Big 10 Latest: Illini Open With Win
Big 10 Latest: Illini Open With Win
The Big 10 is getting going slowly as we get one more conference clash and a couple more non-conference games.
Wisconsin took on Michigan State in a game between two Big 10 teams but one that won't count in the conference standings. This was a good showing for the Badgers as they won 35-14.
Also in action was Ohio State, which rebounded from a loss to Tennessee with a solid 36-8 win over Bowling Green. This was a better showing by the Buckeyes, but they remain in penalty trouble, getting whistled far too much. Indiana took on Marian on Friday evening and an in-form Marian side beat IU 27-15.
In conference action, however, Illinois played Purdue. The Illini have a new Head Coach in Kevin Battle, who grew up in Champaign, Ill., before he discovered rugby.
"it's great to be back in my hometown and it was great to see old friends, and my mom, come to see the game," Battle said. "It's a challenge. We're building something, but we have work to do."
Illinois ran out to a 30-13 lead in the first half. The Illini were running their structure fairly well and when Purdue had to scramble to defend, Illinois could punish the Boilermakers with penalty goals.
Fullback Ollie McMahon was outstanding kicking from the tee on the afternoon, slotting three penalty goals in the first half and converting all three Illinois tries.
While Purdue stormed back in the second half to make it close, one more McMahon penalty sealed it 33-23.
Backing up McMahon was No, 8 Sam Schultz. He was a storming presence with ball in hand and also defended well.
"Sam put everything he had into it," said Battle. "It was tough Purdue is a good squad. They are tough to handle, are well organized, but we stuck to our structure, for the most part."
With the win Illinois starts 1-0.
| Big 10 | |||||||||
| East | W | L | T | PA | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Notre Dame | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 24 | -4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West | W | L | T | PA | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Illinois | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Indiana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Purdue | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 33 | -10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Next up, Illinois is at Michigan State. We don't heat up until September 27, when all eight Big 10 teams are in conference games.
