2019 Illinois vs. Wisconsin football game

Last updated
2019 Illinois vs. Wisconsin Football Game
Wisconsin Badgers Illinois Fighting Illini
(6–0)(2–4)
Big Ten Big Ten
2324
Head coach: 
Paul Chryst 		Head coach: 
Lovie Smith
AP
6
1234Total
Wisconsin767323
Illinois0771024
DateOctober 19, 2019
Season 2019
StadiumMemorial Stadium
LocationChampaign, Illinois
Favorite Wisconsin by 30.5
Attendance37,363
United States TV coverage
Network Big Ten Network

The 2019 Illinois vs. Wisconsin football game was a regular season NCAA college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers that took place on October 19, 2019 over homecoming weekend at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. In a major upset victory, unranked Illinois overcame a 30.5 point spread and defeated heavily favored Wisconsin, 24–23, to claim their first conference victory of the season.

Contents

Background

The game took place over the University of Illinois's 109th Homecoming Weekend. Illinois had not won a Homecoming game since 2014. [1] The Wisconsin Badgers had an undefeated record that included an impressive victory over No. 11 Michigan, and entered the game ranked No. 6 in the country in the most recent AP poll. The Badgers were considered a contender for the college football playoff and star running back Jonathan Taylor was widely considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, having finished sixth and ninth in Heisman Trophy voting during his first two seasons. [2] [3]

The Illinois Fighting Illini were unranked and coming off a 4-game losing streak. They had a record of 2-4 overall, including a 0-3 conference record and a loss to Eastern Michigan. They had not defeated a ranked team since 2011, and were 30.5-point underdogs to Wisconsin. [4]

Game Summary

First quarter

Wisconsin struck first with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Coan to Jake Ferguson to take a 7–0 lead with 9:45 remaining in the first quarter. [5] Neither team would score for the remainder of the quarter, with Illinois missing a 40-yard field goal with 1:13 remaining.

Second quarter

Wisconsin's Collin Larsh converted a 24-yard field goal with 12:02 remaining in the quarter to put Wisconsin up 10–0. Illinois got onto the board with 5:53 remaining in the quarter on a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brandon Peters to Donny Navarro to make it 10–7. Wisconsin extended their lead to 13–7 with 1:47 remaining in the half on a 44-yard Collin Larsh field goal. [5]

Third quarter

An Illinois fumble early in the third quarter gave Wisconsin the ball on the Illinois 15 yard line. The Badgers quickly capitalized and Jonathan Taylor scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 20–7 with 10:31 remaining. Wisconsin was unable to extend their lead on their next drive after a missed 37-yard field goal. With 0:48 remaining in the third quarter, runningback Reggie Corbin scored Illinois's second touchdown on a 48-yard rush to make the score 20–14 heading into the fourth quarter. [5]

Fourth quarter

The Badgers extended their lead to 23–14 on a 20-yard Larsh field goal with 9:46 remaining in the game. The Fighting Illini were unable to capitalize on their next possession and turned the ball over on downs to Wisconsin. However, a critical Jonathan Taylor fumble inside the 20-yard line with 7:12 remaining gave the Illini possession again. This time, the Fighting Illini were able to score on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Josh Imatorbhebhe to narrow the score to 23–21. Wisconsin regained possession with 5:43 remaining. The Illini were unable to stop Wisconsin on their first set of downs as the Badgers advanced to gain a first down with 3:31 remaining. However, on the subsequent 3rd and 5, Jack Coan's pass was intercepted by Illinois's Tony Adams on the Illinois 47 yard line with 2:32 remaining. Illinois had advanced the ball to the 24 yard line with 4 seconds left when they called a timeout. Wisconsin had used all of their remaining timeouts and were unable to ice the kicker. Illinois's James McCourt converted a 39-yard field goal as time expired to win the game, 24–23. [5]

Aftermath

Illinois fans rushed the field for the first time since the Fighting Illini defeated Michigan in 1983. [4] Head coach Lovie Smith called the game the team's "signature win" with some commentators speculating that the game singlehandedly saved his job. [6] [7] Popular campus bar Kam's closed its door for the last time the day after the upset. The watering hole had been open since 1975 and was a favorite of University of Illinois students. A local apparel shop quickly printed shirts proclaiming, "It's a Kam's Miracle!" [8] In the immediate aftermath of the game, SportsCenter declared it the biggest upset of the season. [9] By point spread, the game is considered one of the largest upsets in college football history. [10]

Wisconsin went on to appear in the 106th Rose Bowl Game, which they lost in a tightly contested battle to the Oregon Ducks. [11] Illinois finished the regular season 6–6 to become bowl eligible for the first time since Lovie Smith became the head coach. The Fighting Illini lost to the California Golden Bears in the Redbox Bowl, 35–20. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team</span> American college football season

The 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was the first in NCAA Division I-A—now known as NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)—history to finish its season at 14–0 following BYU's 14–1 season in 1996. Led by co-MVPs junior quarterback Craig Krenzel and sophomore wide receiver/cornerback Chris Gamble, freshman standout tailback Maurice Clarett, and senior safety Mike Doss, the Buckeyes won the Big Ten, then won the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, which was also the 2003 BCS National Championship Game, to finish as college football's national champions for the first time since 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team</span> American college football season

The 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers completed the season with a 12–1 record, including a 7–1 mark in the Big Ten Conference, good for a second-place tie with Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Wisconsin Badgers football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers completed the season with a 9–4 record, including a 5–3 mark in Big Ten Conference play. The season ended with a loss in the Outback Bowl to Tennessee, 21–17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois entered the season in search of improvement upon a 2–10 record in 2006, and secured bowl-eligibility the first time since 2001 with a homecoming win over Ball State. From weeks 2–6, the Illini won five straight games, their longest win streak since 2001. On November 10, the Fighting Illini upset the then #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head football coach was Rich Rodriguez. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The 2008 season marked Rodriguez's first season as Michigan head coach, having replaced longtime head coach Lloyd Carr following Carr's retirement at the end of the 2007 season. Rodriguez installed a spread option offense, a marked departure from Michigan's prior offensive approaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. This was Zook's fourth season as the Illini head coach.

The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The 1995 season was a highly memorable one for the Northwestern program, as the Wildcats went 10–2 overall and 8–0 in the Big Ten Conference, earning their first winning season since 1971, their first conference championship since 1936, and their first 10-win season in school history. They also broke several long-standing losing streaks to regular opponents, including a 22-game losing streak to Iowa, a 19-game losing streak against Michigan, and a 14-game losing streak to Notre Dame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Wisconsin Badgers football team</span> American college football season

The 2009 Wisconsin Badgers football team competed on behalf of the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were coached by Bret Bielema and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers finished the season 10–3, 5–3 in Big Ten play and beat Miami (FL) 20–14 in the Champs Sports Bowl.

The 1935 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1935 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Harry Kipke, the Wolverines compiled a 4–4 record, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 131 to 68. The team had a 4–1 record after five games, but was shut out in its final three games. Michigan's 40–0 loss to 1935 consensus national champion Minnesota in the annual Little Brown Jug game was the worst defeat suffered by a Michigan Wolverines football team since 1892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Northwestern Wildcats football team</span> American college football season

The 2010 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the Big Ten during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Pat Fitzgerald, in his fifth season at Northwestern, was the team's head coach. The Wildcats home games were played at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The annual rivalry game against the University of Illinois was played at Wrigley Field on November 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by sixth-year head coach Bret Bielema, are members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–3, 7–2 in Big Ten play to be Leaders Division co–champions with Penn State. Due to their head-to-head win over Penn State, the Badgers represented the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game where they defeated Legends Division champion Michigan State 42–39 to become Big Ten Champions. They were invited to the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year where they were defeated by Oregon 38–45.

The 1936 Marquette Golden Avalanche football team was an American football team that represented Marquette University as an independent during the 1936 college football season. In its 15th and final season under head coach Frank Murray, the team compiled a 7–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 136 to 60. The team played its home games at Marquette Stadium in Milwaukee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois–Michigan football series</span>

The Illinois–Michigan football series is an American college football series between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan Wolverines. The series dates back to 1898 and features two long-time Big Ten members, with Illinois claiming five national championships, 15 Big Ten Conference titles, and 24 consensus All-Americans, and Michigan claiming 11 national championships, 44 Big Ten titles, and 85 consensus All-Americans. Michigan leads the series 72–23–2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956 Illinois Fighting Illini football team</span> American college football season

The 1956 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois during the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 15th year under head coach Ray Eliot, the Illini compiled a 2–5–2 record and finished in a tie for seventh place in the Big Ten Conference.

The 1980 Big Ten Conference football season was the 85th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season.

The 1948 Big Nine Conference football season was the 53rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Nine Conference and was a part of the 1948 college football season.

The 1956 Big Ten Conference football season was the 61st season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1956 NCAA University Division football season.

The 1974 Big Ten Conference football season was the 79th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1974 NCAA Division I football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines competed in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was coached by Jim Harbaugh, who was in his fifth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Lovie Smith.

References

  1. ↑ "Illinois Homecoming History". University of Illinois Athletics.
  2. ↑ EDT, Dan Cancian On 8/21/19 at 6:00 AM (21 August 2019). "2019 College Football: Ranking the Heisman Trophy favorites". Newsweek.
  3. ↑ Schroeder, George. "Michigan showed it is a pretender, while Wisconsin joined the College Football Playoff contenders". USA TODAY.
  4. 1 2 Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin 24-23 with a field goal as time expires: 'I thought I woke up from a dream'".
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Wisconsin vs. Illinois - Game Summary - October 19, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  6. ↑ Greenberg, Steve (19 October 2019). "Illini 24, No. 6 Wisconsin 23: Congrats, Lovie Smith! Now about that bowl game …". Chicago Sun-Times.
  7. ↑ Wagner, Joey. "'This is our signature win,' Illinois football stuns No. 6 Wisconsin". Herald-Review.com.
  8. ↑ Zilis, Anthony. "The final 'bottoms up' at Kam's". The News-Gazette.
  9. ↑ "Illinois pulls off the BIGGEST upset of the season over No. 6 Wisconsin! #SCtop10pic.twitter.com/z3lmx1H7kK". @sportscenter. 19 October 2019.
  10. ↑ "The 30 Biggest College Football Point Spread Upsets Since 1980 | The Action Network". Action Network. 19 October 2019.
  11. ↑ Beacham, Greg. "Wisconsin loses in its 4th consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl, 28-27 to Oregon". chicagotribune.com.
  12. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois ends its resurgent season with a defensive breakdown in a 35-20 loss to Cal in the Redbox Bowl: 'There's a lot to build on'". chicagotribune.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.