Safe to say John Paddock putting together one of the best quarterback performances in Illinois football history wasn’t on most people’s bingo cards for the 2023 season.
Coming in cold in Minneapolis to bring the Illini back from the dead would’ve been a moment that lasted a lifetime for the Ball State transfer. But why stop there?
Paddock went out and found a way to top it on Saturday against Indiana, throwing for 507 yards and four touchdowns, including a walk-off strike to Isaiah Williams in overtime to outlast the Hoosiers in a shootout, 48-45.
Aside from one poor decision on a second quarter interception, Paddock was in full control all afternoon.