Despite a turbulent season, Milivojevic's gritty performance ignited hope. Now, he's back, ready to lead the Spartans under new coaching.
In a calm, understated post on Thursday, Alessio Milivojevic delivered the message Michigan State fans had been hoping for: “Run it back.”
For a fanbase desperate for good news after a turbulent season, those three words were a chorus of relief. Milivojevic was one of the few Spartans who finished the year with his head held high—while much of the roster will spend the offseason searching for accountability, the young quarterback emerged as one of MSU’s brightest points of hope.
Despite riding the bench for more than half the season, Milivojevic shined the moment his number was finally called. When starting quarterback Aidan Chiles went down with injuries, Milivojevic made his first career start against Minnesota—and promptly seized the job.
That Minnesota game was a baptism by fire. Milivojevic took a beating unlike anything a freshman quarterback should ever endure: seven sacks, endless pressure, and an offensive line that lived up to the first half of its name and none of the second. Yet Milivojevic kept popping up, showing a toughness that felt closer to adamantium than bone. MSU ultimately surrendered a late lead and fell in overtime due to defensive breakdowns and some generous officiating toward the Gophers, but the loss wasn’t what anyone remembered.
What stuck was the spark—finally, a glimpse of legitimate optimism. And the question immediately surfaced: Why wasn’t this kid starting all along?
Former head coach Jonathan Smith arrived at MSU with Aidan Chiles in tow, expecting his young quarterback to guide the Spartans through Big Ten play. But what became clear was that Chiles’ best asset was his ability to escape a collapsing pocket—not to consistently execute a Big Ten passing offense. Smith’s reluctance to make the switch, waiting until injury forced his hand, remains one of the season’s biggest mysteries. Perhaps if he had made the move earlier, he’d still be employed. Evaluating quarterbacks clearly wasn’t his strong suit, and MSU has moved on—enter Pat Fitzgerald.
It’s hard to imagine Fitzgerald didn’t play a significant role in Milivojevic’s decision to stay out of the January 2 transfer portal. Fitzgerald has a long history of elevating quarterbacks, with several earning NFL opportunities:
- Clayton Thorson, 5th-round pick, Philadelphia Eagles (2019)
- Trevor Siemian, 7th-round pick, Denver Broncos (2015)
- Mike Kafka, 4th-round pick, Philadelphia Eagles (2010), now the interim head coach of the New York Giants
Before Kafka, Northwestern hadn’t produced a drafted quarterback since 1975. Then Fitzgerald arrived and turned overlooked recruits into pros—and even an NFL head coach. His track record speaks for itself.
That had to resonate with Milivojevic. Under Smith, it’s hard to imagine he’d risk his future on a coach who couldn’t identify his own best quarterback. But Fitzgerald brings credibility, development, and stability—the exact combination a young QB wants.
If Milivojevic stays disciplined, grows quickly under Fitzgerald, and MSU upgrades its offensive line even modestly, he could be in for a strong next few years in East Lansing—maybe even put himself on the radar for the NFL. It may sound bold today, but college football is unpredictable, and quarterbacks with toughness, poise, and good tape always get a look.
For now, Milivojevic and Fitzgerald will dive into the lab and get to work. With an upgraded coaching staff and a quarterback ready to lead, MSU is already in a better position than it was a month ago.
It’s time to run it back—and next season, maybe even shock the world.