Illinois has chance to show growth against Rutgers
— A week after outlasting Penn State on the road in an NCAA-record nine overtimes, Illinois has an opportunity to show the program is finally rounding into shape under first-year coach Bret Bielema.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Illinois Fighting Illini
23
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
20
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILL | 0 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 23 |
| RUTG | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
SHI Stadium
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/6/26 | vs Nebraska Cornhuskers | W 24-13 | NCAAF |
| 10/31/26 | @ Maryland Terrapins | W 20-17 | NCAAF |
| 10/24/26 | vs Oregon Ducks | W 21-10 | NCAAF |
| 10/10/26 | @ Michigan State Spartans | W 38-37 | NCAAF |
| 10/3/26 | vs Purdue Boilermakers | L 17-24 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Field Goal 0:03 23-20
James McCourt 47 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 13:02 20-20
James McCourt 23 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 4:54 17-20
Mike Epstein 1 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
-
Touchdown 7:43 10-20
Bo Melton 66 Yd pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio Kick)
-
Field Goal 8:59 10-13
James McCourt 24 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 4:19 7-13
Valentino Ambrosio 26 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 13:45 7-10
Isaiah Williams 3 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
-
Field Goal 4:33 0-10
Valentino Ambrosio 29 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 13:03 0-7
Bo Melton 29 Yd pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio Kick)
-
RUTG
1 play, 3 yards, 0:03 · End of Game
-
ILL 0:03
6 plays, 25 yards, 1:14 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:03 23-20
James McCourt 47 Yd Field Goal
-
RUTG 1:17
5 plays, 35 yards, 1:50 · Interception
-
ILL 3:07
8 plays, 46 yards, 3:11 · Missed FG
-
RUTG 6:18
3 plays, 7 yards, 1:02 · Interception
-
ILL 7:20
6 plays, 35 yards, 2:59 · Missed FG
-
RUTG 10:19
6 plays, 10 yards, 2:43 · Punt
-
ILL 13:02
12 plays, 57 yards, 4:31 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 13:02 20-20
James McCourt 23 Yd Field Goal
-
RUTG 2:33
6 plays, 32 yards, 2:21 · Interception
-
ILL 4:54
6 plays, 75 yards, 2:49 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:54 17-20
Mike Epstein 1 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
-
RUTG 7:43
5 plays, 80 yards, 1:16 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 7:43 10-20
Bo Melton 66 Yd pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio Kick)
-
ILL 8:59
12 plays, 69 yards, 6:01 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 8:59 10-13
James McCourt 24 Yd Field Goal
-
RUTG
12 plays, 64 yards, 3:12 · End of Half
-
ILL 3:12
3 plays, 5 yards, 1:07 · Punt
-
RUTG 4:19
9 plays, 75 yards, 4:02 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 4:19 7-13
Valentino Ambrosio 26 Yd Field Goal
-
ILL 8:21
3 plays, 5 yards, 1:11 · Punt
-
RUTG 9:32
4 plays, 15 yards, 1:14 · Punt
-
ILL 10:46
6 plays, 17 yards, 2:17 · Punt
-
RUTG 13:03
3 plays, 4 yards, 0:42 · Punt
-
ILL 13:45
12 plays, 87 yards, 5:48 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 13:45 7-10
Isaiah Williams 3 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
-
RUTG 4:33
6 plays, 18 yards, 3:19 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 4:33 0-10
Valentino Ambrosio 29 Yd Field Goal
-
ILL 7:52
2 plays, 17 yards, 0:49 · Fumble
-
RUTG 8:41
3 plays, 7 yards, 1:41 · Punt
-
ILL 10:22
6 plays, 22 yards, 2:41 · Punt
-
RUTG 13:03
6 plays, 75 yards, 1:57 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 13:03 0-7
Bo Melton 29 Yd pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio Kick)
Showing the last 34 of 34 events.
Team Stats
ILL
RUTG
23
1st Downs
19
7-16
3rd down efficiency
4-14
1-1
4th down efficiency
1-1
442
Total Yards
422
104
Passing
256
7/18
Comp/Att
21/34
5.8
Yards per pass
7.5
338
Rushing
166
59
Rushing Attempts
33
5.7
Yards per rush
5.0
4-40
Penalties
7-56
1
Turnovers
3
1
Fumbles lost
0
0
Interceptions thrown
3
34:38
Possession
25:22
Highlights
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