Michigan State beats Illinois 42-3, controls own destiny in Big Ten race
By Brandon F
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Michigan State remained undefeated in the Big Ten Conference by beating host Illinois 42-3 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
MSU (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) controls its own destiny in the Legends Division. After Minnesota downed No. 24 Nebraska 34-23 earlier Saturday afternoon, the Spartans are now a sure favorite to make it to the conference championship game at the end of the season.
In front of an announced crowd of 45,895, Connor Cook led the MSU passing attack by throwing for big numbers and making unbelievable plays. Cook finished 15 of 16 passing for 207 yards and two scores — a career day for the redshirt sophomore.
With MSU leading Illinois 7-3, the Spartans’ defense stopped the Fighting Illini’s offense on fourth and one on the one-yard line in the middle of the second quarter. Cook and the MSU offense marched 99 yards on the ensuing drive. Bennie Fowler capped the series by reeling in a 29-yard touchdown catch that tipped through the fingers of two Illinois defenders. That touchdown made the score 14-3 and was clearly the deciding play of the game.
“I thought Cook played very, very well,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said. “We spread the ball around when we did throw it.
“To see him play like this, we have very high expectations. We know he’s got talent. I think he did a great job taking care of our offense as well of running the football a bit and distributing the ball and making great throws.”
MSU running back Jeremy Langford controlled the ground game and rushed 22 times for 104 yards and two TDs, while Delton Williams added 78 yards and a score on five rushes. Keith Mumphery had three receptions for a team-high 78 yards and a TD.
The defense held Illinois to 128 yards of total offense and only eight first downs. Illinois was 3 of 10 on third down conversions and finished the first half with only one rushing yard.
MSU forced two turnovers, including a fumble on a botched Illinois reverse. Dantonio said his team was prepared for such a play and credited his coaching staff for planning against it.
“We do a great job of scouting people, so we’ve seen it,” Dantonio acknowledged. “We’ve seen them run reverses and things of that nature.”
Taiwan Jones led MSU with six tackles, Denicos Allen and Marcus Rush each recorded one sack, and Isaiah Lewis nabbed an interception.
MSU hosts ranked Michigan at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
“We’re 7-1 right now, more importantly were 4-0 in the conference right now,” Dantonio noted. “We sit atop of the Legends Division. We need to take care of business, but we need to go one day at a time.”