Illini Suffer a Late Loss to Maryland, 20-17
By Jeff Mayfield

[September 18, 2021]  The Illinois Fighting Illini missed a golden opportunity to even their record at 2-2, to remain unbeaten in the Big Ten, and to re-capture another win, by fading late to the Maryland Terrapins, 20-17.

After the Illini took a 17-10 lead early in the 4th quarter when Casey Washington picked up a Reggie Love fumble after a big-gainer and sprinted 30 yards to the endzone, you finally had a feeling that maybe good things were starting to go Illinois’ way.

But the Terps marched down the field and scored on a 10-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa to Tayon Fleet-Davis to tie the contest at 17-17. The Illini had the ball and were positioned to take it back down the field for a leading TD or field goal, but instead shot itself in the foot and went backwards, forcing Illini punter Blake Hayes into punting out of his own endzone.

The resulting favorable field position allowed Maryland to get in place to kick a game-winning field goal. It was a bitter, stinging loss that takes Illinois’ record to 1-3. There were a lot of good things to take from this game and to build on going forward, so we will see what other adjustments the Illini have in store.

Next week will find the Illini on the road at Purdue. It would be good to see Illinois get back on track in that contest!

[By TOM SEGGELKE]

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