Preview is up on the homepage by @JD_Jerbear:

MSU AD Alan Haller and head coach Jonathan Smith both spoke to the media about what happened during the fight with Michigan and what will happen from here. Notably, Haller said that the Big Ten is reviewing the situation.

Read here:

Michigan State offered a scholarship to one of the most coveted cornerbacks in the 2026 class on Sunday in Rivals250 prospect Jalen Williams.

The four-star defensive back out of Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia ranks as the No. 18 cornerback, No. 33 recruit in the state of Georgia and No. 248 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

Williams spoke with Spartans Illustrated to give his thoughts on Michigan State, provide his feelings on the offer and to describe his game,

"I’m mainly getting recruited as a corner, but, a few schools have said they like my versatility," Williams explained. "This season, I’ve played every where in the secondary: (free) safety, nickel back, strong (safety), doesn’t matter.

"As far as my game, I’d say I’m a technician. I feel like my technique and football IQ define what I do. I’ve got good footwork, I’m physical, I’m super competitive and I’m aggressive. I’m a really good and willing tackler. People say cornerbacks don’t like to tackle, but that’s not me. I’m trying to hit something all the time."

More:

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball hits the road this week heading West for the first time in the new-look B1G to face No. 16-ranked USC and receiving votes UCLA. Action gets underway on Thursday, Oct. 24 when MSU takes on USC on Big Ten Network at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT. The Spartans are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 26 taking on UCLA at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

Thursday night's match will be televise nationally on Big Ten Network while Saturday's meeting will stream on B1G+. Fans can listen in live via the Spartan Media Network for both matches where John Kreger will call the action in his 20th season of coverage.

ABOUT #16 USC​

USC is 14-4 (6-2 B1G) having won 11 of its last 13 matches. USC is 213-57 all-time at the Galen Center and has won nine straight home matches.
USC ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 1 in the B1G in blocking with 2.96 blocks/set. The Women of Troy also rank No. 30 in opposing hitting percentage (.167), No. 99 in hitting percentage (.227), No. 116 in kills/set (12.87), No. 149 in assists/set (11.68), No. 230 in aces/set (1.39) and No. 278 in digs/set (13.10).
USC's blocking is led by Tyrah Ariail's 1.22 blocks/set and Favor Anyanwu's 1.04 blocks/set. Setter Mia Tuaniga is No. 55 nationally in assists/set (9.86) and is No. 5 in the B1G in total assists (680). Ally Batenhorst leads USC in kills/set at 3.70 and points/set (4.44).

ABOUT (RV) UCLA​

UCLA is 9-8 (3-5 B1G) and receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll coming off a 3-0 road sweep of Northwestern last weekend.

UCLA ranks No. 28 nationally in kills/set (13.65), No. 31 in assists/set (12.73), No. 43 in hitting percentage (.250), No. 78 in blocks/set (2.35), No. 126 in opposing hitting percentage (.195), No. 200 in digs/set (14.03) and No. 287 in aces/set (1.26).

Cheridyn Leverette is No. 49 nationally in kills/set (3.98) and No. 77 in points/set (4.29). Leverette's kills/set rank no. 7 in the B1G. Audrey Pak is No. 50 nationally in assists/set (9.92 and No. 6 in the B1G in total assists (655). Anna Dodson leads the block with 1.24 blocks/set to rank No. 67 nationally and No. 8 in the B1G.

SERIES HISTORY​

​

USC
- Michigan State is 1-7 all-time against USC dating back to 1976 when the teams met twice at the AIAW National Tournament in Austin, Texas. MSU is 0-1 when playing in Los Angeles.
- The Spartans were defeated, 3-0, in Los Angeles on Aug. 24, 2007 at the Trojan Invitational. Ashley Schatzle led MSU with 15 kills and 16 digs.
- Michigan State's lone all-time victory over USC came in East Lansing, winning 3-2 on Aug. 28, 2009. Four Spartans finished with double-digit kills led by Jenilee Rathje's 17. Natalie Emro posted 54 assists and Allyson Karaba tallied 20 digs.

UCLA
- Michigan State is 1-4 all-time against UCLA and is 1-3 when playing in Los Angeles.
- The Spartans have twice faced off with UCLA in NCAA Tournament matches, first in the second round of the 2000 tournament and lastly in the second round of the 2012 tournament.
- Michigan State defeated the No. 7-ranked Bruins, 3-1 (25-17, 29-27, 18-25, 25-22) in Pauley Pavilion on Dec. 1, 2012. Lauren Wicinski posted 23 kills for MSU and B1G Defensive Player of the Year Kori Moster tallied 28 digs. Taylor Galloway had a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs.

​

IN THE B1G RANKINGS​

Nalani Iosia is #1 in digs/set in the B1G at 4.51 and ranks #1 in total digs with 311.
Iosia is #2 in B1G only matches with 4.62 digs/set on 134 total digs.
Last week Iosia was #2 in digs/set at 5.71 with a league-best 40 total digs through seven sets played.
Zuzanna Kulig ranks #3 in the B1G in blocks thus far at 1.48 blocks/set, only behind Purdue's Raven Colvin (1.63) and Minnesota Phoebe Awoleye (1.58).
Kulig's total blocks (96) rank third in the conference behind Colvin's 114 and Awoleye's 101, and her solo blocks (17) are second behind Colvin (18).
In B1G only matches Kulig ranks #3 in blocks/set with 1.45, trailing Awoleye's 2.00 and Wisconsin's Carter Booth (1.64).
Last week, Kulig ranked #3 in the B1G in hitting percentage hitting .545 for the week (12-0-22).

SPARTAN DEBUTS​

Last weekend marked the collegiate debut of freshman defensive specialist Kayla Foley.
Foley was the first sub off the bench against #2 Nebraska on Friday night and collected nine digs through seven sets of action on the weekend.

THE BLOODLINE​

Michigan State libero Nalani Iosia and USC setter Mia Tuaniga are cousins.
Iosia and Tuaniga grew up playing against one another and both come from big volleyball families.
Iosia's sister Norene was a setter at Hawaii (2016-19), her sister Naomi played at Hope International (2008-2011) and her brother Nehemiah played at El Camino College (2016).
Tuaniga's brother Gus played men's volleyball at Hawaii (2009-10) and her brother Josh played at Long Beach State (2016-19).
Iosia played club volleyball alongside USC's Adonia Faumuina. Iosia, Tuaniga and Faumuina share a Polynesian heritage.

LAST ONE, BEST ONE ​

Fifth-year libero Nalani Iosia saved her best for last, averaging a career-high 4.51 digs per set. Her previous career-high was 4.16 set in 2023.
If the season ended today, Iosia's 4.51 digs/set would rank No. 6 in the program history book for a single season.
Last weekend Iosia moved into No. 7 in career digs at MSU and now has 1,261 in a Spartan jersey. Becky Belanger is No. 6 all-time with 1,293 career digs.
Iosia ranks No. 26 in active career dig leaders among all DI players with 1,815.
Iosia is first in the B1G in digs per set and total digs.
Iosia entered the season ranked second in the B1G in career digs among active players with 1,504 (now 1,815).
Iosia ranked fifth in the B1G last season in digs/set at 4.16.
Iosia was an AVCA All-North Region honorable mention following the conclusion of the 2023 season, the first Spartan to earn a regional honor since 2017 and the first libero since 2014.
Iosia's 483 digs last season ranked No. 8 all-time for a single season at MSU.
Iosia matched her career-high of 27 digs against Washington on Oct. 20, 2024.

KULIG AS A CUCUMBER​

Sophomore middle blocker Zuzanna Kulig inserted herself into the conversation as one of the best in the country.
Kulig ranks No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the B1G in blocks per set (1.48).
Kulig's 96 total blocks rank No. 25 nationally and No. 3 in the B1G.
Kulig posted a new career-high 12 blocks against Illinois on Oct. 12, 2024.
12 blocks in a match is the fourth-most single match blocks in program history and was last accomplished by Alexis Mathews on Nov. 24, 2010 against Michigan.
Kulig's 1.48 blocks/set would rank No. 6 in program history for a single season. No Spartan has posted 1.50 blocks/set since 2001 (Angela Morley (1.55).
Kulig's current career 1.24 blocks/set would rank No. 5 in program history.

SPARTANS MAKING AN IMPACT​

​

This season Michigan State volleyball has partnered with Team IMPACT, which matches collegiate sports teams with children facing serious illness or disability to create a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved.

MSU is matched with Taytum, a nine-year-old from Mason, Mich. with down syndrome.

Taytum will be around the Spartans all season long, attending games, practices and team events, making a significant impact on the program.

Login to view embedded media
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.

QUICK STRIKES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD ...

• Michigan State hosts its final two games at Ralph Young Field this season, welcoming Iowa and No. 1 Northwestern to East Lansing for Big Ten Contests.

• Lisa Cellucci is in her 11th season as the head coach of the Hawkeyes, and has been on staff for 25 years following a standout career as a goalkeeper for the Hawkeyes. No. 17 Iowa won back-to-back games last weekend after dropping its previous three, two in overtime. Dionne van Aalsum leads the Hawkeye offensive attack with eight goals, with Annika Herbine the team's assist leader (7) and is tied for second in goals with Lieve van Kessel (3). Mia Magnotta has played all 14 games for Iowa, with a .760 GAA and 1.18 GAA.

• Northwestern comes into Sunday's game after a showdown with No. 7 Michigan on Friday afternoon in Ann Arbor. Tracy Fuchs has guided the Wildcats for 16 seasons, including back-to-back title game appearances in 2021 and 2022, capturing the NCAA title in 2021. The Wildcats rolled through their first 15 games undefeated, allowing nine total goals - including non-conference victories over Stanford (7-0) and UC-Davis (11-1) last weekend in Evanston. Ashley Sessa took over the Big Ten scoring lead after last weekend's victories, with 17 goals and 45 points. Ilse Tromp (6-6-18) and Maddie Zimmer (8-5-17) also rank seventh and eighth among Big Ten scorers. Annabel Skubisz leads the Conference with a 0.48 GAA and .891 save percentage.

• MSU went on the road and dropped a pair of tough decisions at Rutgers (2-0) and in overtime at No. 16 Penn State (2-1). The Spartans fell to 0-5 in Big Ten play with the results, with three games remaining on the docket.

• The Spartans fell to 2-4 in overtime games this season, with three going to a second OT period and one advancing to a penalty shootout.

• The Spartans have surpassed their win total from a year ago (4) and have scored 31 goals through 15 games in 2024. The 2023 offensively-challenged Spartans scored 17 goals in 16 games combined.
• With five players boasting double-digit points, it is tied for second-most in the last 10 years - the 2015 team also had five in double figures, and the 2022 team had seven. MSU has seven returning players who have established new career highs in goals, assists AND points (all three categories). Five players have either four or five goals.

• Sophomore keeper Lyra Gavino was the story of last weekend - after a five-save performance in a 2-0 loss at Rutgers, she came back with a career-high 17 saves on Sunday in the 2-1 OT loss to Penn State. Gavino made six saves in both the third quarter and the OT period, and withstood 18 penalty corner attempts by the Nittany Lions. She has three double-digit save performances this season.

• Gavino owns a 2.00 GAA and .707 save percentage, both career bests. She leads the Big Ten in saves (70) and is 25th nationally in saves per game (5.00).

• Emma O'Neill maintains the team's scoring lead (5-10-15, 11th B1G), with classmate Ellie Rutherford (4-6-14. T-14th B1G) right behind. Rutherford leads the team in assists, while O'Neill shares the team's goal-scoring lead with sophomore Bianca Pizano. Those are career bests in all those categories for these Spartans.

• Maddie Lawlor and Jillian Bonczewski have joined O'Neill and Rutherford with career-best offensive seasons. Lawlor, who returned to the lineup this year after battling injury in her first three seasons, ownsd a 4-2-10 scoring line. Bonczewski has contributed three goals and two assists (eight points). Each of the seniors entered the season with just one career goal.

• Freshman Lilian Knorr has four goals and a pair of assists on the season to put her into double figures (10 points). Classmate Carmen Pucheta, with her goal last Sunday at Penn State, has a 3-2-8 line. The pair rank fifth and sixth on the team in scoring.

• MSU has one remaining game on the regular-season schedule, next Friday at Indiana.


Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.

EMU Fall Classic
Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: First race 4:30 p.m. (women's 5k), 5 p.m. (men's 5k)
Location: Hudson Mills Metropark (Dexter, Mich.)
Live Results

EAST LANSING, MICH. - Michigan State men's and women's cross country will close out the regular season at the EMU Fall Classic at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, Michigan on Friday, hosted by Eastern Michigan University. The women's 5k race will begin at 4:30 p.m., while the men's 5k will start at 5 p.m.

After the teams competed in both the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals and the Bowling Green Invitational last week, the Spartans have another group of runners who will compete one last time before the Big Ten Championships.

Regional schools Eastern Michigan, Michigan and Oakland will join Chicago State in the meet on Friday.

The women will be led by Mia Rogan, who set a 5k personal-best time of 18:53.4 at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational and Allison Chimielewski, who also had a PR at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational (18:05.7). Abbey Carvey also had strong showings at both the Bowling Green Invitational and the Notre Dame Invitational.

On the men's side, Matt Zeleke is among the competitors at the EMU Fall Classic. He set a 5k personal best at the Jeff Drenth Memorial in August with a time of 16:00.9. Gage Killewald also set a PR at the Jeff Drenth Memorial, just besting Zeleke with a time of 16:00.8.

Following the EMU Fall Classic, the Spartans will prepare for the Big Ten Championships in Champaign, Illinois and hosted by the University of Illinois. The Spartan women are back-to-back champions and have won four of the last five. Last season, the men finished third.

Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.

The guy is terrible. Okay, so as a former player he is trying to learn a new craft, but give him a game where UM is not playing.

His whining when the referee held up the snap to let State sub was insufferable. At the end, he said something about a great game between rivals - big brother and little brother. I don’t think it was an intended insult it just rolled off his lips. Bad commentary everywhere. I’ll stop.

How does a team get called for no penalties for an entire game. Did the Big Ten put a call to the officiating crew before the game.

He wouldn't be on my team next week.


Login to view embedded media

Notice Jake Butt said nothing that Loveland head butted Anthony Jones. Let's call the Prosecutor find what Michigan players jumped on the MSU player.

The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line tonight! Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) takes on Michigan (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) with kickoff set for just after 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

@Ryan OBleness, @jacobcotsonika and I will be in Ann Arbor tonight.

Stay tuned for live updates from the Big House.

It was the first drive of the game and plenty of other red zone missed opportunities that hurt the Spartans in the 24-17 loss in Ann Arbor.

"The red zone piece is frustrating," Jonathan Smith said.

More from Smith after the game:

Chiles would be nowhere near East Lansing if not for CJS - and - likely Marsh would have changed his commitment.

Yet, some want to complain CJS didn't use them correctly in this game.

I get it, but patience and perspective is needed.

Login to view embedded media
Article:

After last night's game, it is not crazy to think that Michigan State probably should have won. Instead, MSU lost to Michigan for a third straight year after several missed opportunities and a few costly lapses.

Read here:

Belleville and Bryce Underwood lose to Howell 30-29

If I researched correctly, when a player different than the one receiving the ball calls for a fair catch - the ball is spotted where it was caught.

If that’s the case - wouldn’t you tell your players that only the player receiving the ball should call for a fair catch?

Definitely hurt State. Am I missing something?

Michigan State redshirt junior running back Nate Carter rushed for 118 yards on Saturday night against the rival Michigan Wolverines, which is his highest total since joining the Spartans in 2023. He also scored a rushing touchdown.

Carter had a 34-yard run on a third-down-and-9 play in the first quarter, which was the longest rush of the game for either team. He added two catches for 56 yards, including a 30-yard reception on a crucial third-down-and-10 play late in the fourth quarter.

However, Carter's stellar performance against the Wolverines was not enough for the Spartans, as mistakes ultimately proved to be too much for MSU to overcome in a 24-17 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Carter thinks his team had every opportunity to beat the Wolverines on Saturday night, but the Spartans ultimately fell short. He believes MSU will learn from its mistakes against the Wolverines and will be ready to take on a good Indiana squad next week.

"I think more than ever, we're going to be more focused and locked in (on Indiana)," Carter said. "We believe we should have won this game (against Michigan), and I think everyone in the locker room knows that we probably should have won this game. There was no doubt in our mind coming into this game that we shouldn't have won. And there's no doubt in our minds that every single game after this isn't a winnable game. So, we have to continue to work, we have to continue to grind. We have to continue to do all that we can do so we can finish every single game out with a 'W' to end out the season the way that we want to."

Much more here:

x

Michigan State seemed like it wanted to make a statement in a dominating first quarter performance, but Michigan had the bigger gas tank for the final three quarters, winning 24-17 in Ann Arbor.

Full recap, including Nate Carter's monster performance:

x

What a frustrating loss. We come out of the gates blazing and miss a FG. Then duplicate with another drive and a TD. Then we went into a shell of conservativeness rest of the game.

1. How do we not game plan more targets to Marsh? Especially with their #1 DB out

2. Why do we run the ball up the middle repeatedly when it’s not working?

3. Why did we not call timeout on the first drive in 4th down? Why did we call a pass play in our own territory with little time left leading to a turnover?

4. How did our D not exploit one of absolute worst passing teams in all of FBS? With zero pressure?

5. Why the onside kick? Bizarre

6. Why did the team that played Iowa look nothing like the team that played Michigan?

Coaches get a D

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Michigan State's availability report for tonight's game against Michigan.

Antonio Gates Jr. (listed as out last week) and Alante Brown (listed as questionable last week) are both off the availability report.

Our Spartans Illustrated team breaks down the rivalry matchup between Michigan State and Michigan and gives predictions for the rivalry action on Saturday night.

How do you see the game playing out? Let us know your thoughts.

Article compiled by @zmanning10: