Ad Disclosure
WATCH: Illinois avoids upset with game-sealing interception
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Illinois did not make it look pretty, but the Illini were able to start the 2018 season with a win over Kent State.
Illinois was outscored 17-3 in the first half and headed to halftime in serious trouble. Fortunately, the Illini found their groove after the break. They outscored Kent State 28-7 following halftime, but Kent State still had a chance to tie the game late.
The Golden Flashes gained 453 total yards against Illinois and were set up inside the 10-yard line with a few minutes left in the game. It looked like overtime was a legitimate possibility. That is until Del’Shawn Phillips sealed the deal.
Illinois’ defensive front forced Kent State QB Woody Barrett out of the pocket on fourth down. He threw up a prayer towards the end zone, but Phillips was there with the game-sealing interception.
Illinois on BTN shared the video of Phillips’ snag:
The @IlliniFootball defense stands tall!@DelShawnP3 picks it on 4th down, and Kent State is on the ropes late: pic.twitter.com/o68kOagD3b
— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) September 1, 2018
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.