Kendall Smith gave Illinois some momentum at Camp Randall. He rewarded the offense with an interception off Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz from a deflection.

Mertz was trying to get the ball to Keontez Lewis, but Lewis was covered very heavily and the passed was tipped and intercepted by Smith.

The Illinois offense took 7 plays and 16 yards to reach the end zone following the great field position that the turnover game them. Tommy DeVito took it into the end zone on a quarterback sneak at the Wisconsin one-yard line.

Bret Bielema’s return to Wisconsin is looking very competitive so far. Bielema coached at Wisconsin from 2006-2012 before leaving to coach at Arkansas in Dec. of 2012.

Wisconsin was able to score on its opening drive thanks to a 21-yard pass from Mertz to Isaac Guerendo.

Illinois-Wisconsin is currently being broadcasted on BTN.