Called-back TD seals Illinois' fate in loss to Iowa
The fake by Illinois redshirt freshman quarterback Eddie McGee froze the cornerback, and a double cut by receiver Joe Morgan left him clear down field. The pass floated into the hands of Morgan, who finished the play 82 yards later in the end zone. Touchdown.
After struggling to string together first downs and twice settling for field goals, the Illini appeared in control. But instead of Illinois taking the lead with 8 minutes 51 seconds left, the play was nullified by an illegal formation.
"The big touchdown getting called back was the worst feeling I've had in my life,'' said Illini linebacker Brit Miller.
McGee threw an interception near the goal line with 1:12 left, essentially sealing a 10-6 loss Saturday to Iowa in a Big Ten Conference game at Kinnick Stadium that ended a five-game winning streak for No. 18 Illinois. Say goodbye to the top 25 ranking.
Illinois fell to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Iowa dominated time of possession (34:26 to 25:34) with an offense that converted 10 of 17 third-down plays, but Illinois' poor execution on offense, a lack of intensity on defense and a curious decision by coach Ron Zook had the Illini thinking about one that got away.
"We had some big wins,'' Illini linebacker J Leman said. "To lose to a good team like this in Kinnick Stadium, we're not ashamed, but we expected better. We felt like we left one out on the field.''
Illinois hosts Michigan (5-2, 3-0) Saturday (7 p.m., TBA).
Iowa (3-4, 1-3) ended a four-game losing streak and an eight-game conference losing streak. Entering as the nation's fifth-best rushing offense, Illinois finished with 137 yards on the ground (125 yards below its average) and 150 yards passing. The Illini defense couldn't get off the field, when Iowa's 10 third-down conversions matched its total in the Hawkeyes' first three conference games.
It wasn't a letdown by the Illini, Zook said, but rather a learning process.
"That's probably as devastated a locker room as we've been after a loss,'' Zook said. "I was concerned about energy level. We expended an awful lot of energy (in the last two weeks). That was pretty evident on defense. We couldn't get them off the field on third down.
"I don't think it's a let down. If it's a let down, we'd been blown out of the stadium. It's a perfect example of being a program that's still in the growing stages.''
Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall had 67 yards rushing, his lowest output since the season opener, and starting quarterback Juice Williams failed to finish two drives. Illinois settled for field goals of 46 and 23 yards, the second score coming after Illinois had first and goal at the Iowa 2-yard line in the third quarter.
Iowa determined to make someone other than Mendenhall beat them, especially since Williams hadn't enjoyed much success passing the ball, and he entered the game after spraining his left knee last week.
"We knew they weren't going to give us the game,'' Illini offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said. "We'd have to play mistake-free football and execute it.''
Williams left the game in the fourth quarter after missing open passes and losing a fumble. On McGee's second play from scrimmage, he connected with Morgan on the long pass. But the Illini were called for an illegal formation when wide receiver Jacob Willis covered tight end Michael Hoomanawanui by lining up on the line of scrimmage.
When Hoomanawanui went downfield for a pass, it became a penalty.
Illinois had one last chance by taking possession with 2:28 left. McGee completed passes of 28 and 24 yards to receiver Arrelious Benn, and Illinois had first and goal from the Iowa 12. Two plays later, McGee underthrew a pass that was intercepted at the goal line by Iowa safety Brett Greenwood.
Illinois attempted to get the ball to Mendenhall in one-on-one coverage, Locksley said, but the ball never got to him in the back of the end zone.
"We wanted to allow Rashard to win it,'' Locksley said. "If he's not open, throw it out of the back of the end zone. We still had two other opportunities to go back and take two more shots into the end zone.''
Williams and McGee weren't available to the media after the game.
Iowa's lone score came after an unexpected call by Zook, who declined an illegal formation penalty that would have put Iowa in a fourth and 2 and perhaps a field-goal attempt. Instead, the Hawkeyes had third and 7 at their 20. Zook didn't like Illinois' chances on fourth and short, he said.
Iowa quarterback Jake Christensen completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Myers with 6:01 left in the third quarter for a 10-6 lead.
"That helped us out, gave us a second shot,'' Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "That's a risk. I won't second-guess what they did. That was a huge play for us coming back and executing on that thing.''
NOTES: Illinois lost its fifth straight game to Iowa. The Illini haven't won here since 1999. . . Illinois failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 10 games. . . TV coverage for the Michigan game will be announced by Monday. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read 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 F
If Illinois can't run the ball, it puts pressure on quarterbacks who haven't won games with their arms. It's probably time for backup Eddie McGee to get some playing time in the first half as a true change of pace, as coach Ron Zook calls him, instead of only using him as a reliever in clutch situations.
Defense B-
Illinois' inability to keep Iowa from converting third downs limited its opportunities on offense. Illinois had just 55 plays on offense because, in part, Iowa chewed up the clock. But the Illini defense still only allowed 10 points. That should be good enough for a victory. This was a Hawkeyes lineup hurt by injuries.
Special teams C-
Senior placekicker Jason Reda kept up his big senior season, but freshman punter Anthony Santella didn't help the Illini in key moments. His 28-yard punt gave Iowa a short field, and the Hawkeyes scored their only touchdown on a 46-yard drive.
Overall D
While Illinois had to handle the prosperity of back-to-back wins over top 25 teams heading into this one, the Illini still played a team reeling from injuries and an eight-game conference losing streak. The passing offense remained the weak link, and the running game failed to bail out the Illini. It doesn't get any easier next weekend. Michigan has the momentum after losing its first two games.