Illini beat Boilers despite mistakes in first half

By Doug Healey
Assistant Sports Editor

Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner had a first half to forget and a second half to remember as the Fighting Illini defeated Purdue 38-13 Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Kittner overcame three first-half interceptions, four total, to lead the Illini (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) over the Boilermakers (5-2, 3-2) and into a tie for first place in the conference.

"This was by far worse than three years ago," Kittner said, referring to his three interceptions and two fumbles in Illinois' 42-9 loss to Purdue in 1998. "Our offense as a team and me personally, I think it was probably the worst game I've ever played since my freshman year in high school."

Kittner said his ability to stay composed made the difference as the game progressed.

"I just had to go out and concentrate on what was going on," said Kittner, who threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-34 passing.

"The guys are looking at you, and you need to look at them and say ’I’m over this, let’s go. Let’s move on.'"

Kittner moved on, and the points piled up on the scoreboard, as the Illini scored 38 unanswered points on the Boilermakers, who forced six turnovers and parlayed them into just six points.

Stu Schweigert, Landon Johnson and Gilbert Gardner all had interceptions in the first half.

"I was just throwing bad balls, bad balls that were floating on me," said Kittner, who leads the Big Ten in passing.

Purdue's defense took advantage of those bad balls in the first half, said Purdue coach Joe Tiller.

"I thought our defense played as well as it could in the first half," said Tiller. "We let our opponent hang around after we had the opportunity early to put them away. We had a chance to put them away and did not capitalize."

Gardner returned his interception 51 yards to the Illinois 7-yard line, as Purdue led 10-0 in the second quarter. But he would have scored if Kittner didn’t force him out of bounds. The Boilers ended up getting stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

"(Kittner) was a very good high school linebacker," said Illinois coach Ron Turner. "He's a tremendous competitor, a tough kid, and he has a lot of pride. He does not like to throw interceptions, and he was determined not to let (Gardner) score."

After amassing just 12 yards of offense in the first quarter, Kittner led the Illinois offense to two quick scores at the end of the half to cut Purdue's lead to 13-10 at halftime.

Illinois scored 28 points in the second half, but two of those were defensive touchdowns, as Purdue quarterback Brandon Hance had two interceptions returned for scores, an 83-yarder by Bobby Jackson and a 62-yarder by Christian Morton.

Two Illinois receivers had big games also. Brandon Lloyd had six catches for 112 yards, and Walter Young caught five passes for 98 yards. Each had a touchdown.

"When he came off the field I said, 'This is a hell of a game by you, Kurt,'" said Turner. "Because there are not many people who can have a horrendous first half like that, at least stat-wise, and fight through it and keep his poise and confidence and play well. He came out and played some championship football at the end of the second quarter and in the second half."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Doug Healey

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