Michigan State Football: Bowl Hopes All But Gone After Loss At Illinois
The Michigan State Spartans are all but out of bowl contention after losing 31-27 to the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday.
The Michigan State Spartans‘ losing streak extended to seven games on Saturday, including six in conference, as they lost 31-27 to Illinois on the road. The Spartans are now unlikely to qualify for a bowl game even if they win out after a 2-7 start.
The Spartans dominated field position in the first half, possessing the ball in Illinois territory five times, but came away with only six points on two Michael Geiger field goals to lead 6-0 late in the second quarter. The Illini had managed only 21 yards of offense, no first downs and five punts on their first five drives, but launched an 11-play, 73-yard drive to end the half, closing it out with a 19-yard touchdown run by Kendrick Foster to give Illinois a 7-6 halftime lead.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
After another Michigan State drive stalled out after a dropped pass in the endzone by Josiah Price, the Spartans settled for another field goal to take a 9-7 lead early in the fourth. Illinois responded quickly as Foster ran for a 64-yard touchdown to take the lead back for the Illini. An L.J. Scott fumble turned into an Illinois field goal to increase the Illini lead to 17-9, but Michigan State’s offense finally finished a drive late in the third as Gerald Holmes capped off a 10-play, 84-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Tyler O’Connor found R.J. Shelton on the ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game at 17 going into the fourth.
The Illini opened the fourth quarter with a nine-play, 70-yard drive, taking the 24-17 lead on a one-yard pass from Jeff George Jr. to Ainslie Johnson. The Spartans responded with a drive of their own, but stalled out in Illinois territory yet again and settled for another field goal to cut the lead to four. After a defensive stop for Michigan State, Damion Terry, subbing in for O’Connor, who left with an injury, found Shelton for a 13-yard touchdown on fourth down to take a 27-24 lead with 2:52 remaining in the fourth.
The Illini had one drive left, however, going 75 yards in four plays with the help of a couple of defensive penalties and scoring on a 16-yard pass from George to Sam Mays to take a 31-27 lead with 1:35 left. Terry and the Spartans launched one more drive deep into Illinois territory, but Terry was tackled for a loss on fourth and three at the Illinois 15-yard line and Illinois ran out the clock on a 31-27 win.