ILLINI ‘D’ DOMINATES CAVS
Unit puts clamps on QB Armstrong, who carved it up in 2021
CHAMPAIGN — Chase Brown rushed for 146 yards on 20 carries, Tommy DeVito threw for 196 yards and two scores and the Illinois defense stifled Virginia’s once-potent attack to lead the Fighting Illini to a 24-3 victory Saturday.
Things looked dicey for Illinois (2-1) after DeVito threw an interception on his first pass of the game and when Brown fumbled after a first-down run.
However, a dominant defense cleared the path to victory as the Illini held Virginia (1-1) to 1-for-16 on third-down conversions.
“This was a big statement to me about where we were a year ago to where we are now,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema, whose team lost to Virginia 42-14 in 2021. “Obviously, they’ve got new coaches and everything, but the majority of a lot of their players were there, some of ours are back and I wanted to see where we are as a program.”
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon shined with seven tackles and three pass breakups, and defensive end Keith Randolph came up with 2oe tackles for loss, a sack and seven tackles.
DeVito bounced back to go 17for-25, including 39- and two-yard touchdown throws to tight ends Michael Marchese and Tip Reiman, respectively, to help the Illini take a 21-3 lead into halftime.
“We have a lot of trust in everybody that’s out there, but to see them flourish and really be able to move the chains, get some touchdowns and keep that going was awesome,” DeVito said.
True freshman Matthew Bailey put Illinois ahead 7-3 by recovering a muffed punt that bounced into the end zone for a touchdown with 5:38 left in the opening quarter.
“I had goosebumps everywhere, to be honest,” Bailey said. “Running, looking at all the fans, the band ... it was a crazy feeling.”
Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong struggled to find his receivers, going 13-for-32 for 180 yards with two interceptions. He threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns in the victory over Illinois last year.
“They just flat out beat us on every one-on-one, that’s all I can really say,” Armstrong said.
Cavaliers running backs combined for 42 rushing yards on 29 carries. Brendan Farrell put Virginia ahead in the first quarter with a 42-yard field goal.
Virginia’s Tony Elliott shouldered the blame for a “rough day at the office” in his first loss and first road trip as a coach. “Hopefully this will be the catalyst that sparks us to make sure that we don’t take anything for granted,” Elliott said.
Bailey and safety Kendall Smith intercepted Armstrong in the fourth quarter to halt a pair of Virginia drives. Illinois converted on five of 14 third-down attempts and
out-gained Virginia by 172 yards. The defense bailed Illinois out repeatedly as Ryan Walters’ crew allowed just three points off four first-half turnovers. Virginia gained 11 yards on two drives that started in Illinois territory after takeaways.
“Defense gave us the ball in plus territory twice,” Armstrong said. “What else could you ask for?”
Bielema credited his defense for standing up the Cavaliers when put in some precarious positions.
“When we threw that first pick, to me, that’s a defensive opportunity,” Bielema said. “We want to put out a fire, and they did that exact deal.”