BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — In what was supposed to be one of the premiere matchups of the weekend, turned out to be the biggest dud of the college football week four spread.
Nothing but hype surrounded the Illinois Fighting Illini and Indiana Hoosiers, so much so they won the rights to the NBC Primtime slot. However, in almost every facet of the game the Illini seemed outmatched.
It all started with Indiana blocking a first quarter punt and returning the ball for a touchdown. Memorial Stadium erupted.
Illinois’
offense did not shy away at first, with Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer connecting with receiver Collin Dixon on a 59-yard touchdown pass. Tied up at seven now, everyone can take a breath. Nope, that was the last time in the first half the Illini had any life.
An already thin Illinois secondary was going to have their hands full, with All-Big Ten corner Xavier Scott ruled out earlier this week with a lower body injury. Pair that with defensive back Jaheim Clark missing his fourth consecutive game, the Orange and Blue were going to need everything they could get of the remaining starters.
One of those starters is senior safety and captain Miles Scott. With 13 minutes left in the second quarter and the Hoosiers marching in Illinois territory, Scott delivered a vicious hit that sent IU receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to the ground. A flag came flying in without a second’s notice. Targeting. Illinois’ lone remaining starter was ejected.
You be the judge of whether that warrants a targeting call.
Then the Hoosiers began to cook and did not stop to the final whistle.
In end the No. 19 Hoosiers defeated the No. 9 Illini 63-10, the largest deficit in the Bielema era.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza diced up Illinois’ thin defense, throwing more touchdown passses (5) than incompletions (2) in the entire game. Oh and he did not play in the entire fourth quarter.
Outside of the secondary the biggest concern on the night was the Illini’s offensive line. Altmyer was sacked five times in the first half, some at the fault of his line and the others on him for holding the ball a tick too long or struggling to find an open receiver.
Altmyer did not have much help from his running game as the Illini only finished with 2 rushing yards on the night.
Outside of the injuries, Illinois’ defense looked concerning. Indiana had their way, scoring at will well into the second half. Mendoza had a performance for the ages, finishing 21-23, with 5 touchdown passes and 267 yards.
You gotta see this
The one bright spot for the Illini tonight. The only touchdown of the game for the Illini.
Stat Stuffers:
With Aidan Laughery not seeing the field, Feagin, Valentine and Altmyer rushed 2 yards as a team.
Illinois Third down conversions: 1 for 10
Altmyer was under pressure all day and the Illini surrendered 7 sacks.
Up Next …
Illinois will get ready to host Big Noon Kickoff next Saturday as they welcome in the USC Trojans. Only time will tell if that will remain a ranked match up, as the Illini are in grave danger of dropping out of the AP Poll after Saturday night’s loss.
