LINCOLN — Michigan State’s offense, coach Matt Rhule said at his Monday’s presser, likes to run the plays that have given the Huskers’ defense trouble this season — such as the outside zone that produced two long touchdowns for Michigan — and the Spartans have the kind mobile quarterback who can burn NU with his legs.
Adian Chiles is fourth among Big Ten quarterbacks in rushing yards (154) while completing 68.6% of his passes this season. He threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns in an overtime win over Boston College, then 212 yards and three touchdowns in the 45-31 loss at USC.
And Chiles operates a pro-style offense under MSU coach Jonathan Smith — himself a protégé of former Husker coach Mike Riley.
“He’s a thinking man’s quarterback, which I respect, he’s completing 70% of his passes, so he’s taking what there, he’s protecting the football and he is dynamic,” Rhule said of the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State and threw for 2,415 yards last season at MSU. “He can run. We’ll obviously see the quarterback draw and all the things we’ve seen — so we’ll have to be prepared to stop that — but it’s also his ability to run behind the line of scrimmage when needed to and create plays.”
The No. 58 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports, Chiles throws one of the Big Ten top receiving combos in Omari Kelly (21 catches, 317 yards) and Nick Marsh (18 for 222). The Spartans won’t skimp on rush attempts, either, averaging 36 per game. Sophomore Makhi Frazier leads the way with 267 yards, with the vast majority of his carries coming in opponent territory.
MSU annually has one of the taller, heavier teams in the league.
“Michigan State’s offensive line and defensive line are going to come in here and try to push us around,” Rhule said. “So we have to be ready for that. We went against each other last week but it’s time to go against another opponent. (If) we get punched in the face, we can’t cover up. We’ve got to come out swinging.
“I know they’re going to come out swinging, so I’m expecting us to.”
Sam McKewon
Sports Editor
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