By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
EAST LANSING – Jason Reda's 39-yard field goal in the closing seconds here Saturday afternoon gave Illinois a 23-20 loss in front of a homecoming crowd.
The win was the first since 2004 for the Illini, who attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Spartan Stadium.
A small scuffle broke out, but was quickly quelled.
"I told our football team – I'm glad with the way that we fought all game," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "We had to overcome some adversity because they kept coming at us late in the game. I told our guys after the game, we need to build on this. We are starting to play like we should be playing, and they are starting to believe it."
Zook was not pleased with the way the game ended.
" That is part of learning how to win, which we are dealing with right now. But, we will deal with that more on Monday. Right now, I want to enjoy what we have done. Michigan State is a heck of a football team and it is a little bit more satisfying for us that we were able to come into their place and play a good football game."
After the Spartans grabbed an early 3-0 lead on Brett Swenson's 31-yard field goal, the Illinois took charge of the game.
A 69-yard touchdown from Juice Williams to Jacob Willis gave the Illini a 7-3 lead and all the momentum.
Reda then kicked a 27-yard field goal to cap the 10-point second quarter outburst by Illini.
The Spartans appeared to get back into the game in the third quarter when Demond Williams picked off Williams and returned it 62-yards for a touchdown.
With the game tied at 10-10, the Illini again seized control.
Willis hauled in another touchdown pass, this time with a little trickeration from the Illini. Running back E.B. Halsey tossed the touchdown pass after taking the handoff from Williams.
The Illini increased their lead to 20-10 on a Reda 34-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter.
Michigan State, which was still reeling from its loss to Notre Dame the previous week, charged back to tie the game with 10 fourth quarter points.
Jehuu Caulcrick cut the Illinois lead to 20-17 with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Spartans then tied it at 20-20 on a 27-yard Swenson field goal.
But Illinois was not to be denied on this day.
The Illini drove down the field and won it on Reda's kick.
"First I have to give credit to the Illini," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. "They played hard and deserved to win. And then, I have to look at ourselves and say that it's our fault as coaches – we didn't get our kids prepared to play the game. If you go out unprepared, emotionally and mentally, you're going to lose and deserve to lose.
Illinois finished with 390 yards of total offense compared to just 259 yards for the Spartans.
Thomas and Williams rushed for 110 and 103 yards respectively. Williams also threw for 122 yards.
Michigan State got just 82 yards rushing on the day. Drew Stanton threw for 144 yards before being hurt late in the contest. Brian Hoyer replaced Stanton and threw for 33 yards on three attempts.
Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on Saturday.
Illinois 0 10 10 3 – 23
Michigan State 3 0 7 10 – 20
MSU – Swenson, Brett 31 yd field goal
ILL – Willis, Jacob 69 yd pass from Williams, Juice (Weil kick)
ILL – Reda 27 yd field goal
MSU – Williams, Demond 62 yd interception return (Swenson kick)
ILL – Willis 16 yd pass from Halsey, E.B. (Reda kick)
ILL – Reda 34 yd field goal
MSU – Caulcrick, Jehuu 1 yd run (Swenson kick)
MSU – Swenson,27 yd field goal
ILL – Reda 39 yd field goal