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Iowa batters Illinois with run game, 30-14

Sports

November 15th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Running back Mark Weisman ran for 134 yards and Iowa battered Illinois with 587 yards of offense Saturday in a 30-14 win. The Hawkeyes (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) ran for a season-high 304 yards. Quarterback Jake Rudock was 14-21 for 210 yards and two touchdowns before leaving in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.

Early on, Iowa had to scrounge for points. The Hawkeyes took a 2-0 lead on a first-quarter safety and Illinois’ defense stopped them three times on fourth down to keep the game close. Iowa led 9-7 at the half. But Iowa’s run game wore Illinois (4-6, 1-5) down and set up 21 second-half points that sealed the game.

Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt played for the first time since breaking his left leg Oct. 4 against Purdue. But he finished a quiet 14-25 for 102 yards and one touchdown.