The News-Gazette · Sep 1, 2018
Illini survive, win season opener
Rick Danzl/The News-Gazette Lovie Smith sings the fight song after their win at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.CHAMPAIGN — Thirty minutes and a few touchdowns can make a world of difference. Illinois got first hand experience in just that on a warm Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Illini headed to the locker room at halftime trailing Kent State 17-3, with boos raining down from a frustrated fan base. That same Memorial Stadium crowd of 31,898 was on its feet cheering in the closing minutes of the season opener when Illinois senior linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips came up with an interception in the end zone that sealed the Illini's 31-24 come-from-behind victory.