August 30, 2008
Missouri vs Illinois
The 6th ranked Missouri Tigers with coach Gary Pinkel meet the 20th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini & coach Ron Zook at a neutral site in St. Louis. The teams combined for 94 points, the 4th highest scoring Belt game in history, with the Tigers holding on for a 52-42 win to retain The Belt. Missouri’s QB Chase Daniel threw 3 touchdowns while All-Big XII LB Sean Weatherspoon forced 2 turnovers late in the game to secure the win. Fighting Illini’s QB Juice Williams threw for 451 yards, the 5th highest total in a Belt game, with 5 touchdowns, tied for the 3rd highest total in a Belt game. The game opening with Missouri’s offense picking-up where it left off to end last season. Daniel was a perfect 5 for 5 on pass attempts leading a 10-play, 67-yard drive with RB Derrick Washington carrying the final 7 yards for a touchdown. Illinois got on the board late in the quarter when Williams connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Will Judson. The blocked extra-point attempt left the Fighting Illini trailing 7-6 as the 2nd quarter started. Tigers’ All-Big XII PK Jeff Wolfert pushed the Missouri lead to 10-6 when he kicked a 51-yard field goal early in the quarter. Momentum seemed to shift to Illinois on the Tigers’ next drive as Daniel was intercepted by Fighting Illini’s DE Derek Walker. Walker returned the pick 34 yards giving Illinois their only lead of the game at 13-10. It took Missouri just seconds to respond as All-Big XII WR Jeremy Maclin returned the ensuing kick-off 99 yards for a touchdown but it was the next drive for the Tigers that really took the wind out of the Illini sails. Following a touchback, Missouri took 3 plays to go 80 yards with Washington breaking free for a 40-yard touchdown run giving the Tigers a 24-13 lead. Just before intermission, Daniel connected with TE Chase Coffman on a 17-yard touchdown pass as Missouri led 31-13 at the half. Illinois rallied in the 2nd half but could never quite get over the hump. Williams threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Duvalt before Daniel threw 2 touchdown passes, 4 & 21 yards, to WR Tommy Saunders as the Tigers pushed their lead to 45-20. The second score to Saunders came just 1 play after Maclin returned a punt 46 yards late in the quarter. Williams quickly got the score back for the Fighting Illini as he connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Duvalt to regain some momentum for Illinois entering the final quarter. A 65-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Judson got the Fighting Illini within 10 points early in the 4th quarter. As Williams continued to have a hot hand passing, it was Weatherspoon who kept the Tigers in position to hold the lead. Two plays after Williams connected with Judson on a 53-yard gain, Weatherspoon intercepted the Fighting Illini’s quarterback at the Missouri 26-yard line. With 3:39 left & still down by 10 points, Williams dropped to pass from his own 30-yard line. Weatherspoon stepped in front of the pass at the 35-yard line, made the catch, & raced into the end zone to secure the win. Williams added a 5-yard touchdown pass to WR Michael Hoomanawanui as time expired for the final points. Daniel’s 323 yards passing included 3 touchdowns with an interception, Coffman had 9 catches for 120 yards with a touchdown, & Washington rushed for 130 yards with 2 touchdowns. Williams 451 yards passing with 5 touchdowns including 2 interceptions while Judson had 177 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns in the loss. Illinois finished the season 5-7 while Missouri finished 10-4, ranked 19th nationally. Illinois has not played for The Belt again.
In 2008 those 2 teams were ranked that high! WOW!