Eastern Michigan Beats Illinois, 34-31

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois football team got off to a fast start Saturday with 17 first-quarter points against Eastern Michigan and had the game tied 31-31 with 1:44 remaining before falling 34-31 on a last-second field goal. Illinois rallied with 14 points in the final eight minutes to tie the game.

Josh Imatorbhebhe caught a 36-yard touchdown from Brandon Peters to tie the game with 1:44 left after the drive started with a big first-down reception from Imatorbhebhe on fourth and 10 from the Illini's seven-yard line. The tie was short-lived as EMU drove down the field on the ensuing drive and ended the game with a 24-yard field goal by Chad Ryland. 

Harding Leads the D

Senior linebacker Dele Harding had a career-high 17 tackles, the most by an Illini since Clayton Fejedelem had 19 against Wisconsin in 2015. Harding had 13 tackles combined in the first two games of the season. 

McCourt Good From 57

James McCourt tied the Illinois record with a 57-yard field goal in the first quarter (Dan Beaver vs. Purdue, 10/18/1975). At the time, McCourt's field goal was the longest in FBS this season and he became the first kicker in the nation to make two 50+-yard field goals this season. 

That boot! ??

James McCourt ties an @IlliniFootball record with a 57-yard FG. #BTNStandout x @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/YzBqkpuE8z

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2019

Reggie Returns

Illinois running back Reggie Corbin returned and ran for 144 yards on 18 carries, his fifth career 100-yard rushing game. Corbin scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help Illinois' comeback effort.

Reggie Corbin's return for @IlliniFootball not enough as the Illini fall to Eastern Michigan, 34-31. pic.twitter.com/K89LLX0WXu

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) September 14, 2019

Team Notes

• Illinois fell to 2-1. 
• Illinois scored 17 points in the first quarter, its most first-quarter points of the Lovie Smith era (28 vs. Youngstown State 9/5/2015).
• Illinois did not start a true freshman for the third straight game. Entering this season, Illinois had started at least one true freshman in 33 straight games, by far the longest streak in program history.
• Illinois started six transfers - QB Brandon Peters, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR Trevon Sidney, OL Richie Petitbon, DL Oluwole Betiku Jr., LB Milo Eifler
• Illinois and Eastern Michigan met on the football field for the first time ever. 
• Illinois captains: LB Dele Harding, LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, OL Doug Kramer, OL Alex Palczewski

Individual Notes

• Senior RB Reggie Corbin ran 18 times for 144 yards and one touchdown. It was his fifth career 100-yard rushing game. Corbin moved to 19th on Illinois' career rushing chart with 1,866 yards.
• Junior QB Brandon Peters was 22-for-37 passing for 297 yards and two touchdowns. 
• Junior WR Josh Imatorbhebhe had four receptions for a career-high 91 yards and one touchdown. He had three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on Illinois' game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter. 
• Sophomore TE Daniel Barker had a career-high 90 receiving yards on four receptions. 
• Junior K James McCourt tied the Illinois record with a 57-yard field goal in the first quarter (tied Dan Beaver vs. Purdue, 10/18/1975). At the time, McCourt's field goal was the longest in FBS this season. McCourt was the first kicker in the nation to make two 50+-yard field goals. 
• Junior DL Oluwole Betiku Jr. had one sack. He entered the day leading the nation with 5.0 sacks this season. 
• Senior LB Dele Harding had a career-high 17 tackles. It was the most sacks by an Illini since Clayton Fejedelem had 19 against Wisconsin in 2015.
• Junior RT Alex Palczewski started for the 26th straight game.
• Junior C Doug Kramer started for the 18th straight game.
• Junior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 16th straight game.
• Sophomore LG Kendrick Green started for the 15th straight game.