Jim Harbaugh sent Brandon Peters a congratulatory text following Illinois' comeback win over MSU
Jim Harbaugh never had any hard feeling for Brandon Peters. After spending three seasons at Michigan and not earning the permanent starting job, the former four-star quarterback decided to leave Ann Arbor for an opportunity to be named an immediate starter at Illinois.
So far, it’s worked out pretty well for Peters.
There were some early season struggles for Peters and the Illini, falling to 2-4 through the first half of the season. But since that start, the Illini have ripped off four straight wins and are now bowl eligible. In that span, Illinois upset a top 10 Wisconsin team and, last Saturday, overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat Michigan State.
After witnessing what Peters did to Michigan State in the final quarter in East Lansing, which included a game-winning touchdown pass to Daniel Barker, the Illinois quarterback received a text message from his former head coach.
Harbaugh told the media on Monday that he texted Peters, “Great job, congratulations on a fine game.” It’s a pretty cool gesture from Harbaugh to his former quarterback.
Peters finished the game completing 22-of-42 passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception in the 37-34 victory. That win guaranteed the Illini a spot in the postseason.
Earlier this year, Michigan traveled to Champaign to take on Illinois, in what many expected to be a showdown between Peters and his former team. But due to injury, the ex-Wolverine was unable to participate in the contest. The Illini lost that game 42-25, despite a furious second half comeback.
That was the last time the Illini lost a football game.