$Illinois Football\'s Top Ten Plays of 2014$

Illinois Football's Top Ten Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Football's Top Ten Plays of 2014

Illinois fighting illini Football — For the most part, Illinois was a vanilla football team last year with a little surprise here and there. They finished the season 6-6 and made their first bowl game since 2011. It ended the season with a loss to Louisiana Tech in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Here are some memorable plays from the Fighting Illini in 2014.

10. Mike Dudek's Catch And Run Vs Ohio State

Mike Dudek illinois fighting illini

10. Mike Dudek's Catch And Run Vs Ohio State

Mike Dudek illinois fighting illini — This play was set up from the “swinging gate” formation that had Dudek split wide behind a few offensive lineman. Quarterback Reilly O’Toole flipped the ball out to Dudek and he was into the open field almost immediately. He was brought down 57 yards later by Ohio State defensive back Doran Grant. Unfortunately, this big play led to no points, but it was one of the very few bright spots in Illinois' 55-14 loss to the Buckeyes.

9. Josh Ferguson's Touchdown Reception Vs Youngstown State

josh ferguson illinois fighting illini

9. Josh Ferguson's Touchdown Reception Vs Youngstown State

Josh Ferguson illinois fighting illini — Illinois was struggling in its season opener with Youngstown State. Midway through the third quarter, the Illini found themselves down 17-14 to the Penguins, but quarterback Wes Lunt found running back Josh Ferguson for a 15-yard score to put Illinois up for good. The Illini won 28-17.

8. John Davis' Touchdown Reception Vs Louisiana Tech

Jon Davis illinois fighting illini

8. John Davis' Touchdown Reception Vs Louisiana Tech

Jon Davis illinois fighting illini — Illinois found itself down 14-3 to Louisiana Tech in the Heart of Dallas Bowl early in the second quarter when O’Toole dumped the ball off to tight end Jon Davis on a three-yard drag route. Davis broke a few tackles and took it 25 yards for six. The Illini wouldn’t have much of an offensive spark afterward in the 35-18 loss.

7. Justin Hardee's Long Touchdown Reception Vs Western Kentucky

Justin Hardee illinois fighting illini

7. Justin Hardee's Long Touchdown Reception Vs Western Kentucky

Justin Hardee illinois fighting illini — For the second week in a row, Illinois found itself struggling with a non-conference opponent. The Illini were down 27-21 to Western Kentucky early in the fourth quarter. That’s when Lunt found receiver Justin Hardee over the middle for a 62-yard touchdown to put Illinois up for good. The Illini won 42-34.

6. V'Angelo Bentley's Pick Six Vs Texas State

V'Angelo Bentley illinois fighting illini

6. V'Angelo Bentley's Pick Six Vs Texas State

V'Angelo Bentley illinois fighting illini — After spotting Texas State a 21-6 lead, the Illini came roaring back down the stretch. Late in the fourth quarter, Illinois kicked a field goal to go up 35-28, but the Bobcats had plenty of time to drive. But with just under three minutes to play, Illinois defensive back V’Angelo Bentley stepped in front of a Tyler Jones pass and took it 45 yards the other way to put the game out of reach. Illinois won 42-35.

5. Taylor Barton's Pick Six Vs Western Kentucky

Taylor Barton illinois fighting illini

5. Taylor Barton's Pick Six Vs Western Kentucky

Taylor Barton illinois fighting illini — After Hardee’s go-ahead touchdown reception, the Hilltoppers were driving once again. Defensive back Taylor Barton put a damper on it immediately, intercepting a Brandon Doughty pass and returning it 77 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.

4. David Reisner's Game-Winning Field Goal Vs Penn State

David Reisner illinois fighting illini

4. David Reisner's Game-Winning Field Goal Vs Penn State

David Reisner illinois fighting illini — Penn State had taken a 14-10 lead early in the fourth quarter in Champaign. Illinois added a field goal later to make the score 14-13. But the Illini needed one last push with less than two minutes to play. Seven plays and 54 yards later, kicker David Reisner nailed a 36-yard field goal to give Illini the lead and the game with eight seconds left.

3. T.J. Neal's Forced Fumble and V'Angelo Bentley's Fumble Return Vs Minnesota

V'Angelo Bentley illinois fighting illini

3. T.J. Neal's Forced Fumble and V'Angelo Bentley's Fumble Return Vs Minnesota

V'Angelo Bentley illinois fighting illini — No one expected Illinois to give Minnesota a hard time, but the Illini jumped out to an early 14-0 lead at home. The Gophers methodically clawed their way back to a 24-21 lead that lasted midway through the fourth quarter. That’s when linebacker TJ Neal stripped the ball from Minnesota running back David Cobb deep in Gopher territory. Bentley returned the fumble 12 yards for the deciding touchdown.

2. Josh Ferguson's Long Touchdown Run Vs Northwestern

Josh Ferguson illinois fighting illini

2. Josh Ferguson's Long Touchdown Run Vs Northwestern

Josh Ferguson1 illinois fighting illini — The Illini took an early lead against its chief rival Northwestern and led 26-7 at the half. The Wildcats got within eight points of Illinois in the fourth quarter before Ferguson squeaked by the defense for 46 yards to put the Illini up 40-25 with just under 13 minutes left in the game.

1. Mason Monheim's Game-Clinching Pick Six Vs Northwestern

Mason Monheim illinois fighting illini

1. Mason Monheim's Game-Clinching Pick Six Vs Northwestern

Mason Monheim illinois fighting illini — With time winding down, Northwestern was making a last-gasp effort to stay with in a possession of Illinois. The Wildcats had just converted a fourth down and were facing first and ten from their own 46. Linebacker Mason Monheim picked off Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian and raced 49 yards for the touchdown, serving as the exclamation point in Illinois’ victory over their in-state rival.

Highlights Of Illinois' Victory Over Northwestern

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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