Fitzgerald’s Two-Point Gamble Costs Michigan State In Overtime

On Monday, Fitzgerald said he wouldn’t deviate from being aggressive but that he wouldn’t be reckless. However, at the end of the game, Fitzgerald made a reckless decision that cost the Spartans a potential win. In overtime, after answering Illinois’ touchdown with their own, Fitzgerald went for two instead of the extra point that would have guaranteed a second overtime. The two-point attempt failed, and Illinois won; the decision now looks reckless.

What Michigan State vs. Illinois Says About The Rest Of The Season

Four straight losses in, the Spartans are no longer getting beaten the way they were at Wisconsin. They moved the ball, they scored five touchdowns, and they were a conversion away from a second overtime. They also still cannot get behind the line of scrimmage on defense, and the two-deep is thinning by the week.

Next Saturday gives the loss an edge Fitzgerald will not enjoy. Michigan State hosts Northwestern at noon ET on Peacock, the program Fitzgerald coached before he came to East Lansing, and the Wildcats will bring former MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles back to Spartan Stadium.