The Spartans needed a victory and they got one without their best player.
MSU sophomore running back T.J. Duckett only carried the ball one time for two yards. Duckett’s status was questionable going into the game because of a shoulder injury he aggravated last week at Michigan.
Despite Duckett’s injury, the Spartans garnered their first Big Ten win of the season over Illinois, 17-10.
Freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker came on in relief of junior Ryan Van Dyke, and led the Spartans to their much-needed victory.
MSU ended their scoring drought early Saturday, when sophomore fullback Dawan Moss found the end zone with a 4-yard touchdown plunge at 6:19 of the first quarter.
The Spartans hadn’t scored since Herb Haygood caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the Wisconsin game on Oct. 14. The scoring drive covered only 35 yards because of an Illinois personal foul on its punt to MSU.
Moss’s touchdown proved to be the only scoring of the first half, and the Spartans went into the locker room with a 7-0 lead.
Because of Duckett’s injury, the running back duties were performed by committee.
Moss, freshman Tyrell Dortch and junior Little John Flowers combined for 22 first-half carries.
Beginning the second half, the Fighting Illini drove the ball to MSU’s 20-yard line before quarterback Kurt Kittner was picked off by MSU senior cornerback Renaldo Hill in the end zone. Illinois drove the ball mostly on the ground with several large gains from halfback Antoineo Harris, who had 104 yards through three quarters.
MSU was unable to capitalize on the turnover.
On the ensuing possession, Van Dyke was intercepted by Illinois’ Bobby Jackson, who returned 39 yards for an Illini touchdown.
Jackson leaped into the end zone over several Spartan would-be tacklers to tie the score at 7-7 with 9:18 in the third quarter.
On MSU’s next possession, Smoker was sent onto the field by Spartan head coach Bobby Williams. It was Smoker’s first action since the Wisconsin game.
Despite controlling the ball for much of the third quarter, Illinois only came away with seven points. Near the end of the quarter, the Illini were faced with fourth-and-one on MSU’s 7-yard line. Following a timeout, Illinois ran a play-action pass on MSU’s defense.
When Kittner rolled out to his right, Illinois tight end Brian Hodges was wide open in the end zone, but Kittner’s pass hit the ground before Hodges could get his hands on the ball.
Smoker was given a second chance in the third quarter, but the Spartans were still unable to muster any offense.
Starting the fourth quarter, Kittner led the Illini down to MSU’s 5-yard line. The drive stalled there, and Illinois kicker J.J. Tubbs nailed a 22-yard field goal, giving the Illini a 10-7 lead with 12:15 remaining in the game.
With Smoker still at the helm, the Spartans drove 82 yards in 4:03, and culminated the drive on Moss’s second touchdown of the day, this one a 1-yard run.
The score gave MSU a 14-10 lead with 8:04 in the game, which proved to be enough for the victory.
