Spartans Show Fight, but #11 Illinois Flexes Depth in Big Ten Wrestling Dual
**EAST LANSING, Mich. ** - It was a tough night on the mat for Michigan State wrestling, as the Spartans dropped their second Big Ten dual of the season to No.
11 Illinois, 31-12, inside the historic Jenison Field House. While the Illini controlled much of the action, a few gritty individual performances gave the home crowd something to cheer about - and showed that this Spartan squad still has plenty of fight.
Michigan State now sits at 3-4 overall and 0-2 in conference duals, with a road trip to Purdue on deck next Friday.
Let’s break down the key moments from Friday night’s dual, including some standout efforts that could signal brighter days ahead for MSU.
Darius Marines Sparks Life at 157
Redshirt freshman Darius Marines continues to be a bright spot in the Spartan lineup, and Friday night was another example of why he’s quickly becoming one to watch. Facing Illinois' Ryan Bennett at 157 pounds, Marines found himself trailing through two periods. But the third period was all his - first with a takedown to flip the momentum, then with a pin at the 6:33 mark to put six points on the board for Michigan State.
It was a textbook display of resilience and mat awareness from the freshman, who now adds another fall to his growing résumé. Marines didn’t just win - he sent a jolt through the building and reminded everyone that this MSU lineup has some firepower.
Kael Wisler Delivers in Overtime Thriller
At 197 pounds, redshirt junior Kael Wisler showed the kind of grit that coaches love to see in a veteran. Down late in the third period against Dylan Connell, Wisler clawed back into the match with a timely reversal and earned critical riding time to force sudden victory.
Once in OT, Wisler didn’t waste time. He secured a takedown near the edge of the mat to lock up a 9-6 win and three more team points for the Spartans. It was a savvy, hard-earned victory - and one that showed Wisler’s ability to stay composed under pressure.
Josh Terrill Grinds Out His First Dual Win of the Year
Heavyweight matches often come down to patience and positioning, and redshirt junior Josh Terrill played it perfectly. In a low-scoring, tactical bout against Illinois’ Ryan Boersma, Terrill earned a third-period escape and held on for a 1-0 decision - his first dual win of the season.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. And for a Spartan team looking to build momentum, Terrill’s win was another small step in the right direction.
Illinois Shows Why They're a Top-15 Team
While Michigan State had its moments, this dual was largely dictated by Illinois’ depth and dominance through the middle weights. The Illini came away with seven wins in ten bouts, including bonus-point victories at 141, 149, 165, 174, and 184 pounds.
From No. 1-ranked Lucas Byrd grinding out an 8-1 decision at 133, to Braeden Scoles and Colin Kelly racking up technical falls at 165 and 174, Illinois showed why they’re a legitimate Big Ten contender. Their ability to not just win, but win big, was the difference in the team score.
Final Score: #11 Illinois 31, Michigan State 12
Match Results:
- 125: #21 Spencer Moore (ILL) dec. Nick Corday, 6-0
- 133: #1 Lucas Byrd (ILL) dec. #31/NR Caleb Weiand, 8-1
- 141: #24 Danny Pucino (ILL) fall Jaden Crumpler, 6:11
- 149: #28 Michael Gioffre (ILL) tech fall Sammy Agnello, 20-3
- 157: Darius Marines (MSU) fall Ryan Bennett (ILL), 6:33
- 165: #9 Braeden Scoles (ILL) tech fall Jack Conley, 17-2
- 174: #24 Colin Kelly (ILL) tech fall Connor O'Neill, 18-3
- 184: #32 Chris Moore (ILL) *major dec.
- Ryan Boucher, 14-4
- 197: #28/29 Kael Wisler (MSU) *dec.
- Dylan Connell (ILL), 9-6 (SV1)
- HWT: Josh Terrill (MSU) *dec.
- Ryan Boersma (ILL), 1-0
Attendance: 311
Venue: Jenison Field House, East Lansing, Mich.
Looking Ahead
Michigan State now turns its attention to next Friday’s matchup at Purdue. While the dual against Illinois didn’t go in the Spartans’ favor, performances from Marines, Wisler, and Terrill offer some encouraging signs. If MSU can build around those efforts and tighten up in the middle weights, there’s still time to make noise in the Big Ten.
This team may be young in spots, but it’s showing flashes of toughness and potential - and in a conference as deep as the Big Ten, that’s where the climb begins.