Monday, Nov. 02, 2009

Local players help Illini top Michigan

Hawthorne, Davis, Ford all contribute in big victory

CHAMPAIGN -- Freshman Terry Hawthorne delivered an inspirational moment Saturday that Illinois coach Ron Zook said may have been the "the play of the year."

Hawthorne and the rest of the Illinois metro-east contingent helped the Illini bring an end to their five-game losing streak with a 38-13 Big Ten victory over Michigan.

Making his first collegiate start at cornerback, the former prep All-American from East St. Louis chased down Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree at the Illinois 1-yard line on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Officials had signaled a 77-yard touchdown until the video review revealed Roundtree's elbow had touched the turf before the goal line as Hawthorne caught up to him from about 10 to 15 yards behind.

"He was moving, but I knew I could get him," said Hawthorne, who used his sprinter's speed to track down Roundtree.

The Wolverines' lead was about to reach 20-7 when quarterback Tate Forcier completed a pass to Roundtree near mid-field.

Roundtree whipped past safety Walt Aikens and had about a 10-yard lead when Hawthorne kicked on his afterburners.

"I was taught to never give up," said Hawthorne, who arrived this summer as a highly recruited wide receiver but switched to corner when Miami Thomas had a season-ending knee injury.

Hawthorne, who finished the game with six tackles, closed on Roundtree like a bullet, catching him just inside the 5-yard line. Roundtree started going down at about the 3, but the official signaled touchdown when he crashed across the goal line, even though the ball popped out and rolled into the end zone.

The Illini defense then held the Wolverines on four straight plays to take over on downs.

"A lot of guys would have quit, but Terry didn't," said Zook, whose team beat Michigan in Champaign for the first time in 26 years. "He made the play of the game, maybe even the play of the year."

Zook didn't stop there when it came to heaping praise on Hawthorne.

"Terry Hawthorne's play, holy smokes," Zook said. "Terry has a lot of speed and I don't think he realizes how fast he is. We've talked about letting the plays come to you, and Terry made an unbelievable play."

Former Cahokia standout tight end London Davis made his first career catch for the Illini, a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Juice Williams in the third quarter. Former Althoff star Jason Ford added 128 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Illini fans aren't accustomed to goal-line stands and 99-yard touchdown drives. But Saturday they were treated to them.

The Illini offense was inspired by Hawthorne.

"The first thing I told the offense was we need to pay Terry back," Williams said.

They cashed in with Mikel Leshoure's 70-yard touchdown run capping the 99-yard drive for a 14-13 lead with 8 minutes, 58 seconds left in the third quarter.

"Terry Hawthorne was MVP of this game," LeShoure said. "After that play and the goal-line stop, it changed the game. It gave the team energy for the rest of the game and it carried the whole way through."

Leshoure recorded his second straight 100-yard game with 150 yards on 21 carries. The Illini scored three times and picked up 209 yards in the game-changing third quarter.

They trailed 13-7 at halftime, closing the second quarter with three-straight three-and-outs that ended with sacks on Williams. Players trotted into the locker room to a chorus of boos from fans who later chanted their names.

Zook planned a two-quarterback system, but this was a one-man job.

He had intended to split time between Williams and redshirt freshman Jacob Charest, even considering the move again at halftime.

"I just felt we were in a rhythm and it might be best to leave Juice in there," Zook said.

Williams connected on 8-of-11 passes for 123 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed 21 times for 97 yards and a touchdown.

He connected with some lesser-known players.

Receiver Arrelious Benn tweaked his ankle in the third quarter, finishing with one catch for 11 yards. He scored his first touchdown in 12 games with a 3-yard rush in the first quarter.

Receiver Jeff Cumberland filled in at tight end in the absence of Michael Hoomanawanui (ankle), and Jarred Fayson missed his third straight game with a knee injury.

Chris James made an outstanding 37-yard grab on his back and Davis caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.

To signify the rarity of Illinois' victory, rather than fans storming the field, players rushed the stands.

Players bounded into the Memorial Stadium student section seconds after Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big Ten) snapped a five-game losing streak and recorded its first Big Ten victory in seven tries. Michigan fell to 5-4 and 1-4.

"They've been going through some tough times," Zook said of his players. "We have talked about how you need to believe and have faith. Faith keeps fighting, and we are the Fighting Illini."