Chris Solari
@chrissolari.bsky.social
Michigan State football/men's basketball reporter for Detroit Free Press, Heisman/Naismith award voter. Work found at https://www.freep.com/staff/2648040001/chris-solari/
Another week of limbo for Jonathan Smith, Michigan State football www.freep.com/story/sports...
Another week of limbo for Jonathan Smith, Michigan State football
With one game left in a season gone awry, Jonathan Smith said he does not know if he will be back as Michigan State football coach in 2026.
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November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Another week of limbo for Jonathan Smith, Michigan State football www.freep.com/story/sports...
Smith says he feels WR Nick Marsh might be pressing during the losing streak in recent games. "He wants to make a difference in the game. And I think he had a couple snaps over the last few weeks that might have held him back a little bit."
November 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Smith says he feels WR Nick Marsh might be pressing during the losing streak in recent games. "He wants to make a difference in the game. And I think he had a couple snaps over the last few weeks that might have held him back a little bit."
Smith says MSU's game at Maryland is being treated as a neutral site game and the Spartans are restricted to a 74-man travel roster.
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Smith says MSU's game at Maryland is being treated as a neutral site game and the Spartans are restricted to a 74-man travel roster.
Smith says Chiles wasn't cleared to play at Iowa but hopes he can be available vs. Maryland.
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Smith says Chiles wasn't cleared to play at Iowa but hopes he can be available vs. Maryland.
Smith asked about his confidence level about his future and potentially returning to MSU next year: "That's always a solid question." Says nothing has been communicated to him one way or another from MSU leadership.
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Smith asked about his confidence level about his future and potentially returning to MSU next year: "That's always a solid question." Says nothing has been communicated to him one way or another from MSU leadership.
Smith on team, said it has been "consistent disappointment" but felt the "ownership" of all three phases contributing to the loss at Iowa. "I totally anticipate they'll bow up again."
November 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Smith on team, said it has been "consistent disappointment" but felt the "ownership" of all three phases contributing to the loss at Iowa. "I totally anticipate they'll bow up again."
Smith says MSU players are excited to play Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit. "A big-time place."
November 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Smith says MSU players are excited to play Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit. "A big-time place."
Jonathan Smith at the podium to preview MSU-Maryland. Opens, "Like normal, a chance to digest the film yesterday." Liked the defense, felt Milivojevic played tough. "We did not have enough 4th-quarter offensive-wise."
November 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Jonathan Smith at the podium to preview MSU-Maryland. Opens, "Like normal, a chance to digest the film yesterday." Liked the defense, felt Milivojevic played tough. "We did not have enough 4th-quarter offensive-wise."
Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith gets support from Kirk Ferentz, one of Spartans’ key leaders
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Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith gets support from Kirk Ferentz
Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, who suffered an early-career losing streak, voiced his support for struggling Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith.
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November 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith gets support from Kirk Ferentz, one of Spartans’ key leaders
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MSU's collapse in loss to Iowa perhaps most painful yet under Jonathan Smith
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MSU's collapse in loss to Iowa perhaps worst yet under Jonathan Smith
Michigan State score vs. Iowa: The Spartans lost another heartbreaker to Iowa, 20-17, in a total collapse.
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November 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
MSU's collapse in loss to Iowa perhaps most painful yet under Jonathan Smith
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Michigan State football grades vs Iowa: Final punt call still baffling www.freep.com/story/sports...
Michigan State football grades vs Iowa: Final punt call still baffling
Free Press sports writer Chris Solari grades Michigan State football after the Spartans’ 20-17 loss at Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 22.
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November 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Michigan State football grades vs Iowa: Final punt call still baffling www.freep.com/story/sports...
Inside calls that backfired for MSU vs Iowa; 'Erring on the aggressive side'
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Michigan State football's calls that backfired in collapse at Iowa
Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith second-guessed some key decisions in the Spartans' 20-17 collapse at Iowa.
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November 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Inside calls that backfired for MSU vs Iowa; 'Erring on the aggressive side'
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Smith: "This thing is a lot about the scoreboard, and I'm not trying to shy away from that in any way." Feels MSU has shown some growth this season toward what he envisions for his program.
November 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Smith: "This thing is a lot about the scoreboard, and I'm not trying to shy away from that in any way." Feels MSU has shown some growth this season toward what he envisions for his program.
Smith says he meets weekly with J Batt and plans to do so again this week. Batt is here in Iowa City and watched the game from the press box.
November 23, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Smith says he meets weekly with J Batt and plans to do so again this week. Batt is here in Iowa City and watched the game from the press box.
Smith: "Losing sucks. But that's what we all sign up for, to play this competitive game. ... After losses is tough on everybody."
November 23, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Smith: "Losing sucks. But that's what we all sign up for, to play this competitive game. ... After losses is tough on everybody."
MSU coach Jonathan Smith opens with one word: "Painful." Adds, "It's tough, there's no other way to say it." Credits defense and executing the game plan, knew offensive game would be tough for both teams. "Special teams hurt us."
November 23, 2025 at 12:28 AM
MSU coach Jonathan Smith opens with one word: "Painful." Adds, "It's tough, there's no other way to say it." Credits defense and executing the game plan, knew offensive game would be tough for both teams. "Special teams hurt us."
Milivojevic said MSU coaches felt the best option was to run the screen pass to Tau-Tolliver at the end of the first half. QB said he needs to be better with the ball that was intercepted and gave Iowa a chance at a FG.
November 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Milivojevic said MSU coaches felt the best option was to run the screen pass to Tau-Tolliver at the end of the first half. QB said he needs to be better with the ball that was intercepted and gave Iowa a chance at a FG.
MSU LB Jordan Hall: "The bad that coach Smith gets, it appalls me. He's a great coach, a great man, and he leads well. I stand by him. He's been constant, win lose or draw."
November 23, 2025 at 12:21 AM
MSU LB Jordan Hall: "The bad that coach Smith gets, it appalls me. He's a great coach, a great man, and he leads well. I stand by him. He's been constant, win lose or draw."
FINAL: Iowa 20, MSU 17. A 44-yard FG by Drew Stevens wins it for Hawkeyes. Spartans' eighth straight loss.
November 23, 2025 at 12:00 AM
FINAL: Iowa 20, MSU 17. A 44-yard FG by Drew Stevens wins it for Hawkeyes. Spartans' eighth straight loss.
Iowa in MSU territory. Defense fading. Hawkeyes going for a winning FG with :03 seconds left, ball at the Spartans' 27.
November 22, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Iowa in MSU territory. Defense fading. Hawkeyes going for a winning FG with :03 seconds left, ball at the Spartans' 27.
MSU offense stalls at midfield. Milivojevic with his third punt, clearly to keep Wetjen off the field. Iowa ball at own 21 with 41 seconds left, tied 17-17.
November 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
MSU offense stalls at midfield. Milivojevic with his third punt, clearly to keep Wetjen off the field. Iowa ball at own 21 with 41 seconds left, tied 17-17.
MSU 17, Iowa 17, 1:29 left 4Q: Gronowski with a 13-yard TD pass over MSU's Dontavius Nash to tie it.
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
MSU 17, Iowa 17, 1:29 left 4Q: Gronowski with a 13-yard TD pass over MSU's Dontavius Nash to tie it.
MSU 17, Iowa 10, 1:56 left 4Q: Hawkeyes first-and-10 at the Spartans' 15 after runs of 16 yards by Gronowski and 11 by Moulton. Does MSU's defense have enough left?
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
MSU 17, Iowa 10, 1:56 left 4Q: Hawkeyes first-and-10 at the Spartans' 15 after runs of 16 yards by Gronowski and 11 by Moulton. Does MSU's defense have enough left?
Stop if you've heard this: Another long punt return sets up Iowa in MSU territory.
November 22, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Stop if you've heard this: Another long punt return sets up Iowa in MSU territory.
MSU gets enough pressure to effect Grnowski, and his pass sails high and nearly picked. Spartans force Iowa into turnover on downs with 3:45 left.
November 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM
MSU gets enough pressure to effect Grnowski, and his pass sails high and nearly picked. Spartans force Iowa into turnover on downs with 3:45 left.