Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Illinois
Michigan State Edged by Illinois 37-34 Saturday
11/9/2019 7:58:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Despite Elijah Collins' second career 100-yard rushing game, Michigan State was edged by Illinois, 37-34, on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.
Collins ended the game with 170 yards rushing, just 22 shy from his career-best 192 against Western Michigan on Sept. 7. Cody White was the top receiver for the Spartans with seven catches for 127 yards.
Michigan State (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) scored on three of its first four drives, including a 42-yard touchdown run by Brian Lewerke.
Illinois (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) trailed 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth. Down 34-30, they converted fourth-and-17, then drew a pass interference flag in the end zone on another fourth-down pass. It was second-and-goal when Peters patiently rolled out to his right and found Barker open in the back of the end zone.
Michigan State's Matt Coghlin kicked a 46-yard field goal with 3:17 remaining to make it 34-30. Peters completed a 37-yard pass to Josh Imatorbhebhe on fourth-and-17, and later, it was first-and-goal from the 1.
The Spartans forced Illinois into a fourth-down situation from the 4, and Peters' pass to Caleb Reams fell incomplete. But Reams and Josh Butler got tangled, and the Michigan State defensive back was called for pass interference. The Illini finally scored with 5 seconds left.
Michigan State will conclude the regular season with two of its last three on the road, taking on No. 14 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m.
