Kirk Cousins threw a touchdown pass and Dan Conroy kicked four field goals, as No. 11 Michigan State remained undefeated with a 26-6 victory over Illinois on Saturday.

B.J. Cunningham hauled in a touchdown and finished with 83 receiving yards, while Larry Caper added a late scoring run for the Spartans, who put together their best defensive performance of the season. The Michigan State offense, however, failed to crack the 30-point barrier for the first time in 2010.

Trailing 6-3 at the break, Michigan State wasted little time getting things going in the second half. Conroy’s 34-yard field goal less than three minutes into the third quarter tied the score. The Spartans took the lead four minutes later when Cousins found Cunningham down the middle for a 48-yard touchdown.

Conroy would add two more field goals, and Caper rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. But it was the Spartans defense that stood out, forcing four turnovers and holding the Fighting Ilini scoreless in the second half.

It looked as though Michigan State would take a tie into the half, but Keshawn Martin fumbled a punt recovery on the Spartans 15-yard line, giving the ball back to the Illini late in the second. Derek Dimke gave Illinois a 6-3 lead when his 22-yard field goal went through with six seconds left before the break.