Illinois didn't have to put the game in the hands of a WAC officiating crew

The Illini could have shown up in the first quarter rather than fall behind 16-0. They could have displayed grit on defense before the halftime break. They could have finished drives and avoided dumb penalties.

But Illinois didn't do those things, and Friday night's game turned into a nail-biter that Fresno State won 25-23.

Rittenberg