My prediction that Illinois would be better than a last place team looked good for one week anyway. The Illini blew out Akron 42-3 to open the season as the Zips were held to just 192 yards of offense. Things haven’t gone much better for Akron the last two weeks, as they’ve lost to UAB and Central Michigan to start the season 0-3.
Unlike the fast start the Illini got off to against Akron, Illinois fell behind UConn 13-0 before the offense erupted for 24 points in the second quarter. A fumble on Illinois’ first play of the third quarter led to a UConn touchdown drive to tighten the game up.