Freshman QB debuts, big plays unfold, but penalties and missed opportunities haunt Michigan State. Gophers strike first.
On a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, the Spartans headed to Minnesota for a fall day tailor-made for college football.
After a week of writing that the Spartans wouldn’t do anything to light a spark — that they’d continue to trot out the same old, same old — Jonathan Smith made a bold move. With Michigan State needing three wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible, Smith decided to sit Aidan Chiles and give freshman Alessio Milivojevic his first career start.
And from his very first pass, Milivojevic looked the part. His debut throw — on the road, no less — was a pinpoint strike for a first down. A quick screen followed, and the offense looked ready to silence critics. Despite early penalty issues lingering from last week, the Spartans picked up another first down.
Milivojevic stood tall under pressure, delivering a 35-yard strike on play action. Then, an end-around that went 30 yards to the end zone was wiped out by a holding call on Nick Marsh. Instead of six, Michigan State was pushed back. A sack and a conservative third-down draw later, the Spartans missed a field goal to end a promising opening drive.
Minnesota responded with a deep play-action shot after a three-and-out on their first series. Yet another Spartan penalty handed the Gophers free yards — a recurring theme. Even so, Michigan State’s defense held and forced a punt.
The Spartans’ second drive fizzled after Milivojevic tripped on a snap and fumbled attempting a shovel pass. Minnesota’s next possession wasn’t much better, with both teams trading punts as the first quarter ticked away scoreless.
Then came the breakthrough. On the Gophers’ third drive, a simple run up the middle turned into a 49-yard gain, putting them deep in Spartan territory. After two stops inside the red zone, Minnesota converted on third down to set up a short touchdown run by Darius Taylor, giving the Gophers a 7–0 lead with 2:24 left in the first.
Michigan State’s next drive began with a six-yard sack, but Milivojevic rebounded with two crisp completions to move the chains. Still, the offensive line looked overwhelmed — giving up another sack to end the quarter, the Spartans trailing 7–0 and facing 2nd & 17.
Second Quarter: Progress Without Points
Michigan State opened the second quarter with a big play to set up third-and-one. The Spartans nearly executed a brilliant trick play — Milivojevic jumped as the ball snapped between his legs to the running back — but Minnesota called timeout just in time to nullify it. The next play lost yards, and on fourth down Milivojevic delivered a dart to an open receiver, but the Gophers’ secondary broke it up. Another drive, another trip into opposing territory with nothing to show for it.
Despite no points on the board, Milivojevic and the offense looked more organized and confident than they had in weeks.
Minnesota, meanwhile, continued to move the ball efficiently. The Gophers gained yardage on nearly every first down but were held to a field goal thanks to strong red-zone defense. Michigan State trailed 10–0 as the first half wound down.
The Spartans’ next possession went three-and-out — keeping their pattern alive: good drive, bad drive, repeat. But the defense responded with a quick stop of their own, forcing the Gophers’ third three-and-out of the game and giving the offense another chance with 5:34 left in the half.
Milivojevic, again under siege, was sacked for the fifth time in 25 minutes. Even so, the freshman stood tall and converted a third down with a confident throw. But the line couldn’t protect him — another sack, the sixth of the half, forced another punt.
Minnesota had one last chance before halftime and moved quickly into the red zone, but their field goal attempt sailed wide right. The Spartans went to the locker room down 10–0 — not out of it, but desperately needing protection up front to give their young quarterback a chance.