Live Game Thread: Michigan State vs. UCLA

EAST LANSING -- Kickoff is nearing in Spartan Stadium, as Michigan State (3-2 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) tries to get back on the right track against UCLA (1-4, 1-1).

The Spartans are trying to get their first Big Ten win of the season after dropping their first two conference games at USC and Nebraska. The Bruins are coming off a massive upset victory over then-No. 7 Penn State last week, becoming the first team with a record of 0-4 or worse to beat an AP top-10 team since 1985.

Both a quick preview of Michigan State's opponent and live updates can be found below. To read our gameday preview, CLICK HERE. To see the availability report for the game, CLICK HERE.

UCLA Preview

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Before their upset victory against Penn State, UCLA had seemed to be at rock bottom. The Bruins started 0-4 and had either fired or mutually parted ways with their head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator.

UCLA's season began with a 43-10 home loss to Utah. Then, the Bruins lost back-to-back games to Group of Five programs, falling 30-23 at UNLV and really hitting bedrock with a 35-10 home loss against New Mexico.

Quarterbacking UCLA is former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava. Last year, he helped lead Tennessee to the College Football Playoff as the No. 9 seed. So far this season, Iamaleava has 954 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions through the air. He's also the Bruins' leading rusher, totaling 332 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Through the air, Iamaleava's best option to throw to is wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer. Through five games, Gilmer has 24 catches, 304 yards, and two touchdowns. UCLA's second-leading receiver, Mikey Matthews, has 128 yards.

Defensively, the Bruins have two linebackers with at least 50 tackles this season already. JonJon Vaughns holds a slight lead with 54. Isaiah Chisom is just behind him with 50. Still, the unit has really struggled as a whole. UCLA's secondary hasn't intercepted a pass yet this season, and its defensive line has only sacked the opposing QB five times.

Michigan State should also be able to run the ball. The Bruins' run defense is dead last in the Big Ten this year at rushing yards per game and has allowed the most in the conference on a per-carry basis.

Live Updates

Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. | Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

First Half

Michigan State won the coin toss and elected to defer.

Michigan State's Aidan Chiles warms up before the football game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

First Quarter

THREE AND OUT: Michigan State's defense forces a quick punt to start the game.

TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN STATE: Aidan Chiles runs in a touchdown from the 2 to give MSU an early 7-0 lead.

FIELD GOAL, UCLA: Mateen Bhaghani's 47-yard field goal attempt is good.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Michigan State goes for it on fourth-and-1 and gets stuffed on a toss play to Makhi Frazier. UCLA gets the ball back on the Spartans' 35-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN, UCLA: Former Spartan Jalen Berger runs in a 16-yard touchdown on a direct snap to give the Bruins a 10-7 lead.

THREE AND OUT: Michigan State's offense misses two opportunities --- one overthrow and one drop --- in the pass game and has to punt it away.

END OF Q1: UCLA 10, Michigan State 7

Second Quarter

TOUCHDOWN, UCLA: Iamaleava finds Berger for a touchdown from the 3-yard line. That makes it 17-7, Bruins.

MICHIGAN STATE TURNOVER: Chiles fumbles on a strip sack by Devin Aupiu, giving the Bruins the ball on the MSU 32-yard line.

UCLA's Nico Iamaleava throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN, UCLA: The Bruins convert on third-and-goal from the 12 on a pass from Iamaleava to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala. That made it 24-7 in favor of the road team.

THREE AND OUT: Michigan State's offense still can't get anything going.

MISSED FIELD GOAL, UCLA: Mateen Bhaghani's 34-yard attempt hits the left upright and is no good.

END OF Q2: UCLA 24, Michigan State 7

Second Half

Michigan State mascot Sparty carries a flag during the Spartans' game against UCLA on Oct. 11, 2025. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Third Quarter

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU goes for it on its opening drive on fourth-and-5 from the UCLA 38, but doesn't convert on a deep pass attempt to Nick Marsh from Alessio Milivojevic.

TOUCHDOWN, UCLA: The Bruins extend their lead out to 31-7 on a one-yard rush from Jaivian Thomas.

Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Jalen Berger (0) breaks a tackle from Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall (5) in the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Michigan State runs up the middle on fourth-and-1 and doesn't get it.

TOUCHDOWN, UCLA: Iamaleava finds Berger again open for a 13-yard score. It was the third touchdown of the game for the former Spartan running back. 38-7, Bruins.

End of Q3: UCLA 38, Michigan State 7

Fourth Quarter

Michigan State tight end Jack Velling (12) carries the ball during the Spartans' game against UCLA on Oct. 11, 2025. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN STATE: Milivojevic finds Nick Marsh for a five-yard passing touchdown. Martin Connington's PAT was no good, perhaps because of a high snap, so the score became 38-13, UCLA.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Michigan State gets the ball past midfield, but ultimately turns it over on downs again.

FINAL: UCLA 38, Michigan State 13

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