Storming all the way back from down 16 in the second half to tie the game up and actually have a chance to win is something that Michigan State hasn’t been able to do in five years.
In fact, the Spartans’ 16-point second-half comeback was the biggest since 2021 when they trailed Michigan 30-14 in the second half before storming back to win in regulation thanks to Kenneth Walker III’s five touchdowns. Unfortunately, this time around wasn’t as successful at the end of the game.
Michigan State did get to overtime and did score what looked to be the tying touchdown before Pat Fitzgerald decided to go for two and ran some trickeration. Illinois sniffed it out and the game was over with a 38-37 final in favor of the bad guys.
Despite the devastating overtime loss, there are still some reasons to be optimistic about the future.
Alessio Milivojevic figured it out
After struggling for a few weeks dating back to the Notre Dame game in South Bend, the faction of the fanbase that was concerned that Alessio Milivojevic may not be the answer was growing. They felt vindicated after the Wisconsin game and there were calls for the QB1’s job. It was all warranted, but he had a heck of a response against Illinois.
Hearing criticisms coming from everywhere would usually crush a young quarterback’s confidence, especially in his first full year as QB1, but he shut them out of his mind and got to work.
In Week 6, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten, completing 22-of-26 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He started slow and finished very strong. The last 2-point conversion try was a play-call issue and not on him, so he can’t be faulted for not coming away with the win. He played one of his best games as a Spartan and that should do wonders for his confidence moving forward.
Pat Fitzgerald want to win more than anyone
If this isn’t a positive to take from the loss, I don’t know what is. Pat Fitzgerald is so passionate about winning and turning things around that he’s willing to risk a hefty fine for flipping the bird at officials.
The whole onside kick debacle is going to be replayed all year and it’s going to continue to infuriate all of us, but Michigan State clearly got a good one in Fitzgerald who wants to win so badly that he’s cool with going on a tirade against the officials who were clearly botching a very important call. We never saw that from Jonathan Smith and it wasn’t nearly as common under Mel Tucker. This is the fire that everyone wanted from Michigan State’s next head coach.
The players also love it. You could see their passion coming out when Fitzgerald was pumping up the crowd and getting in the ears of the officials, yelling every obscenity in the book.
Michigan State has a coach who wants to win more than anyone. That’s huge.
Nick Sheridan called an incredible game
While he does deserve some criticism for the slow start, Nick Sheridan’s offense was clicking over the final three quarters and in overtime. And it got better throughout the game.
The numbers put up in three drives in the second half were video game-like.
On its last three drives, Michigan State’s offense has 164 yards on 26 plays - good for 6.31 yds/play.
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) October 10, 2026
Alessio Milivojevic looks as comfortable as he has against a P4 defense since last year.
Let’s see if they can keep this uptick going…
The offense had just 342 total yards but it averaged 6.3 yards per play. It also ran just 54 plays to Illinois’ 70, so imagine if that number was closer to even. Michigan State was moving the ball all throughout the second half and overtime, it’s just unfortunate that the 2-point conversion was probably his worst call of the game.
Sheridan was cooking, though, and that’s as promising of a development as any, especially after lacking explosive plays (and consistent drives) through the first five weeks.
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