Chapel Hill, NC - In its first road game of the season, Illinois fell behind and couldn't rebound against North Carolina in a 48-14 loss on Saturday.
A bright spot for the Fighting Illini - Josh Ferguson joined elite company in the first quarter - eclipsing 2,000 yards rushing for his career.
He vaults into 13th-place on Illinois' all-time rushing list, passing Rich Johnson, Nathan Scheelhaase, Red Grange and Chubby Phillips.
Eaton Spence snagged his second interception of the season in the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter with the Fighting Illini trailing 13-0, Ferguson took a handoff from Wes Lunt and ran 52 yards to give Illinois a spark. Three plays later, he finished off the drive with a 1-yard run for a touchdown.
But the Illinois offense couldn't capitalize. North Carolina eventually went on to a 20-7 halftime lead.
On Illinois' final drive of the game Chayce Crouch led the Orange and Blue on a 17-play 63-yard touchdown drive, scoring on a 1-yard run on fourth down.
NEXT GAME: The Fighting Illini host Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3 pm | Buy Tickets | Family 4-Pack
