Michigan State University Athletics
Saturday, November 7
Ann Arbor, Mich.
7:30 PM
Michigan State University
at
Michigan
11/3/2026 2:28:00 PM | Football
Game 9:Â Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 B1G) at Michigan (5-3, 2-3 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
Kickoff:Â 7:40 p.m.Â
Location:Â Ann Arbor, Mich.
Stadium:Â Michigan Stadium (107,601)
Surface:Â FieldTurf
Game Notes:Â MSUÂ | Michigan
â–ºBROADCAST INFORMATION
TV/Streaming: Peacock
Announcers:Â Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Yogi Roth (analyst), Lewis Johnson (sidelines)Â
Radio:Â Spartan Media Network |Â Affiliate Listings
Announcers: George Blaha (play-by-play), Jehuu Caulcrick (analyst), Tre Mosley (sidelines), Dalton Shetler (broadcast host)
Website/Mobile: msuspartans.com/watch, MSU Athletics app, Tune In radio
Flagship Stations:Â Lansing:Â WMMQÂ (94.9 FM); Detroit: WJR (760 AM); Grand Rapids:Â WBFXÂ (101.3 FM)
Affiliates:Â 17 affiliates listed at msuspartans.com
Satellite:Â SiriusXM Ch. 257 | SiriusXM App Ch. 257
Pregame Show:Â Begins at 6 p.m. ET
â–ºSERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series:Â Michigan leads, 75-38-5
Series in Big Ten Games: Michigan leads, 42-29-2
Series in Ann Arbor: Michigan leads, 52-23-2
Last Meeting: Michigan 31, MSU 20 (2025 in East Lansing)
Current Series Streak:Â 4 by Michigan
â–ºHEAD COACHES
MSU Head Coach:Â Pat Fitzgerald
MSU Record: 2-6 (first year)
Overall Record: 112-107 (18th year)
Record vs. Michigan (at MSU): 0-0
Michigan Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
UM Record: 5-3 (first year)
Overall Record: 182-91 (21st year)
Record vs. MSU (at UM): 0-0
â–ºPAUL BUNYAN TROPHY AT STAKE SATURDAY NIGHT IN ANN ARBORÂ Â Â Â Â Â
• The Paul Bunyan Trophy will be on the line Saturday night as Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan at 7:40 p.m. in Michigan Stadium. The game will be streamed on Peacock with Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Yogi Roth (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (sidelines) on the call. This marks the fifth consecutive night game in the series.
• The Spartans (2-6, 0-5 B1G) are coming off a bye week following a 28-10 loss at No. 9 UCLA on Oct. 24, while Michigan (5-3, 2-3 B1G) defeated Rutgers on the road last Saturday, 28-21.
• Saturday's game marks the 119th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 75-38-5. Since 1950, Michigan owns a 10-game advantage in the series, 42-32-2, and since 1999, UM holds a three-game edge, 15-12. The Spartans are looking for their 11th win in the past 19 games against Michigan. In the last matchup, the Wolverines topped MSU in East Lansing in 2025, 31-20. The Spartans are looking for their first win in the series since toppling the sixth-ranked Wolverines, 37-30, on Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing.
• Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 42-29-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan. Only Ohio State (52) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (38).
• Although Michigan State is looking for its first win in Ann Arbor since 2020, the Spartans have won five of the last nine meetings over the Wolverines in Michigan Stadium, including three of the last six matchups. Four of those five wins came against ranked Wolverine teams.
• MSU's eight opponents to date have a combined 46-19 record, which ranks tied for the fifth-toughest schedule in the FBS by the NCAA and the 18th-toughest schedule in the FBS by ESPN. MSU has played three opponents currently ranked in the AFCA Coaches Poll (No. 5 UCLA, No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 23 Northwestern).
• Saturday marks just the 16th time in series history the two rivals will play in November, and just the 11th time as Big Ten opponents. The two teams last met in November in 2019 (Nov. 16).
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Only Ohio State (23) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (21) at Michigan Stadium (opened in 1927). In addition, only Ohio State (25) has recorded more wins over Michigan in Ann Arbor than the Spartans (23).
â–ºJAZIUN PATTERSON EMERGES WITH CAREER YEAR TO LEAD SPARTANS IN RUSHINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Graduate running back Jaziun Patterson, who played his first four seasons (2022-25) at Iowa, leads the Spartans in rushing yards (327), carries (76) and rushing TDs (5), all of which are career highs. Patterson led MSU in rushing four straight games following the season-ending injury to Cam Edwards in Week 4 vs. Nebraska, but missed the UCLA game on Oct. 24 due to an injury.
• In his last four last games, Patterson has 66 carries for 281 yards (16.5 carries per game and 70.3 ypg). He had 10 rushing attempts for 46 yards (3.3 carries per game and 15.3 ypg) in the first three games of the season.
• Patterson ranks tied for ninth in the Big Ten with five rushing touchdowns.
• Patterson scored four touchdowns vs. Illinois (10/10), the most by a Spartan in a game since Kenneth Walker III scored five in the win over Michigan in 2021. Patterson rushed for 93 yards and three TDs on 17 carries against the Fighting Illini, and added three catches for 26 yards, including a 6-yard TD reception.
â–ºKAYD COFFMAN BECOMES FIRST TRUE FRESHMAN TO START AT QB FOR MSU SINCE 2000Â Â
• Kayd Coffman, a true freshman who enrolled in January, started at quarterback for the Spartans at UCLA on Oct. 24 due to an injury to starter Alessio Milivojevic. Coffman became the first true freshman to start at QB for the Spartans since Jeff Smoker in 2000, and just the third overall in program history (Dave Yarema, 1982). Coffman was 4-of-10 passing for 42 yards, one TD and one interceptions against the Bruins.
• A native of Kentwood, Michigan, Coffman was rated a four-star prospect in the 247 Composite rankings and a top 500 recruit nationally (No. 364) in the Class of 2026 at East Kentwood High Schoool.
â–ºQB ALESSIO MILIVOJEVIC HAS STARTING STREAK SNAPPED AT 11 DUE TO INJURYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic had his streak of 11 consecutive games started snapped on Oct. 24 at UCLA. Milivojevic started the final four games of the 2025 season and the first seven in 2026. Milivojevic has completed 65 percent of his passes (121-of-185) this season for 1,263 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions in his seven games of action. He completed a career-high 85 percent of his passes (22-of-26) for 196 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois (10/10).
â–ºSECOND-YEAR TIGHT END JAYDEN SAVOURY HAVING BREAKOUT SEASONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Redshirt freshman tight end Jayden Savoury ranks tied for first on the team with 29 receptions, which is also tied for first among all Big Ten tight ends (DJ Vonnahme of Iowa also with 29 catches). Savoury is second on the team with 271 receiving yards. Savoury had four catches for 33 yards vs. Northwestern on Oct. 17 and was named to the PFF Big Ten Team of the Week.
â–ºSAFETY DEVIN VAUGHT LEADS TEAM IN TACKLES IN FIRST YEAR AT FBS LEVELÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Fourth-year safety Devin Vaught leads the Spartan defense and ranks tied for 17th in the Big Ten with 54 tackles. Vaught is in his first season at MSU after playing his first three years at Maine (2023-25). Vaught, who has started every game, forced two fumbles at UCLA and returned the first one 56 yards to set up a Spartan TD in the first quarter to go along with eight tackles.
â–ºBEN ROBERTS RANKS AMONG HIGHEST-GRADED INTERIOR DEFENDERS BY PFFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Fifth-year defensive lineman Ben Roberts is the team's highest-graded defender according to Pro Football Focus (84.4); that grade is also second-best among Big Ten interior defensive lineman and seventh-highest in the FBS at the position.Â
• Roberts had a career game against Northwestern on Oct. 17, recording career bests in tackles (8), tackles for loss (3.0 for 19 yards) and sacks (2.0 for 16 yards), and was named to the PFF Big Ten Team of the Week. Roberts leads the Spartans with 5.0 TFLs overall.
â–ºPLACEKICKER LIAM BOYD RANKS AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS IN FIELD GOALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Fifth-year graduate kicker Liam Boyd is tied for ninth in the Big Ten with 11 field goals, already surpassing his previous career high of nine from a year ago at Charlotte. Boyd is 4-for-5 from 30-39 yards and 6-of-6 from 40-49 yards and also connected on a career-long 51-yarder in the season opener vs. Toledo.
â–ºPUNTER RHYS DAKIN LEADS BIG TEN IN PUNTING AVERAGEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Third-year punter Rhys Dakin, a transfer from Iowa in his first season at MSU, leads the Big Ten with his 49.3-yard average (24 for 1,183 yards). He would rank No. 3 in the FBS as well, but doesn't have the minimum amount of punts to qualify for the national leaders. Dakin booted a career-high 74-yard punt in the Illinois game. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Dakin also ranks second in the conference with 13 punts of 50-plus yards and has placed nine punts inside the 20.
â–ºSTAT LEADERS
Michigan State:
Rushing – Gr. Jaziun Patterson (76 carries for 327 yards, 4.3 avg., 3 TDs, 46.7 ypg)
Passing – R-So. Alessio Milivojevic (121-of-185, .654, 1,263 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs, 180.4 ypg)
Receiving – R-Sr. Chrishon McCray (29 receptions for 289 yards, 10.0 avg., 1 TD, 36.1 ypg)
Tackles – R-Jr. S Devin Vaught (54 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU)
Michigan:
Rushing – Jr. Jordan Marshall (86 carries for 319 yards, 3.7 avg., 5 TDs, 39.9 ypg)
Passing – So. Bryce Underwood (72-of-124, .581, 924 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs, 132.0 ypg)
Receiving – So. JJ Buchanan (38 receptions for 611 yards, 16.1 avg., 5 TDs, 76.4 ypg)
Tackles – Sr. LB Troy Bowles (57 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 4 QBHs, 1 FR)
â–ºSERIES NOTESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Saturday's game marks the 119th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 75-38-5.Â
• Since 1950, Michigan owns a 10-game advantage in the series, 42-32-2, and since 1999, UM holds a three-game edge, 15-12.Â
• The Spartans are looking for their 11th win in the past 19 games against Michigan. In the last matchup, the Wolverines topped MSU in East Lansing in 2025, 31-20.
• Michigan State has won five of the last nine meetings over Michigan in Ann Arbor, including three of the last six matchups. Four of those five wins came against ranked Wolverine teams. Â
• The Spartans are looking for their first win in the series since toppling the sixth-ranked Wolverines, 37-30, on Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing.
â–ºBATTLE FOR THE PAUL BUNYAN TROPHYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The four-foot wooden statue was donated by then-Governor G. Mennen Williams to mark Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten. Since 1953, Michigan leads the series 42-29-2. The trophy depicts the legendary giant lumberjack astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state with flags representing the schools.
â–ºBATTLE FOR IN-STATE BRAGGING RIGHTSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Michigan State's 2026 roster features 33 players from the state of Michigan.
â–ºSPARTANS RANK SECOND IN ALL-TIME VICTORIES vs. MICHIGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Michigan State ranks second among opponents in all-time victories over Michigan. Only Ohio State (52) has posted more wins over the Wolverines than the Spartans (38).
â–ºSATURDAY'S RIVALRY GAME FEATURES MATCHUP OF NEW HEAD COACHES IN SERIESÂ Â
• For just the fourth time in the history of the series between Michigan State and Michigan, Saturday's game will feature new coaches on both sidelines (1929: Jim Crowley, Michigan State vs. Harry Kipke, Michigan; 1995: Nick Saban, Michigan State vs. Lloyd Carr, Michigan; 2024: Jonathan Smith, Michigan State vs. Sherrone Moore, Michigan; 2026: Pat Fitzgerald, Michigan State vs. Kyle Whittingham, Michigan).
â–ºKNOWING WHAT IT TAKESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• As a player at Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald helped orchestrate victories over Michigan in 1995 and 1996. The No. 25 Wildcats beat No. 7 Michigan on Oct. 7, 1995, in Ann Arbor, 19-13, en route to winning the Big Ten Championship and earning a bid to the Rose Bowl. No. 22 Northwestern defeated the sixth-ranked Wolverines the following season on Oct. 5 in Evanston, 17-16, as NU claimed a share of its second straight Big Ten title.
â–ºFITZGERALD VS. WHITTINGHAM: HOLIDAY BOWL EDITIONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Pat Fitzgerald and Kyle Whittingham previously faced off against each other at the 2018 Holiday Bowl in San Diego as Northwestern rallied from a 20-3 halftime deficit to defeat Utah, 31-20.
â–ºGROUND GAME KEY FACTOR IN THIS SERIESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• The team with the most productive ground attack has won 49 of the last 56 games in the MSU-UM series, with the only exceptions being in 1995, 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2024.Â
â–ºLONG HISTORY OF BIG WINS OVER MICHIGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Michigan State has defeated Michigan 22 times when the Wolverines were ranked in the AP Top 25, including 12 wins in the top 10.Â
• In one of the most famous endings in college football history, 11 years ago on Oct. 17, 2015, Jalen Watts-Jackson's 38-yard fumble return for a game-winning touchdown as time expired propelled No. 7 MSU to a 27-23 win at No. 12 Michigan. Watts-Jackson scooped up the mishandled snap by U-M punter Blake O'Neill and broke several tackles en route to the end zone. The unforgettable touchdown was named the No. 1 play of the 2015 season at the ESPN College Football Awards Show.
â–ºBRIEF GLANCE AT MICHIGAN (5-3, 2-3 B1G)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• The Wolverines scored the winning TD with 4:24 left for a 28-21 win at Rutgers last Saturday. UM is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten action, winning two of its last three games. Michigan was ranked as high at No. 18 in the AP Poll prior to a 20-19 home loss to Iowa on Sept. 26. The Wolverines have a ranked win over then-No. 11 Oklahoma, 17-10, on Sept. 12, while losing to then-No. 6 Indiana, 13-6 in OT, on Oct. 24.
• In last Saturday's win over Rutgers, Michigan scored one TD in each quarter on the way to the 28-21 win, moving to 10-1 all-time against the Scarlet Knights. UM's offense amassed 427 yards of total offense, for the Wolverines' third-highest offensive output of the season.
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• Freshman QB Tommy Carr was 22-of-27 passing for 266 yards and one TD, accounting for three total TDs out of UM's four scores on the day, adding two rushing TDs. Carr threw a 6-yard TD toss to sophomore wide receiver JJ Buchanan to open the Wolverines' scoring. Junior running back Jordan Marshall scored a 2-yard rush in the second quarter, before a 15-yard scoring scamper by Carr in the third quarter, and a 9-yard TD run to cap the scoring.
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• The UM defense held RU to 0-of-5 passing in the second half, as Michigan's defense has held its opposition without a completion in the second half in each of the last two games.
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• Michigan is 17th in the B1G and 115th in the FBS in scoring offense (21.3 ppg), while ranking sixth in the conference and 18th in the country in scoring defense (16.4 ppg).
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• UM's defense is also first in the league and third in the nation in total defense (250.0 ypg), ranking second in the B1G and fifth in the FBS in passing yards allowed (150.6 ypg), while ranking sixth in the conference and 17th in the country in rushing defense (99.4 ypg).
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• The Wolverine offense is 16th in the B1G and 128th in the FBS in total offense (316.4 ypg), ranking 12th in the league and 98th in the nation in rushing offense (138.0 ypg), while ranking 18th in the conference and 120th in the country in passing offense (178.4 ypg).
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• Carr is 49-of-68 (.721) passing for 503 yards (125.8 ypg) with two TDs and one INT, playing in four games, and starting the last two games. He has 33 rushing attempts for 114 yards (3.5 ypc/28.5 ypg) with three TDs.
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• Sophomore QB Bryce Underwood started UM's first six games, and is 72-of-124 (.581) passing for 924 yards (132.0 ypg) with five TDs and six INTs. Underwood also has 61 rushing attempts for 222 yards (3.6 ypc/31.7 ypg) with two TDs.
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• Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Marsh leads Michigan's receivers with 39 catches for 360 yards (9.2 ypc/45.0 ypg), with one TD.
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• Buchanan leads the Wolverines with 602 receiving yards on 38 catches (15.8 ypc/75.3 ypg), with five TDs. He ranks ninth in the B1G and 38th in FBS in receiving TDs, while also ranking ninth in the league and 37th in the nation in receiving yards/game.
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• Marshall and freshman Savion Hiter provide a 1-2 punch at running back for the Wolverines, as Marshall has 86 carries for 319 yards (3.7 ypc/39.9 ypg) with five TDs, while Hiter has 87 carries for 314 yards (3.6 ypc/39.3 ypg) with two TDs. Marshall is 18th in the B1G in rushing yards/carry, while Hiter is 19th (3.6).
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• Senior linebacker Trey Bowles leads the Wolverine defense with 57 tackles, adding 6.0 tackles for loss (15 yards) and 0.5 sack (1 yard), with one pass break-up and one fumble recovery.
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• Senior safety Chris Bracy has 50 tackles, with 3.0 TFLs (17 yards) and 2.0 sacks (15 yards), with two pass break-ups, one INT and two forced fumbles.
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• Senior defensive end John Henry Daley leads UM with 6.5 TFLs (24 yards) and 4.0 sacks (21 yards), ranking tied for 18th in the B1G in TFL and tied for 11th in sacks.
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• Sophomore placekicker Trey Butkowski is 20-of-20 on PATs and 6-of-10 on field goals, with a long of 49 yards. Butkowski is 3-of-3 from 29 yards in, while making 3-of-7 on 30+ yard attempts.
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• Sophomore punter Cam Brown has 37 punts for a 42.4 ypp average, ranking eighth in the B1G and 58th in the FBS. Brown has a long of 52 yards, one of six punts of 50+ yards, with 15 inside the 20.
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• Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham is in his first season in Ann Arbor, after 21 seasons at Utah. Whittingham posted a 177-88 record, leading the Utes to 18 winning seasons during his 21 years as head coach, including 18 bowl games.
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LAST TIME OUT: NO. 9 UCLA 28, MSU 10
â–ºGAME RECAPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper-70s at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 24, Michigan State fell to No. 9 UCLA, 28-10. The Bruins had a 14-7 lead at halftime and outscored the Spartans 14-3 in the second half.
• Kayd Coffman started at quarterback for Michigan State, becoming the first true freshman to start at QB for the Spartans since Jeff Smoker in 2000. Coffman was 4-of-10 passing for 42 yards in his starting debut. Second-year QB Leo Hannan, a native of Long Beach, played in the fourth quarter, completing 9-of-15 passes for 67 yards.
• Redshirt junior Kenneth Williams rushed for a season-high 54 yards on 17 carries and also had three catches for 12 yards; he finished with 81 all-purpose yards. Fifth-year wide receiver Chrishon McCray hauled in three passes for a team-best 42 yards.
• Fifth-year safety Nikai Martinez and redshirt junior safety Devin Vaught each had eight tackles and two separate 56-yard fumble returns, as the Spartans forced two turnovers.
• UCLA outgained MSU, 443-156, and forced three turnovers to remain undefeated on the season.
â–ºSCORING SUMMARYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The Spartans took advantage of a Bruin turnover to score an early touchdown and take a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. With UCLA driving on its first series, Spartan safety Devin Vaught stripped the ball from Anthony Woods and returned it 56 yards to the Bruin 15-yard line, setting up a 14-yard TD pass from Kayd Coffman to Kenneth Williams two plays later.
UCLA answered with a fumble recovery of its own to start the second quarter, taking over on the Spartan 19-yard line, and scored on the fifth play of the drive with a 7-yard TD run by Jaivian Thomas.
The Spartans and Bruins then traded turnovers, but UCLA was the team that capitalized with points. On third-and-7 from the MSU 34, Spartan safety Nikai Martinez scooped up a fumble and ran it 56 yards to the UCLA 19-yard line; however, Coffman threw an interception two plays later that was returned 67 yards by Donavyn Pellot, setting up the Bruins on the MSU 21-yard line. Wayne Knight scored six plays later on a 1-yard TD to give UCLA a 14-7 lead with 3:04 left in the half.
The Bruins received the opening kickoff of the second half and on the fourth play of the drive, Ty Dieffenbach connected on a 63-yard touchdown pass to Brian Rowe Jr. that put UCLA on top, 21-7. Woods then capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run to give the Bruins a 28-7 advantage with 5:27 remaining in the third.
Liam Boyd kicked a 46-yard field goal for the Spartans with 6:18 left in the fourth quarter to make the final 28-10.
â–ºOFFENSIVE NOTESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Freshman quarterback Kayd Coffman made the first start of his collegiate career to become the first freshman QB to start a game for the Spartans since Sept. 16, 2000, when Jeff Smoker started vs. Missouri in a 13-10 Victory for MSU . . . Coffman is the third-ever true freshman Spartan QB to start, joining the list with Smoker and Dave Yarema on Oct. 30, 1982, at Indiana in a 22-14 win for the Spartans.
• Coffman was starting in place of redshirt sophomore QB and team co-captain Alessio Milivojevic, who was out with an injury and had his streak of 11 consecutive starts snapped . . . Coffman completed his first four passes, including his first collegiate TD pass on his fourth pass of the day, a 14-yard pass to redshirt junior running back Kenneth Williams . . . Coffman finished 4-of-10 passing with the one TD and one INT on the day, with three sacks and two official rushing attempts.
• Coffman was making his first start and his second appearance of his Spartan career, with both coming on the road, seeing limited action at Wisconsin (Oct. 3), with three rushing attempts and no passing attempts in that game.
• Redshirt junior running back Kenneth Williams scored his first offensive career TD and his second overall TD with the 14-yard scoring catch in the first quarter . . . he had one career score on a kick return while at Nebraska during his two years at Nebraska (2024-25)
• Williams finished with career highs of 17 carries for 54 yards, adding three catches for 12 yards and the 14-yard TD . . . Williams' 17 carries and 54 yards were both more than his career totals coming into the game, as he had just eight rushing attempts for 37 yards, and two catches for 23 yards in his previous 21 career games played, as he was primarily a kick return specialist at Nebraska.
• After a one game lapse, MSU's offensive line returned to its most-used starting lineup for the UCLA game, with left tackle Ben Murawski, left guard Connor Moore, center Trent Fraley, right guard Nick Sharpe and right tackle Rakeem Johnson . . . Moore, Fraley, Sharpe and Johnson have started all eight games . . . Murawski started the first six games, before missing the Northwestern game with an injury, but returned to the starting line-up Saturday at UCLA.
â–ºDEFENSIVE NOTESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• The Spartan defense notched a season-high two takeaways with a pair of fumble recoveries, as MSU had just three takeaways in the previous seven games, including only one fumble recovery previously . . . both fumble recoveries were 56-yard returns, first by redshirt junior safety Devin Vaught in the first quarter and then by graduate safety Nikai Martinez in the second quarter.
• Vaught had a 56-yard fumble recovery on a literal takeaway, ripping the ball away from UCLA running back Anthony Woods at the MSU 29-yard line and returning it 56 yards to the UCLA 15, setting up the Spartans' opening score of the game . . . it was Vaught's both first forced fumble and fumble recovery of not only the season but of his collegiate career.
• Vaught then added his second forced fumble of the game, month, year and even career, a quarter later, forcing a fumble on a run by UCLA's J Thomas, punching the ball loose to force the fumble at the MSU 25, and it was scooped up by Martinez, who returned it 56 yards.
• Vaught finished with eight tackles, also sharing top tackle honors with Martinez, and has led the team or shared the lead in tackles twice this season, also tying for top tackle totals in the Eastern Michigan game (Sept. 12).
• Graduate safety Nikai Martinez also registered his first fumble recovery of the season and his collegiate career, which came two weeks after his first career forced fumble, which came in the Illinois game (Oct. 10).
• Martinez's 56-yard fumble return not only tied for MSU's longest defensive return, but also was a new career-long defensive return, topping his previous long of a 42-yard interception return which came in 2023 while he was at UCF, against Villanova.
â–ºSPECIAL TEAMS NOTESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
 • Graduate placekicker Liam Boyd split the uprights from 46-yards out in the fourth quarter . . . Boyd is 11-of-14 on field goals this season . . . Boyd also made one PAT and is now 16-of-16 on PATs this season . . . he is 20-of-26 on FGs and 38-of-38 on PATs for his career.
â–ºUP NEXTÂ Â
Michigan State hosts Washington on Saturday, Nov. 14 in Spartan Stadium at 4:15 p.m. The game will be televised on BTN.
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