Nov. 02--COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was clear almost immediately that Illinois would not stage a stunning upset like the one it pulled off in 2007 against then-top-ranked Ohio State.
Coach Tim Beckman, like the 106,961 at Ohio Stadium on a crisp Saturday night, knew exactly when this game got out of hand.
"Pretty early," Beckman said with an uncomfortable laugh.
Just a week after the Illini celebrated their first Big Ten victory of the season, they suffered through their worst loss, a 55-14 decision that erased any leftover joy from beating Minnesota a week ago.
The loss was the worst since a 45-0 loss to Michigan in 2012.
From an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on coach Tim Beckman to four turnovers to two chop-block penalties, the Illini found several ways to hurt itself. But it was evident more than anything they were simply overmatched.
"We haven't played very good in environments like this," Beckman said, noting losses at Nebraska and at Wisconsin. "We have to learn to be able to react in any environment. I really don't think we played up to our capabilities and we really haven't played up to our capabilities on the road yet."
Illinois switched often between quarterback Reilly O'Toole, who has started the last three games in place of the injured Wes Lunt, and Aaron Bailey. But neither produced.
O'Toole threw two interceptions, both of which led to Ohio State touchdowns, and completed just 4 of 11 passes for 58 yards -- 56 of them came on one bomb to freshman receiver Mikey Dudek. O'Toole did not return to the game after taking a hard sack in the third quarter.
Bailey, who fumbled on a sack in the third quarter, picked up only 39 rushing yards on 16 carries and 79 yards on 9-of-16 passing with a touchdown.
Illinois (4-5, 1-4 Big Ten) trailed 48-0 before a 5-yard touchdown run by Donovonn Young with 1 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The celebration was appropriately short-lived and muted.
Bailey hit tight end Matt LaCosse for a 7-yard touchdown with less than six minutes to play for the final margin.
The Illini were outgained 543-243 and steamrolled on the ground 294-106. Offensive linemen Teddy Karras and Simon Cvijanovic left the game early with unidentified injuries.
The Illini have three games remaining -- against Iowa and Penn State and at Northwestern -- to win two and become bowl eligible.
"All of our goals are still there to be achieved," Beckman said. "We're going to try to stay as positive as we possibly can. I think this team will bounce back. They've got great attitude."
The No. 16 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-0) stormed to a 31-0 halftime lead behind two J.T. Barrett touchdown passes and a pair of Curtis Samuel TD runs. Barrett remained on the sideline after halftime, and backup Cardale Jones similarly had his way with the Illini defense, passing for two touchdowns.
Barrett, who was limited in practices this week with a knee injury, looked at ease against the Illini, connecting on 15 of 24 passes for 167 yards and adding another 38 yards on seven rushes.
sryan@tribune.com
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