IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Illinois quarterback Eddie McGee scanned
the field and spotted an open receiver in the end zone.
What he didn't see was Iowa's Brett Greenwood, who happily
cradled McGee's game-ending blunder.
Greenwood intercepted McGee's pass at the goal line with 1:12
left and the Hawkeyes upset No. 18 Illinois 10-6 on Saturday,
snapping the Illini's five-game winning streak.
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 under pressure, McGee threw a pass that hit Greenwood in the
numbers, sealing Iowa's fifth straight win over Illinois.
"He tried to force it in there," Illinois coach Ron Zook said
of McGee, who came in after Williams had fumbled early in the
fourth quarter. "He led him too far."
The Hawkeyes held the Illini (5-2, 3-1) to 24 points below their
season average, 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 just 67 yards on 15 carries, his lowest output
since the Illini's season-opening loss to Missouri.
The Hawkeyes needed this one. Iowa had looked awful in losses to
Indiana and Penn State the previous two weeks, and though its
offense again failed to put up points, the defense came through
with one of its best efforts of the season.
"It's been a tough period for our football team certainly, and
we're just getting tremendous leadership from guys that are very
visible," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, whose team broke a
four-game losing streak. "I think our guys can feel good about
things."
A few breaks didn't hurt, either.
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.
"When you're struggling, things tend to go against you,"
Ferentz said. "You just have to try to generate energy, play hard
and hope things go your way."
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.
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 also 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.
Illinois was playing as a ranked team for the first time since
the 2001 season, though that status is now in jeopardy. Despite the
loss, Zook was adamant that won't shy away from inserting McGee for
a change of pace next week against Michigan.
"Right now, Juice is the starting quarterback. But that doesn't
mean that Eddie won't play," Zook said.
Christensen played much better in the second half, completing
8-of-9 passes without taking a sack and leading Iowa to its first
win since beating Syracuse 35-0 on Sept. 8.
"We've never had a loss of confidence. Our belief in each other
is starting to pay off," Christensen said. "I think it will
benefit us down the road."