Illinois Offense Falters In Loss To Minnesota

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Published on October 6 2019 9:55 am
Last Updated on October 6 2019 9:55 am
Written by Millie Lange

By University of Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Illinois defense capitalized on a pair of Minesota turnovers to score two touchdowns Saturday, but the offense faltered in a 40-17 loss at TCF Bank Stadium. Dete Harding and Milo Eifler each scored their first career touchdowns in the game. 

 

The Best Offense is a Good Defense

Senior linebacker Dele Harding put the game's first points on the board with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown. Harding's pick-six was the first against Minnesota since September 22, 2018.

Junior linebacker Milo Eifler added a second defensive touchdown in the third quarter, scooping up a fumble caused by Jake Hansen and returning it seven yards to pay dirt. The recovery was the first of Eifler's career.

Illinois entered the game without a defensive touchdown on the year. Its two defensive touchdowns were its most since October 23, 2010 vs. Indiana.

 

Corbin Moving Up All-Time List

Senior running back Reggie Corbin picked up 68 yards on the ground Saturday, giving him 2,068 for his career. Corbin passed Rich Johnson (1966-68) and Nathan Scheelhaase (2010-2013) on the Illini's all-time rushing list to move into 16th place.

 

Pinning Them Deep

Junior punter Blake Hayes tied a career high with five punts downed inside the 20 yard line Saturday. The left-footed Aussie averaged 43.1 yards per punt with a long of 53.

His fifth punt of the afternoon found its way out of bounds at the Gopher 2, leading to Illinois' second touchdown of the day on Eifler's seven-yard scoop-and-score. Minnesota's average starting position after Hayes' punts was its own 15.7 yard line.

 

TEAM NOTES

• Illinois scored two defensive touchdowns in the same game for the first time since two interception return touchdowns vs. Indiana 10/23/2010.

• Illinois had a fumble recovery return touchdown and an interception return touchdown in the same game for the first time since at least 2000.

• Illinois scored two defensive touchdowns for the third time since 2000 (2 vs. Indiana 10/23/2010 and 2 at Purdue 11/03/2001)