Illinois found the win column for the first time this season, defeating visiting Arizona 28-20.
The Illini scored on their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, but then it was all Arizona for the second and third quarters. The Wildcats turned an interception into points and then played suffocating defense to keep the Illini from scoring again until the 4th quarter.
In the 4th though, Illinois found some offense and some defense. They scored 21 unanswered points and got two big interceptions on defense. Illinois evens their record at 1-1. Next up for the Illini is a home game vs. the Louisville Cardinals.
Arizona didn't the start to the year that they hoped for as they fell to Illinois 28-20 in their first game of the season.
Things looked promising out of the gate as Arizona scored on three of their first four drives to take a 20-7 lead at the half. QB Noah Fifita was commanding in the passing game as he threw two TDs in the first period including a 61 yard strike to new transfer WR Montana Lemonius-Craig.
However, the wheels fell off in the second half as the Illinois defense tightened up and adjusted to the Wildcats attack. Missed kicks and interceptions were the turning point of this one as Arizona could get nothing positive going in the second half.
Once the Illinois offense got warmed up they were able to come roaring back in with 21 unanswered points in the second half. The Wildcats could come up with no answers as they were overwhelmed by the Illini attack.
The Cats head back to Tuscon tonight for a showdown against Florida Atlantic where they can hopefully get their offense back on track.
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