Will Rogers didn’t have his best game in the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois Monday, and Mike Leach probably wouldn’t have been too happy with the way he played.

Mississippi State honored Leach’s memory with special uniforms and a 19-10 win over the Illini.

Rogers completed 29-of-44 passes for 261 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. However, he stepped up when his team needed it the most and led a 9-play 68-yard drive that ended in what would have been the game winning field goal with just seconds remaining. (Mississippi State recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown as time expired to extend its lead).

After the game, an emotional Rogers spoke to ESPN about the win without Leach on the sidelines.

“It’s been tough,” Rogers said choking up. “Coach and I were so close and to lose a coach like that, a friend like that, it hurt me for a really long time. It will continue to hurt, but to be able to come out here with this group of guys, my brothers, I can’t say enough about this team and this university.

“I definitely wanted to win this game for Coach. I think we all did,” Rogers continued. “I think if we would have come out here and really lost the game, I don’t think Coach would have been to happy with it. It says a lot about our team and a lot about these individuals and coaches that we were able to stick together and come out with nine wins.”