Live Updates: Mississippi State vs. Illinois, 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl

Keep up here as the Bulldogs and Fighting Illini battle on the gridiron.

Elizabeth Keen | Jan 2, 2023

In this story:

Mississippi State and Illinois will face off in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday beginning at 11 a.m. CT.

The Bulldogs (8-4) will be playing in their first game since former head coach Mike Leach's passing in early December. Newly-named head coach Zach Arnett will make his debut as the team's leader. The Fighting Illini (8-4) will be a tough Power Five test for MSU, even without star running back Chase Brown and defensive backs Sydney Brown and Devon Witherspoon.

Keep up here as the two teams take to the gridiron for the final times this season. Be sure to refresh your browser for the latest updates!

First Quarter

Mississippi State won the toss and elected to receive.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State will start at the 25 after the touchback
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State lines up in an honorary formation, receiving a delay of game penalty. Illinois declines.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Woody Marks stuffed on 3rd and 1, Bulldogs will punt away
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois starting at its own 36
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Sherman Timbs with a two-yard sack on Illinois' first play
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois goes three-and-out. Back to the Bulldogs it goes
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State starting at its own 12
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers connects with Tulu for the first down. Ball is now on the MSU 23
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Roger with the 12-yard connection to Robinson for another first down
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers' pass falls incomplete, Bulldogs will punt on 4th and 5. Fighting Illini take over at their own 20
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Facemask penalty gives Illinois a first down at its own 43
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Pass from DeVito to Williams puts Illinois at the MSU 36
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois with a fresh set of downs at the MSU 25. Injured Bulldog on the play
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Collin Duncan was down on the play, but he's back up and walked to the sideline
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

What appeared to be an Illinois touchdowns was a free play -- false start on the Fighting Illini
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

52-yard field goal attempt by Illinois is wide right. Bulldogs take over at their own 34.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

3rd and 10 coming up for MSU at the Illinois 47
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers' third down pass falls incomplete, Bulldogs punting away again
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Flag on the punt
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Actually, there is no foul on the play. Illinois starting at its own 13. https://t.co/7ufDgC6m4Y
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Three-and-out for Illinois, Tulu with a nine-yard punt return to the Illinois 40
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rufus Harvey with a nice snag of an overthrown ball, he's put the Bulldogs at the Illinois 39
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

End of Q1:
Mississippi State 0
Illinois 0

Defensive game so far, but MSU has a 3rd and 6 play coming up from the Fighting Illini 35
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Second Quarter

Rogers finds Williams for the 16-yard gain. Bulldogs with a first down at the Illinois 19
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Bulldogs cooking now, 1st and goal from the 7
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers picked off at the one yard line after a deflection, killing all MSU momentum at the moment. Illinois has the ball at its own 17
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois with a first down at the 40
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois has the momentum now and is moving quickly down the field. Now at the MSU 47
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Jordan Davis is down on the field
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Davis not putting much weight on his left foot as he is helped off the field. Not a good sign
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Sack on the third down by Bookie Watson, big stop by MSU's defense!
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Touchback, MSU taking over at the 25
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers finds Walley on 3rd and 6. Bulldogs at their own 34
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers picked off for a second time on a long throw downfield. Not sure what he was thinking there, but Illinois takes over at its own 23
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois with a 41 yard gain on a great pass by DeVito. Add on another quick throw, and the Fighting Illini have a first down at the MSU 25
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Forbes was the injured defender. Can't tell what happened from here!
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

First and goal for the Fighting Illini
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Forbes back in the game
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Q2 | 2:49
TOUCHDOWN, Illinois. Tommy DeVito with the QB run from two yards out. XP is good.

MSU 0
Illinois 7
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Justin Robinson is having himself a first half. 25 yard completion from Rogers to Robinson, Bulldogs are in Illinois territory
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Oh man, a trick play! Walley with the completion to Rogers for the first down at the Illinois 27
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State calls a timeout with 1:01 left in the half. Bulldogs facing a 3rd and 10 at the Fighting Illini 27
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

4th and 3 coming up at the 20 for MSU. Looking like they will go for it.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State was trying to draw Illinois offsides while running down the clock. A timeout is called and the field goal unit should come out.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Q2 | 0:09
FIELD GOAL, Mississippi State. Massimo Biscardi drills the kick from 38 yards out.

Mississippi State 3
Illinois 7
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

They've announced that it's halftime TWICE, but Illinois is challenging the ruling that time expired on the kick return.
Okay?
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

So believe it or not, the runner was out of bounds at the 43 yard line with 2 seconds left. Everyone is back for one more play before halftime.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

HALFTIME:
Mississippi State 3
Illinois 7

Will Rogers - 15/26, 139 yards, two interceptions
Jaden Walley - 1/1, 13 yards, 209.2 rating
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Third Quarter

Second half is underway, Illinois starting at its own 22.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

FUMBLE! Recovered by Shawn Preston Jr. at the Illinois 35.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Play is under review, could be an incomplete pass. https://t.co/1gn6Wyl5WA
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Call reversed, it's an incomplete pass. Fighting Illini will still have to punt away on 4th and 10 at their own 22.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Fair catch called by Tulu Griffin at the MSU 26, Bulldogs offense looking to get something going to start the second half
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

4th and 2 for the Bulldogs, and they'll punt away
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Media timeout, Illinois will start at its own 21
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois across midfield now, facing 2nd and 3 from the MSU 46
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Big defensive moment coming up for MSU, as Illinois faces 3rd and 12 from the MSU 32
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Jaden Crumedy with a sack on third down, forcing a field goal attempt
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Q3 | 6:57
FIELD GOAL, Illinois. Caleb Griffin with a 52-yarder to build the lead for the Fighting Illini

MSU 3
Illinois 10
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State will start at its own 25
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

False start pushes Mississippi State back. 1st and 15
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers scrambles out of the pocket and finds Robinson for a 22 yard gain.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Mississippi State with the first down at the Illinois 39 after a pass from Rogers to Tulu.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

False start on Mississippi State, 2nd and 12 coming up
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Good third down conversion for Mississippi State on a pass from Rogers to Robinson. Bulldogs at the 28
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Another good third down conversion from Rogers to Walley. Ball on the Illinois 16
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Rogers runs and dives, he's close to the first down but not quite there. 4th and 2 coming up at the Illinois 8, and the Bulldogs are going for it.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

End of third quarter:
MSU 3
Illinois 10
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Fourth Quarter

Mississippi State might have scored on a pass to Robinson, but it is under review.
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Q4 | 14:54
After review -- TOUCHDOWN, Mississippi State! Rogers finds Justin Robinson for the eight-yard score. XP to tie the game is good.

Mississippi State 10
Illinois 10
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

3rd and 12 coming up for Illinois from its own 16
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

First down, Illinois
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

A great pass breakup by Jalen Green to force a long third down, but Shawn Preston Jr. is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct First down Illinois from the 48
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Cameron Young with the BIG sack, 3rd and 26 coming up for the Fighting Illini
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Charlton called with a defensive hold, Illinois gets 10 yards and an automatic first down after the 3rd and 26
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Illinois across midfield after a first down reception by Williams
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

3rd and 12 coming up. Lots of long third downs on this drive, Bulldogs hoping to not be panelized on this one
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Third down pass falls incomplete, Illinois punts away and Bulldogs take over at their own 8
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Nice little run by Simeon Price has Mississippi State at its own 29 with a first down
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Woody Marks with a good run of his own for a 16-yard gain, MSU at the 45
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 2, 2023

Published Jan 2, 2023

ELIZABETH KEEN

Journalist for Mississippi State Cowbell Corner