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Illinois DB makes ridiculous INT, sets up improbable Hail Mary to close first half
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Late in the first half, things were getting ugly for Illinois. The Fighting Illini were on the road and trailing Michigan State 28-3.
Nothing was going Illinois’ way. But then, an interception jolted energy within Lovie Smith’s group.
RELATED: Illinois LB Mile Eifler got ejected for punching a Michigan State player in the butt (seriously)
Take a look at the improbable interception:
This INT for @IlliniFootball is just absurd 👀 pic.twitter.com/pgGjUkg9qT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2019
The ball gets knocked loose by the defender thanks to a perfectly-timed hit and then safety Stanley Green takes the ball from mid-air. Again, Illinois needed that.
On the ensuing drive, quarterback Brandon Peters pulled off an unthinkable Hail Mary to close the first half and bring the score to 28-10:
HOW DID BRANDON PETERS PULL THIS OFF? 😲
He nearly fumbles before delivering a 47-yard TD strike to @JoshBhebhe to close the @IlliniFootball half: pic.twitter.com/2KZnAVHl0o
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 9, 2019
Peters almost fumbled the ball here because of the Spartans’ defensive lineman, yet he regathers it and flings the ball to Josh Imatorbhebhe, who makes a great play on the ball in the end zone.
It only takes a couple of plays to turn the tide of a football game. The 18-point deficit is still a big one to overcome, but Illinois got the boost it needed.
We’ll find out in the second half if it can help lead to a comeback for the ages.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.