Michigan State Football: Bowl Hopes All But Gone After Loss At Illinois

By Colton Wesley | Nov 5, 2016

Nov 5, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kendrick Foster (22) defended by Michigan State Spartans linebacker Chris Frey (23) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Illinois beat Michigan State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 5, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O'Connor (7) runs with the football against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Carroll Phillips (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Illinois beat Michigan State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 5, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O’Connor (7) runs with the football against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Carroll Phillips (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Illinois beat Michigan State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

Injured O’Connor replaced by Terry in return to starting job

After redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke suffered a season-ending broken leg last Saturday, head coach Mark Dantonio opted to put fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor under center once again. O’Connor completed 23 of 35 passes for 265 yards before leaving the game with an injury. He appeared to be being checked for a concussion on the sideline and did not return to the game. Junior Damion Terry entered the game and completed six of 12 passes for 50 yards and led the Spartans to a late touchdown before coming up short on the Spartans’ final fourth down attempt.

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Injury Report: Kieler out, Frey plays, McDowell, Bullough, Beedle all leave

Michigan State’s injury problems continued throughout the game on Saturday. The Spartans started the game without starting left tackle Kodi Kieler, moving fifth-year guard David Beedle to his position.

On defense, in what is becoming nearly a weekly occurrence, defensive tackle Malik McDowell left the game with an apparent leg injury. Chris Frey, who suffered a big hit to the head during the Michigan game a week ago, returned to action. Linebacker Riley Bullough, who missed time earlier in the season with an injury, left for a short time with trainers but returned later on. Beedle also left the game with trainers late in the game but did not return.

Spartans can’t finish drives again, L.J. Scott struggles

Michigan State continued their season-long theme of not being able to finish drives on Saturday, scoring only six points on their first five drives, all of which ended in Illinois territory. Michigan State did not score a touchdown until late in the third quarter and failed to score four different times in Illini territory.

L.J. Scott started at running back for Michigan State, but failed to run the ball consistently, picking up only 50 yards on 14 carries and being benched after losing a fumble in the third quarter. Gerald Holmes picked up most of the carries in the second half, carrying 12 times for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Elsewhere In The Big Ten

In the early games #8 Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2) defeated Northwestern (4-5, 3-3) 21-7 and Indiana (5-4, 3-3) defeated Rutgers (2-7, 0-6) 33-27. In the afternoon games, #3 Michigan (8-0, 5-0) led 35-0 over Maryland (5-3, 2-3) while Minnesota (6-2, 3-2) held a 23-21 lead over Purdue (3-5, 1-4).In primetime, Iowa (5-3, 3-2) will visit #12 Penn State (6-2, 4-1) at 7:30 on Big Ten Network and #10 Nebraska (7-1, 4-1) will take on #6 Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) at 8:00 on ABC in Columbus.

In primetime, Iowa (5-3, 3-2) will visit #12 Penn State (6-2, 4-1) at 7:30 on Big Ten Network and #10 Nebraska (7-1, 4-1) will take on #6 Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) at 8:00 on ABC in Columbus.

Next: What Cameron Maybin Trade Means For Tigers In 2017

Up Next

Michigan State will host the only other Big Ten without a conference win this season, Rutgers, next Saturday at 12:00.

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