KICK IN THE TEETH
Last-second field goal gives Illinois stunning upset of No.6 Wilconsin
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The plan was for Wisconsin to roll into a showdown against Ohio State next week unbeaten, with a defense putting up historic numbers and a Heisman Trophy contender at running back. Illinois had other plans. James McCourt kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired, and the Illini pulled off the biggest upset of the college football season so far, knocking off the No. 6 Badgers, 24-23, on Saturday.
ILLINOIS 24 WISCONSIN 23
“Our program, we needed to get a signature win. I was just hoping today was the day, and the day came,” said Illini coach Lovie Smith, the former Chicago Bears coach who entered the game 11-31 overall and 4-26 in the Big Ten since taking over at Illinois in 2016.
“Against the No. 6 team in the country, we played them toe-to-toe,” Smith said. “We saw so much fight. We learned an awful lot about ourselves. We’re pumped up. One of the best wins we can possibly have at this stage in our program.”
Tony Adams picked off a pass by Jack Coan for the Illini (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten), who were 30½-point underdogs, at midfield with 2:33 remaining that set up the winning drive.
Dre Brown’s tackle-breaking 13-yard run got Illinois to the Wisconsin 25 with 34 seconds left and then the Illini set up McCourt to attempt a winner. The junior kicker was down the middle with the field goal to give Smith the most significant victory for Illinois in years.
“No matter if it’s an extra point or a game-winner you kind of have to take the approach that every kick is the same because if you take a different approach you might get thrown off or something might be a little different,” said McCourt, who missed a 40-yard try in the first quarter.
Fans rushed the field when it was over and “Jump Around” — a signature song at Wisconsin’s CampRandall Stadium — blared through the speakers at Memorial Stadium.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Adams said.
The Badgers had not trailed this season, allowing just 29 points with four shutouts in six games. Illinois lost to Eastern Michigan earlier this season and has not even been bowl eligible since 2014. Instead, the Badgers (6-1, 3-1) blew a nine-point lead in the final 9:46 of the fourth quarter.
Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor rushed 28 times for 132 yards and one touchdown for Wisconsin, but he also lost a fumble in Illinois territory in the fourth quarter to help fuel the comeback.
“We had two drives late in the game that ended in turnovers,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said. “It’s always hard to win on the road, and that made it even harder. We just have to move on and learn from this.”