Illinois romps to big win over Indiana
The seasons changed to fall this weekend, but it's still football season at the University of Illinois.
Junior running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for a career-high 214 yards and junior defensive end Will Davis sacked normally elusive Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis four times to lead the Illini to a 27-14 victory in the Big Ten Conference opener Saturday afternoon.
By winning its third straight game for the first time since 2001, Illinois improved to 3-1 overall and put itself solidly in the bowl hunt. The Illini need three more wins to gain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2001.
"That's our goal,'' said Illinois senior defensive tackle Chris Norwell. "We have eight more games to go out and get it. I've been here a long time. This is the first time we had three wins in a row. Words can't explain it.''
The Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1) failed to win their first four games for the first time since 1990. Even if Indiana's non-conference record was suspect because of inferior competition, that's irrelevant to the Illini, who lost games like this in the past.
Illinois won its conference opener for the first time since 1993. Over the past five seasons, it's already been basketball season by the end of September.
"It's a lot better than being 1-3 or 0-4,'' Illinois linebacker J Leman said. "I've been in those situations. The expectations are that we're going to get it done, somehow or some way. Our confidence is so much stronger than in the past.''
Illinois hosts No. 10 Penn State Saturday (11 a.m., Big Ten Network).
"I don't know if I've ever been so excited about being able to go back home and play,'' said Illinois coach Ron Zook. "We're getting ready to play a nationally ranked team. It's a great opportunity. I hope it will be in front of a full house.''
Those last thousand or so tickets will go fast after Illinois rushed for 288 yards, finished with seven sacks and forced four Indiana turnovers. Cornerback Vontae Davis blocked a third-quarter punt, and his interception in the end zone with 1 minute 10 seconds left sealed the win and ended a two-game slide to the Hoosiers.
While Illini quarterback Juice Williams couldn't satisfy his critics with 13-for-28 passing for 98 yards and two touchdowns, Mendenhall's image took another step forward.
"I just want to get wins,'' Williams said. "Whether it's running the ball or passing the ball, it's good to get a W.''
Williams completed touchdown passes of 2 yards to tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and 15 yards to Mendenhall on a screen play as Illinois built a 20-7 halftime lead, but Mendenhall carried the Illini. He averaged 9.3 yards per rushing attempt in the opening half and finished with 27 carries. Mendenhall became the first Illini to rush for more than 200 yards since Rocky Harvey had 215 against Middle Tennessee State in 1998.
"I'm not sure how everyone else sees it,'' Mendenhall said. "I've always had confidence in myself, and my teammates had confidence in me. I can play with some of the best in the league. Just being out there and having the chance to show it, that's been evident.''
Mendenhall rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass against Indiana. He has 503 yards rushing in the last three games. After gaining 175 rushing yards in the first half against Syracuse, the Illini had 176 against Indiana before halftime.
But Lewis couldn't find running room. The Indiana sophomore, who had 199 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Akron while also passing for 137 yards and three TDs last week, finished with a season-low 35 yards rushing.
"We wanted to constrict him and not get behind him,'' said Will Davis, who has 5.5 sacks in the last two games. "We wanted to keep our rush lanes, and we got him down when we needed. We were lot more successful than I thought we'd be.''
Lewis passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but three Indiana fumbles and the late interception haunted the Hoosiers. Illinois enjoyed a 27-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
"Give Illinois credit because they played a really good football game,'' Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "As a football team, we never got in sync. When you're playing a good running team and they're up two scores, then it really plays into their hands because they can run the ball and control the clock.''
NOTES: Mendenhall had seven plays of 10 yards or more. . . Illini punter Anthony Santella set career highs with punts of 53 and 59 yards. . . Illinois entered the game with only three turnovers forced this season. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more Illini coverage, see Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .
Illinois report card
Offense B
The Illini rushed for 288 yards behind talented junior Rashard Mendenhall, who has become Illinois' feature back. It became apparent early that Indiana would have trouble stopping him. But quarterback Juice Williams must still improve his accuracy. Teams will continue to load up to stop the Illini running game.
Defense A
The Illini defused an explosive Indiana offense by sacking Kellen Lewis seven times. Meanwhile, star Indiana receiver James Hardy was relatively quiet. Junior defensive end Will Davis, a converted tight end, found a home on defense. Special teams A
The Illini blocked a punt and kept return threat Marcus Thigpen out of the game. Punter Anthony Santella had his best game with two long punts while also twice pinning Indiana inside its 10-yard line. Senior Jason Reda also hit two field goals.
Overall A
Even if this was "just'' Indiana, the Illini overwhelmed the Hoosiers in a game where there was plenty at stake. A loss would have sent the Illini home without a winning record. Running back Rashard Mendenhall and a defense that forced four turnovers and finished with seven sacks generate the idea of a big game next weekend against Penn State.