Michigan State fans are two years into a rebuild under Jonathan Smith, but the fanbase may already be out on the former Oregon State head coach. The program has started to show some leaks with the loss to Nebraska last week, and in the first half against UCLA, the dam broke.
The Bruins, coming off an upset win over Penn State, stormed to a 24-7 lead in East Lansing and the homecoming crowd booed the Spartans off the field into halftime. Quarterback Aidan Chiles is just 6-for-14 for 52 yards, but the bigger issues are on the other side of the ball with UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava carving up the Michigan State defense for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 12 of 19 passing.
Getting booed off the field by your homecoming crowd and it’s not even half time. Jonathan Smith football.
— 🍑 is trying his best (@msupeach) October 11, 2025
MSU fans see firsthand how much better things can get with a coaching change in 1st half vs. UCLA
To make matters worse for Smith, UCLA is a shining example of the spark that firing your head coach can provide. The Bruins moved on from Deshaun Foster, who was also in his second year, after a 35-10 loss to Nex Mexico in Week 3, and have found new life under interim head coach Tim Skipper and first-time play-caller Jerry Neuheisel…