Illinois Takes Down Indiana, 27-14

Saturday, September 22

Bloomington, Ind.

11:00 AM

University of Illinois

3-1 , 1-0

Indiana

3-1 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Illinois	6	14	0	7	27
Indiana	0	7	0	7	14

Illinois running back Russ Weil (41), tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (16) and quarterback Juice Williams (7) celebrate a two-yard touchdown reception by Hoomanawanui. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

September 22, 2007 | Football

Box Score

Sept. 22, 2007

Final Stats |  Notes |  AP Photo Gallery   |  Photo Gallery

Post-Game Multimedia:
DB Vontae Davis	VIDEO
DL Chris Norwell	VIDEO
QB Juice Williams	VIDEO
DB Kevin Mitchell	VIDEO
DB Justin Harrison	VIDEO
DL Will Davis	VIDEO
RB Rashard Mendenhall	VIDEO
LB Antonio Steele	VIDEO
Head Coach Ron Zook (premium content)	VIDEO
Complete Multimedia Listings: AUDIO     VIDEO

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Rashard Mendenhall ran for a career-high 214 yards and one touchdown, scored on a reception and the Illinois defense forced four turnovers and blocked a punt in a 27-14 victory over Indiana on Saturday.

It was Illinois' first win in a Big Ten opener since 1993.

Indiana (3-1, 0-1) had won two straight in the series, but the nation's No. 7 rushing offense was limited to just 134 yards - about half its previous average. The Hoosiers were led by Kellen Lewis, who was 26-of-51 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.

Juice Williams was 13-of-28 for 98 yards and two touchdowns to help Illinois (3-1, 1-0) put away the Hoosiers.

Mendenhall was even better, carrying 27 times and easily surpassing his previous career-best of 162 yards rushing last October against Penn State.

Illinois controlled the game from the start. Jason Reda kicked two early field goals and when Williams threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Michael Hoomanawanui early in the second quarter, it was 13-0.

Lewis answered late in the half with a 7-yard TD pass to James Hardy to get Indiana within 13-7.

One problem: Williams had 2:04 left on the clock, enough time to methodically lead Illinois on a 68-yard scoring drive. The final play was a swing pass to Mendenhall, who made a nifty cut in the flat to get free for a 15-yard score and a 20-7 halftime lead.

Illinois sealed the win with 12:45 to go when Mendenhall powered in from 6 yards out, following an Indiana fumble, for a 27-7 lead.

Lewis threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to James Bailey, who slithered through the middle of the Illinois defense on his way the end zone, cutting the deficit to 27-14. But Lewis was picked off in the end zone with about 1 minute left to go, ending comeback hopes.