The streak is over.
After 700 days without a Big Ten victory, Illinois pounded Rutgers, 38-17, on Saturday afternoon at HighPoints Solution Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The conference win is Lovie Smith’s third in 20 tries over three years as Illinois’ head coach, and the Illini’s first since defeating Michigan State on Nov. 5, 2016.
Illinois (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) built its first Big Ten win in 100 weeks on a 10-pound halftime lead, yet the streak looked as if it would continue after Jon Hilliman’s 32-yard touchdown run pushed Rutgers ahead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.