MSU's next game at Illinois this Saturday, Nov. 16 will look a little different, with new faces on the field due to a myriad of injuries. 

The Spartans' anticipated matchup with Indiana was marred by missed opportunities and key injuries, leading to their most lopsided defeat of the season.

Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles was injured in the third quarter against the Hoosiers, leaving the field with an apparent upper-body injury. However, the 19-year-old practiced on Sunday, head coach Jonathan Smith said Monday.

In the second quarter, senior defensive back Chuck Brantley was helped off the field, unable to put weight on his left foot, while junior defensive back Malik Spencer also went to the locker room with an athletic trainer. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jaron Glover was listed as inactive on the availability report ahead of the game.

Glover saw limited time on the field during practice on Sunday and the staff will see how all three players look at the end of this week before making a decision for Saturday, Smith said.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Anthony Jones was injured against Indiana but Smith is optimistic about his return.

Defensive backs sophomore Chance Rucker and junior Dillon Tatum suffered long-term injuries earlier in the season. Smith said he doubts either will play again this year.

With an extensive list of injuries, adjustments have been necessary for MSU's secondary to see quality reps in practice and translate that over to game days. 

MSU's game against Illinois could feature players like freshman defensive back Justin Denson Jr. and sophomore defensive back Jalen Thompson. The coaching staff will look at the depth chart and analyze which players have earned their time, Smith said.

"It goes back to earning it and doing the best for them," Smith said.

Against the Hoosiers, the Spartans put on an impressive display in the first quarter, scoring ten straight points through sixth-year kicker Jonathan Kim and a touchdown strike from Chiles to freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh.

Marsh, who turned 18 in October, has stood out as Chiles' most explosive target and become increasingly consistent with experience. He's also a great kid, wide receiver coach Courtney Hawkins said after practice Tuesday, which can only go so far on the gridiron. 

"But from a fundamental and technique standpoint, we’ve got some building to do," Hawkins said. "You’ve yet to see the best version of him."

After the first-quarter spark to give MSU a 10-0 lead, the Hoosiers trailed for the first time all season. But as the Spartans veered off script, they saw their lead and competitive advantage quickly slip away.

"We came out the starting blocks pretty good and just did not respond, and that was more disappointing than anything," Hawkins said.

MSU has performed at its best this season when sticking to a plan with confidence. When scoring early should've provided the momentum they needed to pull off the upset, the Spartans instead looked lost and discouraged when the Hoosiers hit back. 

Indiana took full control in the second quarter, mounting a two-score lead and eventually winning 47-10.

Illinois is next up for MSU, a modest Big Ten matchup between two teams with not much to show for this season. With younger players stepping into key roles, Saturday could provide a glimpse of the MSU's future and the foundation that's being built. 

The Spartans will head to Champaign, Illinois for their final road game of the season this Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on FS1.