Switch to Alessio Milivojevic doesn't pay off as Michigan State football skid hits 6 games
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MINNEAPOLIS — Looking to shake things up, Michigan State football opted to go with redshirt freshman QB Alessio Milivojevic instead of Aidan Chiles.
It was not enough.
Despite an inspired effort in defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s return to Minnesota and an impressive second-half comeback, the Spartans dropped their sixth straight Big Ten game, 23-20, to Minnesota in overtime at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, sending embattled head coach Jonathan Smith into the season’s second bye with even more uncertainty. Michigan State’s Big Ten losing streak is its longest since 2016, under coach Mark Dantonio, when the Spartans dropped six straight, with a loss to nonconference BYU in the middle.
MSU’s lone possession in OT featured a controversial pickup of a flag for pass interference on third down, forcing the Spartans to kick a field goal for a 20-17 lead.
Second-half surge
In addition to the QB change, MSU was operating shorthanded in the run game, with starting running back Makhi Frazier ruled out before the game. One of his replacements, Elijah Tau-Tolliver ripped off an 85-yard run just before the 2-minute timeout in the fourth quarter, setting up the Spartans at the Minnesota 3-yard line. Two plays later, Brandon Tullis plowed into the end zone with 1:52 remaining to give the Spartans a seven-point lead.
But Minnesota calmly returned the drive, moving downfield after an out-of-bounds kickoff gave the Gophers favorable field position. QB Drake Lindsey diced up the MSU defense with short passes before punching it in himself from the 2-yard line for a tie game with 29 seconds remaining.
To start MSU’s comeback from a 10-point halftime deficit, Milivojevic connected with transfer wideout Rodney Bullard (Valdosta State) for a 71-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, bringing the Spartans to life. He then led a field goal drive early in the fourth quarter, and got the Spartans close enough to attempt a go-ahead field goal with 5:23 left in the game.
Martin Connington pulled the chip shot just wide right from the Minnesota 6.
A sluggish first half
The Spartans mustered 130 yards in the first half, but their offensive progress was often impaired by a porous offensive line that allowed Milivojevic to take six sacks before halftime. Between the hits, the QB making his first start at MSU went 10-for-13 for 114 yards.
The Golden Gophers weren’t much better, struggling with freshman Drake Lindsey under center. But Minnesota drove 63 yards for its first score, with Fame Ijeboi scoring from 1 yards out with 2:25 left in the first quarter.
The Gophers made it 10-0 after a 51-yard drive that ended on a 30-yard field goal with 9:23 left in the half.
Next up for MSU
The Spartans will have next weekend off, then return to action with a visit from Penn State on Nov. 15 (time, TV to be announced). The final game at Spartan Stadium this season — MSU finishes its season with a home game against Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit on Nov. 29 — will feature a Nittany Lions squad that dropped to 0-5 in Big Ten play this season and has already fired coach James Franklin.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football can’t pull off rally in 23-20 OT loss to Minnesota
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