Michigan State University
4-5 , 2-4
Illinois
6-4 , 4-3
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.
Team Stats
ILL 0, MSU 7
MSU - Collins, Elijah 1 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 3:31
ILL 3, MSU 7
ILL - McCourt,James 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 2:57
ILL 3, MSU 14
MSU - Lewerke, Brian 42 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:31
ILL 3, MSU 21
MSU - Mosley, Tre 18 yd pass from Lewerke, Brian (Coghlin, Matt kick) 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:19
ILL 3, MSU 28
MSU - Collins, Elijah 6 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick), 3 plays, 21 yards, TOP 1:10
ILL 10, MSU 28
ILL - Imatorbhebhe,J. 46 yd pass from Peters,Brandon (McCourt,James kick) 4 plays, 81 yards, TOP 0:32
ILL 10, MSU 31
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 23 yd field goal 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:01
ILL 17, MSU 31
ILL - Imatorbhebhe,J. 83 yd pass from Peters,Brandon (McCourt,James kick) 3 plays, 91 yards, TOP 1:02
ILL 24, MSU 31
ILL - Corbin,Reggie 6 yd run (McCourt,James kick), 5 plays, 53 yards, TOP 1:08
ILL 30, MSU 31
ILL - Brown,Sydney 76 yd interception (McCourt,James kickfailed)
ILL 30, MSU 34
MSU - Coghlin, Matt 46 yd field goal 5 plays, 47 yards, TOP 1:36
ILL 37, MSU 34
ILL - Barker,Daniel 5 yd pass from Peters,Brandon (McCourt,James kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:12
