SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 13, 2014
Washington 44, Illinois 19: Shaq Thompson scored twice on defense as the Huskies built a 30-point first-half lead and went on to a convincing victory over the visiting Fighting Illini in nonconference play.
Thompson returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown and later galloped 52 yards with a fumble as Washington (3-0) remained unbeaten under new coach Chris Petersen. Cameron Van Winkle kicked three field goals and Cyler Miles passed for 191 yards and a touchdown.
Wes Lunt passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns for Illinois (2-1). Geronimo Allison stood out with six receptions for 160 yards, including touchdown grabs of 60 and 27 yards.
Jesse Callier’s 3-yard run and Miles’ 75-yard scoring pass to John Ross preceded Thompson’s interception return as the Huskies sprinted to a 21-3 lead. Dwayne Washington scored on a 12-yard run in the second quarter and Illinois recorded a safety prior to Thompson scoring on the fumble return to make it 35-5.
It was 38-12 at halftime and Allison’s second TD catch brought the Illini within 38-19 with 7:34 left in the third quarter. Two fourth-quarter field goals by Van Winkle pushed the lead to 25 as the Huskies finished off the rout.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Van Winkle’s 51-yard field goal with 6:21 remaining was a career long. … Illinois was just 1-of-11 on third-down conversions. … Washington played without CBs Marcus Peters (suspension) and Jermaine Kelly (unspecified injury).