Ethan Moczulski had the final say in College Park.
The Illinois kicker drilled a 26-yard field goal on the last play of the game Saturday, sending the Illini past Maryland 20-17 and sealing a win that came down to the final possession.
Illinois had to grind for it. Coming off a win over Oregon, the Illini spent much of the afternoon chasing Maryland before finally grabbing their first lead on the opening snap of the fourth quarter, when Javari Barnett broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run to make it 17-14.
Maryland answered with a field goal to tie it, but Illinois still had enough time to put together one more march. Starting at its own 26 with 5:45 left, the Illini moved into Maryland territory and then bled the clock after the Terrapins used all three of their timeouts.
“The way this team's persevered, nothing's really come easy,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “Sometimes when you're a good football team, maybe a certain phase doesn't play all that great but you're able to still win a football game.”
The win pushed Illinois to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten, while Maryland fell to 3-5 and 0-5 in conference play. The Terrapins have now dropped six in a row, a run that led to the end of Michael Locksley's tenure.
Maryland’s first game under interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim had some fight to it, even if the finish went against the Terps. Quarterback Malik Washington and running back DeJuan Williams each turned it over, but both also found the end zone on the ground.
Washington got Maryland started with an 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Illinois quarterback Katin Houser, back from a hand injury, threw an early interception but settled in enough to connect with Brayden Trimble on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the first half, tying the game at 7-7.
Williams put Maryland back on top in the third quarter with a 17-yard touchdown run.
“You talk a lot about the storm. You’re either in a storm, coming out of the storm, or about to go back in another storm,” Abdul-Rahim said.
“That’s kind of how the game was. ... I think we're on the right track."
Illinois has now won three straight, though the path hasn’t been smooth. The Illini have had trouble putting away teams like Michigan State and Maryland, but they got Houser back and found a way to close it out.
“I wasn't playing games with you guys,” Bielema said. “Monday at the press conference, I didnt think there was any way he was going to play. He didn't do anything on Tuesday ... and then on Wednesday he's like, ‘Coach, I'd really like to try to play.'”
The final drive was also notable for where it began. It was the only Illinois possession to start outside its own 25-yard line.
Maryland, meanwhile, had several chances to flip the game with favorable field position, beginning drives at the Illinois 12, 45 and 49, as well as its own 45. Those four possessions produced only seven points.
Bielema said the week carried an extra weight after the death of his father.
“I felt like my dad was watching the whole week,” he said.
He said he will fly Sunday to attend his father’s visitation before returning Monday.
Illinois now turns to Nebraska, which visits Friday night.
In Other News...
Illinois Took A Risk With Katin Houser Fans Can Already Feel
Katin Houser was back under center against Maryland barely three weeks after surgery on a broken hand, and Illinois made the kind of bet that tells you how much it wanted its starting quarterback on the field. Housers return gave the offense its usual shape again, but the first half showed how tricky that choice could be, with the quarterback finishing the opening two quarters 11 of 19 for 134 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Illinois leaned on its defense to keep the game from getting away while Houser worked through the rust and the obvious physical questions that come with a comeback this fast. The bigger issue now is not just whether he can play, but whether the Illini are willing to keep taking this kind of risk with a player they need for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Just Got The Big Ten Win Its Bowl Push Needed
A late-night road win in College Park gave Illinois exactly the kind of result it needed to keep its bowl hopes moving in the right direction. The Illini edged Maryland 20-17 on a game-winning 26-yard field goal by Ethan Moczulski on the final play, a finish that turned a tight conference game into a much-needed boost as the season enters its second half.
Katin Housers return from injury also gave Illinois a steadier look on offense, with the quarterback completing 18 of 32 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. The victory moved Illinois to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play, while Maryland is still searching for its first conference win in the wake of Mike Locksleys firing. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Pulled Off The Kind Of Late Rally Fans Needed
For a team that had spent much of the afternoon fighting uphill, Illinois found just enough late juice to turn Maryland into another step forward. Freshman running back Javari Barnett supplied the burst that changed the game with a 64-yard touchdown run, while quarterback Katin Houser kept the offense moving enough to give the Illini a chance in the fourth quarter. The defense also did its part, forcing two takeaways and helping set the stage for a finish that had the home side believing again.
Ethan Moczulski finished the job with the game-winning field goal, capping a comeback that pushed Illinois to three straight wins. It was the kind of close, late escape that can do more than just pad the standings, especially for a team trying to build some momentum and confidence as the season moves deeper into the fall. [Read more 🡒]