. But when Maryland had a chance to win late, MSU’s defense dominated, delivering a decisive sack on fourth down to seal the Spartans’ victory.

FOOTBALL

Fourth quarter collapse extends MSU losing streak to eight

Tyler Gaylord
November 22, 2025

Michigan State looked like it had finally turned a corner after a dominant third quarter, but a familiar fourth-quarter collapse erased a 10-point lead and handed Iowa a 20-17 win on a last-second field goal. The loss adds another chapter to a season defined by late-game failures, as the Spartans once again showed flashes of promise before unraveling when it mattered most.

FOOTBALL

MSU offensive line must improve to protect its future

Kaspar Haehnle
November 20, 2025

Michigan State football and its offensive line has been anything but productive this season. It's been inefficient and inconsistent, ranks at the bottom of the FBS statically and has lost MSU game after game. In order for MSU to have a future, the offensive line must protect it.

FOOTBALL

MSU’s losing streak extends to seven as offense struggles to find consistency

Tyler Gaylord
November 15, 2025

Michigan State opened its final home game with a 57-yard jolt of energy, but the spark didn’t last. Behind an inconsistent offense, protection issues and a late collapse, the Spartans fell 28-10 to Penn State, ending their bowl hopes for the fourth straight season. Elijah Tau-Tolliver’s breakout performance kept MSU afloat, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a dominant Nittany Lion front and a inefficiency to convert on third down.

FOOTBALL

MSU's defense fades in 28-10 loss to Penn State

Kaspar Haehnle
November 15, 2025

In Michigan States 28-10 loss to Penn State, its defense clawed and fought play after play. For three quarters it did this, playing with motivation and a willingness to get off the field. But when the fourth quarter began, these traits disappeared, and Penn State and its offense took advantage.

FOOTBALL

How MSU resists complete derailment amid six-game losing streak

Tyler Gaylord
November 14, 2025

Despite a six-game losing streak, Michigan State football continues to compete at a high level, showing resilience and effort in nearly every game. From close losses against rivals Michigan and Minnesota to leadership in the locker room, the Spartans remain committed, proving they can fight through adversity while keeping their season alive.