John Peterson
FightingIllini.com
MADISON, Wis. - Illinois recorded its first points of the season on a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, but the Fighting Illini were unable to string any offense together in a 45-7 loss to No. 14 Wisconsin on Friday night. Badgers redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz threw for five touchdowns and tied the school record for consecutive completions, connecting on his first 17 passing attempts of the game.
BIG NIGHT FOR BARNES
An injury to senior linebacker Jake Hansen late in the first quarter gave sophomore linebacker Tarique Barnes an opportunity to shine for the Illini. Barnes was responsible for the only Illinois touchdown of the night, scooping up a fumble forced by junior defensive back Sydney Brown and taking it 39 yards for the score during the second quarter.
Barnes also recorded a game-high 11 total tackles on the night, including seven solo tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Nate Hobbs and Sydney Brown both recorded nine tackles.
PETERS NEARLY RUSHES FOR CAREER HIGH
Fifth-year quarterback Brandon Peters led the game in rushing with 75 yards on seven carries. Peters averaged 10.7 yards per carry and was one yard short of tying a career high.
TEAM NOTES
• Illinois is 42-39-7 all-time against Wisconsin, including a 16-24-4 record in Madison.
• Illinois is 2-12 all-time against Wisconsin teams ranked in the AP Poll. Illinois beat No. 5 Wisconsin, 31-26, on 10/6/2007, and beat No. 6 Wisconsin, 24-23, on 10/19/2019.
• Illinois started an all-Illinois offensive line of LT Vederian Lowe (Rockford, Ill.), LG Kendrick Green (Peoria, Ill.), C Doug Kramer (Hinsdale, Ill.), RG Verdis Brown (Chicago, Ill.), and RT Alex Palczewski (Mount Prospect, Ill.).
• Oct. 23 was the latest start date in Illinois football history. The previous latest start date was Oct. 19, 1907 (L, 42-6 vs. Chicago).
• Illinois started the season in October for the first time since Oct. 4, 1941, a 45-0 win over Miami (Ohio).
• Illinois played its second game ever without fans. Illinois' only previous game without fans was a 7-0 loss to Great Lakes on Oct. 12, 1918. The game was limited to players, coaches, and staff for health concerns during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.
• Five players made their first Illini career start - OL Verdis Brown, WR Brian Hightower, DE Marc Mondesir, DT Roderick Perry II, DB Derrick Smith
• Illinois started six transfers - QB Brandon Peters, WR Brian Hightower, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR Donny Navarro, DL Roderick Perry II, DB Derrick Smith Â
• Eight of Illinois' 22 starters at Wisconsin have 20+ starts: OT Alex Palczewski (37th), C Doug Kramer (33rd), OT Vederian Lowe (33rd), DB Nate Hobbs        (31st), OG Kendrick Green (26th), LB Jake Hansen (23rd), DB Sydney Brown (21st), DB Tony Adams (20th)
• Illinois captains: LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, CB Nate Hobbs, OL Doug Kramer, QB Brandon Peters
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Senior LB Jake Hansen, who had two forced fumbles against Wisconsin in 2019, was injured in the first half and missed the remainder of the game.
• Sopomore LB Tarique Barnes, who came in for injured Hansen, had his first career sack and a fumble recovery ran back for a touchdown.
• Junior DB Sydney Brown had his first career forced fumble.
• Senior RT Alex Palczewski started for the 37th straight game.
• Senior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 27th straight game.
• Junior C Kendrick Green started for the 28th straight game.
