A 9-3 season is in play for Illinois. A 38-16 win against Michigan State on November 16, which happened to be Senior Day, concluded the Fighting Illini’s best home record in football since 2001 at 6-1.

Running back Josh McCray carried the Illini with three touchdowns, two from the 1-yard. Part of a 61-yard day on the ground, Illinois amassed 138 total rushing yards, part of an offensive onslaught that included a mistake-free day from quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Bret Bielema knows there is more work to be done

The junior finished 19-for-32 with 231 yards and two touchdown passes, adding to a productive season, his second in Champaign.

Coach Bret Bielema said he was pleased with how his team responded after back-to-back losses, eliminating the Illini from Big Ten title contention.

“We’ll have to put this one behind us tomorrow and get ready for a Rutgers team,” Bielema said. “We really like the demeanor of this group. You know the outside world looking in we’re a 7-3 football team that’s got a lot in front of us. Never say never. In the middle of the week, I got the personal inventory to myself that there’s a couple 6-3 football teams ranked in the top 25. We’ve lost to teams that are ranked No. 1, No. 4, and a good Minnesota team in a nail biter. We’re telling our guys to keep working on what’s in front of us and continue to take advantage of every opportunity we get.”

In his final game in Champaign, receiver Pat Bryant had another star-studded day, finishing with 135 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.

Illinois finishes the regular season with back-to-back road games against Rutgers next Saturday and Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Thanksgiving weekend.

Kickoff against the Scarlett Knights is set for noon ET on Peacock.