Illini's future looks rosy

CHAMPAIGN -- A decade, if not two, has flown past since the last time the home fans chanted this inside Memorial Stadium:

"Pa-sa-de-na! Pa-sa-de-na!"

The best part for Illinois? It wasn't just wishful screaming for a Rose Bowl berth.

Not after the Illini led Wisconsin from start to finish Saturday to halt the nation's longest winning streak at 14.

Illinois staked its claim to half of the Big Ten lead -- as well as meaningful spots in the Top 25 and BCS standings -- with a 31-26 victory over the fifth-ranked Badgers.

Junior running back Rashard Mendenhall scorched Wisconsin for 193 total yards and 3 touchdowns as Illinois (5-1, 3-0) defeated a top-five team for the first time since 1989 and won back-to-back games against ranked foes for the first time since 1959.

"This game was definitely a statement," Mendenhall said. "Last game was a statement. I can't really say where everybody sees us, but we're definitely gaining respect. People are starting to see us as a legitimate program."

While his players stormed the north stands for the second straight week to celebrate with the students, Illini coach Ron Zook stopped in the end zone for a moment to bask in the atmosphere.

"I'm like in a state of shock," Zook said. "You know, you're so wound up the whole game and it just feels so good to catch your breath.

"I just tried to take it in, the Illini Nation, that they could enjoy it. Just to look at them all -- and they're happy."

There might be a frown or two in the days to come as two of Illinois' "Big Three" finished the game on the bench with injuries.

Freshman receiver Arrelious Benn, who caught a team-high 5 passes, appeared to suffer another dislocation of his right shoulder late in the third quarter.

And quarterback Juice Williams, who enjoyed his finest all-around game with 121 passing yards and 92 rushing yards, hyperextended his knee and sat for the final 4:12.

"I should be fine," Williams said.

Judging by Wisconsin's comments -- and the production by the Illini's power trio -- it could be a problem if Benn and Williams can't go next week at Iowa.

"They have three players on offense who can change the game in one play," said Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema. "It's a nice option to have. They put the ball in position to do so and make plays when they have to."

Mendenhall, who owned 100 rushing yards three minutes into the second quarter, wasted little time making plays that asserted himself as the game's best back.

With 7:19 left in the first quarter, Illinois attacked Wisconsin's porous perimeter as Mendenhall took Williams' option pitch through a huge hole on the right for a 32-yard score.

Mendenhall then staked the Illini to a 17-0 lead with 7:04 left in the half when he took an option pitch right for a 5-yard score -- though it technically counted as a touchdown pass because Williams pitched it slightly forward.

That's when Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan finally swung into action.

With tailback P.J. Hill, the nation's No. 6 rusher, struggling to find any running room, Donovan started throwing on almost every down.

He led the Badgers to scores on four consecutive drives -- 2 field goals and then 2 touchdowns -- to get Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1) to within 24-19 after three quarters.

Then, given the chance in the fourth quarter to wrap up the Badgers' customary second-half comeback, Donovan made the game's only two monstrous mistakes.

First, he overthrew freshman David Gilreath and the ball landed in senior safety Kevin Mitchell's arms for an interception at the Illini 16.

Then he revisited a fly pattern to Travis Beckum (11 catches, 160 yards) that earned 35 yards earlier in the half. Only this time, cornerback Vontae Davis got even with his third fourth-quarter interception in as many weeks.

Donovan (27-for-49, 392 yards) fired 1 final touchdown pass with 1:31 to go, but Kyle Hudson pounced on the onside kick and the Illini ran out the clock for their most prestigious win at home since edging No. 5 Ohio State in 1985.

"Fulfilling," said fifth-year senior linebacker J Leman, who posted a game-high 12 tackles. "Very fulfilling."