Illini run into buzzsaw at Virginia, 42-14

IlliniGuys.com Staff

September 11, 2021

Illinois gave up a pair of touchdowns in the first 5:00 of the game and never recovered as Virginia scored the early Saturday rout at home, 42-14.

It was the third start in three games this season that the Illini (1-2) fell behind early.  But this time, the Cavaliers didn't let Illinois get back into the game.

Quarterback Artur Sitkowski, making his second start in a row in place of the injured Brandon Peters, got Illinois on the board early in the 2nd quarter with a 33-yard strike to Deuce Spann.  It was the second touchdown catch in as many games for the converted quarterback.  But that would be Illinois' lone score of the first half as they went into the break down 21-7.

The Illini came out of the halftime locker room with a quick four-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Chase Brown's 21-yard touchdown run to close the gap to 21-14.  But it was all Virginia (2-0) the rest of the way, as the Cavaliers closed with 21 unanswered points to hand the Illini their 7th consecutive loss to non-conference Power 5 teams.

Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong set career highs with 405 yards and five touchdowns.  Sitkowski finished with 24 completions on 45 attempts for 221 yards and an interception to go with the touchdown.

It was Virginia's first ever win over the Illini after a pair of bowl losses in the series history.

Illinois now gets right back to work on a short prep week as Maryland visits Memorial Stadium Friday night.  Former Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley returns as the Terrapins head coach with former Illini head coach Ron Zook on his staff.

 

7th straight non-conference power 5 loss

Podcasts

Illini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43

Listen

FB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483

Listen

May 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More

Listen

May 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart

Listen

May 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball

Listen

May 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track

Listen

High School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482

Listen

May 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium

Listen

May 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates

Listen

Bielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481

Listen

May 9 - Hr2 - S4Ep39 - Saban, Podziemski & White Sox Struggles

Listen

May 9 - Hr1 - S4Ep39 - Illini Golf, Adkins Golf Club & Illini Recruit JC Anderson

Listen

May 2 - Hr2 - S4Ep38 - Kentucky Derby and NFL Draft Wrap

Listen

May 2 - Hr1 - S4Ep38 - Stojakovic Selects Illinois

Listen

Andrej Stojakovic Selects the Fighting Illini - #480

Listen