Statistically, Illinois was dominated by Western Michigan but managed to win Saturday’s game 30-27 on a late drive for the deciding touchdown with 62 seconds remaining.
“Last season in a lot of games, we found a way to lose,” senior center Duke Preston said. “This time we found a way to win.”
It was another outstanding game for E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas, the Illini’s alternating sophomore running backs.
Halsey, who scored the winning touchdown on a 4-yard run and a first-quarter touchdown on a 3-yard run, was the game’s most productive rusher with 91 yards on 20 carries. He also returned a punt 40 yards to set up the drive for the winning TD.
Thomas ran back the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. He wound up with 132 yards to show for three kickoff returns and rushed for 78 yards on 12 carries.
Senior wide receiver Ade Adeyemo tied his career high with six catches for 93 yards. . . .
Defense remains a concern, especially with high-powered Purdue next. “There’s some things that we definitely need to work on,” coach Ron Turner said. “We’ve got to get better.”