If you’re looking for a quick Michigan State University football game score, you probably want the bottom line first. The Spartans ended their 2025 campaign with a record of 4-8. Their final game was a bit of a relief, a 38-28 victory over Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit on November 29.
But honestly, that score doesn't even begin to tell the story of Jonathan Smith’s second year in East Lansing. It was a season of massive "what-ifs." One week you're watching them pull off a wild double-overtime thriller, and the next, you're wondering how the offense went cold for a solid month.
The Most Recent Michigan State Football Game Score
The season finale against Maryland was essentially the "pride bowl." Neither team was heading to the postseason, but for MSU, it was about breaking a brutal eight-game losing streak. They did it. 38-28.
Aidan Chiles and Alessio Milivojevic both saw time under center throughout the year, but the Maryland game felt like a glimpse of what the "multiple" offense was supposed to look like. The Spartans racked up 453 total yards. Makhi Frazier and the run game finally found some room, averaging over 5 yards a carry. It wasn't always pretty, but it was a win.
2025 Game-by-Game Results
If you missed the middle of the season, here is how the scores shook out:
- Western Michigan: W, 23-6. A solid start.
- Boston College: W, 42-40 (2OT). The peak of the early-season hype.
- Youngstown State: W, 41-24. 3-0 felt good.
- at USC: L, 31-45. The beginning of the slide.
- at Nebraska: L, 27-38.
- UCLA: L, 13-38.
- at Indiana: L, 13-38. The Hoosiers were top-tier this year.
- Michigan: L, 20-31. The Paul Bunyan Trophy stayed in Ann Arbor.
- at Minnesota: L, 20-23 (OT). A heartbreaker.
- Penn State: L, 10-28.
- at Iowa: L, 17-20. Typical Kinnick Stadium grind.
- Maryland: W, 38-28.
Why the Scoreboard Lied About the Talent
Looking at a 4-8 record, it’s easy to say the team took a step back. But if you actually watched the games, the Michigan State University football game score in several of those losses could have easily flipped.
Take the Minnesota game. 20-23 in overtime. Or the Iowa game, a three-point loss in one of the toughest environments in the Big Ten. Coach Jonathan Smith is basically trying to rebuild the foundation while the house is still on fire. The defense, led by Joe Rossi, showed flashes of being a top-tier unit, specifically in how they held opponents in the fourth quarter early on. But the depth just wasn't there yet.
The Quarterback Situation
Aidan Chiles threw for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns in 9 games. Alessio Milivojevic stepped in and put up similar numbers. Having two guys who can actually move the ball is a "good problem" to have, but the lack of a clear, dominant #1 meant the rhythm was often off.
Nick Marsh proved he’s the real deal, though. 59 catches for 662 yards as a sophomore? That’s NFL-caliber production. If you're tracking the score because you're a bettor or a die-hard fan, Marsh is the guy you want to watch for "anytime touchdown" props in 2026.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The 2025 season is in the books, but the "score" for the 2026 recruiting cycle is already looking up. The Spartans just landed Trey Serauskis, one of the top long snappers in the country. It sounds boring until you lose a game because of a botched snap.
They also raided the transfer portal for Kenneth Williams from Nebraska. He’s a Detroit kid coming home, and he’s an elite return specialist. Hidden yardage is basically the secret sauce to turning those 20-23 losses into 24-20 wins.
Actionable Insights for Spartan Fans
If you’re trying to stay on top of the Michigan State University football game score and team progress, don't just look at the win-loss column.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With LeVar Woods now handling special teams and being an assistant head coach, expect MSU to be very aggressive in the portal this spring.
- Check the Breslin Center: Since football is over, the action has shifted to basketball. Jeremy Fears Jr. just dropped 19 points in a big win over Washington (80-63) on January 17, 2026.
- Spring Game Attendance: Keep an eye out for the April Spring Game date. It’ll be the first real look at the 2026 roster and whether Chiles or Milivojevic has taken the lead.
To stay updated on live scores during the 2026 season, the official MSU Spartans website or the Big Ten Network app are your best bets. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster, but the win over Maryland showed there's still plenty of fight in East Lansing.