The 2026 Michigan State Spartans football team represents Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans play their home games at Spartan Stadium located in East Lansing, Michigan, and are led by first-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Offseason
Coaching changes Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the school fired head coach Jonathan Smith after two seasons. On December 1, 2025, the school named former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald the team's new coach. Fitzgerald retained defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, receivers coach Courtney Hawkins, safeties coach James Adams, and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak. Former MSU linebacker Max Bullough was hired as a co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach and LeVar Woods was named special teams coach.
Schedule
Game summaries vs Toledo
Statistics TOLMSU First downs 10 26 Plays–yards 41–273 83–397 Rushes–yards 20–77 89–150 Passing yards 196 247 Passing: –– 12–21–1 26–34–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 16:44 43:16 Team Category Player Statistics Toledo Passing John Alan Richter 12/21, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Connor Walendzak 7 carries, 76 yards, TD Receiving Adjatay Dabbs 4 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 26/34, 247 yards, TD Rushing Cam Edwards 27 carries, 98 yards, TD Receiving Rodney Bullard Jr. 7 receptions, 90 yards, TD
vs Eastern Michigan
Statistics EMUMSU First downs 13 26 Plays–yards 52–219 71–472 Rushes–yards 26–101 45–258 Passing yards 118 214 Passing: –– 16–26–0 18–26–0 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 28:39 31:21 Team Category Player Statistics Eastern Michigan Passing Noah Kim 16/26, 118 yards Rushing Braydon Bennett 9 carries, 56 yards Receiving Harold Mack 5 receptions, 49 yards Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 12/20, 170 yards, 2 TD Rushing Cam Edwards 21 carries, 152 yards, 2 TD Receiving Charles Taplin 3 receptions, 65 yards, TD
at No. 3 Notre Dame (rivalry)
Statistics MSUND First downs 11 20 Plays–yards 45–167 67–395 Rushes–yards 27–44 43–161 Passing yards 123 234 Passing: –– 9–18–2 18–24–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 22:58 37:02 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 9/17, 123 yards, 2 INT Rushing Cam Edwards 12 carries, 38 yards Receiving Rodney Bullard Jr. 2 receptions, 66 yards Notre Dame Passing CJ Carr 18/24, 234 yards Rushing Nolan James Jr. 26 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD Receiving Micah Gilbert 8 receptions, 170 yards
vs Nebraska
Statistics NEBMSU First downs 22 22 Plays–yards 68–369 60–257 Rushes–yards 41–157 32–39 Passing yards 212 218 Passing: –– 15–17–0 19–28–1 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 30:19 29:41 Team Category Player Statistics Nebraska Passing Anthony Colandrea 15/27, 212 yards, 2 TD Rushing Anthony Colandrea 10 carries, 66 yards Receiving Kwazi Gilmer 4 receptions, 101 yards, TD Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 18/26, 208 yards, INT Rushing Jaziun Patterson 16 carries, 54 yards, TD Receiving Chrishon McCray 4 receptions, 47 yards
at Wisconsin
Statistics MSUWIS First downs 19 17 Plays–yards 79–235 62–373 Rushes–yards 45–127 42–228 Passing yards 108 145 Passing: –– 16–34–0 9–20–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 31:10 28:50 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Alessio Milivojevic 15/32, 103 yards Rushing Jaziun Patterson 18 carries, 62 yards Receiving Jayden Savoury 4 receptions, 26 yards Wisconsin Passing Colton Joseph 9/20, 145 yards, 3 TD Rushing Colton Joseph 13 carries, 141 yards, TD Receiving Malachi Coleman 1 receptions, 46 yards, TD
vs Illinois
Statistics ILLMSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Northwestern
Statistics NUMSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Northwestern Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving
at UCLA
Statistics MSUUCLA First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving UCLA Passing Rushing Receiving
at Michigan (rivalry)
Statistics MSUMICH First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Washington
Statistics WASHMSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Washington Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Oregon
Statistics OREMSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Oregon Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Rutgers
Statistics MSURUTG First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving Rutgers Passing Rushing Receiving
Personnel
Roster
Coaching staff Pat FitzgeraldHead Coach1stLeVar WoodsAssistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator1stJoe RossiDefensive Coordinator3rdNick SheridanOffensive Coordinator1stMax BulloughCo-Defensive Coordintator/Linebackers Coach1stJames AdamsSafeties Coach2ndAndrew BindelglassRush Ends Coach1stWinston DeLattiboudere IIIDefensive Line Coach1stCourtney HawkinsWide Receivers Coach7thJohn McNultyQuarterbacks Coach1stHank PoteatCornerbacks Coach1stDevon SpaldingRunning Backs Coach1stNick TabaccaOffensive Line Coach1stBrian WozniakTight Ends Coach3rd
Notes
References