Big Ten Win! Big Ten Win!

Other possible headlines for this could have been:

The Juice is Loose!
The Ron Zook Era Finally Begins
Happy Homecoming
Muck Fichigan State


There are so many amazing stats surrounding how bad Illinois was before this game, and how great they were during this game. For starters, they were 26 point underdogs. I'd say they covered. Also, Michigan State scheduled the Illini (rightfully so) for their homecoming game, thinking that had all but guaranteed a victory. Talk about your all time backfires.

Before you can appreciate a Big Ten Win(!) lets look back at the recent history of Illinois Football. If you were a Illini Class of 2007, you would be a proud Senior. Dating back to what would have been your first year as an Illini:

Illinois Football since 2003: (prior to today's Michigan State game)

Against Division 1-A Opponents:
3-31 (Indiana, Rutgers, San Jose State)

Big Ten Opponents:
1-24 (Indiana)

All three victories since 2003 have come at home.
The last time Illinois beat Mich. St.: 1992
The last time Illinois beat Mich. St. on the road: 1989


Key Stats Today:
MSU Rushing Yards: 82 (2.6 avg/rush)
ILL Rushing Yards: 252 (5.7 avg/rush)

MSU 3rd down conversions 4/13

Illinois, who had of recent times favored the strategy of not scoring points while letting the other team score lots of points, finally has a defense capable of slowing down the opponent. Illinois led 20-10 entering the 4th quarter. And 7 of those were off an interception return. So through 3 quarters the Illinois defense only gave up 3 points.

3 times Illinois showing amazing resiliency:

After Juice Williams gave up an interception return to tie the game at 10, he led them on a 3rd quarter touchdown drive, running and passing like he had been there before.

When the score was 20-17, the Illinois defense was able to hold Michigan State to a field goal. The Illini of previous years would have rolled over and it would have been a comeback finish for the home team.

When it was 20-20, and MSU had rattled of 10 straight points, Illinois had under 3 minutes and the ball on their own 20. Smart money would have been on a 3 and out, punt, and a MSU field goal to win.

But on 3rd and 6, Juice scrambles for 8 yards and gets out of bounds. After a Thomas 8 yard rush, Juice throws for 16 and then 9 yards. With Illinois on the MSU 35 with about 30 seconds remaining, a field goal attempt was dicey. Juice rushed for 4 yards and then passed for 9, to give the kicker a 38-yard attempt.

In previous years, this would have likely been blocked and returned by Michigan State. But today it sailed true.