It has been a while since Northwestern and Michigan State last met in Big Ten play.
Their first matchup in five years just happens to feature a pair of familiar faces, now on opposite sidelines. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is now the head coach at Michigan State, while former Spartans starting quarterback Aidan Chiles is with the Wildcats.
Chiles, who played for the Spartans from 2024-25 after following coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State, had a humorous response when asked about facing off vs. his old team.
"I'm excited," Chiles said, deadpan, on Monday, Oct. 12. "Do I look excited? Hell yeah."
Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles on returning
to Spartan Stadium this weekend, where he spent the better part of two years as Michigan State's starting QB: "I'm excited. Do I look excited? Hell yeah." pic.twitter.com/mc0QLG2kbt
— Ben Shockley (@BenShockley_) October 12, 2026
Chiles' 2026 season in Evanston has brought immediate success in Chip Kelly's offense. Chiles has helped transform the Wildcats into one of college football's biggest surprise teams and an outside contender in the Big Ten.
Here's what to know on his transfer:
Why did Aidan Chiles transfer to Northwestern?
Chiles' transfer came after Smith was fired after just two seasons at Michigan State. He transferred to Northwestern following the 2025 season, marking the third different program he has played for in his collegiate career.
At Northwestern, he beat out sophomore Ryan Boe and West Virginia transfer Nicco Marchiol for the Wildcats' starting job. With him at quarterback, Northwestern has jumped out to a 4-1 start with Power Four wins over Colorado and Penn State.
"That's why I came here," Chiles told USA TODAY Sports. "Those are the games you want to play in and those are the games you watch when you are a little kid. … I'm grateful for the opportunity. I'm ready."
"The whole playbook's open when you have AC."
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 10, 2026
Chip Kelly and Aidan Chiles sit down with @Camwin11 to talk @NUFBFamily's new-look offense 👇 pic.twitter.com/JpjUcScb1s
Chiles was listed as a four-star recruit and the No. 14-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
The Long Beach, California, native was 8-12 as a starter in two seasons at Michigan State. He was benched for Alessio Milivojevic in the final four games last season. Before his benching, Chiles became the 18th quarterback in Michigan State history to eclipse 3,000 passing yards (3,807). He also finished with 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions
"He had a great career here (at Michigan State) and a great run here. And he’s playing outstanding," Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald said of Chiles. "The touchdown-to-turnover ratio speaks for itself. I think he’s executing Coach Kelly's offense excellently. He’s given them a chance to win every game and is the reason why they’ve won the way they’ve won."
Aidan Chiles Michigan State stats
Below is a look at Chiles' stats at Michigan State:
- 2024: 192-of-323 passing for 2,415 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions; 97 carries for 225 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns
- 2025: 128-of-203 passing for 1,392 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions; 81 carries for 227 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns
Aidan Chiles Northwestern stats
Below is a game-by-game look at Chiles' stats at Northwestern:
- vs. San Diego State: 14-of-24 passing for 273 yards and one touchdown; eight carries for 18 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown
- vs. Colorado: 17-of-22 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns; nine carries and two rushing touchdowns
- vs. Indiana: 22-of-29 passing for 293 yards and two touchdowns; 13 carries and one rushing touchdown
- vs. Penn State: 10-of-14 passing for 93 yards; six carries for 21 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
- vs. Ball State: 17-of-23 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns; eight carries for 32 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
- Total: 80-0f-112 passing for 1,172 yards and nine touchdowns; 44 carries for 73 yards and six rushing touchdowns
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Revenge game? Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles to face former team in Michigan State
