Michigan State football, coming from a break, was bested in an important away game versus Illinois. Sporting a 4-6 record, the Spartans lagged from the get-go and struggled to keep pace as Illinois extended their lead, culminating in a final score of 38-16. To date, Michigan State risks ending the season with a sub-.500 record, and potentially not being eligible for the bowl for the first time since 2021, as their remaining two games await. The fight was initiated by Illini, scoring a 57-yard touchdown through Pat Bryant, and MSU was quick to respond via a 52-yard touchdown from Aziah Johnson.
Illinois, for the major part of the first half, maintained dominance over possession of the ball, orchestrating two lengthy scoring attacks that ended with touchdowns by Josh McCray and Zakhari Franklin. MSU’s contribution in the dying moments of the half was only confined to a field goal. The Spartans commenced the latter half by scoring a touchdown courtesy of Nate Carter, narrowing the deficit to 24-16. However, they couldn’t reduce the gap to less than one possession as McCray added two more touchdowns in key moments of the fourth quarter, thereby sealing the deal.
Following these results, Michigan State football now carries the weight of three consecutive defeats, inflicted by the teams of Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. This has led them to a sub-.500 record in Jonathan Smith’s inaugural season as the head coach. The recent trip to Illinois was their last away engagement for the season. The final part of their journey lies in hosting Purdue on a Friday night and Rutgers on the last day of November.
Despite an early advantage, MSU’s defense seemed to crumble and the offense labored to maintain the same level of performance throughout the match. The return and fitness of quarterback Aidan Chiles were grounds for optimism, with many looking forward to a revival. Ultimately, for the Spartans to find success, especially against the solid defense of Illinois, they need to demonstrate consistency in their offensive production. This asserts the need for a stronger running game from their side, showing prominence on each play.