For the Fighting Illini, good things do come out of a loss
By JOHN SUPINIE
BERKELEY, Calif. - It seemed like a long way to go for a blowout except the Illinois football team didn’t see it that way. The Illini, a three-touchdown underdog, carried the lead into the fourth quarter before falling to No. 15 California 35-20 in a non-conference game Saturday at Memorial Stadium. “There were a lot of doubters who thought this thing would be a blowout from the kickoff,” Illini running back E.B. Halsey said. On a glorious day up the hill from the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge - in a quaint-yet-hostile setting - the Illini showed they might just be ready to compete against the college game’s upper crust. Instead of a one-sided game that live television didn’t want to touch, the Illini gave the Bears a scare and themselves some hope for the Big Ten Conference season. “The thing I told our team is hopefully now they can understand that they can play with anybody,” Illinois coach Ron Zook said. “We’re just getting into the Big Ten. I’m anything but in the dumps. “If anything, I think we’re going to be able to compete in the Big Ten.” That’s something that hasn’t happened in three years. Illinois fell to 2-1, but the Illini carry a positive attitude heading into the Big Ten opener against visiting Michigan State (11 a.m. Saturday, WCIA). Illinois built a 17-7 halftime lead after dominating the first two periods. The Illini carried a 17-14 lead into the fourth quarter, but Cal finally lived up to its billing as a high-powered offense. Cal scored 21 points in the fourth quarter - when the Bears also benefited from a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown.
“In the second half, we started worrying about trying to win the game,’’ Zook said. “Our goal was to come in here and play as hard as we can play, then look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.’’ Although the Illini failed to secure its first win over a ranked opponent since 2001, they may have changed the public’s perception. Illinois certainly surprised the Bears. “They might have underestimated us,’’ said Illini defensive tackle Chris Norwell, who blocked a second-quarter field-goal attempt. “After this game, maybe teams won’t think that way against Illinois.’’ Cal (3-0) took a 21-17 lead on a 2-yard run by Justin Forsett with 13 minutes 14 seconds left and gained control when Tim Mixon returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 lead with 11:34 remaining. The Illini cut the deficit to 28-20, but Cal pulled away with a 12-yard touchdown run by reserve Marcus O’Keith with 5:55 left. “We started getting a running game going (in the second half), hit a couple pass plays, and, of course, Mixon’s punt return really sparked us,’’ Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. Cal played without leading rusher Marshawn Lynch, who broke a finger against Washington. Forsett picked up the slack, gaining 187 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The Illini dominated the first half behind the imaginative play-calling of first-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. Illinois kept possession for 21:35 to Cal’s 8:25. After Cal marched 80 yards in seven plays on the game’s opening series for a 7-0 lead, Illinois quarterback Tim Brasic and the Illini took control. Illinois converted six of seven third downs in the first quarter. Illinois scored on touchdown drives of 80 and 77 yards by running a total of 30 plays and controlling the clock for 12:41 in the period.
“A lot of people thought we’d come here and not do anything,’’ Brasic said. “We got the lead and the momentum. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.’’ Illinois managed just three first downs in the second half. Brasic passed for 228 yards with no interceptions, but he also didn’t throw a touchdown pass. Illini junior Pierre Thomas dived into the end zone from one yard out for a 7-all tie with 7:00 left in the first quarter - the first rushing touchdown allowed by the Bears this season. Brasic scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1 by rolling right on an option for a 14-7 Illinois lead.
AT BERKELEY, CALIF.
Illinois 7 10 0 3-20
California 7 0 7 21-35
First Quarter
Cal-Forsett 5 run (Schneider kick), 13:01.
Ill-Thomas 1 run (Reda kick), 7:00.
Second Quarter
Ill-Brasic 1 run (Reda kick), 14:07.
Ill-FG Reda 36, :00.
Third Quarter
Cal-O’Keith 26 pass from Ayoob (Schneider kick), 7:55.
Fourth Quarter
Cal-Forsett 2 run (Schneider kick), 13:14.
Cal-Mixon 79 punt return (Schneider kick), 11:34.
Ill-FG Reda 31, 8:54.
Cal-O’Keith 12 run (Schneider kick), 5:55.
A-57,653.
Ill Cal
First downs ¦¦20 ¦ ¦ 18
Rushes-yards 43-109 ¦35-294
Passing ¦228 ¦ ¦ 121
Comp-Att-Int 21-37-0 8-18-0
Return Yards ¦ ¦80 ¦ ¦101
Punts-Avg. 7-41.7 ¦4-42.5
Fumbles-Lost ¦ 1-0 ¦ 2-0
Penalties-Yards ¦5-30 ¦ 7-57
Time of Possession 34:45 ¦ 25:15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Illinois, Thomas 12-57, Brasic 18-29, J.Davis 4-11, Halsey 7-6, Payne 1-5, Mendenhall 1-1. California, Forsett 16-187, O’Keith 12-66, Hawkins 2-25, Ayoob 3-8, Manderino 1-5, Jackson 1-3.
PASSING-Illinois, Brasic 21-37-0-228. California, Ayoob 8-17-0-121, Jackson 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING-Illinois Jones 6-56, Halsey 6-30, Thomas 2-59, Hudson 2-16, J.Davis 1-27, Bryant 1-19, Warren 1-10, Payne 1-9, McPhearson 1-2. California Forsett 3-43, Jordan 2-17, O’Keith 1-26, Jackson 1-21, Gray 1-14.
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