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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- Virginia is still 0-for-Florida.
Quarterback Kurt Kittner ran for a score, threw two touchdown
passes and caught another one as Illinois beat the Cavaliers 63-21
Thursday night in the Micronpc.com Bowl.
The loss was Virginia's fifth in five bowl games in Florida.
Illinois capped a remarkable turnaround under third-year coach
Ron Turner. The Illini went 0-11 two years ago and finished 3-8
last season. After the game, several Illini players jumped into the
stands to celebrate with their fans.
"I told the guys it's not the end, it's the beginning," Turner
said.
The Illini (8-4) beat Michigan and Ohio State on the road this
year and won the most games since 1990. The season ended Thursday
on a four-game winning streak capped by their most complete game of
the year.
Illinois scored nine touchdowns on 13 possessions. The defense
held Virginia's Thomas Jones, the nation's No. 3 rusher, to 110
yards on the ground. And on special teams, the Illini blocked two
punts that set up touchdowns.
"I have no explanation," Virginia coach George Welsh said.
"I'm embarrassed by that performance; I'm absolutely bewildered.
We got whacked on defense, then it was a snowball running downhill.
"I'd like to burn the tape, but I'm going to make them watch it
in January. Maybe it will be incentive for the winter program. This
was bad. It takes a lot away from the season when you end up like
that."
Kittner, a sophomore from Schaumburg, Ill., scored on a 1-yard
bootleg on the opening drive. He also threw two touchdowns in the
first half. But his best play may have come on a perfectly executed
reverse to Brandon Lloyd.
With Illinois leading 14-7, Kittner faked a handoff to Steve
Havard, handed off to Lloyd and then slipped down the left sideline
unnoticed. Lloyd rolled right, stopped, and threw back to the
wide-open Kittner. He caught the pass in stride and strolled
untouched into the end zone.
Kittner chucked the ball into the stands, apparently attempting
to throw the ball to his mother, Lee Trantin, who has multiple
sclerosis. Kittner has said his mother is his inspiration.
Illinois, playing in its first bowl game since the 1994 Liberty
Bowl, scored its most points in a bowl game and their most points
in a game since 1989. It also was a record for the Micronpc.com
Bowl, previously known as the Carquest and the Blockbuster.
Virginia (7-5) tied the game 7-7 on Jones' 7-yard run. Jones
carried three times on the three-play drive was set up by Jameel
Cook's fumble.
Jones ran for 82 yards on 14 carries in the first half, but the
huge deficit seemed to take him out of the game.
Illinois scored 28 second-quarter points and led 42-7 at
halftime.
"They did whatever they wanted to do," Jones said. "We were
basically finished at halftime. Whenever we get behind, this is
what happens."
The Illini racked up 372 yards in the first half and finished
with 611, running the ball and working the clock for the majority
of the second half.
Kittner was 14-of-24 for 254 yards before being replaced by Kirk
Johnson with about eight minutes to play. With his two touchdown
passes, Kittner broke Jeff George's school record for the most TD
passes in a season. Kittner threw 24 this year, breaking George's
mark of 22 set in 1989.
Rocky Harvey ran for 122 yards on 10 carries and Havard added 75
yards. They each scored twice.
Virginia, which had a three-game winning streak snapped,
continued its futility in Florida bowl games. In addition to
Thursday's loss, the Cavaliers have lost twice in the Carquest Bowl
(1994 and 1996), once in the Gator Bowl (1991) and once in the
Citrus Bowl (1990).
"They're not as good as we made them look tonight," Jones
said.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
Illinois Clubhouse
Virginia Clubhouse
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