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When Michigan State needed him most, junior starting quarterback Aidan Chiles more than delivered in the Spartans' dramatic, double overtime victory over Boston College on Saturday. The Spartans defeated the Eagles by a final score of 42-40.

Chiles was efficient with the ball, and downright spectacular at times. He made plays with both his arm and his legs. Chiles completed 19 out of 29 passes (66%) for 231 passing yards and a career-high four touchdowns, with zero interceptions. He added 39 net rushing yards, including a long of 19 yards, and a game-tying touchdown run in the second overtime period. Chiles then found Omari Kelly for a game-winning two-point conversion after that touchdown.

While his performance was strong, it was Chiles' grit, determination and leadership that really stood out in Michigan State's thrilling win over Boston College. At the end of regulation, Chiles went down and was checked out. He walked off under his own power, with trainers by his side. Heading into the overtime period, backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was spotted warming up on the sideline.

However, Chiles wasn't coming out of the game. He was going to fight through the pain for his teammates.

"I was trying to waste time for my team," Chiles said about the minor injury. "I'm not soft. I'm good. That's really all I've got to say about that. I’m straight. I'll be back."

Under head coach Jonathan Smith, Michigan State has often struggled to produce points in the second half and has rarely outscored opponents in the final two quarters or beyond. Saturday night was different, as MSU outscored BC 13-6 in the second half and 15-13 in overtime — 28-19 after halftime.

In a back-and-forth game, Michigan State responded every time it needed to, and eventually won the game. According to Chiles, the Spartans were prepared for this moment.

"We wanted it," Chiles said. "We wanted that game. We needed that game. We faced adversity. I think it's a great football team we just played against, but they didn't have any adversity last week. So, it's just, you know, we just came out to see who's the toughest team, and today we were."

When asked what went right in the overtime period for the Spartans to come out victorious, Chiles had a simple but impactful response.

"Everything," Chiles said. "We went out there and we played football. Everything went right."

In 2024, Michigan State lost to Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts by a final score of 23-19. MSU had opportunities to win that game, but could not capitalize. The Spartans often lost games like this last year.

However, the 2025 Michigan State roster is built differently, according to Chiles. This team rises to the challenge. This team is more motivated.

"This group wants it more," Chiles said about the 2025 MSU team compared to the 2024 squad. "I think we genuinely believe (in ourselves). We come in and we have player-led team meetings, and we talk about how much we want it and what we need to do to win this game, to succeed this season. And we go out there and we play football how we know how to play football, because this team actually wants to do that.

"This team is really committed to the goal, and we're all committed to one common goal, and we continue to grow off that each and every day. We practice like we're playing the game anyway. So it's just, we come out and see another guy in front of us, like (linebacker Jordan Hall) told me, it's just another obstacle in front of us from achieving our bigger goal. So that's what today was."

Chiles passed for just 47 yards in the first half, including two touchdown passes, but recorded 184 passing yards and three additional scores (two passing and one rushing) after halftime. Chiles was strong throwing the football in the second half and overtime, but it was also his playmaking ability with his legs, including on a crucial third down in the third quarter, that often sent the Spartan Stadium crowd into a frenzy and gave his team momentum.

For Chiles, he was just finding ways to make plays and give the Spartans a chance to win.

"I just did what I had do to help my team succeed," Chiles said. "There (were) times where I probably didn't have to run, and I still did, but, you know, it was a good asset for us. It helped us open up the throwing game. Yeah, it was just me playing football."

As mentioned, the 2024 team often could not complete a game for four quarters. The Spartans have shown growth under Smith since then. But Chiles noted that the team has already shown improvement since the Week One win over Western Michigan last week, particularly on offense. Chiles and his teammates are focused on the here and now.

"I think it shows maturity and growth in a week," Chiles said about the win over the Eagles. "Last week, we didn't play (well offensively) — as a defense, they played great last week, and they also played great today. But it's just as an offense, we came out and we finished (against BC). We played a second half, we finished four quarters, and shoot, we finished two overtimes. So ... that's big growth in a week to see. Forget about what happened last year, it's all about what we are now. And this is the team that I want to ride or die with this right now."

Chiles' top target on the night was sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh, who caught five passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Chiles was able to spread the ball around to multiple players throughout the night, but praised Marsh for his efforts.

"All the receivers, we work on timing all week, we work on every little detail all week," Chiles said about the pass-catchers. "And all these guys are great receivers, and it's just, if it's their day, it's their day. If they're open, they're open, and we're going to get them the ball. That's our goal, that's what we try to do — try to open up a pass game for (them). And we ended up opening the pass game for (Marsh) and he had a great day."

It wasn't just Marsh, though. Senior wide receiver Omari Kelly bounced back after a rough first half to finish with four catches for 60 yards and the aforementioned game-winning two-point conversion in double overtime. Redshirt junior wideout Chrishon McCray had three catches for 44 yards. Tight end Michael Masunas recorded three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Fullback Jay Coyne scored a go-ahead touchdown in overtime.

Chiles is thankful for the number of playmakers he has at his disposal on the MSU offense.

"It's great," Chiles said about throwing to wide receivers he trusts. "There's a few plays where I missed Omari (Kelly) too ... he could have way more targets. But at the end of the day, it's great to have all these guys. Omari came up and finished the game for us strong. So, it's just amazing having everybody. We've got Rod Bullard, Chrishon McCray, Evan Boyd, we've got all these guys. We've got even tight ends, Jack Velling, Mike Masunas coming out and making big plays. (Fullback) Jay Coyne made a play today. It's just, we have all these guys on the field and the running backs are running the ball, and myself, we're playing great football right now. So we're just gonna carry (it) into next week. We've got 24 hours (to) carry this into next week and keep it pushing."

Perhaps the most inspiring quote for MSU fans came when Chiles was asked if Saturday night was his best moment as a Spartan thus far.

"There's gonna be way cooler moments, so I'm just waiting for that," Chiles said, confidently. "I'll answer that (question) in like Week 10."

Chiles still has some improving to do, but he is far from done growing and improving.