University of Illinois
2-0
Western Kentucky
1-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Illinois | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Illini Defense Shuts Down Hilltoppers in 20-7 Win
September 9, 2017 | Football
The Illinois defense showed up in a big way - shutting down Western Kentucky en route to a 20-7 win under the lights at Memorial Stadium Saturday night.
The Fighting Illini defense was reminiscent of the Lovie Smith led Bears on Saturday, as the unit held Western Kentucky to just six rushing yards, including a total of negative five in the second half. The six rushing yards by the Hilltoppers was their lowest total since at least 2000.
Pick Six for Julian Jones
Late in the second half, Illinois finally got into the end zone, as junior linebacker Julian Jones picked off a Mike White pass and returned it 10 yards for the Illini score. The interception was the first of Jones's career and the first Illini pick-six since Darius Mosely's at Rutgers (10/15/2016).
Sometimes a good defense is the best offense.pic.twitter.com/yFzQOEeq69
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) September 10, 2017
A Leaping Chayce Crouch
To open the second half, junior quarterback Chayce Crouch capped off a 15 play, 84-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown scamper. The leaping touchdown put the Illini up 20-0.
We've seen this before. Liftoff from @teccrouch7 into the end zone.pic.twitter.com/cmPU7ntjRe
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) September 10, 2017
Crouch finished the day 14-25 passing for 107 yards and one INT to go along with 12 rushes for 44 yards.
Mike Epstein is Here to Stay
After a stellar debut a week ago, freshman running back Mike Epstein earned the start on Saturday and didn't disappoint, totaling 111 yards on 21 carries (5.3 YPC). Epstein is the first Illini true freshman to top 100 rushing yards since Ke'Shawn Vaughn did so at Purdue on November 7, 2015.
Young Illini Impact
As expected, the Illini were forced to rely on their underclassmen on Saturday, as 17 true freshmen got into the game. In addition to Epstein, freshman Bobby Roundtree made a huge impact for the Illinois defense, totaling two sacks, including a forced fumble. Freshman cornerback Nate Hobbs also impressed, coming away with six tackles, including one tackle for loss.
Notes
• Illinois is 2-0 all-time against Western Kentucky.
• Illinois is 25-4 in Aug./Sept. home games dating back to the start of 2007.
• All five starting spots on Illinois' offensive line were filled by different players than in Week 1.
• Illinois started seven true freshmen (CB Nate Hobbs, DE Bobby Roundtree, DE Isaiah Gay, RB Mike Epstein, TE Louis Dorsey, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Larry Boyd).
• Illinois' seven true freshmen starters are the most in a game in program history. The previous high was five, which last happened Nov. 11, 2006 against Purdue (QB Juice Williams, WR Chris James, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, CB Vontae Davis, S Travon Bellamy). Prior to that, the last time was Nov. 5, 1977 against Ohio State (TE Lee Boeke, FB Wayne Strader, LB John Gillen, LB John Scott, LB Earnest Adams).
• Illinois started four true freshmen on offense for the first time ever. The previous high was three with the last time occuring Nov. 8, 2008 against Western Michigan (WR Fred Sykes, RB Jason Ford, RT Jeff Allen).
• Illinois started two true freshmen on the offensive line (OL Larry Boyd, OL Alex Palczewski) for the first time ever.
• Illinois started two true freshmen on the defensive line (DE Isaiah Gay, DE Bobby Roundtree) for the first time since Nov. 1, 1980 against Minnesota (DT Mark Butkus, DE Jim Covington).
• llinois had six first-time starters - two on defense (CB Nate Hobbs, DE Isaiah Gay) and four on offense (OL Larry Boyd, OL Alex Palczewski, RB Mike Epstein, TE Louis Dorsey). All were true freshmen.
• Illinois' five true freshmen started on defense this season is the most in an Illini season since 1980 (6).
• llinois true freshmen played for the first time in their career (DE Owen Carney Jr., RB Ra'Von Bonner, LB Marc Mondesir, OL Alex Palczewski, DL Jamal Woods)
• Western Kentucky was held under 10 points for the first time since losing 35-0 at Alabama 9/8/2012.
• Western Kentucky's six rushing yards were its lowest since at least 2000. WKU had -5 rushing yards in the second half.
• 23 Illini made at least one tackle. Zero Illini had more than six tackles.
• Illinois' defense scored as many points as Western Kentucky's offense.
• Illinois had 15 more minutes of time of possession (37:54-22:06).
• Illinois Week 2 captains: OL Nick Allegretti, WR Mike Dudek, LB Tre Watson
• Junior LB Julian Jones returned an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was Illinois' first interception returned for a touchdown since Darius Mosely at Rutgers 10/15/2016. It was his first career interception.
• Freshman RB Mike Epstein had 21 carries for 111 yards. He is the first Illinois true freshman to eclipse 100 yards rushing since Ke'Shawn Vaughn at Purdue 11/7/2015.
• Freshman DE Bobby Roundtree had 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. He has 3.0 sacks through his first two college games.
• Junior QB Chayce Crouch completed a career-high 14 passes for 107 yards. He added 44 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
• Freshman RB Ra'Von Bonner made his college debut, rushing 12 times for 25 yards.
• Junior WR Mike Dudek was Illinois' leading receiver with six catches for 46 yards on 11 targets.
• Senior WR Malik Turner has caught a pass in 22 straight games, which is among the top 20 longest active streaks in the nation.
Team Stats
WKU 0, ILL 3
ILL - McLaughlin,C. 37 yd field goal 7 plays, 17 yards, TOP 3:14
WKU 0, ILL 6
ILL - McLaughlin,C. 20 yd field goal 14 plays, 63 yards, TOP 6:59
WKU 0, ILL 13
ILL - Jones,Julian 10 yd interception (McLaughlin,C. kick)
WKU 0, ILL 20
ILL - Crouch,Chayce 9 yd run (McLaughlin,C. kick), 15 plays, 84 yards, TOP 6:41
WKU 7, ILL 20
WKU - WHITE, Mike 2 yd run (NUSS, Ryan kick), 6 plays, 29 yards, TOP 1:34
