How MSU Coach Jonathan Smith Has Fared Against UCLA

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith has some experience against the UCLA Bruins from his days on the West Coast.

Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith watches the game from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. | Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan State will take on UCLA at home this week, looking to rebound from two consecutive losses. 

A third straight defeat would send MSU’s season into a tailspin, leaving the pathway to three more wins looking more and more bleak. Spartan fans have seen a lot of losing in the last few seasons, and they are growing impatient. 

Thankfully for that group, Spartan coach Jonathan Smith knows the team’s next opponent well. 

Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith jogs back to the sideline before the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Smith spent six seasons coaching the Oregon State Beavers, so he has had a few run-ins with the Bruins. Will that experience come in handy this Saturday in East Lansing? 

Smith has a 2-0 record against UCLA in his coaching career, seeing the Bruins twice during his time leading the Beavers in Corvallis. Before he took over, Oregon State had won just one of its previous five games against the Bruins. 

2019: Oregon State 48, UCLA 31

Oct 5, 2019; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers linebacker Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (9) and offensive lineman Gus Lavaka (63) celebrate after defeating the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

His first victory against UCLA came in 2019 on the road in a high-scoring affair. The Beavers went on to win the game, 48-31. 

Smith’s Beavers had a great day throwing the football, as former NFL quarterback Jake Luton threw for 285 yards and five touchdowns. He connected with Isaiah Hodgins on three of those, and Hodgins has also since gone on to have moderate success at the professional level. 

Running back Artavis Pierce had a big day, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown. That victory gave the Beavers their second win of the season and dropped UCLA to 1-5. 

2023: Oregon State 36, UCLA 24

Oregon State Beavers celebrate a play during the first half of the game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. | Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Smith next saw the Bruins in 2023, his final year in Corvallis before leaving to coach MSU. His excellent team won that game by a final score of 36-24. 

Smith put lots of players from this team into the NFL, including running back Damien Martinez and safety Kitan Oladapo. Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles threw two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown to Spartan tight end Jack Velling in the contest. 

While it is fun to point out that Smith has a 2-0 record against the Bruins, this team is far different than the ones of the past, and UCLA currently has an interim head coach. 

Michigan State's Jack Velling, right, celebrates a first down against Youngstown State during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UCLA is coming off an emotional upset victory over Penn State, so it will either carry that momentum into this game or have a major letdown. 

However, Smith will know how UCLA has operated historically as a program, which should come in handy in some ways. We will see if his experience plays a factor on Saturday afternoon.

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share if you think Jonathan Smith's experience vs. UCLA will help the Spartans when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.