Michigan State football is shaking things up at the quarterback position as they prepare for their upcoming game against Minnesota on November 1. Redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic is set to make his first career start, a critical move as the Spartans aim to break a five-game losing streak and a seven-game road slide. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on BTN.
Head coach Jonathan Smith revealed during his pregame radio show that Milivojevic and junior Aidan Chiles shared the practice reps throughout the week. This decision marks a significant change, as it will be the first time in 20 games under Smith that Chiles will not be the starting quarterback.
Smith acknowledged the challenges faced by the team, emphasizing that success requires contributions from all positions, not just the quarterback. He expressed optimism about Milivojevic’s potential to “create a spark” and help the Spartans, who have struggled offensively, averaging just 15.3 points in their last three games, following a tough 31-20 loss to rival Michigan.
Chiles, who transferred from Oregon State to join Smith at East Lansing, has had a mixed season. He went 14 of 28 for 130 yards against Michigan and has seen a decline in performance since their nonconference games, where he completed an impressive 71.6% of his passes. In contrast, the last four games have seen his completion drop to 57.4%, with only one touchdown and two interceptions.
Milivojevic, on the other hand, has shown promise in limited opportunities. Over the last four games, he has completed 27 of 36 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. Despite his early season challenges, including a pick-6 on his first pass against Western Michigan, he has directed scoring drives consistently in his recent appearances.
The Spartans’ offensive line has been a critical point of concern, allowing 15 sacks during Big Ten play, with Chiles sacked 13 times and Milivojevic twice. Looking forward, the hope is that Milivojevic’s fresh energy may help the team overcome these obstacles and ignite their offense as they face Minnesota.