MSU fans saw something old and something new in a 38-25 victory over Illinois on Saturday.
The old - the Spartans (3-3 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) beat the Fighting Illini (2-4, 0-3) for the eighth straight time, going back to 1995.
The new - sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton threw his first career touchdown pass and then threw two more.
"We played a really good game and made some plays today," Stanton said. "I still don't think you've seen the best this offense can provide."
The offense did provide a lot against the Illini - season highs in points, with 38, and yards, with 487.
Eleven different receivers caught a pass, including sophomore wide receiver Agim Shabaj, who did not travel to Iowa with the team last week because he was sick with the flu. Shabaj led the group of receivers with five catches for 56 yards and a 27-yard touchdown catch, which gave MSU a 30-16 lead in the third.
Two players made their first career catches - Stanton, on a throwback from sophomore wide receiver Jerramy Scott and freshman tight end Kellen Davis. Although Stanton's catch resulted in a touchdown, Davis' catch showed MSU's depth at tight end.
"It's like going on your first date - you're nervous, but once you get done, it's like, 'Let's go do it again,'" Davis said.
What MSU did again and again was throw the ball effectively against the Illini defense. Stanton finished the day 21-for-28 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Scott was 2-for-2 for 35 yards and one touchdown.
The Spartans did an even better job running the ball. Stanton ran for 37 yards and junior running back Jason Teague ran for 38 yards. It was freshman running back Jehuu Caulcrick and senior running back DeAndra Cobb, however, who gained most of the yards, with 85 and 93, respectively.
Cobb scored his first career rushing touchdown on 12-yard run around the left side of the offensive line. The last score of the game, with less than six minutes left to play, gave MSU a 13-point lead, which was the final margin of victory.
"Our linemen were doing a great job today," Cobb said. "I just got the ball and when they open up holes for me, I make them miss."
MSU did make some mistakes, however. After the Spartans' second touchdown, sophomore punter Brandon Fields bobbled the snap on the extra point. He picked it up and tried to run it into the end zone, but was hit and fumbled. The fumble was returned by Illinois for two points.
Fields also had a punt blocked at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The ball was knocked backward and recovered in the end zone by Illinois for a touchdown, drawing them to within six points before Cobb answered with his touchdown.
"There's no way we make it easy, is there?" MSU head coach John L. Smith said. "Most of the games, it's not going to be easy, that's the way it is."
The Spartans run defense gave up 234 yards rushing and were plagued by poor tackling. Illinois backup running back Pierre Thomas ran for 188 yards and two touchdowns of his own, including runs of 23 and 69 yards.
The players said they know their tackling must improve before next week's game against No. 19 Minnesota (5-1, 2-1) - the third best rushing team in the country.
"We have to swarm to the ball as defense," senior defensive end Clifford Dukes said. "Everyone has to fly to the ball, tackle and hold onto whoever has the ball."
For now though, the Spartans will enjoy the win and the fact that they are tied for fourth place in the Big Ten.
"It's always fun when you win," Dukes said.
J. Ryan Mulcrone can be reached at mulcron3@msu.edu.
