Post-Game Notes: Illinois
11/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
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• Michigan State had its three-game winning streak over Illinois snapped on Saturday, 31-27 . . . the Spartans have won 12 of the past 14 meetings against the Fighting Illini . . . it marked MSU's first loss in Champaign since 1992 . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 3-1 in his Spartan tenure against Illinois.
• The Spartans held the advantage in nearly every statistical category, including first downs (28-14), total offense (490-304), rushing (175-164), passing (315-240) and time of possession (41:36-18:24).
• Michigan State's 490 yards of total offense and 315 passing yards both were the second-highest totals of the season (total offense: 501 vs. Notre Dame; passing: 424 vs. Northwestern).
• Tyler O'Connor started his seventh game of the season, completing 23-of-35 passes for 265 yards . . . it marked O'Connor's fifth 200-yard passing game of the season (career-high 281 vs. Northwestern; 263 vs. Indiana; 241 vs. Notre Dame; 224 vs. Wisconsin) . . . the 265 passing yards were the third most by a Spartan in the series against Illinois . . . the 23 pass completions were a career high (previous: 21 vs. Indiana) . . . O'Connor left the game in the fourth quarter due to an injury.
• Relieving O'Connor in the fourth quarter, Damion Terry was 6-of-12 passing for 50 yards and one touchdown . . . Terry's 13-yard touchdown to R.J. Shelton on fourth-and-4 with 2:52 remaining gave the Spartans a 27-24 lead at the time and was Terry's first career touchdown pass . . . the six completions tied a career high and the 12 pass attempts marked a career high.
• R.J. Shelton led all players with seven catches for 80 yards, including a 13-yard TD reception that put the Spartans ahead 27-24 with 2:52 left in the game . . . Shelton has 44 catches for 678 yards and five TDs this season, all of which are career highs.
• Gerald Holmes led the Spartans in rushing for the fourth time this season with 78 yards on 12 carries (6.5 avg.) . . . his 6-yard TD run with 58 seconds left in the third quarter tied the game at 17 . . . Holmes leads the team with five rushing touchdowns this season.
• Michael Geiger tied his career high with four field goals (46, 34, 28, 29 yards) . . . he also accomplished the feat his freshman season at Iowa in 2013 . . . Geiger has 51 career field goals, which rank sixth most in MSU history.
• Josiah Price recorded a career-high six catches for 65 yards . . . Price has 27 receptions this season, establishing a new career high (26 in 2014).
• Felton Davis III had career highs in both receptions (6) and receiving yards (56).
• Donnie Corley had two catches for 56 yards, including a season-long 47-yarder in the third quarter.
• Michigan State featured its fifth different starting lineup along the offensive line (LT David Beedle, LG Tyler Higby, C Benny McGowan, RG Brian Allen, RT Miguel Machado).
• Riley Bullough tallied double-digits in tackles (11) for the third time this season in six games . . . he has six career games with double-digit tackles.
• CB Vayante Copeland, OL Kodi Kieler and WR Monty Madaris did not dress due to injuries . . . safeties Montae Nicholson and Khari Willis also didn't play due to injuries.
• Sophomore Matt Morrissey started his first career game at safety and recorded a career-high eight tackles.
• Michigan State's defense forced seven three-and-outs and didn't allow a first down until the final series of the first half.
