CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football forced four defensive turnovers en route to a 23-17 win over #19 Kansas Saturday night.

The Illini used a fourth-quarter push to seal the victory in front of an orange-out sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium. The win lifts Illinois to their first 2-0 start since the 2019 season.

Illinois was the first on the board, as kicker David Olano knocked through a 23-yard-field goal to put the orange and blue up 3-0.

After tying the game just minutes later, the Jayhawks scored the first touchdown on a pass to Luke Grimm in the back of the endzone to go up 10-3 with under four minutes remaining in the half.

Following another Olano field goal, Illinois' Xavier Scott made a defensive read and took an interception 30-yards for a touchdown. The score shifted momentum as the teams went to the locker room, with Illinois out front 13-10.

Midway through the third quarter, the Jayhawks responded on another touchdown pass to jump back into the lead.

A surge by the Illini offense in the final 15 minutes would propel them to victory, sparked by a goal line score by Kaden Feagin, later leading to a final field goal to ice the game.

Illinois remains at home on September 14, when they host Central Michigan. 

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