Sept. 27--Illinois coach Bill Cubit's theme for the week after a blowout loss at North Carolina was "fix it."
There are still some parts that need work, but Illinois did enough to hold off Middle Tennessee for a 27-25 victory on Saturday. Blue Raiders kicker Cody Clark's 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left with eight seconds left to preserve the victory for Illinois.
Big kick.
After missing three straight kicks, Taylor Zalewski made up for the whiffs.
He kicked a 51-yarder for 27-25 lead with 2 minutes 9 seconds left.
He also missed a 38-yarder in the game and had missed two against North Carolina last weekend. Zalewski made a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Freshman flash.
Illinois run game has been slacking but it may have found new life.
Freshman running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn entered the game with 47 yards on the season.
He picked up all 80 of his yards on Saturday in the second half on 13 carries. He scored on an eight-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Josh Ferguson added 83 yards on 20 carries.
"Fej" feeling it.
Illinois safety Clayton Fejedelem's journey from NAIA player to walkon to Big Ten starter has been well documented. He had a standout day on Saturday to add to his tale.
He recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a score and finished with 12 tackles and three broken up passes.
Yet again.
For the second time this season, Illinois blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.
In his first game after serving a three-game suspension for a violation of team rules, Caleb Day blocked a punt in the second quarter. Fejedelem recovered in in the end zone for a 14-3 lead.
Just go down.
A deva ju of the Heart of Dallas Bowl, defensive end Jihad Ward scooped up a fumble but then fumbled it himself.
In the second quarter against Middle Tennessee, he picked up a fumble caused by a sack from teammate Dawuane Smoot and ran 17 yards. But then coughed it back up.
Luckily for the Illini, Chunky Clements fell on it and Illinois scored on a field goal shortly before halftime.
