IlliniGuys.com Staff
August 27, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Chase Brown rushed for 151 yards and scored three touchdowns and transfer quarterback Tommy DeVito passed for 194 yards in his Illini debut as Illinois opened the 2022 season with a 38-6 victory over Wyoming.
The 38 points scored represents the second-most points for a Bret Bielema-coached Illini squad. Illinois beat Northwestern 47-14 in their season finale last November. That win over the Wildcats and Saturday's rout marks the first time in 12 years that Illinois recorded consecutive 30-point wins over FBS opponents. The Illini beat Indiana (43-13) and Purdue (44-10) in October, 2010.
The Illini (1-o) came into the game as a 10-point favorite and looked the part in the first half, scoring on a DeVito to Brown 14-yard touchdown pass just 35 seconds into the game. After a Wyoming field goal, Brown scored on an 11-yard run with 8:12 left in the second quarter to give Illinois a 14-3 lead. A Caleb Griffin field goal extended their advantage to 17-3 at halftime.
It was a more productive first half offense than Illinois displayed last year. After averaging 330 yards per game on offense in 2021, Illinois rolled up 262 yards in the first half.
DeVito was solid in his first start in new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.'s system. The former Syracuse passer completed 27 of 37 passes with two touchdowns, but more importantly didn't make any mistakes.
Wyoming (0-1) was held to 222 yards and managed to convert just 1-of-12 third downs in the game.
Illinois will hit the road to face Indiana next Friday (7pm CT, FS1).
Illinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487
ListenWhitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46
ListenZach 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
Listen