The last time the Hoosiers traveled to Spartan Stadium, they emerged with an improbable comeback. Indiana trailed Michigan State by 17 points halfway through the third quarter Nov. 19, 2022. Despite their victory, the Hoosiers were already eliminated from bowl contention.
Now, less than two years later, Indiana is playing for much more than just pride and the Old Brass Spittoon — it’s playing for its first 9-0 start in program history.
The Hoosiers were without sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke on Oct. 26. But it didn’t matter. They still handled Washington 31-17.
Rourke suffered a thumb injury against Nebraska on Oct. 19 and had surgery just two days later. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Rourke had two screws placed in the top of his thumb.
Just two weeks later, Rourke is slated to return against Michigan State on Saturday inside Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.
See the Spartans
In his first season at the helm, Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith has his squad at 4-4 and 2-3 in conference play. Smith was hired Nov. 25, 2023, just five days before the Hoosiers hired Cignetti.
Smith spent six seasons at his alma mater Oregon State University. He guided the Beavers to a 34-35 overall record and an 8-4 mark in his final season in Corvallis, Oregon.
While 12 former James Madison University players followed Cignetti to Bloomington, just three former Oregon State players transferred to continue playing under Smith at Michigan State — sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles, sixth-year senior offensive lineman Tanner Miller and junior tight end Jack Velling.
Chiles played nine games for the Beavers as the backup signal caller. Now, he’s the Spartans’ starter.
So far this season, Chiles has completed 61% of his passes for 1,657 yards. He’s also racked up seven touchdowns through the air but has nine interceptions. The Long Beach, California, native has run the ball 64 times for 172 yards and three scores.
Michigan State fell to in-state rival Michigan 24-17 on Oct. 26. Despite the loss, Chiles finished 17 for 23 for 189 yards and one touchdown. Cignetti described Chiles as a very athletic quarterback who can throw but also run the ball effectively.
The Spartans also possess a potent duo in the backfield.
Sixth-year graduate transfer Kay’ron Lynch-Adams and redshirt junior Nathan Carter have each rushed for over 2,000 yards in their respective careers. Through eight games this season, Lynch-Adams has racked up 459 yards and two scores while Carter has 412 yards and three touchdowns.
“They got a couple good backs,” Cignetti said. “They're going to run that ball and push it down the field in play-action.”
While the Spartans rank 10th in total offense and ninth in total defense in the Big Ten, Cignetti explained there will be no easy victory.
“Michigan State, good football team,” Cignetti said in a press conference Monday. “(They have) played a tough schedule. (They have) been in a lot of close games. It will be a big challenge.”
The Spartans on the opposing sideline will not be the Hoosiers’ only challenge.
Spartan Stadium holds nearly 75,000 people. The largest opposing crowd the Hoosiers have played in front of this season was the 47,811 fans in attendance on Sept. 14 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, when Indiana dominated UCLA 42-13.
“We're going on the road, playing in front of 70,000 people,” Cignetti said. “I've never played there myself. From what I understand, they're right up on you. Those present new challenges. We'll be ready if we prepare correctly.”
Indiana sophomore cornerback D’Angelo Ponds said the Hoosiers pump in crowd noise at practice, but nothing compares to the noise the real fans make in the stands.
The Old Brass Spittoon
First awarded to the winner of the matchup in 1950, the Old Brass Spittoon came from one of Michigan’s earliest trading posts as it’s widely believed to be nearly 200 years old.
The spittoon was initiated by the junior and senior classes and the student council at Michigan State, and it was accepted by the Indiana Student Senate.
Since 1950, the Spartans lead the series 50-15-1. Michigan State defeated Indiana 24-21 on Nov. 18, 2023, as it currently retains the famed trophy.
Kickoff
The Spartans are slated to wear black jerseys, pants and helmets while the Hoosiers will wear their all-white road uniforms. The first and only time Michigan State donned all black uniforms, it was dominated by Michigan 49-0 on Oct. 21, 2023.
Kickoff between the Hoosiers and Spartans is slated for 3:30 p.m. inside Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The matchup will stream on Peacock with Paul Burmeister, Colt McCoy and Zora Stephenson on the call.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
