CHAMPAIGN, Unwell. (AP) — Chase Brown turned the initial Illinois working back again to hurry for 100-additionally yards in five straight video games, Tommy DeVito handed for 329 yards and three touchdowns and the Battling Illini blanked Chattanooga 31- on Thursday night time.
Illinois enhanced to 3-1 and is off to its ideal get started due to the fact 2015.
Brown capped a five-play, 64-lawn scoring travel with a 9-lawn touchdown operate just after the protection compelled Chattanooga (3-1) into a three-and-out on its initial push.
He completed with 108 rushing yards on 20 carries and now potential customers all FBS rushers with 604 yards by means of four video games.
The closest the Mocs came to scoring came early in the 2nd quarter when they drove to the Illinois 16-property line. Jartavius Martin picked off a Preston Hutchinson move in the stop zone to finish the Mocs’ menace.
The Illini recorded their 1st shutout considering the fact that a 2015 acquire over Western Illinois.
Chattanooga went just 4 of 14 on third downs and received 142 overall yards. Illinois piled up 502 yards of offense.
Hutchinson was sacked 4 instances and done just 6 of 18 passes for 49 yards with two interceptions.
Illinois just about quadrupled Chattanooga’s total initially-fifty percent yardage, 332 yards to 84 yards, and led 24- at intermission.
Thursday night time marked the initial time in Illinois football history that two receivers tallied far more than 100 receiving yards and a working again ran for much more than 100 yards in the similar recreation. Pat Bryant caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Isaiah Williams hauled in 9 passes for 103 yards and a score.
Williams’ 63-lawn landing off a monitor pass designed it 31- with 4:56 remaining in the third.
DeVito became the to start with Illinois quarterback to move for much more than 300 yards in a sport due to the fact Brandon Peters threw for 369 yards at Michigan Condition in 2019.
Ailym Ford rattled off runs of 39 and 32 yards for the Mocs’ major gains of the evening. He finished with 93 yards on 17 carries.
Andrew Southard skipped a 43-yard area-goal attempt early in the 3rd quarter just after Ford’s 32-yard run took the Mocs into Illini territory.
Caleb Griffin kicked a 34-lawn industry objective to put Illinois up 10- in the to start with quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Illinois: The Illini geared up perfectly for a far better-than-usual FCS opponent and dominated appropriately to established on their own up in excellent position to make a bowl overall look with two-thirds of the agenda left. Illinois is a step or two away from contending in a huge-open up Major Ten West many thanks to stellar protection and a a lot improved passing assault with new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. making the calls.
Chattanooga: The Mocs can chalk this a single up to expertise differential and short rest immediately after a potent start out to their campaign. Rusty Wright’s team could be in the mix for the Southern Convention title in November.
UP Following
Chattanooga: The Mocs stop by East Tennessee Condition on Oct. 1.
Illinois: Bielema returns to his aged stamping grounds when the Illini participate in at Wisconsin on Oct. 1.