CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It couldn’t have started any worse, with a Payton Thorne throwing an interception into the wind on the first play of the game.
That couldn’t have turned out better, as Michigan State football’s defense put together another goal-line stand. And for much of Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, things kept going the Spartans’ way against No. 13 Illinois.
Particularly with a swarming defense that smothered the Illini, getting critical fourth down stops and turnovers while the MSU offense found a run game late and did just enough for a 23-15 victory.
Thorne threw touchdowns to Tre Mosley and Jayden Reed and finished 19 of 29 for 182 yards passing.