Illini Battle Buckeyes and Buckets of Rain in Loss at Ohio State

COLUMBUS - Illinois were up against a top-10 Ohio State team and the elements in Columbus, falling to the No. 9 Buckeyes, 52-14, on Saturday.

Sophomore Dre Brown led the Fighting Illini in the ground game, carrying 15 times for 76 yards. Sophomore Stanley Green, Jr. led all defenders with eight total tackles and junior Tré Watson had seven tackles - including a sack.

Scoop and Score for Hayes

Early in the second half, sophomore defensive back Stanley Green made a big hit on OSU quarterback Dwayne Haskins, Jr., forcing a fumble and allowing senior Ahmari Hayes to return it for a 54-yard touchdown.

The forced fumble was the third of the season for Green and the sixth of his career.

We're on the board! @Luckynmber11 scoop and score after a @StanleyGreenJr forced fumble. pic.twitter.com/C9gBXbz2Tp

— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) November 18, 2017

Miller Time

Redshirt freshman quarterback Cam Miller didn't waste any time in his first opportunity under center for the Illini, as the Evergreen Park, Illinois, native rushed for a nine-yard touchdown on his first career play from scrimmage.

Cam Miler's first snap of the game, he takes it in himself for a touchdown! pic.twitter.com/HY71UxJU78

— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) November 18, 2017

Team Notes

• Illinois started six true freshmen (DE Jamal Woods, DB Nate Hobbs, WR Ricky Smalling, TE Louis Dorsey, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Larry Boyd).
• 2017 Freshman Starters by Game: 3, 7, 10, 8, 8, 9, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6 (program record before this season: 5)
• Illinois' six true freshmen starters are tied for the ninth-most in a game in program history, yet the second-fewest in a game this season. The record of 10 was set at South Florida earlier this season.
• Illinois' most cumulative true freshmen starts in a season: 79 (2017), 34 (1977), 33 (2006)
• Illinois has used 30 first-time starters in 2017, the second-most in the nation (added WR Davis today).
• Illinois captains: DE James Crawford, QB Chayce Crouch, K Chase McLaughlin

Individual Notes

• Sophomore QB Cam Miller scored a rushing touchdown on his first career snap from scrimmage.
• Senior DB Ahmari Hayes scored his first career touchdown on a 54-yard fumble recovery.
• Sophomore DB Stanley Green forced the sixth fumble of his career (third this season).
• Sophomore WR Trenard Davis started for the first time in his career.
• Junior OL Nick Allegretti started for the 23rd straight game.
• Senior OL Christian DiLauro started for the 37th time in his career.