Illinois senior cornerback Kelvin Hayden asked himself a quick question Saturday as he watched the football thrown by Indiana redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Powers.
Powers’ pass was intended for Jahkee Gilmore. Said Hayden: “I was thinking, `Should I play it smart and secure the tackle?’ But my mind said, `Go for it–make the play!'”
An instant later, Hayden gambled and made the biggest defensive play of the game, stealing the pass and returning it 33 yards. The play set up the drive for the winning touchdown with 30 seconds left in Illinois’ 26-22 victory.
Freshman safety Justin Harrison played through pain, returning to the field after injuring his right thumb in the third quarter. “It looks like Justin broke his thumb,” coach Ron Turner said. Harrison will have surgery this week but Turner believes Harrison will be able to play against Northwestern.
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Next: Nov. 20 at Northwestern, TBA
