PASADENA, CA – Here are the winners and losers from Michigan State football’s 28-10 loss to No. 10 UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Winners
QBs Kayd Coffman/Leo Hannan
While it might have been a tough go for both the true freshman Coffman as the starter and his backup Hannan, the redshirt freshman, the snaps both took were invaluable and somewhat productive for the most part. Coffman moved the offense in the first quarter and threw a 14-yard touchdown on a swing pass to running back Kenneth Williams. His interception was a bad read and decision, but Coffman finished 4-of-10 for 42 yards. Hoffman took over late in the third quarter and played all of the fourth, going 9-of-15 for 67 yards with an interception in his first collegiate action as starter Alessio Milivojevic sat with an undisclosed
injury.
S Devin Vaught/Nikai Martinez
With injuries all around them, MSU’s two starting safeties put together a combined effort to keep the Spartans in the game into the second half. Martinez nearly scored on a 56-yard fumble return after Vaught knocked out a ball. That came after Vaught ripped away another fumble and quickly returned it 56 yards, as well. He also finished with eight tackles and a pass breakup before getting hurt late in the third quarter. Both finished with eight tackles apiece.
DE Trey Lisle
Quietly, the redshirt sophomore transfer from Southeast Missouri State is working his way into a bigger role. After making a big block on Chrishon McCray’s punt return and pressure on Northwestern’s fake punt a week earlier, Lisle’s special teams work translated into more reps at defensive end. He finished with six tackles and QB hurry at a position MSU has longed to get more production from.
Losers
Running backs
Marvis Parrish – who took over for Jaziun Patterson, who took over for Cam Edwards – got hurt on the third play of the game and did not return. Kick returner Kenneth Williams showed some flashes and some reasons as to why he was fourth on the depth chart a few weeks ago, running for 54 yards on 17 carries with a critical fumble and a 14-yard touchdown catch. All four of those running backs were transfers added by coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff. Junior Brandon Tullis got just one fourth-quarter carry for four yards and missed a blitz pickup, while highly touted 2025 signee Jace Clarizio did not travel.
DT Ben Roberts
It has zero to do with Roberts’ playing and everything to do with his future. The fifth-year senior, who has been elevating himself toward the NFL, suffered an apparent left leg injury on MSU’s first defensive snap of the game. It was an emotional loss for the Spartans, and Roberts was on crutches and in street clothes after halftime on the sideline motivating his teammates. But he wore a heavy brace on his leg and shed the crutches for a wheelchair as he was exiting the field at the Rose Bowl to join them in the locker room.
Fans’ focus
As always, there was a solid West Coast MSU fan section that traveled to the Rose Bowl. But between a six-game losing streak squelching initial hope, the anticipation for the basketball and hockey seasons starting − not to mention all of the injuries to all of the key players they barely knew from the portal − the Spartans need a massive recovery to revive interest in November. The good news? Beat Michigan after a bye week, and that will take care of itself.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football winners and losers: QBs get needed experience
