In a game featuring big hits and back-and-forth momentum swings, Illinois lost 24-17 at Minnesota on Saturday.
Freshman quarterback Cam Thomas saw his first action for the Fighting Illini on Saturday, as the Chicago Heights, Illinois, native split time with Jeff George, Jr. Thomas became the 21st Illini freshman to play this season, the most in the nation.
Thomas finished with a couple of completions for 33 yards and led Illinois in rushing with 79 yards.
Opportunistic Illini Defense
The Illinois defense forced three Minnesota turnovers on Saturday.
Julian Jones pounced on a loose ball jarred free by Bennett Williams with a textbook tackle on Minnesota running back Rodney Smith.
The turnover gave Illinois a short field, setting up a six-yard Ra'Von Bonner touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The forced fumble by Williams is the 13th of the season for the Illini defense, most in the FBS. Williams also added a career-high 14 tackles.Â
A pair of picks kept Illinois alive late in the game.
Stanley Green caught a tipped pass from teammate Nate Hobbs to end a Gophers drive.
On the next Minnesota possession, Cameron Watkins made an acrobatic catch on the sideline. Watkins' interception set up Chase McLaughlin's 28-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10 in the fourth quarter.
Smalling Continues to Impress
Following an impressive showing against Rutgers a week ago, freshman wide receiver Ricky Smalling continued his solid play for the Illini offense. Smalling hauled in eight catches for 71 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter.
TEAM NOTES
• Illinois' last nine straight offensive touchdowns have been by true freshmen dating back to the USF game.Â
• 11 of Illinois' 13 offensive touchdowns (84.6 percent) this season have been scored by true freshmen.
• Illinois held Minnesota to 5-of-15 passing for 47 yards. It was Minnesota's lowest passing yards total in a game this season.
• Illinois started eight true freshmen (DB Nate Hobbs, DB Bennett Williams, DE Bobby Roundtree, RB Ra'Von Bonner, WR Ricky Smalling, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Larry Boyd, OL Vederian Lowe).Â
• 2017 Freshman Starters by Game: 3, 7, 10, 8, 8, 9, 8 (program record before this season: 5)
• Illinois' eight true freshmen starters are tied for the third-most in a game in program history. The record of 10 was set at South Florida earlier this season.
• Illinois' most cumulative true freshmen starts in a season: 53 (2017), 34 (1977), 33 (2006)
• Illinois started three true freshmen on the offensive line for the third time in program history and for the third straight game (T Larry Boyd, G Alex Palczewski, T Vederian Lowe).
• Illinois started four freshmen on the offensive line (three true freshmen + r-Fr. Doug Kramer) for the third straight game.
• Illinois has played 21 true freshmen this season, after QB Cam Thomas debuted at Minnesota. The Illini and LSU were tied for the national lead with 20 true freshmen played entering the week.
• Illinois has used 26 first-time starters in 2017, the most in the nation (added LB Shogbonyo and RB Austin Roberts today).
• Illinois trails in the all-time series against Minnesota, 29-38-3. Illinois is 12-22-2 all-time at Minnesota.
• Illinois captains: RB Ra'Von Bonner, DE James Crawford, K Chase McLaughlin
INDIVIDUAl NOTES
• Freshman RB Ra'Von Bonner had 18 carries for 57 rushing yards and one touchdown.
• Sophomore QB Jeff George, Jr. was 17-of-22 passing for 143 yards and a touchdown.
• Freshman QB Cam Thomas played for the first time and led the team with 79 rushing yards.Â
• Senior WR Malik Turner has caught a pass in 27 straight games. His 26-game streak was 18th-best in the nation entering the week.
• Redshirt freshman LB Ayo Shogbonyo started for the first time in his career.
• Freshman WR Ricky Smalling caught his second career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
• Freshman DB Bennett Williams had his first career forced fumble in the first quarter. He led the team with 14 tackles, including eight solo.
• Sophomore DB Stanley Green had his first career interception in the third quarter. He also had 13 tackles.
• Sophomore DB Cameron Watkins had his first career interception in the fourth quarter.
• Freshman P Blake Hayes had a career day, averaging a career-high 54.2 yards per kick on five punts, including a career-long 59 yard boot. He dropped two punts inside the 20 and had three points over 50 yards.Â
• Junior WR Mike Dudek, sophomore S Patrick Nelson and sophomore LB Dele Harding missed the game with injuries, as well as LB Tre Watson, RB Mike Epstein, DB Tony Adams, TE Nathan Echard, LB Jake Hansen and DB Evan Jones.
