Going down with an injury during the first half of a dominant personal performance, Nick Marsh was looking on as his team limped to a 41-24 win over Youngstown State.
The star sophomore was on the sidelines without a helmet against the Penguins in the second half, and it was pretty clear that Jonathan Smith and the coaching staff were taking the necessary precautions to protect his long-term health. After the game, Smith said that it likely wasn't a serious injury, but his status for the USC game was unknown.
Marsh was to be re-evaluated before Michigan State hopped on a plane on Thursday afternoon for Los Angeles. Everyone seemed to be holding their collective breath for good news.
Pete Thamel delivered on Friday afternoon.
Yes, Nick Marsh is playing on Saturday night against USC.
Sources: Michigan State star wide receiver Nick Marsh and leading rusher Makhi Frazier are expected to play at USC. Marsh had a leg injury against Youngstown and Frazier suffered a lower body injury. Both are cleared and in line to play Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/ahkQQCvZO2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 19, 2025
This is a great development for the Spartans, namely Aidan Chiles. We all saw how poorly the offense ran a year ago in the Spartans' fourth game of the season when Chiles was without Marsh at Boston College. His receiving corps, as a whole, is much better this season, but that would still be a massive blow to the offense if Chiles' top target were to be ruled out for the biggest game of the season thus far.
Fortunately, Marsh is playing, and the offense looks like it's coming together nicely, scoring 40-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2017.
Marsh and Chiles will attempt to make that three in a row on Saturday night as the Spartans will attempt to pull off the major upset. If anyone can shock the world, it's these two.