COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Expect the unexpected.
That may be the only way to explain the Illini’s last three games. Coming off ugly blowout losses to Purdue and Nebraska, Illinois — 13.5-point underdogs — stormed into College Park on Saturday afternoon looking to change the narrative against a 5-1 Maryland team. After a Caleb Griffin game-winning field goal in the final 10 seconds, the Illini prevailed with their first Big Ten win, 27-24.
After three quarters, head coach Bret Bielema’s guys were clinging to a 24-21 lead. Maryland tied the game with under two minutes to go, but a big 29-yard throw from Luke Altmyer to Casey Washington put Illinois (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) in position to win.