The Michigan State Spartans were in Urbana-Champaign to take on #16 ranked Illinois this past weekend. Missing eight of their players (including two key starters) due to suspensions from last week’s tunnel incident vs Michigan, the Spartans knew they had a tough challenge ahead of them. The game didn’t start off well for MSU and Quarterback Payton Thorne as his first pass attempt was intercepted by Illinois’ Sydney Brown only a few seconds into the game. However the Spartans battled back and forth with the Fighting Illini and led the game at halftime 9-7. It was only the second time this season that Illinois had trailed in a game at halftime. Michigan State’s first half touchdown came in the 2nd quarter from a Payton Thorne 1 yard touchdown pass to Tre Mosley.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, MSU added to its lead with a 11 yard touchdown run by Jarek Brousssard making it 16-7. Right after that, the Spartans defense came up big on the Fighting Illini’s next possession, stopping Illinois on a 4th and 1 at their own 40 yard line. MSU took over and would take advantage, scoring their 3rd touchdown of the game on a Thorne to Jayden Reed touchdown pass for 17 yards making it 23-7 MSU.
Illinois would score early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to eight points but would not be able to get any closer. With a short handed team, MSU prevails and upsets Illinois 23-15 for their fourth win of the year.
Later in the day, behind another impressive second half performance, the Michigan Wolverines would rout Rutgers 52-17 in Piscataway, NJ. Right from the start, Quarterback J.J. McCarthy would find Ronnie Bell for a 35 yard gain on the first play of the game. That first drive would end with Running Back Blake Corum scoring his 15th TD of the season. It was a 1 yd TD run giving Michigan the first points of the game and an early 7-0 lead.
Rutgers would score later in the first quarter on a blocked Michigan punt. The Scarlet Knights would then try to surprise Michigan with an unexpected onside kick but they failed to recover it and Michigan would start near midfield. The Wolverines would drive down the field and score their 2nd touchdown of the game with a JJ McCarthy QB sneak from one yard out and lead 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
During the second quarter, Rutgers would add points on two of their own drives, and their defense would shut out Michigan for the rest of the half. Although Michigan would overwhelmingly lead in time of possession (17:40 to 12:08), first downs (11 to 4), and rushing yards (125 to 1) in the first half, Rutgers would lead at halftime on the scoreboard 17-14.
Similar to other games this season, Michigan would regroup during the break and dominate the second half. Behind three touchdowns in less than 2 minutes during the 3rd quarter, two after interceptions by the Wolverines’ Michael Barrett, Michigan was up 35-17 and in control. Add another touchdown by Cornelius Johnson before the end of the 3rd quarter and it’s 42-17 Maize and Blue. The Wolverines red zone offense struggled throughout the season to score touchdowns but it rolled in this game, as they were six out of seven scoring TDs in the red zone against the Scarlett Knights. Michigan put together a 38-0 second half shutout and stays undefeated winning the game 52-17.
Up next, MSU will host Rutgers (4-5) in E. Lansing. Michigan will host Nebraska (3-6) at Michigan Stadium.
