V-Cast: Holy crap, what was that? Michigan State pounds out big win, eyes Michigan

EAST LANSING, Mich. – In the latest edition or the SpartanMag V-Cast, SpartanMag’s Paul Konyndyk and Jim Comparoni chime in with their thoughts about the progress Michigan State made, and maybe the statement the Spartans made, in their 32-20 victory over Iowa, Saturday from Spartan Stadium. 

Michigan State carved out success on the ground, through the air, and contained the Iowa rushing attack (for all but one play) but had to answer stiff challenges from the Hawkeyes in the second half. 

“The whole Michigan State football universe looks a lot different today and it could look a lot different seven days from now,” Comparoni said. “Iowa is pretty good, not great, but Michigan State was tough in a lot of ways,” Comparoni said. “We were wondering whether Michigan State was capable of something like 

“Coming out of the bye week, there was a chance they could look different, but I still needed to see it. We hadn’t seen the running game produce really all season. For them to come out and do this, against a good Iowa defensive front, makes the whole rest of the season look different and opens up all kinds of possibilities.”

Aiden Chiles was a difference-maker for the Spartans. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards. He had one touchdown pass, one interception, and rushed for 51 net yards (70 gains and 19 losses).

“For Chiles to come in and play within himself and beat Iowa, he did a great job, but he doesn’t do that if he doesn’t have the run game, and that’s where all of it started,” Konyndyk said. “Aidan Chiles, he played as well within himself as any quarterback I can remember covering making his first start against Iowa. This was  a huge test for him because his weaknesses line up with Iowa’s strengths. He has a tendency to try to do too much, he has a tendency to try to fit the ball where he shouldn’t, and you would think against a team like this, it would lead to an interception-prone evening. 

“He didn’t have to make a ton of throws, he didn’t have to do it all on his shoulders, and I felt this was the firs time when the opponent was really falling for some of he play action stuff because the run game was working. I thought Michigan State did a great job of run game execution. This was the best-blocked game that I’ve seen this year.

“The way Michigan State won this game, dominating the game physically on both sides of the ball at the point of attack, I didn’t see that coming.”

Comparoni echoed Konyndyk’s thoughts on Chiles.

“Earlier in the year, he was a riverboat gambler, which is understandable, as young as he was,” Comparoni said. “He has pulled back the reins on those. Today, 22 of 30, 256 yards, efficient, rushed for 50 yards, he was a weapon, he was a plus. Michigan State had a big advantage at the quarterback position today over Cade McNamara. Aiden Chiles deserves it. He should feel good about this, and I’m sure he does.”

Michigan State will play at Michigan next week. Both teams will be 4-3. Michigan State is on an upswing, and Michigan is coming off a 21-7 loss at Illinois.

Michigan State players were asked about the upcoming Michigan game after this victory over Iowa. No one said anything superfluous, but Comparoni said you can expect the Spartans to be primed.

“They are going to be so eager for that game,” Comparoni said. “Montorie Foster said he’s looking forward to playing this game; but he was measured with it. 

“There are 61 new players on the team but they will be told what’s at stake with this one. Even Jonathan Smith doesn’t completely know what this rivalry is about. I think they’ll turn some of it over to guys like Montorie Foster, Maverick Hansen, assistant coaches like Courtney Hawkins and Demetrice Martin to come to the forefront on this one, this week.”