Illinois held its own for most of the game but the Buckeyes slowly pulled away behind its powerful rushing attack of J.T. Barrett and Ezekiel Elliot
The Illini were 17-point underdogs on Saturday and were in position to cover the spread for much of the afternoon until the Buckeyes slowly wore down Illinois' defense. Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while recently reinstated quarterback J.T. Barrett posted meager passing numbers, 15-of-23 for 150 yards, but ran for 74 yards and a score. Wes Lunt was 23-of-47 for 241 yards and the Illini rushed for only 20 yards for the game.