The stakes for MSU football presented themselves on many different levels against Iowa on Saturday.
Homecoming weekend, a significant Big Ten matchup and the looming threat of a four-game losing streak all sat in front of the Spartans.
MSU began the second half of its season with a 32-20 win over the Hawkeyes in Spartan Stadium, cleaning up numerous areas of pre-bye week concern.
The anticipated matchup brought an MSU kicking barrage and pressuring defense to the table. The story of the game, however, was the response of a young quarterback who struggled through the first half of the season and faced a pivotal moment Saturday in his first season as a starter.
MSU sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles was scrutinized for frequent turnovers through six games, in which the 19-year-old threw eight interceptions to five touchdowns. Against Iowa, the nation’s 27th-best defensive team, Chiles’ upside and talent shined as he led the Spartans to a defining victory over a solid Big Ten team.
Excluding an interception on a poor throw in the first half, Chiles’ performance was nearly perfect both though the air and on the ground.
At a crossroads in their season, Chiles and MSU executed when they needed to and kept the line moving forward.
“Outside of that one (interception), I thought (Chiles) was lights-out,” MSU head coach Jonathan Smith said postgame. “He played, in my mind, his best, complete game tonight.”
Passing the football, Chiles looked more confident than he ever has at MSU, carving apart an efficient Iowa defense. He found gaps in coverage, accurately delivering downfield strikes into the mitts of his receivers. Through the air, he finished 22-for-30 for 256 yards and one touchdown.
“It’s a good feeling,” Chiles said. “I want to feel like this every week.”
On the ground, Chiles’ mobility was on display once again. Whether evading pressure, scrambling for a first down or running a designed quarterback option, the young quarterback extended plays while staying composed and keeping his eyes downfield.
In MSU’s most efficient game this season running the football, Chiles produced the second-most yards on the ground, finishing with 11 carries for 51 yards. Containing quarterbacks has been Iowa’s strength this season; the Hawkeyes allowed just 23 yards rushing from opposing quarterbacks entering Saturday.
While Chiles showcased a new level of efficiency, he had help from his receivers, who found soft spots in Iowa’s defense. He continued to ignite his flashy connection with freshman wideout Nick Marsh, who caught eight passes for 113 yards. Senior wideout Montorie Foster Jr. was also impressive, hauling in five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
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“All of our receivers should have five, six catches a game,” Chiles said. “That’s where our offense grows, especially this late in the season. Everything should roll perfectly.”
With the win, the Spartans (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) head into arguably their biggest game of the season, a primetime showdown with rival University of Michigan (4-3, 2-2). MSU will travel to Ann Arbor for the Battle of the Paul Bunyan Trophy next Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.