Lovie Smith’s Illinois squad picked up a huge comeback win on Saturday, and the head coach received a nice gesture from his players.
Illinois was down 28-3 against Michigan State and came back to win 37-34, completing their largest comeback in program history. Not only was the comeback a major one for the program, but it also made the Illini bowl-eligible for the first time under Smith.
Here’s the play where they won the game:
UNBELIEVABLE! @IlliniFootball comes back from 25 down to seal the largest comeback in school history.
Oh, and they're going bowling. pic.twitter.com/Fp2VhUAPtQ
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 10, 2019
After the win, Smith was carried on his players’ shoulders:
Lovie Smith carried by Illinois players pic.twitter.com/gaivadfO5f
— arcusD (@_MarcusD3_) November 10, 2019
That was a huge boost for the program. Illinois went 3-9 and then 2-10 in their first two seasons under Smith. Then they went 4-8 last year and are 6-4 this season. It’s been a long process, which is what influenced the celebration.
The best part is Smith is making good on his preseason prediction:
Remember what @LovieSmith said on the podium at B1G media days?
Here it is, @IlliniFootball fans. pic.twitter.com/oIJpNxFDWE
— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) November 10, 2019
Illinois still has games at Iowa and vs. Northwestern this season and could very easily get to seven wins.
