CHAMPAIGN — Two inadvertent bursts of fireworks rose from the southeast tower at Memorial Stadium mid-afternoon Saturday, both on separate instances during the first quarter.
One after an Illinois punt by Ryan Frain. Another after a clipping penalty on Wisconsin.
Ho-hum first-quarter moments magnified by the accidental flares in what was a so-so showing by the Illinois defense against a Badgers’ outfit more content to throw the ball than run and a pedestrian performance by the Illini offense against the nation’s third-ranked defense.
The Illini’s 24-13 loss to Wisconsin in front of a season-high crowd of 45,438 doesn’t mean the season ends for Illinois in five weeks, although it could.