Michigan State football grades for the Spartans' performance against Illinois

Columnist Graham Couch grades Michigan State’s football team after its 38-37 overtime loss to Illinois on a scale from 1-10.

The first two drives put MSU behind the eight ball and the drive to open the second half, while promising for a while, petered out with a holding call and then a fumble. Those three possessions are killers when you’re trying to win a game and have don’t have much margin for error. But MSU’s offense deserves credit for finding itself and for getting into the end zone four times in regulation. The Spartans ran the ball effectively — albeit against a defense that allows everyone to run the ball effectively — averaging 4.7 yards per carry, including 5.1 from Jaziun Patterson, who rushed 18 times for 92 yards and three touchdowns, showing he’s someone the Spartans can lean on for both workload and production. 

Alessio Milijojevic’s numbers were efficient — 22-for-26 for 196 yards and two touchdowns — though he didn’t beat Illinois with his arm, as much as he grew into the game and took what was there. If he’s going to be MSU’s long-term QB, there’s another level he’ll need to reach. Jayden Savoury continues to emerge at tight end, and MSU’s wideouts were better than they’ve been of late. The Spartans just needed to be better on the final 2-point conversion and it would have been enough.

As rough as MSU’s offense was out of the gate, the Spartans’ defense was worse, allowing four long scoring drives on Illinois’ four first-half possessions. MSU’s saving grace was that they held the Illini to field goals at the end of two of those drives. The final four defensive possessions of regulation were much better, beginning with an interception (and 37-yard return by Devin Vaught) on what wound up being the last play for Illinois quarterback Katin Houser. His injury unquestionably helped the Spartans, who then stopped Illinois on downs and forced a late punt, before giving up a touchdown in overtime. Given the number of injuries MSU is facing — especially at linebacker and cornerback — this turned into a gutty performance, even not a winning one.

There were some great special teams moments in this game by MSU, including the one the referees incorrectly flagged as offsides on an onside kick. The Spartans still get credit for that here, even if not officially. Punter Rhys Dakin had two booming punts, one that was a little too long, 74 yards into the end zone. Liam Boyd made his only field-goal attempt, from 42 yards out. He continues to be rock solid, having made 9 of 11 field goals on the season and all eight from inside 50 yards. The return game was the only area that was hit and miss for the Spartans, with Kenneth Williams getting tripped up at MSU’s 12-yard line on one return, a drive which ended in a field goal.

I thought offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan was outstanding for much of the game, using some trickery and using players he hadn’t been, all in an effort to get the offense going. I didn’t like the last play, the failed 2-point conversion. Too cute, too obvious as it unfolded. Defensively, MSU finally came up with a turnover and I thought Joe Rossi’s depleted crew hung in there after an abysmal start. Pat Fitzgerald said afterward that he lost is poise a little on the sideline and his team takes its cues from him. That emotion is needed with this team, though. If the staff failed anywhere (beyond the last play), it was the lack of fire and physicality the Spartans played with for the first quarter and a half, and the lack of discipline on a number of costly penalties throughout.

I think missed the mark in my initial 3 quick takes, writing that this was a new way for fans to feel empty. The feedback I’ve gotten since — both from folks in the stadium and from emails and messages — has been that fans left Spartan Stadium proud of this team and heartened by what they saw, understanding that MSU just doesn’t have the horses right now. The way the Spartans finished the game, up until the last play, should also give the team some confidence, even if they’re running scarily low on healthy bodies at a couple positions. I don’t know how many games this group will have a chance to win, but, for now, they don’t look they’re resigned to what might be a grim reality. 

MORE: Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State’s 38-37 overtime loss to Illinois

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State football grades for the Spartans’ performance against Illinois