SEC & Big Ten Week 8 Roundup: Illinois uses two late takeaways to stun Wisconsin
Wisconsin entered Saturday’s game against Illinois having never trailed in any game this season. However, two costly turnovers down the stretch on Saturday gave the Fighting Illini a chance to knock of the sixth-ranked Badgers with a last second field goal.
Wisconsin led 23-14 with 8 minutes remaining in the game, but a Jonathan Taylor fumble at the Illinois 19 shifted the momentum. Illinois then capitalized, as Brandon Peters led the Illini down the field before hitting Josh Imatorbhebhe for a 22-yard score to cut the lead to 23-21.
On the ensuing possession, Wisconsin quarterback Josh Coan threw an interception near midfield, giving Illinois strong field position and 2:32 to work with. Nine plays later James McCourt hit a 39-yard game winning kick as time expired to complete the upset.
Now let’s check out a few more highlights from an exciting Week 8 in the SEC and Big Ten:
No. 23 Iowa 26, Purdue 20: Iowa kicker Keith Duncan converted four field goals and Mekhi Sargent added a 14-yard score late in the fourth to seal the win for the Hawkeyes.
No. 7 Penn State 28, No. 16 Michigan 21: The Nittany Lions never trailed the Wolverines and Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford connected with KJ Hamlin for two of his three touchdowns on the day.
No. 10 Georgia 21, Kentucky 0: After a downpour helped keep both teams scoreless in the first half, the Georgia run game took control in the second half. D’Andre Swift ran for a 39-yard touchdown in the third quarter to break the 0-0 tie and added a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Swift finished the game 179 yards and two TDs.
No. 9 Florida 38, South Carolina 27: After trailing 17-10 in the third, Gators running back Dameon Pierce broke away for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game and Trask threw three of his career-high four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help Florida avoid the upset.
No. 11 Auburn 51, Arkansas 10: Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Tigers bounced back from their loss to Florida with a rout of Arkansas.
Indiana 34, Maryland 28: Stevie Scott ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns as Indiana racked up 520 total yards of offense in a win over the Terps.
No. 20 Minnesota 42, Rutgers 7: The Gophers moved to 7-0 for the first time since winning the national title in 1960 behind Rodney Smith rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas A&M 24, Ole Miss 17: In a game that featured five lead changes, four turnovers and three missed field goals; the Aggies held off the Rebels thanks to a 62-yard fumble touchdown return and a 22-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Spiller that put the game away.