Three Takeaways as Michigan State Football Falls to Illinois in Overtime

On Saturday, Michigan State football looked to get a much-needed win on homecoming. It was not meant to be for the Spartans, with a furious comeback ending a point short after their two-point conversion attempt was broken up in overtime.

The Spartans push was not enough in a game that saw plenty of attrition as the game wore on. Here are three takeaways after a 38-37 loss.

Attrition is Ruining Michigan State Football

The Spartans have been infected with the injury bug, and it is derailing the season. Pat Fitzgerald already faced a long road to Michigan State’s first bowl since 2021, but it is near-impossible now.

The Spartans are down their top running back, had their top four linebackers all be ruled out or exit and not return to the contest, and were missing their top four outside corners by the final whistle. Michigan State football was trotting out true freshmen corners in the fourth quarter alongside a linebacker that had one career defensive snap until two weeks ago.

The Spartans had a strong game on Saturday, but it becomes a case of “what if” in terms of if star back Cam Edwards was healthy, or if Jordan Hall and Brady Pretzlaff made it beyond the first quarter of Saturday’s action.

Hope for the Future

Saying this after losing arguably the most winnable home game left on the schedule could be a crazy take, I know. But walk with me here. It is not a secret that the Spartans had a lower football budget than a majority of Big Ten teams with the NIL totals headed into the year.

The Spartans played an evenly matched opponent on Saturday. They responded with one of their best offensive efforts since the 2021 season, including a comeback in Big Ten play that has not been done since that same 2021 season for the Spartans.

With new athletic director Dan Bartholomae promising an increased amount of funding to Fitzgerald and the Spartans next season, the Spartans have the chance to rise to the occasion in 2027.

As far as 2026 goes, the hope remains there after seeing the Spartans rally from being down three scores early. That was a mark that was never accomplished during the Jonathan Smith era. The 16-point comeback in the second half was the first time the Spartans had rallied that far since the 2021 Michigan vs. Michigan State contest.

There is a belief and fire in the building that has not been present for the last five years, and this one is not appearing to be like the lightning strike that 2021 was. This is a foundation being built.

Execution Still Not to Standard

Despite the flowers being given in the last takeaway, it is still a results based business. The Spartans, after a one-penalty weekend in Madison, regressed to nine penalties on Saturday. It was sloppy play, and the first quarter saw the Spartans fail to pick up a first down. By the time the Spartans got a first down, just before seven minutes elapsed in the second quarter, Illinois had 17 points and 14 first downs.

That sloppy play and slow start is more at fault than any referee shenanigans. The Spartans rallied from a completely botched (by the referees) onside kick, where Samson Gash was clearly onside and recovering the ball in bounds.

The offense did not execute until being forced into the pressure cooker of being down 17-0 due to strong “Bielema ball,” and it made a furious rally not pan out. Alessio Milivojevic was sharp, but holding to the ball on a first play flea flicker with two receivers open looms large. The Spartans also had two fumbles on the day, but only one got recovered by the Illini, sparing them from any more bad breaks.

What’s Next?

The Spartans have to put the focus on Northwestern with the Wildcats coming to town at noon EST on Saturday, October 17.