Michigan State halts skid by upending No. 14 Illinois 23-15

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- , Payton Thorne didn't mince words about the negative cloud that hovered above Michigan State's football program this week. The Spartans quarterback said in the days leading to Saturday's game at No. 14 Illinois that “we're all we got” and “no one is coming to save us" after an embarrassing loss to rival Michigan and an uglier post-game fight which prompted suspensions for eight Michigan State players. Yet, Michigan State fought through it all for perhaps its biggest win of the season as Thorne threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-15 victory over the Illini (7=2, 4-2 Big Ten). “I remember my dad telling me, ’There’s a lot of opportunity in adversity,'” Thorne said. "Obviously, it was a pretty adverse situation this week.