At a time when Illinois desperately needed it, the special teams core delivered its first touchdown of the season.
After a fourth straight empty possession, a punt deep into Virginia territory resulted in a powerful hit by defensive back Sydney Brown, forcing a fumble into the endzone. Defensive back Matthew Bailey then was the quickest to the ball and the Illini got a much needed first score.
The score gave the Illini a 7-3 lead midway through the first quarter, which quickly became 14-3 after Michael Marchese’s first-career TD (in his sixth season).