Illini Cruise Past Chattanooga, 31-0
Illinois’ record now 3-1

By Jeff Mayfield

[September 24, 2022] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini sent a message to the Chattanooga Mocs and to their own Illini fans and it came early, only 90 seconds into last night’s contest. And that message set the stage for a thoroughly dominating performance on the rare Thursday night special in prime time as the Illini cruised to a 31-0 drubbing and shutout of the Mocs.

After the Mocs went 3 and out again…

The Illini marched right down the field in 5 plays capped by a 9-yard carry by running back sensation, Chase Brown. By the way, Brown was good for over 108 yards for the fourth straight game making him the first back in Illini history to produce that feat[at the start of a season]! You may want to note that Brown leads the nation in rushing with over 600 yards!

The next couple of Illini drives stalled, though the latter one resulted in a 34-yard field goal by Caleb Griffin. It was good to get him going as we’ll really need him in some of the tougher games that loom on the horizon.

Illini QB Tommy DeVito led the potent attack by going 23 of 31 for 329 yards and three touchdowns with no INTs. AND, not only did the Illini have a back over 100 yards, they had two receivers over that marker as well. The electrifying Isaiah Williams caught 9 passes for 103 yards and a 63-yard touchdown. Pat Bryant also caught 5 passes for 112 yards and a 17-yard touchdown.

Media were told as the feat was accomplished, that it was the first time in Illini history that a football team registered a back with 100 yards rushing AND two receivers with over 100 yards in a single game.

Michael Marchese also snagged a 25-yard touchdown pass on a nifty double-reverse pitchback to the QB. I love those plays! And when Bryant made his catch and run to pay dirt the Illini were up 24-0 at intermission and were never headed the rest of the way.
 

But it was once again the Illini defense who were the most dominate again on the first Thursday night game in Memorial Stadium history. The Big D only gave up 142 yards, the fewest this season, and they have not given up a touchdown in 3 of their 4 games!

The Illini put up a record of 3-0 in the non-conference portion of their schedule for the first time since 2015. Head Coach Bret Bielema’s record is now 9-8 making his record the best through 17 games for an Illini coach since John Mackovic went 10-6-1 back in 1988-89.

With an overall record of 3-1 now, the Illini will resume Big Ten play as they travel to Wisconsin a week from Saturday.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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