Michigan State Football Struggles Early, Suffers 38-7 Defeat to Ohio State

The Buckeyes

Michigan State Football Falls to Ohio State, 38-7, Highlighting Talent Gap

Jonathan Smith's tenure as head coach of Michigan State football showcased signs of progress, yet the disparity in talent and depth was evident during a 38-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday night. Despite a competitive start, MSU's early momentum faded as turnovers and fatigue took their toll.

Quarterback Aidan Chiles completed 13 of 19 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown but struggled against a relentless Buckeyes defense that recorded four sacks. The Spartans managed just 47 rushing yards and were outgained 483 to 246 overall. After a promising first half, where MSU trailed 24-7, the Buckeyes pulled away with a dominant second half.

Ohio State's quarterback, Will Howard, threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while standout freshman Jeremiah Smith added a touchdown catch and a scoring run. The Buckeyes capitalized on MSU’s mistakes, converting on all five red zone opportunities and dominating time of possession.

Smith acknowledged the progress made but stressed the need for improved execution. “We can go toe-to-toe with them, but we need to finish drives and secure the ball,” he said.

Next up for MSU is a challenging road trip to No. 7 Oregon, where they’ll look to build on their competitive spirit against top-tier opponents.

Michigan State Football Struggles Early, Suffers 38-7 Defeat to Ohio State