Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Falls to Illinois, 31-16
11/7/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Indiana Falls to Illinois, 31-16
The Indiana University football team travelled to Champaign, Ill., today and fell to the University of Illinois, 31-16, before 31,388 at Memorial Stadium. Indiana trailed just 21-13 at halftime but a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Steve Havard to open the second half put Indiana in a hole out of which it could never climb.
The Hoosiers (3-6, 1-5) scored on their first possession of the game as redshirt freshman quarterback Antwaan Randle El (18-77-1TD rushing, 39-20-193-2INTs passing) scampered 18 yards for a score with 9:57 remaining in the first quarter. Illinois would even the score at 7-7 just prior to the end of the first quarter when RB Steve Havard (26-146-2TD rushing) scored on a 4-yd. run. On the ensuing kickoff, K Neil Rackers booted an on-side kick that was recovered by Mon Long at the IL-48. After a 7-yard pass from QB Kirk Johnson (27-20-157-1TD passing) moved the ball to the IU-45, Havard took a handoff and raced 45 yards for a score that gave the Illini a 14-7 lead.
On Illinois' next possession, cornerback Curtis Randle El forced a fumble by Havard that was recovered and returned 35 yards for a touchdown by FS Mike McGrath. The extra point attempt was blocked.
Illinois would score the final points of the half on a 3-yd. pass connection from Johnson to George McDonald-Ashford that increased the Illinois lead to 21-13.
After the 94-yard kickoff return by Havard, IU scored on its next possession to close the Illini lead to 28-16. However, a Rackers field goal with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter gave Illinois its final advantage of 31-16.November 7, 1998
