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Jonathan Smith complimentary of Aidan Chiles in spite of turnovers
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Jonathan Smith knows his quarterback threw 3 interceptions, and that’s important.
But Michigan State’s 1st-year head coach also saw other things, good things, in Aidan Chiles’ play during Saturday’s 27-24 victory at Maryland.
In addition to those 3 interceptions, the sophomore quarterback also tossed 3 touchdown passes and threw for 363 yards on 24-of-39 passing in the comeback win in College Park.
Smith on QB Aidan Chiles: “His decision making in this one was improved from
Game 1 to Game 2” even with the three interceptions. Felt they were more about trying to make plays. Adds that “he played his best ball at the end” of the game.— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) September 9, 2024
“He decision-making in this one was improved from Game 1 to Game 2,” said Smith, who felt the interceptions were more about Chiles trying to make plays down the field.
Smith also said Chiles “played his best ball at the end” of the game, when he rallied the Spartans from a 24-17 deficit, throwing a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nick Marsh with 4:11 left that tied the game at 24-24. Michigan State won the game on a 37-yard field goal by Jonathan Kim with 1 second left.
Chiles has thrown for 477 yards so far this season, and although he’s also thrown 5 interceptions in the 1st 2 games, he has Michigan State sitting at 2-0 to start Smith’s tenure in East Lansing.
Chiles struggled a bit in Week 1, too, throwing for only 114 yards and 2 interceptions without a touchdown against FAU. But once again, the Spartans prevailed 16-10, so Chiles is winning even if his numbers don’t jump off the page quite yet.