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    • Sticking with Aidan Chiles pays off
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    Sticking with Aidan Chiles pays off

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    EAST LANSING – Free Press sportswriter Chris Solari rates Michigan State football on a scale of A to F after the Spartans’ 24-17 win Friday night over Purdue.

    Violation: C

    The night and day difference between MSU’s first and second half performances was stark and almost proved costly. Quarterback Aidan Chiles went 10-for-19 for 120 yards and two TDs passing and added 23 yards on three rushing attempts before halftime. After the break, the sophomore completed just five of 12 throws for 39 yards, rushing for just three yards on five carries. The Spartans scored on each of their four possessions in the first half, but were shutout after halftime, totaling just 73 of their 293 yards in the final two quarters. Kay’ron Lynch-Adams (18 carries, 88 yards) shouldered the run-game burden, but it was Chiles’ late-fourth-quarter sneak on the final drive — after falling short a play earlier — that perhaps his attack had been. the most beautiful moment from the line in a match where difficult yards were difficult to come by.

    GRAHAM BANK: No gifts (for the most part) for Michigan State football this week or next week against Rutgers

    Defense: C

    Like the offense, the defense went from dominating in the first half after the Boilermakers’ opening field goal to giving up two crucial touchdowns in the second half. However, linebacker Jordan Turner’s interception stalled one Purdue possession, and his team pressure of QB Hudson Card late in the fourth quarter proved crucial in getting the offense the ball back for the final time. After going six games without a sack, defensive back Angelo Grose finally got, in the first quarter, the Spartans’ first since Sept. 21 at Boston College, and they had three total on Friday. Defensive tackle Maverick Hansen also had MSU’s first fumble in six games and its first turnover since an interception at Iowa on Oct. 19. Still, thanks to an overpowered secondary and limited by injuries, Card’s 342 passing yards are the most the Spartans have ever had. allowed all season.

    Special teams: C

    Jonathan Kim made a 43-yard field goal on his lone attempt, but he also returned four of his five kickoffs for touchbacks. Punter Ryan Eckley had his problems. Although he averaged 49.2 yards on his five attempts, he also failed to pin Purdue deep in its own net. MSU also committed four of six penalties on the units around the two kickers, including two 15-yard flags.

    Coaching: C-plus

    Through one half, it looked like MSU, as a two-TD favorite, was expected to play one of the worst teams in the country. In the second half, the Spider-Man meme might as well have appeared on the Spartan Stadium video boards. Coaching can only mask so many things. And as depleted as the Spartans’ injury-plagued secondary is, coordinator Joe Rossi managed to mix up his coverages and blitzes in the first half before Purdue began attacking through the air. The final burst of pressure from all three levels late in the fourth quarter ultimately clinched the game, but the lack of healthy veterans is a big reason why the Boilermakers nearly pulled off an improbable comeback. Offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren was unable to keep Chiles in rhythm in the first half, but credited Smith for sticking with the QB after falling short on third down to gain the final yard needed to run out the clock to walk. And give the entire staff credit for players being mentally prepared to ignore the rollercoaster ride and make key plays late to seal the win.

    Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.

    Subscribe to the “Spartan Speak” podcast for new episodes every week Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And check out all our podcasts and daily voting briefing at freep.com/podcasts.

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