Katin Houser breaks hand, Michael Clayton II takes Illinois

The win came at a price, and the national guys had the bad news out within minutes of the final whistle.

Pete Thamel

@PeteThamel

Important update for Illinois quarterback, as Katin Houser will be out indefinitely.

Jeremy Werner@JWerner247

#illini Bret Bielema: Katin Houser broke something in his hand. Don't know if it's season-ending, but he'll be out for a considerable amount of time.

Houser hurt his hand in the 3rd quarter doing something QBs are told never to do: trying to make the tackle on an interception return. Bielema confirmed afterward that something in the hand is broken. He wouldn't call it season-ending, but he did say Houser will be out for 'obviously a considerable amount of time.' That's coach-speak for 'don't expect him back soon.'

It stings extra in East Lansing. Houser started his college career at Michigan State back in 2022 under Mel Tucker, so he came back to his old school, put up points against them and then left the game on the injury cart. Tough way to finish a revenge game.

Then Michael Clayton II, making his college debut, walked into a road Big Ten game in the 2nd half and won it.

Pete Nakos

@PeteNakos

Michael Clayton II came in with Katin Houser injured and led Illinois to OT win over Michigan State. Bret Bielema unsure if Houser will be back this season. t.co/2X9UFM5CjT

Chicago State of Mind Sports@ChiStateOfMind_

Bret Bielema on postgame radio on Katin Houser's injury: "While I don't know if there's a chance of getting him back this year, but obviously we'll do everything we can to support him. We're super proud of that kid". #Illini

He was no game manager, either. Clayton threw a 14-yard TD to Collin Dixon in the 4th quarter and hit Dixon again on the 2-point conversion. On the 1st play of overtime he found Hudson Clement for a 25-yard score. Michigan State answered and went for 2 to win it, and the Illinois defense stuffed it. Final: 38-37.

The win gets Illinois to 3-3 and 1-2 in the Big Ten. Michigan State falls to 2-4 and 0-3. For the Illini, getting to a bowl from here runs through a kid with 1 half of college football on his résumé, and Bielema has to decide how much of the playbook he can trust him with.

So the line moves on Illinois this week come down to Clayton. One overtime comeback is a great story, but it isn't a résumé. Defenses will get a full week of film on him now, and how the books price him in his first start is the number to watch. If the Illini stay alive in the Big Ten, it'll probably take Clayton doing it again.