CHAMPAIGN, Ill. _ James McCourt kicked a 39-yard field goal Saturday as time ran out and Illinois stunned No. 6 Wisconsin in Champaign, 24-23.
The win prompted a flood of orange-clad fans onto the Memorial Stadium field. A mass of fans hopped as "Jump Around" played _ an extra slap in the face to the Badgers, who play that song at Camp Randall games.
Illinois earned its biggest upset since beating its last ranked opponent, Arizona State, in 2011. This was far more historic though, against No. 6 Wisconsin and sparking life into a team that had been spiraling.
Wisconsin (6-1, 3-1) had combined to outscore its previous two opponents 86-0.
Tony Adams picked off a Wisconsin pass with 2:32 left on its own 47. The Illini trailed just 23-21 and the small remaining bunch of students left in the student section exploded.
Illinois managed the clock on the last drive, setting up McCourt's kick.
A 29-yard touchdown catch by Josh Imatorbhebhe pulled Illinois to within 23-21 with less than 6 minutes remaining.
Illinois revved up the small student section, starting that drive with 7:12 left after Jake Hansen forced his second fumble of the day _ and seventh of the season. Defensive end Isaiah Gay recovered on the Wisconsin 25-yard line.
An incomplete pass to Casey Washington was overruled and the Illini moved the chains 18 yards, and a 22-yard run by Dre Brown kept the Illini marching toward the score.
A 43-yard touchdown run by Reggie Corbin had cut Wisconsin's lead to 20-14 just 48 seconds before the fourth quarter. The Illini defense held Wisconsin on a goal-line stand, forcing the Badgers to settle for a 20-yard field goal and 23-14 lead.
Despite finishing with 132 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor looked more human than usual against Illinois' fired-up defense as it stopped him for short gains or losses several times. His 5-yard touchdown run provided a 20-7 third-quarter lead for the Badgers.
Hansen picked up his first sack of the day, forcing a Wisconsin fumble that led to a 48-yard touchdown catch by Donny Navarro from Brandon Peters for a 10-7 second-quarter deficit. It marked the first time this season Wisconsin has allowed a first-half touchdown.
