Champaign, Ill. — Michigan State (4-5) is in position to control its own destiny with three games remaining on its schedule.
It needs just two wins to clinch a bowl berth, and a victory on the road over Illinois (6-3) on Saturday would bring it one step closer to doing so.
Both teams come off a bye week, and while the Fighting Illini are already locked for a bowl game, they will be wanting more as they take on their own respective final stretch of the season.
Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Spartans win that key statistical battle. For those who don’t remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Spartans have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game.
[H]eaded to play a good opponent,” said Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith on Monday. “On Illinois’ side, a guy that I really like and respect, Bret Bielema, and what he’s done there and at some of the previous institutions. I really respect him [for what he has done for] college football — being on committees, voice, advocating for the game, and so, like I said, I got a ton of respect for him and, really, his team, his current team. Good defense, veteran quarterback, creates some issues for you there. So, we know this is going to be a tough challenge that we’re getting ready for.”
The Spartans will be looking to end a two-game losing streak, while Illinois will be looking to do the same, having fallen to Minnesota in its last time out and Oregon the game before that.
Michigan State has won just one road game so far this season, its victory over Maryland in Week 2. Adding to that would be huge for its momentum, especially against a solid team like Illinois.
Be sure to follow along throughout the contest for live updates.
START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:
THREE-AND-OUT: Spartans force a three-and-out on the opening drive.
REVIEW: Ruling of a touchdown is under review.
CALL OVERTURNED: Officials rule that Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles was down before the fumble.
PENALTY: Offsides against Michigan State defensive tackle D’Quan Douse.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer finds wide receiver Pat Bryant for the 57-yard touchdown reception. Extra point is good and Fighting Illini take a 7-0 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the first.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Chiles connects finds wide receiver Aziah Johnson wide open for a 52-yard touchdown. Jonathan Kim misses the extra point. Illinois still leads.
PLAY REVIEWED, CALL OVERTURNED: Incomplete pass is ruled after officials had initially ruled an interception for Michigan State defensive back Jaylen Thompson.
PENALTY: False start against Illinois.
PENALTY: False start against the Illini.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Illinois running back Josh McCray with the 11-yard rushing touchdown. Following the made extra point, the Illini are now up, 14-6, with just over a minute to go in the first.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Illinois leads, 14-6.
START OF THE SECOND QUARTER:
PENALTY: Interference with the returner on the punt (against Michigan State).
THREE-AND-OUT: Spartans able to force the three-and-out.
TIMEOUT: Illinois charged with first timeout of the half after unsuccessful challenge.
PENALTY: Pass interference against Michigan State.
PENALTY: Illegal use of hands to the face penalty against the Spartans.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Illinois wide receiver Zahkhari Franklin with the 4-yard touchdown reception. Extra point is good. Illini extend their lead to 21-6 with roughly 2 minutes to go before halftime.
2-MINUTE TIMEOUT: Illinois with the 21-6 advantage.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Kim drills the 38-yard field goal to make it 21-9. Just over a minute to go before the break.
HALFTIME: Illinois leads, 21-9.
—
Michigan State finds itself down 12 points at the break, following a first half where just about everything except the scoreboard was even.
Ultimately, it came down to the third-down conversions, which allowed Illinois’ offense to keep some its drives alive. The Spartans, on the other hand, were 1-of-5 on third down, which prevented them frokm making the most out of the majority of their drives.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles has posted 107 passing yards and a team-high 57 rushing yards thus far, while wide receiver Aziah Johnson leads the team in receiving with 70 yards and a touchdown.
For the Spartans to be able to battle back in this one, they have to limit the third-down conversions and make deep drives of their own. From there, though, the visitors will have to execute in the red zone, which they have struggled with all season.
—
START OF THE THIRD QUARTER:
BIG PLAY: Spartans convert on fourth-and-4 with a pass to wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.
TIMEOUT: Michigan State uses its first timeout of the second half.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Chiles finds running back Nate Carter for the 5-yard receiving touchdown. The extra point is good, and it is now a one-possession game at 21-16.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Illinois kicker David Olano makes 37-yard field goal, extending his team’s lead to 24-16. Still a one-possession game.
PENALTY: Too many players in the backfield for Michigan State on the punt.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: Illinois with a 24-16 edge going into the fourth.
START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER:
TIMEOUT: Michigan State uses its second timeout of the half.
PENALTY: Holding against Illinois on the punt return.
TIMEOUT: Illinois uses its first timeout of the half.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: McCray jumps over the top to score the 1-yard rushing touchdown. Following the extra point, Illinois has a 31-16 lead.
PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike penalty against Michigan State.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their final timeout of the half.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Illini will get the ball back with just over 4 minutes remaining.
2-MINUTE TIMEOUT: Illinois with a 31-16 lead.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 9: McCray with another 1-yard rushing touchdown. Extra point is good, and Illini now lead 38-16.
PENALTY: Delay of game against Michigan State.
FINAL: Illinois 38, Michigan State 16
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 will be looking to earn an upset victory when it takes on Illinois in Champaign (6-3).){kind=link}