CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -Except for a four-minute stretch late in the first half, the Fighting Illini played No. 14 Iowa essentially even. A short punt, and an interception shortened the field for the Hawkeyes on two of their three touchdown drives during that period of time. The improved Illinois defense shone in the second half, holding Iowa to just three points. Offensively, the Illini were erratic, and the Hawkeyes ending up taking home a 24-7 victory.
Iowa's Drew Tate passed for 190 yards on 17 completions in 27 attempts; the Black and Gold offense collected 344 yards. He was intercepted near the goal line early in the second quarter by Kevin Mitchell, but the Hawkeyes grabbed control after that.
Damian Sims scored on a 1-yard run with just under six minutes left in the half after a short punt gave Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) possession at the Illinois 31. Albert Young added a 6-yard run three minutes later.
Tate then connected with Tony Moeaki for a 35-yard touchdown with 1:47 left in the half after Miguel Merrick intercepted Tim Brasic. And just like that, it was 21-0.
Young had six catches for 40 yards to go with his team-high 57 yards rushing, and Dominique Douglas add five catches for 64 yards.
Freshman Isiah Williams had his first collegiate start, and his inaccuracy through the air contributed to Illinois' (1-3, 0-1) inability to move the ball for the first three quarters. The Illini finished with 315 yards, 149 coming during the fourth quarter when Williams hooked up with Jacob Willis for a long touchdown. Williams went 9-of-32 for 161 yards. His performance came on the heels of last week's outing when he relieved Brasic and threw for 227 yards against Syracuse.
Brasic was 3-of-7 for 33 yards against the Hawkeyes--all in the closing minutes of the second quarter. His first pass went right to Merrick at the Illinois 40, and he spent the second half on the sideline. Pierre Thomas led the Illini with 50 yards rushing.
Iowa threatened early in the second, driving to the Illinois 16. But after Chris Norwell tackled Herb Grigsby for an eight-yard loss on a reverse, Tate was intercepted near the goal line by Mitchell on third-and-15.
Illinois could not take advantage. A 12-yard punt by DaJuan Warren gave Iowa possession on the Illinois 31 and set up the game's first touchdown.
The Hawkeyes pulled away from there and gave coach Kirk Ferentz his 54th win at Iowa. They return home to take on top-ranked Ohio State next week, while the Illini go on the road to Michigan State.
