MADISON - Despite a strong rushing attack, the Fighting Illini couldn't overcome four first half turnovers and fell to Wisconsin, 49-20, on a snowy Saturday at Camp Randall.
Corbin for 80
Down 14-0 and looking for a spark, junior running back Reggie Corbin broke free on an 80-yard touchdown run to put the Illini on the board. The run is a career-long for the Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native and marks Illinois' longest rush since Rashard Mendenhall's 86-yarder at Northwestern on November 18, 2006.
Corbin carried the ball nine times for 100 yards (11.1 yards per carry), his second career 100-yard rushing game.
Junior safety Stanley Green was all over the field on Saturday, racking up a career-high 16 tackles. Green also picked off an Alex Hornibrook pass late in the second quarter and returned it 49 yards to set up a 52-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal as time expired in the first half.
The interception extends the Orange and Blue defense's streak of forcing an opponent turnover to 21 games.
McLaughlin from 52
McLaughlin's 52-yarder at the end of the half gives him four 50+-yard field goals this season, the most in a single season in program history. Entering the week, McLaughlin's three made kicks of 50+ led the nation.
The senior also added a 26-yarder early in the fourth quarter, pushing him to 11-of-16 on field goal attempts this season.
Team Notes
- Illinois ran for 210 yards on 36 carries (5.8 yards/carry), the Illini's sixth time rushing for more than 200 yards in the first seven games this season.
- Illinois had five turnovers in the first six games. Illinois had five turnovers in the first half against Wiscosin.
- Illinois trails the all-time series against Wisconsin 36-42-7, including 16-23-4 in Madison.
- Illinois has forced a turnover in 21 straight games, the longest active streak in Power 5.
- Illinois started one true freshmen (SS Sydney Brown), its least since one at Northwestern 11/26/2016 (FS Stanley Green).
- Illinois' true freshmen have combined for 20 starts, the sixth most in a season in Illinois history. Last year, Illinois set the program record with 86 cumulative true freshmen starts.
- Illinois captains: OL Nick Allegretti, LB Dele Harding, TE Austin Roberts, LB Del'Shawn Phillips
Individual Notes
- Junior K Chase McLaughlin made a 52-yard field goal to end the first half. McLaughlin set the Illinois single season (4) and career (5) records for most 50+-yard field goals made.
- Sophomore RB Ra'Von Bonner ran for a touchdown in the third quarter, his second rushing touchdown of the season.
- Junior RB Reggie Corbin had an 80-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, tied for the 10th-longest run in Illinois history. It equaled Illinois' longest run since Rashard Mendenhall's 86-yard run at Northwestern 11/18/2006 (Daniel Dufrene also had an 80-yard run at Ohio State on 11/10/2007). Corbin ran nine times for 100 yards (11.1 yards/carry), his second career 100-yard rushing game.
- Sophomore WR Carmoni Green had a career-long 25-yard reception during the third quarter.
- Junior LB Jimmy Marchese had his first career interception during the third quarter.
- Junior FS Stanley Green had his second career interception during the second quarter.
- Redshirt freshman DL Lere Oladipo started for the first time in his career.
- Freshman SS Sydney Brown started for the sixth time this season, tied for the ninth most by a true freshman defensive back in Illinois history.
- Senior OL Nick Allegretti started for the 31st straight game.
- Sophomore OL Alex Palczewski started for the 18th straight game.
