Michigan State University (MSU) football coach Jonathan Smith has announced a significant change in the team’s quarterback lineup. Starting against Minnesota on Saturday, November 1, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic will make his first career start. This decision comes as the Spartans aim to snap a five-game losing streak and break a seven-game road losing streak. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on BTN.
Quarterback Change: Milivojevic vs. Chiles
This marks the first time junior Aidan Chiles has not started in Smith’s two-season tenure, spanning 20 games. Smith noted during his pregame radio show that both Milivojevic and Chiles took equal reps in practice leading up to the game. The coach believes that Milivojevic can inject new energy into the struggling Spartans offense, which has averaged only 15.3 points over the past three weeks.
Recent Performance Metrics
- Aidan Chiles: In the last game against Michigan, Chiles completed 14 of 28 passes for 130 yards and lost a fumble.
- Early Season Stats: In MSU’s first three nonconference games, Chiles boasted a completion rate of 71.6%, throwing for 656 yards and six touchdowns.
- Big Ten Play: Since beginning conference matches on September 20 against USC, Chiles’s completion percentage dropped to 57.4%. He accumulated 524 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Alessio Milivojevic: In recent appearances, Milivojevic has showcased effectiveness with 27 completions out of 36 attempts, amassing 281 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions.
- Offensive Challenges: The MSU offensive line has struggled, allowing a total of 15 sacks during Big Ten games—13 on Chiles and two on Milivojevic.
As the Spartans prepare for this pivotal matchup against Minnesota, the change in quarterback may be the catalyst they need to improve their performance on the field. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching Milivojevic’s debut as a starting quarterback for MSU.
