Jonathan Smith striving to improve Aidan Chiles’ pocket awareness

LINCOLN, Neb. — After throwing two interceptions, and absorbing four sacks in the road loss to Nebraska, it’s obvious the Michigan State quarterback needs a stronger presence in the pocket, and his coach couldn’t agree more.

Jonathan Smith watched as Aidan Chiles struggled to deal with the Huskers’ pass rush, and there were plenty of times that the signal-caller looked like a deer in headlights when the pocket collapsed. It was the first game this season that Chiles failed to pass for a touchdown, and he was often on the run for his life against the Blackshirts.

After all, Chiles had four touchdown tosses in the win over Boston College, and three in the loss at USC, so it confused Smith that the signal-caller didn’t have the same success in Lincoln. He only completed nine of his 23 passes for 85 yards, and there were times that he held onto the ball too long. Not to mention the Spartans only converted two of their 14 attempts on third downs, and turned the ball over three times on offense.

However, Michigan State (3-2) was basically money on fourth down, and Chiles improvised enough to move the chains, which encouraged Smith.

“I think on Aidan’s end the effort is there on some of those fourth down runs,” Smith said. “We gotta have better play out of the pocket, and that starts with himself, the calls we’re making, the route-running, but we weren’t efficient in the passing game, and he’s our quarterback.”

It didn’t help that the Spartans only averaged 3.5 yards per play. On top of that, the Blackshirts held Michigan State’s offense to a season-low, 84 yards on the ground. In return, that lack of production put more pressure on Chiles, and he didn’t receive much help from his supporting cast. Regardless, Smith just wants to build on the positive aspects from Saturday’s clash.

Michigan State led Nebraska (4-1) in first downs, plays and time of possession. Special team blunders, defensive breakdowns in the secondary and the wind didn’t do the offense any justice though. Which is why Chiles had to play the hero, and put too much responsibility on his shoulders in the second half, and that frustrated Smith.

Recognizing defensive coverages, audibling at the line of scrimmage and stepping up in the pocket will go a long way in limiting sacks on Chiles in Smith’s eyes, and will help the offense as the team dives deep into Big Ten play.

“He’s gotta learn from that because there were times that I thought the protection held up okay,” he said. “The eyes are right, go through the progressions, but we gotta make sure we’re separating and getting open at the appropriate time too.”

Although Chiles displayed toughness, the hits from the Blackshirts took a toll on Chiles late in the second half. After the Huskers went up by three scores in the fourth quarter, and Chiles banged up, Smith inserted backup Alessio Millvojevic for Michigan State’s last drive of the game. Millvojevic led the offense on a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a rushing score. Smith was impressed that Millvojevic completed six of his seven passes for 71 yards, and scored two total touchdowns on the afternoon.

“The game kind of got out of hand, Aidan got banged up early, Alessio came in and threw a touchdown and I was pleased with that at the end,” the 46-year old said. “The game was out of hand, that’s why were giving some reps to Alessio.”

The Spartans are going through some adversity on a two-game losing streak, and winless in Big Ten play. Still, Smith believes he can iron out all of the wrinkles, and improve Chiles’ maturation process. The Big Ten gauntlet only gets tougher from this point, and Michigan State’s offense will likely go as far as Chiles can take it. At the end of the day, Smith just wants to see solid execution from his offense for an entire game.

“We gotta find a way to play better for four quarters.”