Although Illinois was outplayed by Indiana, bad luck also contributed to Saturday’s 36-13 loss.
After Jason Reda cut the Illinois deficit to 7-3 with a 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Steve Weatherford’s onside kick was recovered by the Illini on their 40-yard line.
But the officials ruled Weatherford had touched the ball after kicking it so the ball was given to the Hoosiers, who went on a six-play touchdown drive.
“I hit the kick I wanted,” Weatherford said. “I only wanted it to go 10 yards. I was so jacked up I don’t know if I touched it afterward, but the official said it hit me on the leg.”
The other hard-luck play took place in the third quarter. Tim Brasic passed to Derrick McPhearson, who raced into the end zone for an apparent 51-yard score. A touchdown was signaled but the play was reviewed and the scored was erased because McPhearson had stepped out of bounds after gaining 18 yards. The ball was brought back to the Indiana 33 and the Illini ultimately settled for Reda’s 52-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-13.
