WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Fighting Illini fell short of its bid in the Battle for the Cannon on Saturday, suffering a 29-10 loss at Purdue.
Thomas Takes the Reigns
After splitting time with Jeff George, Jr. the past two weeks, true freshman quarterback Cam Thomas took the bulk of the snaps under center for the Illini on Saturday. Making his first career start, Thomas finished 10-for-20 passing for 159 yards.
Thomas is the fourth true freshman to start a game at quarterback in program history, joining Aaron Bailey ('13), Isiah "Juice" Williams ('06) and Kurt Kittner ('98).
Dorsey for Six
Late in the first quarter, freshman tight end Louis Dorsey hauled in an eight-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jeff George, Jr. The touchdown capped off a 10 play, 75-yard drive and tied the game 7-7. The touchdown is the second of Dorsey's career.
Tight First Half
It was a typical, hard-hitting Big Ten showing in the first half on Saturday, as the two teams traded blows throughout the first thirty minutes of play. After the Illini offense matched Purdue with the late first quarter touchdown, both teams added field goals in the second quarter. Purdue took a 13-10 lead into the half with a 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Highlights
Lovie Says
Team Notes
- Illinois started seven true freshmen (DE Bobby Roundtree, DB Bennett Williams, LB Nate Hobbs, WR Ricky Smalling, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Larry Boyd, OL Vederian Lowe).
- 2017 Freshman Starters by Game: 3, 7, 10, 8, 8, 9, 8, 7, 7 (program record before this season: 5)
- Illinois' seven true freshmen starters are tied for the sixth-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: 67 (2017), 34 (1977), 33 (2006)
- 12 of Illinois' 15 offensive touchdowns (80 percent) have been scored by true freshmen, including 10 of the last 11. Freshman touchdowns have been scored by Ra'Von Bonner (4), Mike Epstein (4), Ricky Smalling (2) and Louis Dorsey (2).
- Illinois has started 16 true freshmen this season, the most in the nation and an Illinois program record (added QB Thomas today).
- Illinois started three true freshmen on the offensive line for the fifth time in program history and for the fifth straight game (T Larry Boyd, G Alex Palczewski, T Vederian Lowe).
- Illinois has used 28 first-time starters in 2017, the most in the nation (added QB Thomas today).
- Illinois captains: DT Jamal Milan, LB Ayo Shogbonyo, RB Kendrick Foster
Individual Notes
- Freshman QB Cam Thomas became the fourth Illinois true freshman to start a game at quarterback in program history, joining Aaron Bailey (2013, 1G), Isiah "Juice" Williams (2006, 9G) and Kurt Kittner (1998, 5G). Thomas was 10-of-20 passing for 159 yards and ran 14 times for 30 yards.
- Sophomore QB Jeff George Jr. was 2-of-7 passing 11 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
- Freshman TE Louis Dorsey caught an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter from George, Dorsey's second touchdown reception of the season.
- Senior WR Malik Turner has caught a pass in 29 straight games, which is among the top-20 active streaks in the nation. • Freshman WR Ricky Smalling has at least one catch of 20+ yards in five straight games. Smalling caught two passes for 46 yards. • Junior TE Henry McGrew had his first career reception.
- OL Christian DiLauro started at guard for the first time in his career. His previous 34 career starts were at tackle.
- Freshman DE Isaiah Gay had a career-high three solo tackles.
- Freshman DB Michael Marchese recovered a fumble on a third-quarter muffed punt, his first career statistic of any kind.
- Freshman DB Stanley Green led the Illini with 10 tackles (3 solo).
- Senior RB Kendrick Foster led the Illini with 73 yards rushing (17 carries) and tied for the team lead with 46 yards receiving (2 receptions).
