Michigan State football’s injury crisis deepens ahead of Saturday’s clash with No. 10 UCLA, as starting quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has been ruled out, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The Spartans have not disclosed the specific nature of Milivojevic’s injury, but his absence compounds the team’s struggles, leaving head coach Mel Tucker with a depleted roster on the road. This news comes just days after backup quarterback Cam Fancher was also sidelined, forcing the program to turn to its most inexperienced option for its next critical test.
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The spotlight now shifts to freshman Kayd Coffman, who will make his first career start against a top-10 defense. Coffman has served as the No. 2 quarterback during the Spartans’ recent losses to Illinois and Northwestern, gaining limited experience late in the Wisconsin game after Fancher suffered an apparent knee injury. Facing UCLA’s high-powered offense, Coffman must navigate a complex defensive scheme with minimal game-time reps, a significant hurdle for a true freshman in a high-stakes environment.
Beyond the quarterback position, the Spartans are missing key defensive and offensive weapons, including linebacker and captain Jordan Hall, who is out for the fourth consecutive game. Defensively, cornerbacks Tre Bell, Tyran Chappell, and Charles Brantley, along with wide receiver Charles Taplin, are also listed as unavailable. With kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS at the Rose Bowl, Michigan State must rely on depth and resilience to compete against a UCLA squad that has shown flashes of elite talent this season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
