This weekend, the Nebraska football team hosts the Michigan State Spartans for their second Big Ten matchup of the season.
While the Cornhuskers, led by head coach Matt Rhule, quarterback Dylan Raiola, and many other key players, are heavily favored in the game, Nebraska has to be wary of this one crucial piece of the Spartans' offense.
Nebraska football must stop a very mobile quarterback
Aidan Chiles, the Michigan State quarterback, is a dynamic runner, adding another level to his game-play that makes it significantly harder for the offensive line to contain him in the backfield.
However, Rhule is well aware of Chiles' shiftiness and has made it a point of focus in the week leading up to the conference showdown.
"[Chiles] is dynamic," Rhule said while highlighting that, beyond getting ready for the quarterback's run game, he has also completed nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts this season.
Aidan Chiles season stats 2025 (through Week 5)
- 868 passing yards
- 9 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 154 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
While earning nearly 900 yards through the air, Chiles has completed 68.6 percent of his pass attempts (70 out of 102). He has also run (or scrambled) for more than 150 yards on the ground, stretching out plays as the Michigan State offensive line struggled to protect its quarterback.
Despite the ground success, Chiles has been sacked 10 times through the Spartans' first four games of the year, even though just two came in MSU's loss to the then-No. 25 USC Trojans in Week 4.
The biggest point of emphasis that Rhule and Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler need to place on the defense is attacking the quarterback. So far this year, the Cornhuskers have earned just six sacks, but if they can drive through the Michigan State O-Line, they should see that number blossom on Saturday.
Nebraska and Michigan State are scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 4, and the game will be broadcast on FS1.