Rapid Reaction: Illinois loses to Mississippi State in ReliaQuest Bowl on game-winning drive by Bulldogs
Final Score: Mississippi State 19, Illinois 10
The ReliaQuest Bowl was the first game for Mississippi State since Mike Leach’s passing. Leach passed away due to complications with a heart condition. It’s only right that the Bulldogs played at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after losing “The Pirate”.
Other than Leach’s legacy, the Illinois defense was the story of this game.
In the first game after Ryan Walters’ departure, the Fighting Illini forced a number of turnovers. Walters left Illinois for Purdue. Aaron Henry is now the team’s DC.
Illinois forced two turnovers in the first half. Matthew Bailey picked off Mississippi State QB Will Rogers for the first turnover. The timing could not have been more perfect as both of the announces were talking about how the Illinois defense leads the nation in takeaways.
Perfect timing by Dave Flemming & Rod Gilmore in the booth. They were talking about Illinois’ defense leading the nation in takeaways this season … and Illinois immediately gets the INT! pic.twitter.com/HkUbzQkyCu
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) January 2, 2023
Kendall Smith made a great play on a deep ball from Rogers just a few minutes later. All Smith had to do was just stay with the Bulldog receiver for the pick.
Will Rogers goes deep and gets picked off by Kendall Smith! #Illinois pic.twitter.com/0FchHYUE06
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) January 2, 2023
It wasn’t until just before half that fans finally saw a touchdown. Tommy DeVito scored on a two-yard scramble for his 6th of the year.
The defensive fireworks didn’t stop there as both teams traded field goals until Mississippi State finally scored in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Rogers threaded a nice pass one of his wideouts in the back of the end zone.
The game would be decided after a late game drive by Mississippi State that ended with a chip shot field goal. Illinois tried to draw a lateral play, but it was picked off by Mississippi State to add to the score.
The loss means that Illinois will finish the season at 8-5. This is the best year that Bret Bielema has had since taking over last season and finishing at 5-7. Although Walters won’t be with the team in 2023, things are looking up for the program.