Illini Sports Blog

The Plague of Turnovers

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Pierre Thomas rushed for 107 yards in his final game at Memorial Stadium. Thomas also set the all-time kickoff return yardage record at Illinois.

It was a cold, sad Senior Day at Memorial Stadium Saturday. Leading 23-21 late into the 3rd quarter and seemingly in control of the game, Illinois committed 4 straight turnovers which were converted to 3 short TD drives by Purdue and thus a 42-23 deficit. The Illini's 4th quarter comeback fizzled and the Boilers won 42-31. Final game of the year is Saturday at Northwestern. Recap. Thread.

Photos by Cary Frye courtesy of fryeimages.

More photos of the game after the jump!


Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Juice Williams had a tough day throwing the football. Juice was 8-29 for 95 yards and one INT.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Illinois TE Jeff Cumberland fights for yardage. Cumberland had two catches for 31 yards.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Williams rushed for 157 yards on 22 carries against Purdue.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Juice dives into the endzone for a touchdown.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Illinois linebackers J Leman and Antonio Steele combine to make a stop. Leman led the Illini with 13 tackles.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
J Leman pulls down Purdue WR Selwyn Lymon.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue running back Jaycen Taylor gets stopped by Antonio Steele. Steele had seven tackles for Illinois.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Juice Williams gets hit in the endzone by Purdue DT Alex Magee. Williams fumbled on the play with Magee recovering for a Purdue touchdown.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Illinois DB Vontae Davis pressures Purdue punter Jared Armstrong.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Kicker Jason Reda was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goals for the day.

Jim Grabowski
Hall of Famer Jim Grabowski is honored at half-time. Grabowski is retiring after 28 years as a color analyst for the Illini.

Chief Illiniwek
Chief Illiniwek.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Leman knocks the ball loose from Purdue TE Dustin Keller.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue QB Curtis Painter dives into the endzone for a touchdown.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Illinois DT Josh Norris stops Purdue RB Jaycen Taylor.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Pierre Thomas scores a touchdown.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
J Leman.

Illinois Fighting Illini - Purdue Boilermakers
Pierre Thomas.

Filed under: Illini Football, Illinois Loyalty Photos, Purdue Boilermakers
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