The 2025 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium located in East Lansing, Michigan, and were led by second-year head coach Jonathan Smith.
After beating Youngstown State on September 3, Smith became the first Spartan head coach to start his first two seasons 3–0. However, the Spartans lost their next eight games before winning their final game of the season to finish the season 4–8, 1–8 in Big Ten play.
On November 30, the school fired Smith after two seasons. Shortly thereafter, the school named former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald the team's new coach.
Schedule
Game summaries vs Western Michigan
Statistics WMUMSU First downs 10 20 Plays–yards 57–217 65–341 Rushes–yards 24–29 41–186 Passing yards 188 155 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–33–1 17–24–1 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 23:13 36:47 Team Category Player Statistics Western Michigan Passing Brady Jones 11/23, 97 yards, INT Rushing Jalen Buckley 9 carries, 21 yards Receiving Baylin Brooks 3 receptions, 85 yards Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 17/23, 155 yards, TD Rushing Makhi Frazier 14 carries, 103 yards, TD Receiving Omari Kelly 7 receptions, 75 yards
vs Boston College
Statistics BCMSU First downs 25 21 Plays–yards 70–457 64–380 Rushes–yards 25–67 35–149 Passing yards 390 231 Passing: –– 34–45–0 19–29–0 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 30:12 29:48 Team Category Player Statistics Boston College Passing Dylan Lonergan 34/45, 390 yards, 4 TD Rushing Turbo Richard 13 carries, 55 yards, TD Receiving Lewis Bond 11 receptions, 90 yards Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 19/29, 231 yards, 4 TD Rushing Makhi Frazier 17 carries, 81 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 5 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD
vs Youngstown State (FCS)
Statistics YSUMSU First downs 14 23 Plays–yards 61–339 62–444 Rushes–yards 26–97 33–174 Passing yards 242 270 Passing: –– 24–35–1 22–29–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:54 30:06 Team Category Player Statistics Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 24/34, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jaden Gilbert 7 carries, 72 yards, TD Receiving Max Tomczak 7 receptions, 78 yards Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 22/29, 270 yards, TD, INT Rushing Aidan Chiles 8 carries, 76 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 6 receptions, 94 yards
at No. 25 USC
Statistics MSUUSC First downs 20 27 Plays–yards 55–337 66–523 Rushes–yards 32–112 40–289 Passing yards 225 234 Passing: –– 13–23–0 20–26–0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 28:54 31:06 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 12/21, 212 yards, 3 TD Rushing Makhi Frazier 14 carries, 61 yards Receiving Omari Kelly 6 receptions, 133 yards, TD USC Passing Jayden Maiava 20/26, 234 yards, 3 TD Rushing Waymond Jordan 18 carries, 157 yards Receiving Makai Lemon 8 receptions, 127 yards, TD
at Nebraska
Statistics MSUNEB First downs 17 15 Plays–yards 68–240 55–261 Rushes–yards 38–84 31–67 Passing yards 156 194 Passing: –– 15–30–2 16–24–1 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 33:24 26:36 Team Category Player StatisticsMichigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 9/23, 85 yards, 2 INT Rushing Makhi Frazier 18 carries, 58 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 4 receptions, 41 yardsNebraska Passing Dylan Raiola 16/24, 194 yards, TD, INT Rushing Emmett Johnson 13 carries, 83 yards, 3 TD Receiving Nyziah Hunter 4 receptions, 93 yards, TD
vs UCLA
Statistics UCLAMSU First downs 20 14 Plays–yards 67-418 60-253 Rushes–yards 43-238 25-87 Passing yards 180 166 Passing: –– 16-24-0 16-35-0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 36:24 23:36 Team Category Player Statistics UCLA Passing Nico Iamaleava 16/24, 180 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jalen Berger 12 carries, 89 yards, TD Receiving Mikey Matthews 2 receptions, 46 yards Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 8/18, 100 yards, TD Rushing Makhi Frazier 12 carries, 58 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 7 receptions, 77 yards, TD
at No. 3 Indiana (Old Brass Spittoon)
Statistics MSU IU First downs 19 24 Plays–yards 65–367 57–464 Rushes–yards 24–74 28–132 Passing yards 293 332 Passing: –– 30–38–0 24–28–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 31:14 28:46
Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 27/33, 243 yards, TD Rushing Aidan Chiles 8 carries, 48 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 7 receptions, 64 yards, TD Indiana Passing Fernando Mendoza 24/28, 332 yards, 4 TD Rushing Kaelon Black 10 carries, 64 yards, TD Receiving Omar Cooper Jr. 8 receptions, 115 yards, TD
vs No. 25 Michigan (Paul Bunyan Trophy)
Statistics MICHMSU First downs 20 18 Plays–yards 67–362 72–305 Rushes–yards 49–276 38–115 Passing yards 86 190 Passing: –– 8-17-0 19-34-0 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:27 30:33 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 8/17, 86 yards Rushing Justice Haynes 26 carries, 152 yards, 2 TD Receiving Andrew Marsh 3 receptions, 54 yards Michigan State Passing Aidan Chiles 14/28, 130 yards Rushing Makhi Frazier 14 carries, 109 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 6 receptions, 75 yards
at Minnesota
Statistics MSUMINN First downs 19 18 Plays–yards 69–467 62–301 Rushes–yards 41–156 23–104 Passing yards 311 197 Passing: –– 20–28–0 26–39–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 34:34 25:26 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 20/28, 311 yards, TD Rushing Elijah Tau-Tolliver 11 carries, 127 yards Receiving Rodney Bullard Jr. 4 receptions, 102 yards, TD Minnesota Passing Drake Lindsey 26/39, 197 yards Rushing Fame Ijeboi 17 carries, 108 yards, TD Receiving Javon Tracy 7 receptions, 61 yards
vs Penn State (Land Grant Trophy)
Statistics PSUMSU First downs 19 13 Plays–yards 63–367 49–229 Rushes–yards 50–240 22–101 Passing yards 127 128 Passing: –– 8–13–0 17–27–0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 37:19 22:41 Team Category Player Statistics Penn State Passing Ethan Grunkemeyer 8/13, 127 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kaytron Allen 25 carries, 181 yards, 2 TD Receiving Devonte Ross 2 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 17/27, 128 yards Rushing Elijah Tau-Tolliver 6 carries, 79 yards, TD Receiving Elijah Tau-Tolliver 8 receptions, 73 yards
at Iowa
Statistics MSUIOWA First downs 19 16 Plays–yards 69–335 61–301 Rushes–yards 27–80 39–154 Passing yards 255 147 Passing: –– 25–42–1 12–22–1 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 29:31 28:41 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 25/42, 255 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Brandon Tullis 8 carries, 56 yards Receiving Jack Velling 8 receptions, 88 yards Iowa Passing Mark Gronowski 12/22, 147 yards, TD, INT Rushing Kamari Moulton 18 carries, 78 yards Receiving Reece Vander Zee 2 receptions, 46 yards
vs Maryland
Statistics MDMSU First downs 26 24 Plays–yards 77–534 70–453 Rushes–yards 16–75 31–161 Passing yards 459 292 Passing: –– 38–61–1 27–39–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 28:06 31:54 Team Category Player Statistics Maryland Passing Malik Washington 38/61, 459 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing DeJuan Williams 5 carries, 52 yards, TD Receiving Shaleak Knotts 8 receptions, 139 yards, TD Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 27/39, 292 yards, 4 TD, INT Rushing Elijah Tau-Tolliver 13 carries, 95 yards Receiving Nick Marsh 7 receptions, 85 yards, TD
Personnel
Roster
Coaching staff Jonathan SmithHead Coach2ndBlue AdamsSecondary Coach2ndJames AdamsSafeties Coach1stKeith BhonaphaAssistant Head Coach/Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs2ndJon BoyerQuarterbacks Coach1stCourtney HawkinsWide Receivers Coach6thBrian LindgrenOffensive Coordinator2ndJim MichalczikOffensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator2ndJoe RossiDefensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach2ndLegi SuiaunoaDefensive Line Coach2ndChad WiltCo-Special Teams Coordinator/Rush Ends Coach2ndBrian WozniakTight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator2nd
References