Michigan State Football Bows to Illinois in Devastating Overtime Loss

On Saturday, Michigan State football took on Illinois. The Spartans and Illini each sat at 2-3 records, both 0-2 in the Big Ten. This game was viewed as the tone setter on the season for both squads, as the winner would draw even in their record while the loser drops to 2-4 on the season.

With no room for error, the Spartans came back from three scores down, but could not convert a two-point conversion to win in overtime. Here is a game recap.

First Quarter

The Spartans won the toss and differed. Illinois benefitted from a good throw by Katin Houser, with his receiver going over Tre Bell for a 39-yard gain. The Illini stalled from there and settled for an early 40-yard field goal to make it 3-0.

The Spartans went for a flea flicker to open their game, and Alessio Milivojevic was sacked, which was only the Illini’s fourth sack of the year. A completion to Jayden Savoury was followed by an incomplete pass to Braylon Collier, forcing a Spartan punt, which Rhys Dakin sent 74 yards for a touchback.

The Illini had a drive of their own, again, set up by a Tre Nell defensive pass interference. Both Jordan Hall and Brady Pretzlaff exited the game with injury on the drive as the Illini got a touchdown to make it 10-0.

The Spartans were stuffed on 3^rd-and-1, being ran backwards for two yards for another punt on a three-and-out.

The Illini started with a drive to their 30 before time expired on the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Spartans continued to bend, with a Houser scramble and a third down toss setting up the Illini on the MSU25. A few plays later, Houser finished the drive with a third-and-one sneak and a touchdown run the next play to make it 17-0.

The Spartans finally got their first first down of the game 7 minutes into the second quarter. They went on a drive, including a Carson Gulker wildcat package, capped off with a Patterson touchdown when he was left alone in the flat to make it 17-7 with 3:29 left in the half.

The Illini had another drive, bending the Spartans and getting to the MSU41. Bell was bullied in coverage, with the Spartans finally getting a third down stop with 4 seconds in the half and on their own 18 via an Anelu Lafaele pressure. Illinois kicked a field goal to make it 20-7 at the break.

Third Quarter

The Spartans went into their bag of trick plays, with a first down via McCray on a screen after a double reverse. However, Brennan Parachek fumbled the ball at midfield after a holding penalty.

Illinois took advantage of the short field, with Dion Crawford going down injured. He ran up the tunnel during the next offensive possession. Jeremiah Favorite forced a field goal with a third down pass breakup.

The Spartans drove down to the ILL19, but had to settle for a field goal after a fourth-down conversion was whistled back for an illegal formation penalty.

Michigan State football finally had momentum shift their way, with Katin Houser lofting a pass straight to Devin Vaught, who returned it to the ILL11. Mikeshun Beeler added a quarterback pressure on the play, and Houser left the game injured.

The Illini sent in Michael Clayton II at quarterback, and a first down over Chuck Brantley ended the quarter. Brantley went down injured after the play.

Fourth Quarter

The Spartans trotted out KJ Deriso and Jeremiah Favorite at corner, a true freshmen duo. Unfortunately, both had regrettable plays, with Deriso missing a tackle and Favorite getting whistled for a facemask during the drive. Clayton got his first career touchdown to Collin Dixon after Michael Richard and Deriso each covered the flat, and the ensuing two-point conversion made it 31-17.

The Spartans drove down the field, with Jayden Savoury, Chrishon McCray, and Jaz Patterson each providing first downs. Facing fourth-and-two at the ILL37, the Spartans went for it. Ben Murawski false started, but that did not matter when Milivojevic found Fredrick Moore on a hitch route for 18 yards on fourth-and-seven. The very next play, Milivojevic found Moore again for a 24-yard score.

The Spartans and LeVar Woods drew up an excellent onside kick, with Samson Gash perfectly catching the ball over the head of the nearest Illini player. Unfortunately, the Spartans were whistled for offsides by Gash, along with Gash being ruled out of bounds. The play went to an extremely lengthy review, with Gash ultimately being ruled in bounds, but the onside call being irreversible. Video review showed the freshman a half-yard away from being offsides.

The Spartans kicked it deep and responded by forcing a four-and-out, with the defense standing tall on fourth-and-inches and not giving a yard to Michael Clayton II.

Carson Gulker came out for the wildcat package on third down, passing for a touchdown to Bryson Williams. The play was whistled back for a Moore block in the back, but it gave MSU a first down even after the yardage, pushing the ball to the ILL18. Milivojevic threw to Chrishon McCray for 5 yards and then an end around for Rod Bullard Jr. was fumbled, but recovered by Jayden Savoury. Jaz Patterson rushed the ball in for the game-tying touchdown and extra point with 1:17 to play.

The defense forced a three-and-out, with DiMari Malone and Kenny Soares sniffing out the last run. The Spartans got the ball back with 20 seconds to play on their own 35-yard line. Milivojevic was sacked to end regulation.

Overtime

The Spartans won the toss and elected to play defense first, with that defensive possession lasting one play as a poorly telegraphed nickel blitz led to Clayton finding Clement for a score.

MSU had a more methodical 5-play drive, with McCray accounting for 10 rushing and 10 receiving yards before Patterson punched it in from two feet out. Pat Fitzgerald went for two, but the pass to Jayden Savoury was sniffed out and blew up for an incomplete pass and ended the game.

FINAL (O/T)

Illinois 38

Michigan State Football 37