UConn football vs. Illinois: Starting lineup and game updates

Since Randy Edsall is only sharing participation lists, we thought it’d be helpful to share who ends up starting for the Huskies. We’ll also have live updates from the game here.

The biggest news is that Mike Beaudry, who started at quarterback against Wagner, is out with an injury and true freshman Jack Zergiotis is in.

Live Updates

1st Quarter

11:14 - TOUCHDOWN, UConn - Safety Tyler Coyle picks off Brandon Peters and takes it 62 yards to the house! 7-0 Huskies.

3:56 - FIELD GOAL, UConn - Clayton Harris puts it through after a long, impressive drive helmed by Zergiotis (and aided by a little Illinois dumbassery). Huskies up 10-0, something we definitely all predicted.

2:19 - TURNOVER ON DOWNS - Kevon Jones puts the fear of god into Illinois running back Ra’Von Bonner, giving UConn the ball back on the Illini 49.

2nd Quarter

14:57 - FIELD GOAL, UConn - Another impressive drive for the Huskies ends in a field goal. It might come back to bite them, but at this point it’s nice to see them move it down the field well with a true freshman QB. 13-0 UConn.

11:43 - TOUCHDOWN, Illinois - Fighting Illini finally get on the board with a short pass from Brandon Peters to Ra’Vonn Bonner. 13-7 UConn, one-score game.

5:51 - TOUCHDOWN, Illinois - Welp, that was quick. Illinois in the lead as Brandon Peters rolls to his left, escaping danger, and tosses it up for Josh Imatorbhebhe to haul in. 14-13, Illinois.

0:55 - TOUCHDOWN, Illinois - Threads unraveling for UConn’s pass defense here, as Dylan Barker absolutely smokes Ryan Gilmartin in coverage for their third touchdown in three straight possessions.

14:57 - FIELD GOAL, Illinois - This game has certainly turned on a dime, Illinois adds a 53-yard boot to enter halftime up 24-13.

Third Quarter

14:41 - FUMBLE, Illinois recovered by UConn - After nearly allowing Illinois to take it to the house on the opening kickoff of the half, RB Tony Adams muffs the handoff and “Big” Travis Jones recovers.

11:14 - TOUCHDOWN, UConn - Gutsy second effort from Mensah is rewarded after video review, and UConn is right back in it. 24-20 Illinois.

6:09 - TOUCHDOWN, Illinois - Not sure if I’ve ever seen that many penalties on a drive in person. Certainly not two facemasks in a row. Illinois back up double digits, 31-20.

Fourth Quarter

14:57 - FIELD GOAL, UConn - Zergiotis has been slinging it around so far, the arm strength is advertised, but this drive stalled out due to his poor pocket presence. 31-23 Illinois.

FINAL SCORE - Illinois 31, UConn 23. A solid effort from UConn combined with some penalty funkiness results in a respectable loss for the Huskies.

Starting Lineup

Offense

QB - Jack Zergiotis

RB - Art Thompkins, Kevin Mensah

WR - Matt Drayton, Ardell Brown and Cam Ross

T - Ryan Van Demark

G - Cam DeGeorge

C - Nino Leone

G - Christian Haynes

T - Matt Peart

TE - Dovovan Williams, Jay Rose

Defense

DL - Travis Jones, Lwal Ugak, Caleb Thomas, Kevon Jones

LB - Dillon Harris, Ryan Gilmartin, D.J. Morgan

CB - Keyshawn Paul, Tahj Herring-Wilson

S - Tyler Coyle, Diamond Harrell

Special Teams

KO - Noah Iden

PK - Clayton Harris

P - Luke Magliozzi

PR - Quayvon Skanes