Illinois bowl eligible after largest comeback in school history

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Lovie Smith and Illinois are now eligible for a bowl after the biggest comeback in school history. The Illini did it by forcing turnovers -- no surprise there -- and when that wasn't enough, Brandon Peters and Josh Imatorbhebhe were there to keep the rally going. Peters threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Barker with 5 seconds left, giving the Illini a 37-34 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night. Illinois trailed 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth. The Illini had never completed a comeback from more than 20 points behind. "They don't crown champions after one half of ball," said Smith, now in his fourth season as Illinois' coach. "We knew going out that we would have to stop them." Down 34-30, Illinois (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) converted fourth-and-17, then drew a pass interference flag in the end zone on another fourth-down pass.