Ohio State and Illinois Game Notes and Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 1999
With the Loss
Ohio State’s loss to Illinois, 46-20, drops the Buckeyes to 6-5 overall, 3-4 in the Big Ten. Illinois improves to 6-4, overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Buckeyes.
The Sellout
Today’s attendance of 93,429 marked the 17th-consecutive sellout at Ohio Stadium.
Senior Tribute
Seniors Matt Keller, Michael Wiley, Gary Berry, Kurt Murphy, Randy Homa, Percy King, Ben Gilbert, Ahmed Plummer, Kevin Houser, Matt LaVrar, Drew Elford, Tony Eisenhard, James Cotton and Steve Wisniewski all made their final home appearance as a Buckeye.
The Tables Have Turned
In its four-consecutive wins over Illinois, Ohio State had outscored Illinois 171-9. Today the tables were turn as Illinois defeated the Buckeyes 46-20.
Big Day for the Illini in the Shoe
Illinois’ 46-point total was the second highest scored by an opponent in Ohio Stadium. The most points given up against an Ohio State squad was recorded in 1946 when Michigan won, 58-6.
A Day of Firsts for Doss
Michael Doss made his first career start at strong safety. It also was the first time a true freshman has started at the strong safety position since Antoine Winfield started against Purdue in 1995.
Wiley Moves Up
Michael Wiley passed Peppe Pearson (1994-97) on the career all-purpose yards list for seventh-place. He now has a total of 4,070. He also recorded his third 100-yard plus game for the season and his ninth in his career with 128 yards today.
Keller’s Season Best
Senior fullback Matt Keller caught a 38-yard TD catch in the third quarter for a season best.
Wells’ Big Run
Sophomore Jonathan Wells’ fourth quarter 52-yard run was the longest in his career. His previous best was a 25-yd run against Iowa in 1998.
Illinois Game Notes
Neil Rackers tied a career-long field goal with his 50-yard attempt in the second quarter. It ties his 50-yarder last weekend against Iowa. Rackers has now hit nine 40-plus field goals this year. With 17 points today, Rackers moves to third on Illinois’ single-game kick-scoring list, fourth on the single-game scoring list and ninth on the career-scoring list. His four field goals jump to third on the single-season field goal list.
Illinois’ 46 points today bring the season total to 296 which is the fifth-most scored in a single season. The Illini have scored 40-plus points in four games this season, the most since 1982 when the squad matched that feat.
The following player set or broke career highs against the Buckeyes, Jameel Cook (catches and yards), Josh Whitman (touchdowns) and Neil Rackers (field goals (tied)).
Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner tied a 10-year-old record for touchdown passes in a season. With four touchdown passes in a season, Kittner improves to 22 TD passes this year (two interceptions). Jeff George threw 22 TD passes in 1989 in 12 games.
With victories over Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State, it is the first time in school history that the Illini have defeated the three on the road.
Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper Quotes
“We are not play great football right now. We are very fortunate to score the touchdowns that we did make. They did what they had to do to win against us. You have to give them credit for the win. I take the blame for this loss. We did not play like we should be at this part of the season.
“Illinois made plays to win this game. They were ready to play and things are going to go your way. For us, we did not play well on either side of the ball.
“What we need to do is salvage the season and hopefully get a win at Michigan. But we are going to have to play a lot better to do that.
“I feel bad for the seniors. You hate to go out and lose like we did today especially for their last game. They have won a lot of games and I am going to remember them for a lot of things and not the way they played today.
“I am not happy with this team. They did a very bad job in handling adversity. We are not executing on either side of the ball. We are overthrowing receivers, not getting the ball to our guys and not tackling. Our kicking game was terrible today.
“Kurt Kittner played very well. He doesn’t make mistakes. He ran their offense very well and shows a lot of confidence for a young quarterback. I was very impressed with him today.”
Illinois Head Coach Ron Turner Quotes
“This win means a lot. We just keep fighting every week and try to make progress every day in practice. We are playing with a lot of confidence right now.
“Kurt Kittner played well today. He had outstanding focus. He has played great all season for us.
“We are not done yet. We have one more game left. We have talked all year fighting every week and finishing off games.
“Our team has great focus and confidence. They are really growing up whether it is going into Michigan, Iowa or wherever, we are not intimidated.”
