Ohio State Juiced by Illinois
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by Nejoshi
Ron Zook can add an upset of the top-ranked team to his list of accomplishments this season in turning the Illinois football program around. His Fightin Illini took out the Ohio State Buckeyes 28-21 in Columbus, adding yet another stunning upset to this college football season. For the Illinois program, it was their first win over a top-ranked team since 1956.
It was the Juice Williams show for Illinois. The sophomore threw for four touchdown passes to four different players, exposing an Ohio State defense that had allowed only two TD’s at home all season. Senior night at the Shoe was spoiled by two red zone turnovers, and a balanced attack from Illinois that wasn’t fazed by the Buckeyes top-ranked defense.
The upset marks a stunning resurrection for an Illinois program that was 2-10 last year; this season the Illini are 8-3, headed to a major bowl game and got two wins over teams in the top five. Zook is thriving in Champaign, no longer under the microscope of being Steve Spurrier’s replacement that dogged his tenure at Florida.
Todd Boeckman threw three picks, including two when his team was deep in Illinois territory. The senior quarterback did well with his feet, however, running for 68 yards with a career high run of 35. The Wells combination at running back, combined to run for 109 yards on 26 carries with three touchdowns. Maurice had a 19-yard touchdown, while Chris ran for the other two scores.
