MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Illinois defense capitalized on a pair of Minensota turnovers to score two touchdowns Saturday, but the offense faltered in a 40-17 loss at TCF Bank Stadium. Dele Harding and Milo Eifler each scored their first career touchdowns in the game.
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
Senior linebacker Dele Harding put the game's first points on the board with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown. Harding's pick-six was the first against Minnesota since September 22, 2018.
Junior linebacker Milo Eifler added a second defensive touchdown in the third quarter, scooping up a fumble caused by Jake Hansen and returning it seven yards to pay dirt. The recovery was the first of Eifler's career.
Illinois entered the game without a defensive touchdown on the year. Its two defensive touchdowns were its most since October 23, 2010 vs. Indiana.\
Corbin Moving Up All-Time List
Senior running back Reggie Corbin picked up 68 yards on the ground Saturday, giving him 2,068 for his career. Corbin passed Rich Johnson (1966-68) and Nathan Scheelhaase (2010-2013) on the Illini's all-time rushing list to move into 16th place.
Pinning Them Deep
Junior punter Blake Hayes tied a career high with five punts downed inside the 20 yard line Saturday. The left-footed Aussie averaged 43.1 yards per punt with a long of 53.
His fifth punt of the afternoon found its way out of bounds at the Gopher 2, leading to Illinois' second touchdown of the day on Eifler's seven-yard scoop-and-score. Minnesota's average starting position after Hayes' punts was its own 15.7 yard line.
TEAM NOTES
• Illinois scored two defensive touchdowns in the same game for the first time since two interception return touchdowns vs. Indiana 10/23/2010.
• Illinois had a fumble recovery return touchdown and an interception return touchdown in the same game for the first time since at least 2000.
• Illinois scored two defensive touchdowns for the third time since 2000 (2 vs. Indiana 10/23/2010 and 2 at Purdue 11/03/2001)
• Illinois started a true freshman (DB Devon Witherspoon) for the first time this season.
• Illinois started six transfers - QB Brandon Peters, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, OL Richie Petitbon, WR Trevon Sidney, DL Oluwole Betiku Jr., LB Milo Eifler. Illinois has started at least five transfers in all five games this season.
• Illinois captains: LB Dele Harding, LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, OL Doug Kramer, OL Alex Palczewski
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Senior RB Reggie Corbin ran 14 times for 68 yards. Corbin passed passed Rich Johnson (1966-68) and Nate Scheelhaase (2010-13) on Illinois' all-time career rushing yardage list and now has the 16th-most rushing yards in Illinois history. He is just five yards behind legendary Illini Red Grange (2,071) for 15th place.
• Junior QB Brandon Peters was 5-for-10 passing for 32 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the second quarter.
• Sophomore QB Matt Robinson was 15-for-29 passing for 125 yards after Peters went down. It was the first extended playing time of his career.
• Junior LB Jake Hansen had six tackles (two solo), 1.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble, which led to an Illinois touchdown.
• Senior LB Dele Harding had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. It was his second interception of the season (second of career) and the first touchdown of his career. He also had 15 tackles (five solo)
• Senior DL Jamal Milan had a career-high eight tackles (four solo).
• Junior LB Milo Eifler had a seven-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery in the third quarter.
• Junior RT Alex Palczewski started for the 28th straight game.
• Junior C Doug Kramer started for the 20th straight game.
• Junior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 18th straight game.
• Sophomore LG Kendrick Green started for the 17th straight game.
• Freshman DB Devon Witherspoon started for the first time. Witherspoon became the 35th true freshman defensive back to start a game in Illinois history.
