Vanessa: Jackson Kleather kicks three field goals, including the game-winning 34-yarder with two seconds left... and Michigan State is staring down a sixth loss. This was supposed to be the bounce-back game against Northwestern. Instead, it felt like another heartbreak in East Lansing.
Nick: It’s a brutal way to lose, Vanessa. You lead for most of the night, you have the statistical edge in the passing game, but you give up points at the worst possible moment. The final score says 24-21, but the margin is just one kick.
Vanessa: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Vanessa, and I’m joined by Nick. Today, we are breaking down that agonizing finish against the Wildcats. We’ve got Alessio Milivojeovic stepping up, but also some defensive lapses that cost us dearly.
Nick: Right. And while we talked about Tom Izzo and basketball yesterday, today we’re strictly on the gridiron. We need to look at why the offense stalled when it mattered, and whether this team can handle the road trip to UCLA next week.
Vanessa: Here is what we are covering today: First, a full reaction to the box score—Milivojevic’s passing numbers versus the collapse in the red zone. Second, we’ll look at the defensive standouts like Dion Crawford and Ben Roberts, and how special teams played a huge role. And third, we preview the challenge ahead against the Bruins in Los Angeles.
Nick: Let’s get right into it. It’s hard to ignore the fact that we predicted a 31-24 win last night. That prediction is officially in the history books now, and not in the way we wanted.
Vanessa: Well, let’s talk about what went right first, because if we don’t acknowledge the positives, we miss the nuance. Alessio Milivojevic was clearly the MVP for the Spartans tonight. He finished 19 of 30 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. That is efficient football.
Nick: Efficient, yes. But was it enough? Look at the context. He had Chrishon McCray go off for 64 yards on just three catches, including a massive 53-yard touchdown. That shows vertical threat. But then you look at Bryson Williams for the other score—a 32-yard pass. The offense moved the ball, but did it sustain drives?
Vanessa: That’s the key question. Because Jaziun Patterson only had 72 rushing yards on 15 carries. We expected him to break out, remember? We said he’d hit 100 yards. He fell short. When you’re playing a team like Northwestern, and your running game isn’t establishing leverage early, the defense starts loading the box.
Nick: Exactly. And that’s where the situational football falls apart. If you aren’t controlling the clock with Patterson or the tight ends, you put all the pressure on Milivojevic to create magic in obvious passing situations. Aidan Chiles for Northwestern had similar numbers—226 yards—but his team executed better in the clutch. We saw Caleb Komolafe take it the distance on a 10-yard run to tie it up late.
Vanessa: And that’s before the final drive. Milivojevic did connect with McCray again, but ultimately, the kicking game decided it. Jackson Kleather for Northwestern kicked three field goals, including that game-winner with two seconds left. That is painful.
Nick: It is. And looking at the box score, Liam Boyd missed no extra points, so the Spartans actually put themselves in position to win. It wasn’t a lack of scoring; it was a failure to secure the win when the clock was ticking down. Milivojevic did his job, but the supporting cast in the run game didn’t quite click.
Vanessa: So, quick breather here. Before we dive into the defense, we want to take a moment to ask for your support. This show is completely free, with no ads and no paywall, because we believe sports analysis should be accessible to everyone. Your contributions keep the lights on and the daily episodes coming. If you enjoy our breakdowns, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It means the world to us.
Nick: Alright, let’s pivot to the other side of the ball. Sometimes you lose despite playing well, and sometimes you lose because of specific breakdowns. Who stood out for Michigan State defensively tonight?
Vanessa: Dion Crawford was everywhere. He recorded 14 total tackles. That is a huge workload. He was filling gaps, setting the edge, and keeping Chiles in front of him most of the night. And then there’s Ben Roberts on the line—he got two sacks. Those are disruption plays that should have swung momentum.
Nick: Roberts getting two sacks is significant, especially against a quarterback like Chiles who was accurate. But you have to look at the coverage. Braydon Brus for Northwestern had 15 tackles. That suggests the Spartans’ secondary might have been playing a bit too deep, allowing completions in space until the big plays happened. Did you see those intermediate routes open up?
Vanessa: I did. Griffin Wilde caught six passes for 57 yards. He was finding soft spots in the zone. And while the stats don’t show turnovers, the lack of them hurt us. We needed a takeaway to stop that Northwestern drive late in the fourth quarter.
Nick: Right. And speaking of stops, let’s talk about the roster battles we mentioned earlier. With players like Jace Clarizio and Cam Edwards on the depth chart, Patterson’s usage was limited. If the coaching staff wants to improve the run game next week, they might need to rotate more backs to keep legs fresh against a physical defense like UCLA’s.
Vanessa: That’s a smart point. Also, looking at the offensive line, guys like Cole Bertke and Eli Bickel held up reasonably well, but Aidan Chiles still managed to get one sack from Michael Kilbane. Pressure creates mistakes, and we saw Milivojevic scramble a few times instead of stepping up in the pocket.
Nick: One sack is manageable, but it’s about consistency. The defense kept the game close. Dion Crawford’s 14 tackles are a testament to effort. But special teams? That’s where Kleather won the game. Three field goals. That’s nine points that directly impacted the outcome. We need to ensure our return game and protection schemes are tighter for the road trip.
Vanessa: Agreed. It’s frustrating because the talent is there. Milivojevic, McCray, Crawford—they’re playing well. But the little things, like stopping the run in critical moments and securing special teams, are costing us games. We’re sitting at 2-5 now, 17th in the Big Ten standings.
Nick: So, where do we go from here? Next up is UCLA. It’s an away game on October 24th. The Bruins are coming off their own set of results, but traveling to the West Coast is always a challenge for Midwest teams.
Vanessa: What does this Spartans team need to fix in the next four days to compete in Los Angeles? If we look at the film from Saturday, what’s the number one priority?
Nick: Establishing the run. Again. If Jaziun Patterson can’t find rhythm, the offense becomes one-dimensional. Against UCLA, you cannot rely solely on Milivojevic to throw his way out of trouble every single down. They will bring pressure. You need play-action, and you need play-action to work because you’ve established the ground game.
Vanessa: And what about the passing attack? Chrishon McCray had those big plays. Should we expect more targets for him, or maybe open up something for Rodney Bullard Jr. or Samson Gash?
Nick: McCray is the primary target right now. He’s making plays. But you need diversity. If UCLA focuses on shutting down McCray, you need a safety valve. Maybe tighten the connection with the tight ends like Charlie Baker or Carson Gulker. The box score showed McCray with 64 yards, which is great, but consistency over four quarters is what wins games.
Vanessa: So, the takeaway is: Run the ball, protect the quarterback, and hope the kicking game doesn’t decide the outcome again. It’s a tall order against a tough conference opponent.
Nick: Tall order, but not impossible. The players are showing up. Milivojevic is playing like a leader. Crawford is tackling like a pro. It’s about execution. If they clean up the situational errors, they can compete anywhere.
Vanessa: That’s the spirit. A tough loss, but plenty to build on. Milivojevic’s 216 yards and two TDs prove the offense can score. Now it’s about closing out games. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Nick: We’ll be back Sunday to preview the UCLA matchup. Make sure you subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Help us keep bringing you these daily reactions.
Vanessa: Go Spartans! Let’s get ready for the road trip.