Illini on short end of reviews

CHAMPAIGN - After further review ... Illinois still lost.

Reviews played a major role in Saturday's 27-20 loss to Minnesota, and while replay officials appeared to get the calls correct, they did no favors for the home team.

Trailing 14-6 in the third quarter, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams dived for the end zone on third down, only to be ruled down inches from the goal line. Replays confirmed the ruling.

On the next play, Williams ran a bootleg and scored - at least until the play went upstairs for review. Williams' knee touched just before the ball crossed the plane, taking a potential game-tying score (with a 2-point conversion) off the board.

"I thought I crossed it, but obviously my knee was down," Williams said.

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said he thought the bootleg would work because Minnesota's corners were pinching in for a QB sneak.

"That's on me as a coach," Locksley said. "I've got to get us in the end zone."

Minnesota's first score came on a replay reversal. Matched up against Illinois all-Big Ten corner Vontae Davis, Eric Decker burned Davis for what originally was called a 22-yard completion, then turned into a 25-yard touchdown on review.

Decker, the nation's leading receiver in yards and second in catches entering the game, caught 9 passes for 86 yards.

Nothing special: "We lost this game as a team - offense, defense and special teams," Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn said.

While Benn is probably correct, and he certainly is saying the right things, special teams might want to shoulder more than its third of the blame.

Two kickoffs sailed out of bounds, handing Minnesota good field position. Matt Eller missed a field goal. The Illini gave up a fake punt for a first down, and Sam Carson's block in the back on a kick return put Illinois into a hole starting the second half at its own 7-yard line.

That quickly turned into 7 points for the Gophers when Daniel Dufrene fumbled on first play of the second half and Naperville Central product Small recovered for Minnesota. DeLeon Eskridge followed with the first of his 2 TD runs.

It could have been even worse. Benn fumbled a punt return at the end of the first half, but Illinois kept possession when Benn was called for an "invalid fair catch signal."

Benn said he was shielding his eyes from the sun and not trying to call for a fair catch. Illinois caught a break when officials ruled he did make the signal, taking the fumble recovery away from the Gophers.

"I didn't call for a fair catch but one time," Benn said. "We got lucky."

Outdoor hoops: A sunny, 72-degree day gave Illinois perfect weather for its World's Biggest Basketball Practice, which it held after the game on an orange court between the south goal post and the horseshoe.

For years nobody looked forward to sitting in the horseshoe, but those turned into the best seats to catch a glimpse of the 2008-09 Illini.

"This was a unique event, something our players will be able to look back on years from now and know they were part of something memorable, playing outside on a football field in front of thousands of fans," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "The players had fun."

Illinois, which starts practice next week, might have hoped more of the crowd would stay and watch, but most filed out quickly following the disappointing loss.

"Today was about having some fun," Illinois guard Demetri McCamey said. "Playing outside in this setting, it was just like being in the park back home, only with a lot more people watching."