Cook Sets Record, Defense Dominates as Spartans Pummel Illinois

CHAMPAIGN,Ill.- Just one week removed from having possibly his worst game of the 2013 season, Connor Cook bounced back on Saturday by breaking the Michigan State single-game record of passer efficiency (63.8%). Cook paced the offense to a resounding 42-3 victory on the road against Illinois.

Cook completed 15/16 throws for 208 yards and three scores, including a 29-yard pass that was tipped by two Illini defenders before Bennie Fowler came down with it in the endzone.

Running back Jeremy Langford continued his great Big Ten season by adding 104 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.

The defense continued to prove they are one of the top defensive units in the nation by holding an offense who came into the game averaging over 35.3 points per game, to only 3.

The Spartans defense came into the game leading the nation in total yards allowed (228) and rushing yards allowed (59). They improved both of those stats by holding the Illini to only 128 yards of total offense, 25 of which came on the ground.Momentum swung towards the Spartans in the second quarter.

Michigan State, up 7-3, stopped the Illini from one yard out twice to force a turnover on downs. The Spartans offense responded with an 8 minute and 8 second drive that ended in with a Bennie Fowler touchdown reception, giving them the 14-3 lead at half.

The Spartans scored on the first drive of the second half with a Josiah Price touchdown reception to bring the lead to 21-3 and never looked back from there, winning the game, 42-3.

This road victory improves the Spartans record to 7-1 going into next week’s matchup against rival Michigan.

 

Impact Stat

Last week against Purdue, Connor Cook completed 13 passes for 107 yards; against Illinois, he completed 15 passes for 208 yards

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Dan Tyler is the host of Spartan Red Zone

Photo: Michigan State Spartans