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Illini Special: Illinois pulls off double reverse scoring play vs. USC
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Illinois wants Philly Philly.
The Fighting Illini took the lead over USC early in the 2nd quarter with a familiar trick play, made popular by Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles. But instead of Trey Burton to Nick Foles for the title, it was Hank Beatty to Luke Altmyer for an early lead.
Call it the Illini Special:
Boy, did Illinois need this start after seriously struggling last week against Indiana. The No. 23 Illini got waxed by Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers offense, 63-10 in Bloomington.
It’s been better this time around, though. Illinois has already surpassed its point total from that game early against the Trojans, which are ranked No. 21 after wins over Purdue and Michigan State.
Illinois has shown early that it can move the ball – the question now is whether the Illini can slow down USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and the Trojans offense. The USC quarterback is playing like one of the best in college football through 4 weeks, but Saturday is the toughest test he’s faced so far. Through the first quarter and a half, Maiava has totaled 9 completions for 112 yards.
Let’s see if the Illini can pile on.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.