Illinois defense, Epstein smother Western Kentucky, 20-7
Illinois' young defense held Western Kentucky's high-powered attack in check Saturday and freshman running back Mike Epstein rushed for 111 yards on the way to a 20-7 win.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
7
Illinois Fighting Illini
20
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WKU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| ILL | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Gies Memorial Stadium · 41,923 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/7/26 | @ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | L 42-51 | NCAAF |
| 10/27/26 | vs Delaware Blue Hens | L 21-35 | NCAAF |
| 10/14/26 | @ Sam Houston Bearkats | W 16-3 | NCAAF |
| 10/8/26 | vs Missouri State Bears | W 34-13 | NCAAF |
| 10/1/26 | @ New Mexico State Aggies | L 13-34 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Touchdown 11:38 7-20
Mike White 2 Yd Run (Ryan Nuss Kick)
-
Touchdown 8:19 0-20
Chayce Crouch 9 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick)
-
Touchdown 1:21 0-13
Julian Jones 10 Yd Interception Return (Chase McLaughlin Kick)
-
Field Goal 9:58 0-6
Chase McLaughlin 20 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 8:45 0-3
Chase McLaughlin 37 Yd Field Goal
-
ILL
5 plays, 12 yards, 2:45 · End of Game
-
WKU 2:45
5 plays, 14 yards, 1:49 · Downs
-
ILL 4:34
10 plays, 52 yards, 7:04 · Punt
-
WKU 11:38
6 plays, 29 yards, 1:34 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 11:38 7-20
Mike White 2 Yd Run (Ryan Nuss Kick)
-
ILL 13:12
4 plays, 15 yards, 1:48 · Interception
-
WKU
8 plays, 34 yards, 2:13 · Punt
-
ILL 2:13
3 plays, 4 yards, 2:02 · Punt
-
WKU 4:15
10 plays, 39 yards, 4:04 · Punt
-
ILL 8:19
15 plays, 84 yards, 6:41 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 8:19 0-20
Chayce Crouch 9 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick)
-
WKU
1 play, 9 yards, 0:19 · End of Half
-
ILL 0:19
3 plays, 5 yards, 0:39 · Punt
-
WKU 0:58
3 plays, 48 yards, 0:23 · Fumble
-
WKU 1:21
2 plays, -2 yards, 0:13 · Interception Touchdown
-
Touchdown 1:21 0-13
Julian Jones 10 Yd Interception Return (Chase McLaughlin Kick)
-
ILL 1:34
7 plays, 49 yards, 2:56 · Punt
-
WKU 4:30
3 plays, 2 yards, 1:31 · Punt
-
ILL 6:01
3 plays, -9 yards, 1:35 · Punt
-
WKU 7:36
3 plays, 7 yards, 2:22 · Punt
-
ILL 9:58
14 plays, 63 yards, 6:59 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 9:58 0-6
Chase McLaughlin 20 Yd Field Goal
-
WKU 1:57
3 plays, 3 yards, 1:24 · Punt
-
ILL 3:21
3 plays, 9 yards, 1:27 · Punt
-
WKU 4:48
9 plays, 54 yards, 3:57 · Downs
-
ILL 8:45
7 plays, 17 yards, 3:14 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 8:45 0-3
Chase McLaughlin 37 Yd Field Goal
-
WKU 11:59
3 plays, 6 yards, 1:22 · Punt
-
ILL 13:21
3 plays, 4 yards, 0:44 · Punt
-
WKU 14:05
3 plays, 1 yard, 0:55 · Punt
Showing the last 30 of 30 events.
Team Stats
WKU
ILL
14
1st Downs
19
2-12
3rd down efficiency
9-18
0-2
4th down efficiency
0-0
244
Total Yards
300
238
Passing
107
28/43
Comp/Att
14/25
5.5
Yards per pass
4.3
6
Rushing
193
16
Rushing Attempts
50
0.4
Yards per rush
3.9
11-100
Penalties
9-95
2
Turnovers
1
1
Fumbles lost
0
1
Interceptions thrown
1
22:06
Possession
37:54
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