Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) dives after the catch for the touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

No. 20 Illinois holds off No. 15 South Carolina for rare 10th win

Josh McCray rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 7:29 left, to lead No. 20 Illinois to a 21-17 Citrus Bowl victory over No. 15 South Carolina Tuesday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

Luke Altmyer completed 13 of 22 passes for 174 yards with one score and one interception, while Gabe Jacas racked up three tackles for loss as Illinois (10-3) earned its first 10-win season since 2001.

LaNorris Sellers hit on 24 of 34 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown for South Carolina (9-4), which had its six-game winning streak snapped. Oscar Adaway rushed for 69 yards and one touchdown and caught seven passes for 37 yards.

After Illinois went backward on the game’s first possession, South Carolina used favorable field position to set up Alex Herrera’s 29-yard field goal at 7:24 of the first quarter.

Illinois responded with a 59-yard crossing pattern from Altmyer to Hank Beatty that got the Illini inside South Carolina’s 1-yard line, but Debo Williams was credited with a forced fumble on the next snap – a McCray plunge – that Dylan Stewart recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

On the final play of the first quarter, Illinois capped a 76-yard drive with its first score. Altmyer scrambled and found Zakhari Franklin for a 15-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead.

South Carolina squandered a scoring chance midway through the second quarter when it ran an unsuccessful trick play on fourth-and-7 from Illinois’ 13. The Gamecocks came up empty again on the half’s final play when Herrera doinked a 41-yard attempt off the upright.

South Carolina seized a 10-7 lead in the third quarter when Adaway broke through the middle on fourth-and-1 and sprinted 36 yards down the right sideline for a score. Illinois regained a 14-10 lead with 2:23 to go in the third on McCray’s 3-yard blast up the middle.

The Gamecocks forged the third lead change of the second half on the first snap of the fourth quarter. Sellers faked a handoff and lobbed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Simon for a 17-14 edge.

Illinois answered with McCray’s 7-yard touchdown run on a misdirection pitch to the left. South Carolina had a chance to retake the lead, but Sellers threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-4 inside Illinois’ 10 with 3:08 left.

McCray’s 60-yard rush on the ensuing drive allowed the Illini to run out the clock.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Wofford Terriers in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

No. 15 South Carolina, No. 20 Illinois vie for 10th win at Citrus Bowl

South Carolina’s best defensive player — actually, the nation’s best defensive player — won’t play in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Illinois won’t have its all-Big Ten receiver.

But aside from the Gamecocks’ Kyle Kennard and the Fighting Illini’s Pat Bryant opting out for NFL Draft purposes, both No. 15 South Carolina and No. 20 Illinois will be loaded and eager to battle for a coveted 10th win Tuesday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

The Gamecocks (9-3) are riding a six-game winning streak — including three victories over Top 25 opponents — as they shoot for their first 10-win season since 2013. The Illini (9-3) have won three in a row as they vie for their first 10-win campaign since the 2001 Big Ten champions.

Of course, this clash to end 2024 is also about what can happen for both schools in 2025.

“We’re either the first- or second-youngest team coming back in Power 4 football,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “We’re all juniors and sophomores.”

That includes junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, who publicly committed for the 2025 season when he addressed the sellout crowd at Illinois’ home basketball game versus top-ranked Tennessee on Dec. 14. Altmyer clicked on 60.9 percent of his passes during the regular season for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

“In this crazy world that we’re in with the portal and the transfers, he’s the definition of what you’re looking for,” Bielema said.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers has made a similar agreement to return to South Carolina, signing a deal with the school’s NIL collective. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound dual threat racked up 2,274 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air along with 655 yards and seven scores on the ground.

Sellers and the Gamecocks are working with a new offensive coordinator. Former Alabama head coach Mike Shula was upgraded from offensive analyst last week when offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains took the head coaching job at Appalachian State.

“I trust him,” Sellers said of Shula. “He’s coached a lot of guys, had a history with a lot of guys in the NFL.”

As prolific as Sellers has been, South Carolina’s defense has been the superior unit most of the year, allowing just 17.8 points per game.

The Gamecocks will miss Kennard, who led the Southeastern Conference with 11.5 sacks and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player, but they still boast first-team All-American safety Nick Emmanwori. He led South Carolina with 83 tackles and returned two of his four picks for touchdowns.

Without Bryant (54 receptions, 984 yards, 10 TDs) to serve as Altmyer’s go-to guy, the Illini will rely on Zakhari Franklin (51 catches, 613 yards, three scores) to keep drives going. Illinois split its rushing workload between the speedy Aidan Laughery (522 yards, four TDs) and the stout Josh McCray (495 yards, eight scores).

South Carolina doesn’t expect to have its leading rusher available. Second-team all-SEC running back Raheim Sanders (881 yards, 11 TDs) announced on social media his intent to enter the NFL Draft.

That puts more on Sellers’ plate, but he’s facing an Illini defense that allowed 59 points across its season-ending wins at Rutgers and against Northwestern. Illinois also surrendered 35 points in the first half against top-ranked Oregon during its visit to the West Coast on Oct. 26.

–Field Level Media

UTEP head football coach Dana Dimel before facing Liberty on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Illinois assistant Dana Dimel, longtime college coach, dies

Dana Dimel, an assistant coach at Illinois and formerly the head coach at Wyoming, Houston and UTEP, died Tuesday morning, his family announced. He was 62.

Dimel’s agent, Pete Roussel, said on social media that Dimel passed away in his sleep.

The coach spent this season as a senior offensive assistant on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois. He also was a longtime assistant coach for Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana. He was a special friend and coaching companion,” Snyder said in a statement. “I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community.”

Dimel began his coaching career in 1987 at Kansas State, his alma mater, and was on staff there until Wyoming (1997-99) named him its head coach. He also was the head coach at Houston (2000-02) and returned to Kansas State before being hired to lead UTEP (2018-23).

Dimel had a career head coaching record of 50-88 before joining the Fighting Illini.

“Today is a difficult day for college football and our Illini (family),” Bielema said in a statement. “Dana was an exceptional person, husband, father, friend, and football coach. He affected the lives of countless coaches, players, and staff members for more than three decades in college football.

“His influence on our program was incredible to witness and be a part of. His infectious positive energy had a major impact on me, our players, and everyone in our building every day. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Aidan Laughery’s career day helps No. 23 Illinois run over Northwestern

Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-highs, to propel No. 23 Illinois past Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The sophomore running back needed just 12 carries to orchestrate his career day and ripped off three runs of 30 or more yards, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper that put the Fighting Illini (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) ahead 21-10 early in the second half.

After the Wildcats (4-8, 2-7) pulled within 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, Laughery broke off a 31-yard run to replenish Illinois’ two-score lead.

Fighting Illini receiver Pat Bryant tied a program record with his 10th touchdown reception this season, which came after Laughery’s long scoring run in the third quarter.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 10 of 17 passes for 170 with a touchdown and two interceptions. He had an injury scare in the third quarter after taking a big hit and landing on his throwing arm. After receiving medical attention, Altmyer walked off the field and returned on the next drive.

The Wildcats used two quarterbacks in the loss, their third straight to end the season.

Jack Lausch played most snaps and threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-of-48 passing. Before the game, head coach David Braun said freshman quarterback Ryan Boe would take snaps with the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Boe completed 4 of 13 throws for 42 yards with an interception.

Northwestern’s defense created both Illinois interceptions with outstanding individual efforts.

In the first quarter, Brendan Flakes tipped an Altmyer pass that Devin Turner caught and ran 13 yards for a touchdown that put the Wildcats ahead 10-7. The second pick also came from Turner, who sprinted across the field and timed a dive perfectly to grab an Altmyer pass in the second quarter.

Bryce Kirtz caught two passes on Northwestern’s first drive but was injured on his second reception. He exited the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The Wildcats’ leading receiver this season finished with the two receptions for 25 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) scrambles during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No. 23 Illinois optimistic about postseason hopes, takes on Northwestern

Illinois comes in at No. 23 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and with three losses remains a long shot to make the coveted Top 12.

Still, it’s coach Bret Bielema’s experience to never say never.

As they prepare for Saturday’s game against struggling Northwestern at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the Fighting Illini (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) carry optimism alongside their solid resume.

Two of Illinois’ losses came in road games to CFP No. 1 Oregon and No. 4 Penn State. The outlier? An eight-point home loss to bowl-eligible Minnesota to open November.

“What we’ve got to do is take care of Saturday, but the dialogue is out there and for that I respect,” Bielema said. “We, unfortunately, have three losses on the year, but it’s happened before. I did tell our guys when it happened, it was something still in the bag of tricks.”

Speaking of tricks, the Illini relied upon some savvy to shock host Rutgers 38-31 last week. Trailing 31-30 with 14 seconds left and zero timeouts and the ball on the Scarlet Knights’ 40, Illinois appeared primed to try to improve upon a potential go-ahead field goal. Moments earlier, a missed attempt was waved off by a Rutgers timeout.

Instead, receiver Pat Bryant rerouted after catching a pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer, spotted an opening and followed it to the end zone with just 4 seconds to go.

Altmyer was 12-for-26 through the air for 249 yards and two scores.

Outside linebacker Seth Coleman’s status for the game is uncertain after the sixth-year senior was injured in the fourth quarter at Rutgers.

Northwestern continues to fade, losing four of its past five games to likely tumble out of bowl eligibility. The Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) are coming off their most lopsided defeat of the season, 50-6 at Michigan last week.

Northwestern trailed just 10-6 after Luke Akers connected on field goals of 28 and 26 yards in the second quarter, but the Wolverines scored 40 unanswered points to close out the game.

“I’m excited for our team to bounce back after a tough Saturday,” Wildcats coach David Braun said. “The product that we put on that field is not us. We have to be better. … In our last guaranteed opportunity together, we have to send this team, this group, out the right way.”

Increased development from quarterback Jack Lausch figures to go a long way to that end. A sophomore who took over for transfer Mike Wright in mid-September, Lausch is a mere 31-for-56 for 307 yards and two interceptions in the past two games — against No. 2 Ohio State and at Michigan.

Northwestern allowed nine sacks of Lausch in those contests after yielding 12 in his first seven games.

“I’ll continue to be excited to be next to Jack as he continues to compete and put this team in situations to win games,” Braun said. “It can be really easy to point out issues at quarterback when the offense is not operating at the level you want it to. … But offensive success, it’s the beauty of football; it takes all 11 (players) to function at a high level to get results.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Ian Strong (9) catches a touchdown pass in front ofIllinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jaheim Clarke (25) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No. 25 Illinois’ TD with four seconds left upends Rutgers

Pat Bryant caught a 40-yard touchdown on fourth down with four seconds remaining as No. 25 Illinois rallied for a dramatic 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J.

With Rutgers playing cover-zero defense, Bryant caught Luke Altmyer’s sidearm toss on fourth-and-13 at the 22-yard line in the middle of the field and ran in from the right side for a 36-31 lead.

Bryant’s dramatic catch came after Illinois initially decided to attempt a go-ahead 57-yard field goal into the wind. Following a timeout, the Ilini went for it on fourth down.

Altmeyer’s two-point conversion attempt to Bryant was incomplete, but the visitors recorded a safety on the game’s final play.

Bryant finished with seven catches for a career-high 197 yards, and his score came after Rutgers took a 31-30 lead on a 13-yard rushing TD by Kyle Monangai with 1:08 left.

Monangai gave the Scarlet Knights the lead after Illinois overcame a nine-point deficit on Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run with 13:48 remaining and Altmyer’s 30-yard run with 3:07 left.

Bryant’s clutch catch gave Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) eight wins for the second time in three seasons on a day when it committed 11 penalties.

Altmyer finished 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and threw two touchdowns. He also gained a team-high 74 yards on the ground as the Ilini totaled 182 rushing yards.

Monangai finished with 122 yards on 28 carries and Kaliakmanis completed 19-of-37 passes for 175 yards, but Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) was unable to win a third straight Big Ten game for the first time. Kaliakmanis also rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

The Scarlet Knights saw their losing streak against ranked teams reach 41 games after taking a 17-9 halftime lead and a 24-15 advantage early in the fourth.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws a pass during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

No. 25 Illinois, Rutgers reveling in 2024 accomplishments

While Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State are hogging Big Ten headlines, Illinois and Rutgers are enjoying a few big accomplishments of their own.

No. 25 Illinois attempts to reach eight wins for the second time in three seasons and inch closer to its first nine-win season since 2007 when it meets Rutgers on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

For its part, Rutgers hopes to reach seven wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in since 2012.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema appreciates what his team has accomplished.

“We have an unbelievable opportunity in front of us with Rutgers and to put ourselves in a position here at the end of the season with two games remaining. To have a lot to play for is pretty awesome,” Bielema said.

Illinois (7-3, 4-3) is coming off a 38-16 win over Michigan State last week in its home finale, finishing 6-1 at home. The defense led the way with five sacks, while running back Josh McCray scored three touchdowns and Pat Bryant totaled 135 receiving yards. Luke Altmyer threw for 231 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown pass to Bryant.

The Illini close the season against Northwestern on Nov. 30 and are heading to their second bowl game in four seasons under Bielema. Illinois was 8-5 two seasons ago but slumped to 5-7 last year for its 11th losing campaign in 12 years. The Illini are attempting to reach nine victories since it went 9-4 in 2007 and advanced to the Rose Bowl under Ron Zook.

Rutgers (6-4, 3-4) went 12-22 in the first three seasons of coach Greg Schiano’s second stint. The program is seeking back-to-back seven win seasons for the first time since finishing 9-4 in 2011 and 2012, its final seasons in the Big East.
Rutgers is attempting to end a 40-game losing streak against ranked opponents that dates back to a 31-0 win over South Florida on Nov. 12, 2009.

And Schiano sees good things ahead.

“We operate in the moment,” Schiano said. “If we let the future steal or the past steal from the moment, the present, that’s where we get in trouble. I don’t know if anybody can handle that, but we certainly can’t. We’re a developing program. We’re on the rise.”

Rutgers heads into its final home game coming off consecutive wins over Minnesota and Maryland. After earning a 26-19 win over Minnesota on Nov. 9, the Scarlet Knights followed it up with last week’s 31-17 win at Maryland to become bowl-eligible.

Rutgers topped 30 points for the second time in a conference game as Athan Kaliakmanis threw for 238 yards with two TD passes and Dymere Miller finished with eight catches for 107 yards for his second-highest total in both categories this season.

Kyle Monangai finished with 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Monangai reached 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season.

Rutgers will close the regular season against Michigan State on Nov. 30.

Illinois leads the all-time series 5-3, including a 4-2 mark in Big Ten games.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State's Montorie Foster Jr., right, celebrates his touchdown catch with Nick Marsh during the third quarter in the game against Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Bye behind them, Illinois, Michigan State back to bowl focus

Michigan State and Illinois have had a bye week to think about what they’ve done, and what they need to do better to create a November to remember.

Illinois (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) and Michigan State (4-5, 2-4) carry two-game losing streaks into the home finale for the Fighting Illini on Saturday afternoon in Champaign.

Both teams also have soft enough schedules to suggest a three-game winning streak is feasible. But a slide isn’t out of the question for either team.

“I am excited to be the head coach of a team that has put themselves in a (good) position,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema. “You always remember the ones in November. Obviously, we started off with a bump in the road against Minnesota (two weeks ago).”

“You can only win one at a time,” said Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith. “We’ve got a lot to play for these last three games. I know our guys understand that it’s not easy to win, but we have an opportunity in front of us to win more than we lose for the entirety of this season.”

While Illinois held a “limited” practice Sunday, Michigan State went full pads to set the tone.

“I thought it was really spirited,” Smith said. “Good practice.”

Better yet for the Spartans, starting quarterback Aidan Chiles took part in the practice. His status had not been clarified since being escorted to the locker room with a forearm injury during the third quarter of the Spartans’ 47-10 loss vs. Indiana on Nov. 2.

“Aidan was able to go (Sunday),” Smith said. “So we feel pretty confident on him.”

Chiles doesn’t have the best numbers (62 percent completion rate, 1,850 yards, eight touchdowns, 11 interceptions), but his status as a two-way threat gives Michigan State the best chance to succeed against an Illinois defense that surrendered 49 points to Purdue when multi-threat backup Ryan Browne had to play for the Boilermakers.

The Illinois defense will be without leading tackler Dylan Rosiek. The junior linebacker suffered a season-ending leg fracture in the Nov. 2 home loss to Minnesota.

The Illini also will miss defensive back Miles Scott in the first half. He is serving the rest of his penalty for a fourth-quarter targeting call versus the Gophers.

–Field Level Media

Illinois coach Bret Bielema has words with an official during the first half at Autzen Stadium.

No. 24 Illinois’ Bret Bielema out to remain perfect vs. Minnesota

Illinois coach Bret Bielema will strive to maintain his stranglehold over Minnesota when the No. 24 Fighting Illini host the Golden Gophers on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.

Bielema is 10-0 in his coaching career against Minnesota, including a 3-0 mark since he took over at Illinois in December 2020. He went 7-0 against Minnesota as Wisconsin’s coach, while he never faced the Golden Gophers during his coaching stint at Arkansas.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach Bielema and what he does,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said. “He always has a hard, smash-mouth, tough football team no matter where he’s been — Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois. It’s his DNA.”

Illinois (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) is looking to bounce back from a lopsided loss at No. 1 Oregon a week ago. The Fighting Illini fell behind 35-3 by halftime and lost 38-9.

Now, Illinois returns to its home field, where it is 5-0 this season.

“We’re a program that’s on the rise,” Bielema said. “It’s a program that’s building, and we’re going to get better at every opportunity. … I promise you that we’ll get better this week.”

Bielema challenged the Fighting Illini’s fans to make it tough on Minnesota.

“I hope you’ll be there and be loud,” he said. “You’ve got an 11 a.m. (local time) kickoff. You’ve got to get that first beverage, whether it’s a coffee, a mimosa, a bloody, a Red Bull — whatever you got going, man — just get up and get it going and get here and get seated by about 10:30 and get ready to be a part of a really good Big Ten football environment.”

Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) would love to spoil the mood among the Illini faithful. The Golden Gophers are going for their fourth straight win after knocking off then-No. 11 Southern California, UCLA and Maryland over the past three contests.

One more win would make Minnesota bowl-eligible.

Fleck wanted no part of that hypothetical as he prepared for Illinois.

“We’ve got to play our best football against a ranked opponent on the road,” he said. “We’ve got to D.I.B. — do it better.”

Quarterback Max Brosmer leads Minnesota with 1,776 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. His top target in the passing game is Daniel Jackson, who has 51 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns.

Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor also will look to build upon his impressive season. He has 513 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in seven games.

Illinois’ offense is led by quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has passed for 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. Top wideout Pat Bryant has 34 catches for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, but his status is uncertain this week because of a concussion. Bielema said Monday that Bryant is expected to clear concussion protocol and play Saturday.

With running back Kaden Feagin out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, the next top rushers are Aidan Laughery (268 rushing yards) and Josh McCray (258 rushing yards, three TDs).

Minnesota leads the all-time series 40-33-3, although Illinois has won the past three.

–Field Level Media

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel leaps into the end zone fr a touchdown during the second quarter against Illinois at Autzen Stadium.

Dillon Gabriel, No. 1 Oregon have no issues taking down No. 20 Illinois

Dillon Gabriel threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth in the first half as top-ranked Oregon cruised to a 38-9 Big Ten win over visiting No. 20 Illinois on Saturday afternoon in Eugene.

In addition to leading the Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) to their first win as the nation’s No. 1 team since Dec. 4, 2010, Gabriel climbed into second place on the Football Bowl Subdivision’s all-time charts for passing touchdowns (143) and passing yards (17,236) as he finished 18 of 26 for 291 yards, three scores and one interception.

Oregon rolled up 527 total yards — including 363 in the first half — as Tez Johnson caught six passes for 102 yards and one touchdown while Jordan James rushed for a game-high 83 yards in 15 attempts.

Illinois (6-2, 3-2), which came in with three Top 25 wins this season, never achieved liftoff in its first game against a No. 1 team since 2007. Quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 17 of 35 passes for 161 yards and his second and third interceptions of the year. Aidan Laughery rushed for 69 yards and Zakhari Franklin posted six receptions for 72 yards.

Oregon marched 83 yards on the game’s first possession to take a 7-0 lead. Gabriel hit Johnson on a short crossing pattern that turned into a 31-yard score when Johnson dove into the pylon in the left corner of the end zone.

After Illinois went backward on its first possession and had to punt, the Ducks zipped 58 yards for another score. Gabriel tossed a 34-yard post to Justius Lowe to make it 14-0 with 6:05 left in the first quarter.

Illinois broke through with David Olano’s 38-yard field goal at 1:34 of the first, but the Ducks got back on track with Gabriel’s 7-yard keeper around left end. He raced in untouched to put Oregon up 21-3, then Noah Whittington added an 18-yard sprint up the middle for a 28-3 bulge with 6:09 left in the first half.

For good measure, the Ducks ran the two-minute drill to perfection to score their fifth touchdown in six possessions. The left-handed Gabriel capped an 89-yard march with a 2-yard pitch to Whittington using his right hand for a 35-3 halftime lead.

Illinois drove to Oregon’s 2-yard line on the second half’s opening possession but got turned away on downs. The Illini finished the job on their next drive — going 95 yards capped by Ca’Lil Valentine’s 5-yard blast. The first touchdown allowed by Oregon in eight quarters cut the margin to 35-9 with 46 seconds left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media