FOOTBALL: Kent State at Illinois, First Half

By David Carducci

Director of New Media

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – There were not many positives to touch on after Illinois dominated the first half to the tune of 38-0.

I was on the field taking some photos for the first 10 minutes, and by the time I got to back to the press box it was 21-0 Illini. That was not the start the Golden Flashes expected after coaches preached "first five minutes" in the pregame locker room.

By the end of the first quarter, Illinois led 28-0. That is a first-quarter scoring record for Illinois dating back at least to the 1960s. The Illinois sports Information staff is still searching back through their record books.

The only real positive of the first 30 minutes for Kent State was a 58-yard pass from Colin Reardon to Kris White late in the second quarter. The negatives, however, were plentiful.

Four turnovers led to 28 quick points for the Illini. Three times, they scored on one-play drives following turnovers.

Special teams were a major issue with a slew of penalties, missed tackles and, worst of all, a blocked short field goal late in the second quarter that was the result of poor blocking up front. Shane Hynes never had a chance on the first field-goal attempt of his career as the Flashes let hi down up front.

A false start penalty two plays earlier negated what would have been a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Trayion Durham (4 carries for 10 yards in limited work). All 10 of Durham's yards came on one run as he moved the pile down to the 1 yard line moving the chains. Sadly, the Flashes could not score from a yard out.

The secondary has had problems with Illinois receivers, who either got behind the secondary, or leaped up through double and triple coverage to make plays.

Reardon is off to a very tough start in 2015 with three interceptions in a 5-for-12 first half. The first pick did not appear to be his fault as a receiver tipped a catchable ball into the air. Interception No. 3 probably should have been a defensive holding penalty against Illinois as a defender grabbed Ernest Calhoun on a quick slant.

Turnover No. 4 was a muffed punt by Calhoun.