Michigan State football suffers 31-20 loss to Michigan in rivalry game

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles had a notably poor performance in the Spartans' 31-20 loss to Michigan, completing only 14 of 28 passes for 130 yards with no touchdowns and struggling significantly under pressure. His early fumble set a negative tone for the offense, which was further hampered by multiple sacks and penalties, while his running contributions were minimal aside from short-yardage plays. Michigan's defense effectively contained Chiles, keeping him in the pocket and limiting his passing yards per attempt, which contributed to his erratic play. Backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic showed promise late in the game, leading a touchdown drive and sparking discussion about his potential role. Running back Makhi Frazier was a bright spot with a 49-yard run that provided a much-needed boost to the Spartans' offense. Despite these efforts, the loss marked Michigan's fourth consecutive retention of the Paul Bunyan Trophy and increased doubts about head coach Jonathan Smith's future with the program.