Illinois Survives Michigan State in Overtime After Blowing a 17-point Lead
Michigan State had a one-yard touchdown run in overtime, trailing by seven, and the kick that would have tied it at 38-38 was right there. Instead the Spartans went for two, the pass failed, and Illinois walked out with a 38-37 win.
It should never have been that close. Illinois led 17-0 midway through the second quarter on a field goal and two touchdowns (Katin Houser to Aidan Laughery from five yards, then Houser himself from two), and it was still up 31-17 early in the fourth after Collin Dixon caught a 14-yarder from Michael Clayton II and Laughery ran in the two-point try. The Illini never trailed in regulation, which makes the tie all the more annoying for them. Alessio Milivojevic hit Fredrick Moore from 24 yards to make it 31-24, and Jaziun Patterson ran in from two yards at 1:17 to tie it at 31.
In overtime Clayton found Hudson Clement from 25 yards for the first score, and Patterson answered from a yard out. That was his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon, to go with a six-yard catch in the second quarter. Four touchdowns, 38.9 fantasy points, and he still lost. Rough.
Illinois out-gained Michigan State 409 yards to 342, though both teams ran for 127. Michigan State was the only side to lose a fumble, and Illinois threw one interception. The Illini sit at 3-3 and the Spartans fall to 2-4. Milivojevic completed 22 of 26 passes, which would be a lot more fun in a win.