Illinois Beats Maryland 20-17 With Late Field Goal

Ethan Moczulski kicked a 26-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Illinois a 20-17 victory over Maryland on Saturday.

The Illini trailed for most of the contest despite the return of quarterback Katin Houser from a hand injury. They did not take their first lead until the opening play of the fourth quarter, when Javari Barnett ran 64 yards for a touchdown to make the score 17-14. Maryland tied the game with a field goal, but Illinois took over at its own 26-yard line with 5 minutes and 45 seconds remaining. The team drove deep into Maryland territory and ran down the clock after the Terrapins used all their timeouts.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema noted that the team’s resilience defined the performance. “The way this team’s persevered, nothing’s really come easy,” Bielema said. “Sometimes when you’re a good football team, maybe a certain phase doesn’t play all that great but you’re able to still win a football game.”

Maryland played its first game under interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who was promoted from the defensive staff. The Terrapins have lost six straight games, a streak that ended the tenure of former coach Michael Locksley. Abdul-Rahim described the game as a series of challenges. “You talk a lot about the storm. You’re either in a storm, coming out of the storm, or about to go back in another storm,” Abdul-Rahim said. “That’s kind of how the game was.. I think we’re on the right track.”

Maryland quarterback Malik Washington and running back DeJuan Williams each scored on touchdown runs but also committed turnovers. Washington opened the scoring with an 8-yard run in the first quarter. Houser threw an early interception but connected with Brayden Trimble for a 16-yard score with 27 seconds left in the first half to tie the game at 7. Williams added a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter to put Maryland ahead 14-7.

Bielema, whose father died this week, said he felt his father was watching him all week. He flew home Sunday for the visitation and was scheduled to return Monday. The Illini host Nebraska on Friday night. Maryland travels to Purdue next Saturday.