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By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Antoineo Harris rushed for three touchdowns, and
Brandon Lloyd caught eight passes for 170 yards and two TDs as Illinois scored
38 points in the first half of a 44-17 victory over California on Saturday.
The Illini opened their season by pounding the Golden Bears with an
explosive day from an offense in midseason form. Kurt Kittner completed 17 of
32 passes for 294 yards, while Lloyd made a spectacular return to the Illini's
lineup after missing last season with a broken leg.
Illinois scored 24 points on its first four drives, three of which ended in
scoring runs by Harris. After Cal got the first of Joe Igber's two rushing TDs,
Lloyd caught two scoring passes - for 49 and 9 yards - in a 2:29 span shortly
before halftime for a 38-7 lead.
Illini coach Ron Turner, a native of nearby Martinez, was pleased by the
return of Lloyd, who wowed Illinois fans as a freshman in 1999 but couldn't
play last fall - a prime reason for the Illini's 5-6 record.
Lloyd made two catches for 35 yards on the Illini's first two plays from
scrimmage, and he made a 46-yard scoring catch on their fourth play that was
called back on a holding penalty.
The Bears expected their secondary to be the strength of their defense, but
Lloyd toyed with cornerbacks Atari Callen and LaShaun Ward while establishing
career-bests for catches and yardage.
JJ Tubbs kicked three field goals for the Illini, including a career-long
42-yarder in the fourth quarter. Illinois' defense also was strong, allowing
375 total yards but forcing four Cal turnovers.
Several thousand Illinois fans filled a slice of Memorial Stadium and
cheered wildly in the first half. After the game, the Illini crossed the field
to thank the fans.
It was a less celebratory afternoon for Cal fans. The Bears have had four
straight losing seasons under coach Tom Holmoe, who knows his job is on the
line this fall.
Cal's revamped offense under new coordinator Al Borges had its moments, but
the Bears were inconsistent despite Igber's 116 yards rushing and two scores.
Cal's offensive line, which also was thought to be a strength, frequently was
beaten by Illinois' pass rush as the game wore on.
Quarterback Kyle Boller, who was 17-of-38 for 184 yards, took several nasty
hits, including one late in the first half that ripped his helmet off his head.
Cal didn't have any positive rushing yardage until midway through the second
quarter, when the Bears made an 86-yard drive ending in Igber's 1-yard TD run.
But Illinois came right back with Lloyd's 49-yard TD catch, and after Dwayne
Smith blocked Cal's punt at the 10, Kittner hit Lloyd with a 9-yard fade for
his second score 1:01 before halftime.
Igber, Cal's leading rusher the last two seasons, added a 2-yard scoring run
late in the third quarter.
