ECFA Week 1 Game Report:
ILLINOIS
vs.
VIRGINIA
FIRST QUARTER
A slow-developing game saw a scoreless first quarter, as eaach team punted on its first possession, then Illinois came up empty on a 6:09, 11-play drive when a 49-yard field goal was no good. Frierson intercepted Verica four plays later, and the quarter ended with Illinois on the move at the Virginia 45.
ILLINOIS 0, VIRGINIA 0.
SECOND QUARTER
Illinois missed a field goal of its own after holding the ball for the first 4:41 of the quarter. Virginia finally broke the ice on its next drive, as Verica dumped off to Fells-Danzer, who scampered 59 yards for the score. Illinois then embarked on the season's strangest drive. Twice, Scheelhaase was intercepted, once by Taliaferro, and once by Mosley. But at the end of both runbacks, the Virginia interceptors fumbled, and Illinois recovered. The Illini made the Cavaliers pay when Jenkins caught a 13-yard score to tie the game.
ILLINOIS 7, VIRGINIA 7.
THIRD QUARTER
Virginia held the ball for 3:50 to open the second half, reaching the Illinois 35 before three incompletions necessitated a 52-yard field goal attempt that failed. After a punt, the Cavaliers' kicker got another chance from 42 and this time his kick was true with 4:35 to play. Illinois had to punt again, and Virginia had 2nd-and-12 at the Illinois 41 to open the final period.
VIRGINIA 10, ILLINOIS 7.
FOURTH QUARTER
There was once was a famous book called "Things Fall Apart." For UVA, after a missed 45-yard field goal with 12:52 to play, that book title rang true. First, Illinois drove 65 yards in 7 plays (3:49), culminating in Becker's 5-yard run to give the Illini the lead. After a punt, Illinois needed just two plays to expand the lead, when Jenkins caught an 8-yard score from Scheelhaase. Virginia's comeback drive was shortlived, as Frierson got his second pick of the game and ran it back 31 yards to the Virginia 14 with 1:59 left. Jenkins caught his third score of the game three players later (14 yards, through double coverage and past a safety) to seal it.
FINAL SCORE: Illinois 28, Virginia 10.
* Neither of these teams are that good. But Illinois' Jenkins at WR is a handful. On a red Miggle rookie base, he burst through double-teams featuring 2 TTCs, then walloped the safety over the top to get open. Virginia's corners are very weak, though, so we'll see what he does vs. better competition. Virginia has a decent offensive line, and their running game is a threat this season, if their defense can keep them in games.
Stats in the next post.
Ed
