Grades are in: Moczulski earns top honors after game winner
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Grades are in: Moczulski earns top honors after game winner
Oct. 31—Player of the game
Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski
It wasn't a perfect day for Moczulski. His 52-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter wound up short and left. But the Spokane, Wash., native — back for his second stint with Illinois after a year at Washington — came through when it mattered most. He made a 45-yard field goal midway though the third quarter to cut into the Illini's deficit and powered through his no doubter 26-yard gamer winner as the clock hit all zeros at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md. A moment five years in the making for the longtime backup.
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Offense
Illinois: A-
Maryland: C
Katin Houser playing in Saturday's game was a surprise given the initial timetable Illinois coach Bret Bielema gave for his return off hand surgery was four to six weeks. The veteran quarterback did throw an early interception, but he settled in to give the Illini the passing attack it needed with a run game that didn't get going until late. The Terrapins were in the opposite position, with quarterback Malik Washington getting less efficient and less effective as the game progressed.
Defense
Illinois: B
Maryland: C-
Two takeaways in a single game marks a season-high for Illinois. Both came in necessary moments, with James Kreutz forcing a fumble by Maryland running back DeJuan Williams at the goal line and Tanner Heckel picking off Washington with the Terrapins in Illini territory. While Washington did find some holes in the Illinois secondary for seven chunk passing plays, the Illini held Maryland to just 66 total yards in the pivotal fourth quarter.
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Special teams
Illinois: A
Maryland: A
Moczulski, of course, earned his way into the postgame press conference by kicking the game-winner, but he wasn't the only specialist to put together a solid afternoon in College Park. Illinois punter Lars Rau was effective at keeping Maryland at bay, averaging 43.4 yards on five punts, with one pinning the Terrapins inside the 20-yard line. Maryland had similar success, as Sean O'Haire made his only field goal attempt, and Bryce McFerson pinned Illinois inside the 20 on three of his five punts.
Coaching
Illinois: A
Maryland: B-
Bielema and Co. had a direct impact on the end of the game, with practice repetitions and clear communication on the sideline putting Jordan Anderson in position to know to kneel before the end zone — despite getting free run for a touchdown — to keep the clock running on Illinois' final drive. The Illini only needed a field goal to win, and scoring the touchdown would have given Maryland a chance to answer.
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Overall
Illinois: A-
Maryland: C
The Illini were in a tight spot after losing to Purdue at the start of October. The state of the team in the aftermath of the mutual parting of ways with first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck ahead of that game with the Boilermakers wasn't great. Three games — and three wins — later there's far less skepticism about securing a bowl berth for a third straight season. Bielema's entire purpose in Champaign was to build a consistent winner. Consistent winners are in the postseason every year, and Illinois is now just one win away.
