Michigan State was hoping to bring a renewed focus in all aspects of its game when it traveled to take on Illinois following its second bye week of the season. Instead, break downs at different points in all three aspects of the game, offense, defense, and special teams, helped contribute to a 38-16 loss.

"Let me say, first, congrats to Illinois," MSU head coach Jonathan Smith said following the loss. "(Illinois) played really well, executed well. It's a good football team, play a brand of ball that is tough to come back (against) for the way we were executing."