Posted at 10:04 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2007
CFB: Interception helps Iowa upset No. 18 Illinois
By Luke Meredith
Associated Press
Jake Christensen threw for 182 yards and a touchdown and Albert Young added 99 yards rushing for the Hawkeyes (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten), who broke an eight-game losing streak in Big 10 play and knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time since 2005.
Trailing 10-6 with 2:28 left, McGee — in relief of Isiah "Juice" Williams — found freshman Arrelious Benn for completions of 28 and 24 yards that put Illinois on the Iowa 12. But McGee threw a pass right at Greenwood, who tucked the ball away to seal Iowa's fifth straight win over Illinois.
The Hawkeyes held the Illini (5-2, 3-1) to a season-low for points, slowing down their dangerous option game and star running back Rashard Mendenhall. Iowa held Illinois, the nation's fifth-ranked rushing attack, to 137 yards on 35 attempts. Mendenhall had 67 yards on 15 carries.
Mike Humpal had 18 total tackles and a fumble recovery for Iowa.
Iowa took a 10-6 lead with six seconds left in the third quarter, thanks in part to a fortuitous penalty. The Hawkeyes were called for an illegal formation on third-and-2, when Albert Young was stopped short of the first down.
Given a second chance, Christensen found Brandon Myers for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Luck shone again on the Hawkeyes midway through the fourth quarter. McGee had found an open Joe Morgan for an apparent 83-yard touchdown pass, but the Illini were flagged for an ineligible receiver downfield. They were eventually forced to punt.
Illinois took a 6-3 lead on its first possession of the second half. Williams found Benn for 35-yard completion as the Illini marched inside the Iowa 10. But three times the Hawkeyes stuffed Illinois inside the 6 yard line, forcing Jason Reda's 23-yard field goal.
The teams traded field goals in the first half, when Iowa drove into Illinois territory several times but only came away with three points. The Hawkeyes' offense held the ball for 18:49 and outgained the Illini 170-111 in the half.
Reda hit a 46-yard field goal late in the first quarter to open the scoring. Iowa, which hasn't hit a field goal longer than 41 yards this season, failed to convert fourth downs at the Illinois 32 and 28 in the first quarter.
Christensen misfired on two passes at the Illinois 10 late in the first half, leading to Daniel Murray's 28-yard field goal with 26 seconds left before halftime.
Williams was 9-of-15 passing for 98 yards, and he rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries. Benn had 87 yards receiving for the Illini, which was trying to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2001.
