Overview
- The Spartans rallied from a large deficit to force overtime on Saturday, Oct. 10, but an apparent onside-kick recovery by Samson Gash was called offsides and could not be overturned on review.
- In overtime Michigan State scored but Fitzgerald sent a practiced trick two-point conversion that failed, handing Illinois a 38-37 victory.
- Video of Fitzgerald making an obscene middle-finger gesture on the sideline circulated after the fourth-quarter penalty and he later apologized for losing his composure while refusing to apologize for 'fighting for my guys.'
- The loss dropped Michigan State to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play, extending their losing streak to four games as coaches blamed injuries and thin defensive depth for the aggressive late-game decision-making.
- The Big Ten has not announced discipline for the gesture yet but warned Fitzgerald could be reprimanded for comments about officiating, and the Spartans will host Northwestern on Oct. 17 as the program seeks a turnaround.