EAST LANSING, Mich. — Illinois held on for a 38-37 overtime win over Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., stopping a 2-point conversion try on the final play.
Michael Clayton threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Hudson Clement on the first play of overtime. Jaziun Patterson answered with his third touchdown of the game, and the Spartans went for 2 points and the win, but a pass fell incomplete.
The Fighting Illini scored on their first five drives and led 20-7 at halftime. Clayton replaced injured starter Katin Houser in the third quarter and completed 6 of 8 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Michigan State rallied from a 31-17 deficit in the fourth quarter, and Patterson tied the game at 31 with 1:17 left. Alessio Milivojevic went 22 of 26 for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Illinois moved to 3-3 and 1-2 in the Big Ten. Michigan State fell to 2-4 and 0-3 and has lost four straight.
