By IlliniGuys Staff
September 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Miles and Xavier Scott combined for three interceptions and the Illinois defense shut down Kansas in the fourth quarter to allow the Illini to score the 23-17 upset over the 19th ranked Jayhawks Saturday night.
Sophomore Kaden Feagin scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 9:34 remaining to put Illinois up for good at 20-17. David Olano later added his third field goal of the night for the final margin.
The win came before a capacity crowd of 60,670 and gives Illinois (2-0) their first home win over a non-conference ranked team since beating then-22nd ranked Arizona State 17-14 in September, 2011.
Xavier Scott gave the Illini their first touchdown of the night when he picked off Kansas QB Jalon Daniels for the second time and returned it 29 yards for the score to put Illinois on top 13-10 with 34 seconds left in the first half.
That was the halftime score, which held until Daniels took Kansas (1-1) on a 14-play, 81-yard drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Lawrence Arnold to put the Jayhawks ahead 17-13 in the 3rd quarter.
The Illinois offense was stagnant in the third period, managing just one first down and only 19 yards. But they found new life in the final quarter. Quarterback Luke Altmyer connected with Patrick Bryant twice for 37 and 38 yards and made an 18-yard scramble in between to set up Feagin's score. Altmyer finished 16-of-25 for 192 yards.
Meanwhile, the Illinois defense locked down, allowing the Jayhawks only two first downs and just 41 yards and no points in the final 15 minutes.
The win gives Illinois its first 2-0 start since 2019 and puts the team in position to go 3-0 for the first time since the 2011 season, when they started 6-0 under coach Ron Zook.
The Illini return to action next Saturday when Central Michigan visits for Homecoming Weekend.
Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete post-game coverage.
Zach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485
ListenIllini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Blitz & House Settlement Implications - 6.13.25 - S4Ep44
ListenIllini Update Featuring 3-Star Illini WR Commit Kenyon Alston - #484
ListenIllini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43
ListenFB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483
ListenMay 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More
ListenMay 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart
ListenMay 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball
ListenMay 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track
ListenHigh School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482
ListenMay 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium
ListenMay 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates
ListenBielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481
Listen