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Reda's field goal lifts Illinois past reeling Michigan St

Sep 30, 2006 - 8:14 PM EAST LANSING, Michigan (Ticker) -- Jason Reda further increased the heat on Michigan State coach John L. Smith.

Reda booted a 39-yard field goal with six seconds left as lowly Illinois stunned the Spartans, 23-20, in a Big Ten Conference contest.

Pierre Thomas rushed for 110 yards and quarterback Juice Williams ran for 103 for the Fighting Illini (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten), which had lost its first nine league contests under Ron Zook.

A true freshman, Williams also completed 9-of-16 passes for 122 yards, a touchdown and an interception for Illinois, which had lost nine straight meetings against Michigan State.

The Spartans (3-2, 0-1) were reeling after surrendering 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 40-37 loss to Notre Dame here last week, and fell behind, 20-10, in this one after a 34-yard field goal by Reda in the final minute of the third quarter.

Michigan State tied the game after a one-yard run by Jehuu Caulcrick and a 27-yard field goal by Brett Swenson with 2:46 to play, but the Spartans were unable to stop Williams, who ran for two first downs and passed for another to set up Reda's winning kick.

Drew Stanton completed 15-of-24 passes for 144 yards but was sacked five times in the losing effort.