Illinois-Baylor Gameday Binoculars: Live Play-by-Play & Analysis

Illinois wins 38-14 to finish the season with a winning record and get its first bowl win since 1999.

Several Illini players had huge days, perhaps none more so than Mikel Leshoure. The junior had 184 yards to break Illinois’ single season rushing record and also set records for points scored in a season and rushing touchdowns in a season.

Coach Zook got his first bowl win as a head coach and his excitement was written all over his face as the clock ran down to end the game.

Here is a play-by-play of the Texas Bowl.

1^st Quarter

Derek Dimke kicks off to start the game. Josh Gordon returns kick to the 31.

Baylor ball on its own 31 with 14:36 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 31: Robert Griffin pass complete to Krys Buerck at the 39.

2^nd and 2 Baylor from its own 39: Griffin pass complete to Tevin Reese at the 46.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 46: Griffin pass complete to Lanear Sampson at the Illinois 48.

2^nd and 4 Baylor from the Illinois 48: Griffin scrambles to the 23.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 23: Jay Finley rushes to the 19.

2^nd and 6 Baylor from the Illinois 19: Griffin backward pass incomplete, Travon Bellamy recovers ball. Bellamy returns ball to the Baylor 28.

Illinois ball on the Baylor 28 with 12:46 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 28: Mikel Leshorue rushes to the 26.

2^nd and 8 Illinois from the Baylor 26: Nathan Scheelhaase pass complete to A.J. Jenkins at the 29.

3^rd and 11 Illinois from the Baylor 29: Scheelhaase rushes to the 21.

4^th and 3 Illinois from the Baylor 21: Derek Dimke makes field goal.

Illinois 3, Baylor 0

Dimke kicks off to the 9, returned by Jarred Salubi to the 29.

Baylor ball on its own 29 with 11:03 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor on its own 29: Finley tackled at the 28.

2^nd and 11 Baylor on its own 28: Griffin sacked by Corey Liuget at the 24.

3^rd and 15 Baylor from its own 24: Griffin pass complete to Brad Taylor at the 31.

4^th and 8 Baylor from its own 31: Derek Epperson punts to the 32, Jarred Fayson calls fair catch.

Illinois ball on its own 32 with 8:59 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 32: Leshoure rushes to the 37.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from its own 37: Scheelhaase sacked by Gary Mason at the 35.

3^rd and 7 Illinois from its own 35: Scheelhaase pass complete to Fayson at the 45.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 45: Leshoure rushes to the Baylor 38.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 38: Jason Ford rushes to the 34.

2^nd and 6 Illinois from the Baylor 34: Ford rushes to the 30.

3^rd and 2 Illinois from the Baylor 30: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 17.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 17: Ford rushes to the 15.

2^nd and 8 Illinois from the Baylor 15: Leshoure rushes to the 14.

3^rd and 7 Illinois from the Baylor 14: Scheelhaase rushes to the 11.

4^th and 4 Illinois from the Baylor 11: Dimke makes field goal.

Illinois 6, Baylor 0

Dimke kiskc off to the 1, returned by Gordon to the 44.

Baylor ball on its own 44 with 3:45 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 44: Griffin sacked by Martez Wilson at the 41.

2^nd and 13 Baylor from its own 41: Griffin pass complete to Jerod Monk at the Illinois 49.

3^rd and 3 Baylor from the Illinois 49: Griffin fumbles ball. Recovered by Finley at the 50.

4^th and 4 Baylor from the 50: Epperson punts to the 9, Fayson calls fair catch.

Illinois ball on its own 9 with 1:49 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 9: Leshorue rushes to the 25.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 25: Leshoure rushes to the 34.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from its own 34: Scheelhaase pass complete to Darrus Millines at the Baylor 34.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 34: Holding Penalty called on Randall Hunt, loss of 10 yards, repeat first down.

1^st and 20 Illinois from the Baylor 44: Scheelhaase sacked by Mason at the 50.

Thoughts after the first quarter:

Illinois’ defense seems to have rediscovered its early season form after that early fumble return. Since that play, Baylor has gone three and out every time it gets the ball and Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III has been under constant pressure. On offense, Scheelhaase has looked great, completing all of his passes thus far and Leshoure continues his dominating running that has had opposing defenses shaking all season. The offense needs to get in the end zone and not be held to field goals, but Illinois is in good shape thus far.

2^nd Quarter

2^nd and 26 Illinois from the 50: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 41.

3^rd and 17 Illinois from the Baylor 41: Scheelhaase pass complete to Leshoure at the 26.

4^th and 2 Illinois from the Baylor 26: Dimke makes field goal.

Illinois 9, Baylor 0

Dimke kicks off to the 20, returned to the 33.

Baylor ball on its own 33 with 13:51 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 33: Griffin pass complete to Kendall Wright at the 39.

2^nd and 4 Baylor from its own 39: Griffin pass complete to Gordon at the 40.

3^rd and 3 Baylor from its own 40: Griffin pass incomplete to Wright.

4^th and 3 Baylor from its own 40: Epperson punts to the Illinois 14.

Illinois ball on its own 14 with 12:44 remaining.

1st and 10 Illinois from its own 14: Leshoure rushes to the 23.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from its own 23: Leshoure rushes to the 25.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 25: Leshoure rushes to the 30.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from its own 30: Ford rushes to the 31.

3^rd and 4 Illinois from its own 31: Scheelhaase pass complete to Fayson at the 43.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 43: Scheelhaase pass complete to Ryan Lankford at the Baylor 5.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Baylor 5: Leshoure rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 15, Baylor 0

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 16, Baylor 0

Dimke kicks off to the 5, returned to the 24.

Baylor ball on its own 24 with 9:42 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 24: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 36.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 36: Griffin pass incomplete to Reese.

2^nd and 10 Baylor from its own 36: Griffin throws pass away.

3^rd and 10 Baylor from its own 36: Griffin pass incomplete to Wright.

4^th and 10 Baylor from its own 36: Epperson punts to the Illinois 29.

Illinois ball on its own 29 with 9:01 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 29: Ford tackled at the 25.

2^nd and 14 Illinois from its own 25: Leshoure rushes to the 31.

3^rd and 8 Illinois from its own 31: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 41.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 41: Leshoure rushes to the 47.

2^nd and 4 Illinois from its own 47: Leshoure rushes to the 50.

3^rd and 1 Illinois from the 50: Leshoure tackled at the Illinois 49.

4^th and 2 Illinois from its own 49: Anthony Santella punts to the 7.

Baylor ball on its own 7 with 5:23 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 7: Finley rushes to the 8.

2^nd and 9 Baylor from its own 8: Penalty on Illinois. First down Baylor on their own 18.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 18: Griffin pass complete to Reese at the 20.

2^nd and 8 Baylor from its own 20: Griffin sacked by Clay Nurse at the 7.

3^rd and 21 Baylor from its own 7: Roughing the passer on Illinois, 16 yards,  first down.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 23: Griffin rushes to the 26.

2^nd and 7 Baylor from its own 26: Nick Florence pass complete to Wright at the 33.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 33: Griffin rushes to the 43.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 43: Finley rushes to the Illinois 49.

2^nd and 2 Baylor from the Illinois 49: Griffin pass incomplete to Wright.

3^rd and 2 Baylor from the Illinois 49: Griffin pass complete to Reese at the 32.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 32: Griffin fumbles. Recovered by Akeem Spence at the 32.

Illinois ball on its own 32 with 1:39 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 32: Scheelhaase pass complete to Fayson at the 36.

2^nd and 6 Illinois from its own 36: Scheelhaase pass complete to Fayson at the 40.

3^rd and 2 Illinois from its own 40: Scheelhaase pass complete to Ford at the 45.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 45: Scheelhaase pass complete to Leshoure at the Baylor 49.

2^nd and 4 Illinois from the Baylor 49:  Scheelhaase called for intentional grounding. 15 yard penalty, loss of down.

3^rd and 19 Illinois from its own 36: Leshoure rushes to the 39.

4^th and 16 Illinois from its own 39: Santella punts to the 15.

Baylor ball on its own 15 with 0:25 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 15: Griffin pass complete to Gordon at the 27.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 27: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 43.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 43: Griffin pass complete to Reese at the Illinois 40.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 40: Aaron Jones misses field goal.

Thoughts at the half:

Illinois could not have asked for a better first half. This may have been their best half of the season defensively, and on offense Leshoure and Scheelhaase have been exceptional. Scheelhaase may be the biggest surprise thus far, he completed his first 10 passes and has more yards passing in the first half than he did in Illinois last two regular season games combined. If Illinois can keep this up in the second half, things look very good for the Illini. The team must avoid getting complacent however, as Baylor has the potential to make this a game again very fast.

3^rd Quarter

Ben Parks kicks off to start the half. Millines returns kick to the 13.

Illinois ball on its own 13 with 14:53 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 13: Leshoure rushes to the 15.

2^nd and 8 Illinois from its own 15: Leshoure rushes to the 46.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 46: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to Jenkins.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from its own 46: Leshoure rushes to the 47.

3^rd and 9 Illinois from its own 47: Scheelhaase pass complete to Ford at the Baylor 39.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 39: Ford rushes to the 24.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 24: Ford rushes to the 23.

2^nd and 9 Illinois from the Baylor 23: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 13.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 13: Leshoure rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 22, Baylor 0

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 24, Baylor 0

Dimke kicks off to the 1, returned to the 27.

Baylor ball on its own 27 with 11:40 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 27: Griffin pass complete to Gordon at the 39.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 39: Griffin pass complete to Gordon at the 48.

2^nd and 1 Baylor from its own 48: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 50.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the 50: Griffin rushes to the Illinois 33.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 33: Finley rushes to the 29.

2^nd and 6 Baylor from the Illinois 29: Finley rushes to the 28.

3^rd and 5 Baylor from the Illinois 28: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 23.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 23: Griffin pass complete to Taylor at the 4.

1^st and Goal Baylor from the Illinois 4: Finley rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 24, Baylor 6

Parks makes PAT.

Illinois 24, Baylor 7

Parks kicks off, Millines returns to the 16.

Illinois ball on its own 16 with 8:03 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 16: Leshoure rushes to the 29.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 29: Leshoure rushes to the 30.

2^nd and 9 Illinois from its own 30: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to Fred Sykes.

3^rd and 9 Illinois from its own 30: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to Eddie McGee.

4th and 9 Illinois from its own 30: Santella punts to the 31, returned to the 49.

Baylor ball on its own 49 with 6:28 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 49: Griffin pass complete to Wright for no gain.

2^nd and 10 Baylor from its own 49: Griffin sacked at the 28.

3^rd and 31 Baylor from its own 28: Griffin pass complete to Terrance Williams at the 40.

4^th and 19 Baylor from its own 40: Epperson punts to the 25.

Illinois ball on its own 25 with 4:48 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 25: Leshoure rushes for no gain.

2^nd and 10 Illinois from its own 25: Scheelhaase pass complete to Jenkins at the 38.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 38: Scheelhaase tackled at the 36.

2^nd and 12 Illinois from its own 36: Leshoure tackles at the 34.

3^rd and 14 Illinois from its own 34: Scheelhaase pass complete to Ford at the 44.

4^th and 4 Illinois from its own 44: Santella punts to the 19.

Baylor ball on its own 19 with 1:45 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 19: Griffin rushes to the 24.

2^nd and 5 Baylor from its own 24: Griffin tackled at the 22.

3^rd and 7 Baylor from its own 22: Griffin pass complete to Taylor at the 50.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the 50: Griffin pass complete to Gordon for a loss at the 44.

Thoughts after the third quarter:

Illinois opened strong, but has slowed since. While the Illini still have a comfortable lead, Baylor is driving, and the Illini can not get too comfortable. The Illini really need to work the clock in the fourth quarter, as their drives are taking very little time off of the clock. Leshoure is very close to breaking Rashard Mendenhall’s single season rushing record, something to be sure to keep an eye on.

4^th Quarter

2^nd and 19 Baylor from its own 44: Griffin pass complete to Taylor at the Illinois 36.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 36: Griffin sacked at the 39.

2^nd and 13 Baylor from the Illinois 39: Griffin pass complete to Wright for a touchdown.

Illinois 24, Baylor 13

Jones makes PAT.

Illinois 24, Baylor 14

Parls kicks off to the 12, Millines returns to the 31.

Illinois ball on its own 31 with 13:43 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 31: Scheelhaase rushes to the 40.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from its own 40: Ford rushes to the 44.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 44: Ford rushes to the 49.

2^nd and 5 Illinois from its own 49: Scheelhaase pass incomplete to Leshoure.

3^rd and 5 Illinois from its own 49: Scheelhaase pass incomplete.

4^th and 5 Illinois from its own 49: Santella punts to the 12.

Baylor ball on its own 12 with 12:09 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 12: Finley rushes to the 17.

2^nd and 5 Baylor from its own 17: Finley rushes to the 21.

3^rd and 1 Baylor from its own 21: Griffin rushes for no gain.

4^th and 1 Baylor from its own 21: Epperson punts to the 34.

Illinois ball on its own 34 with 9:54 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 34: Leshoure rushes to the 43.

2^nd and 1 Illinois from its own 43: Scheelhaase pass complete to Evan Wilson at the Baylor 32.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 32: Ford rushes to the 20.

1^st and 10 Illinois from the Baylor 20: Ford rushes to the 13.

2^nd and 3 Illinois from the Baylor 13: Leshoure rushes to the 10.

1^st and Goal Illinois from the Baylor 10: Leshoure rushes to the 9.

2^nd and Goal Illinois from the Baylor 9: Leshoure rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 30, Baylor 14

Dimke Makes PAT.

Illinois 31, Baylor 14

Dimke kicks off for a touchback.

Baylor ball on its own 20 with 7:14 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 20: Griffin tackled at the 17.

2^nd and 13 Baylor from its own 17: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 31.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 31: Griffin pass complete to Gordon at the 41.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 41: Finley rushes to the 47.

2^nd and 4 Baylor from its own 47: Griffin rushes to the Illinois 33.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 33: Griffin pass incomplete.

2^nd and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 33: Griffin pass complete to Taylor at the 14.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 14: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 17.

2^nd and 13 Baylor from the Illinois 17: Griffin pass complete to Wright at the 10.

3^rd and 6 Baylor from the Illinois 10: Griffin pass incomplete.

4^th and 6 Baylor from the Illinois 10: Griffin pass incomplete.

Illinois ball on its own 10 with 3:34 remaining.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 10: Leshoure rushes to the 18.

2^nd and 2 Illinois from its own 18: Leshoure rushes to the 23.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 23: Leshoure rushes to the 47.

1^st and 10 Illinois from its own 47: Scheelhaase rushes for a touchdown.

Illinois 37, Baylor 14

Dimke makes PAT.

Illinois 38, Baylor 14

Nate Bussey kicks off out of bounds.

Baylor ball on its own 40 with 0:41 remaining.

1^st and 10 Baylor from its own 40: Finley rushes to the 49.

2^nd and 1 Baylor from its own 49: Finley rushes to the 33.

1^st and 10 Baylor from the Illinois 33: Griffin pass incomplete.

End Of Game.

Final Score: Illinois 38, Baylor 14

Check back Friday for a recap of Illinois’ big Texas Bowl victory.