EAST LANSING — Alessio Milivojevic got to sit and watch Aidan Chiles take one hit after another over the past two years.
Now it’s his turn. And he’s taking them at an even more rapid rate than the quarterback he replaced.
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Milivojevic has been sacked 12 times in two games since he took over as Michigan State football’s starting quarterback. His next test will be against an Iowa defense that, while it’s lacking as many sacks as Penn State and Minnesota, is every bit as aggressive, and one of the stingiest in the country.
“I think we can improve a lot on it,” Milivojevic said Tuesday. “I think just through preparation weekly, we’ve gotten a lot of reps together (with the offensive line) now. Obviously, it’s getting the ball out faster.”
Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) celebrates a sack on Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) in the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
THE PAIN GAME: Michigan State football QBs Alessio Milivojevic, Aidan Chiles both ailing ahead of Iowa
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The Spartans (3-7, 0-7 Big Ten) will try to end their seven-game losing streak on the road against the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3) on Saturday, Nov. 22 (3:30 p.m., FS1) at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Milivojevic was banged up late in Saturday’s 28-10 loss to Penn State, including a fourth-quarter strip-sack fumble after the Nittany Lions were flagged for roughing the passer penalties on the two previous plays. He appeared to be favoring his left shoulder after those hits, then was sacked for a fifth time on MSU’s final possession. After being hit a few other times, he left the field gimpy and showing signs of pain with both arms.
Including seven sacks during Milivojevic’s first career start, an overtime loss at Minnesota on Nov. 1, the Spartans have allowed 35 sacks. That is tied for seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The redshirt freshman has been sacked 14 times overall, while Chiles was sacked 21 times through eight games.
“His approach is consistent. That’s one of the things I love about Alessio,” offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said. “He’s a tremendous competitor, he’s a tough kid. Yeah, it’s tough. You’re going out there, and you’re taking some shots. So to be able to get back in there standing, keep your eyes downfield and make some throws, I thought really the last two (games), he’s done a good job of that. And I think that’s something the team really respects about him.”
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Chiles missed the Penn State game with a left foot injury and had it in a boot. Coach Jonathan Smith said both Chiles and Milivojevic will be late-week decisions, and true freshman Leo Hannan would be the next in line should neither be able to play.
Milivojevic finished 17-for-27 for just 128 yards with no TDs or interceptions – and just two completions longer than 15 yards – against the Nittany Lions. That came after his strong but punishing debut against the Gophers, when he threw for 311 yards on 20-for-28 passing with a touchdown.
Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State linebacker Keon Wylie (32) tackles Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) as the ball is thrown at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
With former MSU All-American defensive back Phil Parker (1982-85) coordinating Iowa’s defense, the Hawkeyes enter Saturday ranked sixth in the nation at 261.2 total yards allowed and eighth in scoring at 14.3 points yielded per game. They are sixth against the pass (157.4 yards) and 16th against the run (103.8).
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“They got a lot of experience, a lot of guys that have been in the program and have been developed in that program and playing that defense for a lot of years,” Lindgren said. “A great deal of respect for their defensive staff. … They’re very disciplined, they understand their system, they play hard and they get to the ball. And they got a lot of talented players.”
Iowa only has 19 sacks on the season but also has 10 interceptions in Big Ten play. Milivojevic, who hasn’t thrown an interception in his past 91 attempts – since his first pass of the season, as a reserve against Western Michigan in the season opener, went for a pick-six – feels like he is finding a rhythm with his blockers in front of him to remain in the pocket and show more of what he did against Minnesota if he’s healthy.
“I think it’s a confidence in yourself and just trusting your teammates. Just building that trust with your line, with everyone around protecting, that they’re gonna get their job done,” Milivojevic said. “And then you’re just sitting in there and letting the receivers win and go and make a play.”
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: For Michigan State football, protecting QBs has been a painful problem
