Prolific Illinois Leaves Virginia Feeling Very Miserable

MIAMI â€”  Virginia is still 0 for Florida.

Quarterback Kurt Kittner ran for a score, threw two touchdown passes and caught another as Illinois defeated 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.�

Virginia finished 7-5.

Kittner, a sophomore, scored on a one-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 which ended with Lloyd connecting with him on a touchdown pass.

Illinois, playing in its first bowl game since 1994, scored its most points in a bowl game and its most points in a game since 1989. It also was a record for the Micronpc.com Bowl, previously called the Carquest and the Blockbuster.