|
|
TNCHAT |
ILL |
Illinois routs Chattanooga 31-0 for best start since 2015
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Chase Brown became the first Illinois running back to rush for 100-plus yards in five straight games, Tommy DeVito passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns and the Fighting Illini blanked Chattanooga 31-0 on Thursday night.
Illinois improved to 3-1 and is off to its best start since 2015.
''I think we're just beginning to understand who we are,'' Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. ''I really like the way this group works.''
Brown capped a five-play, 64-yard scoring drive with a 9-yard touchdown run after the defense forced Chattanooga (3-1) into a three-and-out on its first drive.
He finished with 108 rushing yards on 20 carries and currently leads all FBS rushers with 604 yards through four games.
The closest the Mocs came to scoring came early in the second quarter when they drove to the Illinois 16-yard line. Jartavius Martin picked off a Preston Hutchinson pass in the end zone to end the Mocs' threat and preserve a 10-0 lead.
''You can't do that, I don't care who you're playing against,'' Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright said. ''You've got to throw the ball away, Second-and-10, it's right there and we go play. That pissed me off, not going to lie.''
The Illini recorded their first shutout since a 2015 win over Western Illinois.
''The sky's the limit for this defense, man,'' Martin said.
''Coach (Ryan) Walters came in and made a great standard for our defense,'' he added. ''Just believing in us as a unit, we believe in him and know he's going to put us in the right (play) call.''
Chattanooga went just 4 of 14 on third downs and gained 142 total yards. Illinois piled up 502 yards of offense.
Hutchinson was sacked four times and completed just 6 of 18 passes for 49 yards with two interceptions.
Illinois nearly quadrupled Chattanooga's total first-half yardage, 332 yards to 84 yards, and led 24-0 at intermission.
''I love blocking for Chase Brown,'' Illinois center Alex Pihlstrom said. ''I know he can make a cut anytime and he can score anytime.''
Thursday night marked the first time in Illinois football history that two receivers tallied more than 100 receiving yards and a running back ran for more than 100 yards in the same game. Pat Bryant caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Isaiah Williams hauled in nine passes for 103 yards and a score.
Williams' 63-yard touchdown off a screen pass made it 31-0 with 4:56 left in the third quarter.
DeVito became the first Illinois quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in a game since Brandon Peters threw for 369 yards at Michigan State in 2019.
Ailym Ford rattled off runs of 39 and 32 yards for the Mocs' biggest gains of the night. He finished with 93 yards on 17 carries.
Andrew Southard missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt early in the third quarter after Ford's 32-yard run took the Mocs into Illini territory.
''We got beat up tonight,'' Wright said. ''We're a beat-up crew right now. We're going to need these extra couple days. Love this football team. I think we have an opportunity to be a good football team.''
Caleb Griffin kicked a 34-yard field goal to put Illinois up 10-0 in the first quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Illinois: The Illini prepared well for a better-than-usual FCS opponent and dominated accordingly to set themselves up in good position to make a bowl appearance with two-thirds of the schedule left. Illinois is a step or two away from contending in a wide-open Big Ten West thanks to stellar defense and a much improved passing attack with new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. making the calls.
Chattanooga: The Mocs can chalk this one up to talent differential and short rest after a strong start to their campaign. Rusty Wright's group could be in the mix for the Southern Conference title in November.
UP NEXT
Chattanooga: The Mocs visit East Tennessee State on Oct. 1.
Illinois: Bielema returns to his old stamping grounds when the Illini play at Wisconsin on Oct. 1.
---
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Sign up for the AP's college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25.
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 6 | 20 |
Rushing | 3 | 6 |
Passing | 3 | 13 |
Penalty | 0 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 4-14 | 7-15 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-2 |
Total Net Yards | 142 | 502 |
Total Plays | 52 | 71 |
Avg Gain | 2.7 | 7.1 |
Net Yards Rushing | 93 | 167 |
Rush Attempts | 33 | 37 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.8 | 4.5 |
Yards Passing | 49 | 335 |
Comp. - Att. | 6-19 | 25-34 |
Yards Per Pass | 1.0 | 8.7 |
Penalties - Yards | 1-15 | 2-25 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 4 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 9-40.7 | 5-31.4 |
Return Yards | 0 | 17 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 3-5 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-12 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
P. Hutchinson
9 QB
|
P. Hutchinson | 6/18 | 49 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Copeland
18 QB
|
C. Copeland | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
A. Ford
0 RB
|
A. Ford | 17 | 93 | 0 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Appleberry
8 RB
|
G. Appleberry | 11 | 34 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Hutchinson
9 QB
|
P. Hutchinson | 5 | -34 | 0 | -3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Arnett
13 WR
|
T. Arnett | 5 | 3 | 32 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Gibson
87 TE
|
J. Gibson | 3 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Whatley
7 WR
|
J. Whatley | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Toney
83 TE
|
K. Toney | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Overton
16 TE
|
C. Overton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mayes
2 WR
|
J. Mayes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
3 WR
|
T. Smith | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Phillips
11 WR
|
S. Phillips | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Maxwell
90 DL
|
D. Maxwell | 2-0 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Prince
95 DL
|
J. Prince | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. Southard
47 K
|
A. Southard | 0/1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
T. DeVito
3 QB
|
T. DeVito | 23/31 | 329 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Sitkowski
9 QB
|
A. Sitkowski | 2/3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
C. Brown
2 RB
|
C. Brown | 20 | 108 | 1 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Love III
23 RB
|
R. Love III | 4 | 35 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hayden
22 RB
|
C. Hayden | 4 | 23 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Laughery
21 RB
|
A. Laughery | 3 | 9 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Bryant
13 WR
|
P. Bryant | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Sitkowski
9 QB
|
A. Sitkowski | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DeVito
3 QB
|
T. DeVito | 4 | -14 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
P. Bryant
13 WR
|
P. Bryant | 7 | 6 | 112 | 1 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Williams
1 WR
|
I. Williams | 9 | 9 | 103 | 1 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hightower
7 WR
|
B. Hightower | 4 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Marchese
42 TE
|
M. Marchese | 1 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Scott
85 WR
|
M. Scott | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Morris
11 WR
|
J. Morris | 3 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Washington
14 WR
|
C. Washington | 5 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brown
2 RB
|
C. Brown | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Ford
82 TE
|
L. Ford | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Reiman
89 TE
|
T. Reiman | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
A. Bryant
90 LB
|
A. Bryant | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Newton
4 DL
|
J. Newton | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brown
2 RB
|
C. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Brown
30 DB
|
S. Brown | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Martin
21 DB
|
J. Martin | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Jacas
17 LB
|
G. Jacas | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Coleman
49 LB
|
S. Coleman | 0-2 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Griffin
5 K
|
C. Griffin | 1/1 | 34 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
H. Robertson
19 P
|
H. Robertson | 5 | 31.4 | 1 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. Vining
16 DB
|
P. Vining | 1 | 30.0 | 30 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Scott 85 WR
|
M. Scott | 2 | 4.5 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Williams 1 WR
|
I. Williams | 1 | -4.0 | -4 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | TNCHAT 25 | 1:19 | 3 | 3 | Punt |
12:15 | TNCHAT 25 | 0:44 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
8:22 | TNCHAT 32 | 1:37 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
2:39 | TNCHAT 25 | 2:39 | 5 | 18 | INT |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | TNCHAT 26 | 2:44 | 5 | 58 | INT |
9:14 | TNCHAT 25 | 1:39 | 3 | -9 | Punt |
5:52 | TNCHAT 35 | 2:04 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
0:44 | TNCHAT 8 | 0:44 | 1 | 0 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:53 | TNCHAT 48 | 1:45 | 5 | 26 | FG Miss |
8:51 | TNCHAT 32 | 3:25 | 6 | 4 | Punt |
4:56 | TNCHAT 25 | 4:10 | 6 | 9 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:54 | ILL 50 | 1:07 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
11:43 | TNCHAT 39 | 1:39 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
2:37 | TNCHAT 19 | 2:37 | 4 | 12 | Game |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:41 | ILL 36 | 1:26 | 5 | 64 | TD |
11:31 | ILL 33 | 3:09 | 7 | 35 | Downs |
6:45 | ILL 21 | 4:06 | 9 | 63 | FG |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:16 | ILL 20 | 3:02 | 9 | 80 | TD |
7:35 | TNCHAT 48 | 1:43 | 5 | 48 | TD |
3:48 | ILL 11 | 3:04 | 9 | 49 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | ILL 38 | 2:07 | 3 | 3 | Punt |
11:08 | ILL 26 | 2:17 | 6 | 10 | Punt |
5:26 | ILL 33 | 0:30 | 2 | 67 | TD |
0:46 | ILL 1 | 0:52 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:47 | ILL 19 | 2:04 | 3 | 9 | Punt |
10:04 | ILL 17 | 7:27 | 11 | 64 | Downs |
- Punt (3 plays, 3 yards, 1:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) C.Griffin kicks 65 yards from ILL 35 to the CHT End Zone. Touchback. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - TNCHAT 25 (15:00 - 1st) P.Hutchinson pass complete to CHT 25. Catch made by J.Gibson at CHT 25. Gain of 4 yards. Tackled by ILL at CHT 29. |
-1 YD | 2 & 6 - TNCHAT 29 (14:33 - 1st) A.Ford rushed to CHT 28 for -1 yards. Tackled by ILL at CHT 28. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - TNCHAT 28 (13:53 - 1st) P.Hutchinson steps back to pass. P.Hutchinson pass incomplete intended for T.Smith. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - TNCHAT 28 (13:48 - 1st) G.Boring punts 36 yards to ILL 36 Center-CHT. Fair catch by I.Williams. |
- Touchdown (5 plays, 64 yards, 1:26 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 36 (13:41 - 1st) C.Brown rushed to ILL 38 for 2 yards. Tackled by CHT at ILL 38. |
+14 YD | 2 & 8 - ILL 38 (13:18 - 1st) T.DeVito pass complete to ILL 38. Catch made by P.Bryant at ILL 38. Gain of 14 yards. Tackled by CHT at CHT 48. |
+26 YD | 1 & 10 - TNCHAT 48 (13:03 - 1st) T.DeVito pass complete to CHT 48. Catch made by P.Bryant at CHT 48. Gain of 26 yards. Tackled by CHT at CHT 22. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - TNCHAT 22 (12:45 - 1st) C.Brown rushed to CHT 9 for 13 yards. Tackled by CHT at CHT 9. |
+9 YD | 1 & Goal - TNCHAT 9 (12:22 - 1st) C.Brown rushed to CHT End Zone for 9 yards. C.Brown for 9 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (12:15 - 1st) C.Griffin extra point is good. |
- Punt (3 plays, 7 yards, 0:44 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (12:15 - 1st) C.Griffin kicks 65 yards from ILL 35 to the CHT End Zone. Touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - TNCHAT 25 (12:15 - 1st) P.Hutchinson steps back to pass. P.Hutchinson pass incomplete intended for J.Gibson. |
+7 YD | 2 & 10 - TNCHAT 25 (12:11 - 1st) P.Hutchinson pass complete to CHT 25. Catch made by J.Whatley at CHT 25. Gain of 7 yards. Tackled by ILL at CHT 32. |
No Gain | 3 & 3 - TNCHAT 32 (11:45 - 1st) P.Hutchinson steps back to pass. P.Hutchinson pass incomplete intended for J.Mayes. |
Punt | 4 & 3 - TNCHAT 32 (11:42 - 1st) J.Pierce punts 35 yards to ILL 33 Center-CHT. Downed by CHT. |
- Downs (7 plays, 35 yards, 3:09 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 33 (11:31 - 1st) T.DeVito pass complete to ILL 33. Catch made by I.Williams at ILL 33. Gain of 1 yards. Tackled by CHT at ILL 34. |