Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles feels more 'comfortable' in 2025, but knows there is still a lot to improve upon

It was far from a perfect game from Michigan State junior quarterback Aidan Chiles in the Spartans' 23-6 win over Western Michigan to open the 2025 season on Friday night. There is still a lot he needs to work on individually, and a lot of room for improvement for MSU overall. Chiles is well aware of that.

However, Chiles' decision-making looked improved. His confidence was evident. His stat line was solid. Chiles completed 17 out of 23 passes (74%) for 155 yards, one touchdown (to sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh) and zero interceptions. Chiles also looked strong as a runner, including ripping off a run for a gain of 26 yards.

On the flip side, though, Chiles once again struggled with ball security, fumbling twice and losing one of those (although, his pass protection didn't do him any favors on those fumbles). He missed a couple of open throws and perhaps still needs to improve his footwork. The Spartans also didn't challenge the Western Michigan secondary by throwing the ball downfield very often.

But it was clear that Chiles was ready. He felt comfortable out there and felt like he belonged. He led the Michigan State offense to a 21-0 lead at halftime. The offensive unit looked strong, particularly in the ground game, in the first half.

"A lot more comfortable," Chiles said when asked how he felt in the first game of 2025 versus game one of 2024 versus Florida Atlantic. "I would ask you (the media), though, did you see me more comfortable? That's a real thing. Just, I felt like I belonged. I felt like I was just ready to go. I could sit there in the pocket and throw the ball, I could escape when I had to escape. Just felt like I was dictating the game. I felt like the game was under my control, and I went out there and played how I did."

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However, the Spartans sputtered offensively in the second half. The only points MSU scored in the second half were by the defense, as defensive linemen Alex VanSumeren and Jalen Thompson forced a safety. Meanwhile, the Western Michigan defense scored the only points of the game for the Broncos, as former Spartan safety Tate Hallock took an interception into the end zone on a pass thrown by MSU backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic in the fourth quarter.

Chiles was pleased his team got the win, but he wants to see the Spartans complete more drives by putting points on the board. That is something MSU will continue to work on as the 2025 campaign progresses. He knows the Spartans have to be better moving forward.

"First half, you know — energy, adrenaline, came out shooting, came out firing," Chiles said after the game. "Second half, I think they (the Broncos) made adjustments ... they have a good team, made adjustments. At the same time, we've got to just come out and execute, and we didn't do our job, simple as that. It's frustrating, it's disappointing, but at the end of the day, we got the win, so I can't really be mad. But at the end of the day, we've got to be better. We've just got to finish stronger."