Illinois DB makes ridiculous INT, sets up improbable Hail Mary to close first half

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.