Illini win over Ohio State could be biggest in school history

Stepping onto the team charter two years ago after an overwhelming 38-point loss to Ohio State, Illinois football coach Ron Zook's cell phone rang. It was Juice Williams, a Chicago Vocational High School senior quarterback who had already given a verbal commitment.

"This goes back a long way with Juice and me,'' Zook said. "Two years ago, Juice called me. I said, 'Juice, two years from now when we come back here, it's going to be a different story.''

Thanks to Williams, Zook lived up to his word Saturday, when Illinois shocked No. 1 Ohio State 28-21 in a Big Ten Conference game at Ohio Stadium. Behind Williams' running and passing, the Illini defeated a No. 1-ranked team for the first time in 51 years.

The face of the program under Zook's rebuild, Williams passed for a career-high four touchdowns, then carried the Illini during a fourth-quarter drive when he ran for first downs three times on third down and another one on fourth down to drain the final 8 minutes 9 seconds from the clock.

Not only were 105,453 watching at this storied gridiron, the nation took notice as the Illini -- roughly a two-touchdown underdog -- made a statement at the expense of the Buckeyes' national title hopes.

"We were up and coming, up and coming,'' said Illini linebacker J Leman. "Now people are taking us seriously. We beat the No. 1 team in the country at their place. We broke a bunch of streaks today.''

Illinois snapped Ohio State's 20-game conference winning streak that was a Big Ten record. The Illini broke Ohio State's 28-game regular-season winning streak that stood as a school record and tied the Big Ten mark set by Michigan in 1903. Illinois also snapped a 10-game losing streak against top-ranked teams.

The biggest football victory in school history? It compares with Red Grange's six touchdowns during a victory in the Memorial Stadium dedication game in 1924 or the win over Michigan in 1983 on the way to an undefeated Big Ten record and a Rose Bowl berth.

Considering where this program was earlier this decade, this one might be it.

"I don't know that,'' Zook said. "It's big for us right now. I know that.''

Illinois improved to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten. The Illini will finish in a second-place tie in the league standings if they defeat Northwestern in the regular-season finale next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Gametime and TV will likely be set today.

Against the nation's top-ranked defense that allowed an average of 43.2 yards rushing in Big Ten play and 9.7 points per game, the Illini finished with 260 yards rushing. Williams had 140 yards passing. With only one penalty and no turnovers, the Illini played nearly a perfect game. Illinois also grabbed three interceptions.

Williams completed touchdown passes of 3, 33, 8 and 31 yards to four different receivers. Three of the touchdown passes came in the first half, when Illinois rallied from 7-0 and 14-7 deficits to grab a 21-14 halftime lead. The 31-yarder to sophomore Marques Wilkins gave the Illini a 28-14 lead with 3:52 left.

"He managed the game extremely well,'' Zook said. "People saw there in the fourth quarter why he's been our starter. When the game is on the line, he does what he has to do to get the job done. People can see why we're so high on him.''

Facing a fourth and inches at the Illinois 33-yard line with 6:53 left, Zook decided to go for it after hearing from Williams. A timeout by Ohio State gave Zook time to think.

"I said, 'Coach, you don't think we can get a half an inch?' '' Williams said. "He said, 'If you don't get it, I'm going to hurt you.' I didn't really thinking I was sticking my neck out.''

Williams' sneak gave the Illini a first down. From there, the Illini ran out the clock with Williams' hard running. Williams converted first downs on third and seven (12-yard gain), third and 10 (12-yard gain) and third and two (three yards).

Ohio State fell to 10-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. There was a brief scuffle near midfield after the game.

"I didn't see it,'' Williams said. "I was in tears.''

Williams ran for 70 yards while also completing 12-for-22 passing. Illinois junior running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 88 yards to break the school's single-season school record. He has 1,402 yards, surpassing the 1,330 of Antoineo Harris in 2002.

"They're an excellent running football team,'' said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. "When the quarterback is part of the run game, that certainly adds another challenge.''

Junior Daniel Dufrene had 108 yards rushing, including an 80-yarder that answered Ohio State's quick opening touchdown. Ohio State led 7-0 after racing 76 yards in two plays and 23 seconds. Dufrene's run set up the tying score 45 seconds later. Ohio State scored on its ensuing possession for a 14-7 lead.

The 21 points the Illini scored in the first half were more than Ohio State had given up in any game this year. Illinois had 230 yards in the first half against a defense that was allowing an average of 221.2 yards per game.

NOTES: Illinois won for the third time in its last four trips to Ohio State. . . Illini receivers Marques Wilkins and Brian Gamble made the first touchdown catches of their careers. . . The Illini are 4-14 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams with other wins against Michigan State in 1956, Michigan in 1955 and Ohio State in 1950. . .

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/> .

llinois report card

Offense A

If Juice Williams can run and pass like this, maybe he's a Heisman Trophy candidate next season. So much for any discussion about Williams losing his job to redshirt freshman backup Eddie McGee. Zook and his coaches stuck with Williams. It paid off big against the Buckeyes.

Defense A

After giving up touchdowns on Ohio State's first two possessions, the Illini allowed seven points and 184 yards the rest of the game. Those three interceptions made a difference. After J Leman's 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss against the Buckeyes, maybe the Butkus Award committee should admit the mistake and make Leman a finalist.

Special teams A

Despite a shaky performance from freshman punter Anthony Santella, who finished with a net average of 34.2 yards, the Illini deserve all A's after whipping the nation's top-ranked team.

Overall A

If the Illini had their skeptics even after wins over Wisconsin and Penn State, they put an exclamation point on the remarkable turnaround this season. Somebody tell us if there's a better candidate for Big Ten coach of the year than Ron Zook.