Shonn Greene Gets 100 Yards for Ninth Consecutive Game, But Hawkeyes Fall

Illinois kicker Matt Eller drained a 46-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter as the Illini were able to fight off a ferocious fourth-quarter comeback by visiting Iowa Saturday, 27-24. 

Down by a 24-9 margin at one point, Iowa got a big boost in the form of a long touchdown pass from Ricky Stanzi to senior wide receiver Andy Brodell to cut the Illinois lead to eight. 

With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Mitch King of Iowa forced a fumble and set up the Hawkeye offense with great field position and an opportunity to tie the game. 

Shonn Greene, who had been quiet the first three quarters, erupted for a superb fourth quarter and scored on a five-yard run with less than a minute remaining in regulation. Stanzi followed that score with a two-point conversion to reserve tight end Allen Reisner, and, suddenly, the Hawkeyes had scored 15 unanswered to tie the game. 

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, who was erratic throughout the game, stepped up in the clutch to hit five different receivers on the winning drive. 

Both teams played poorly offensively early, and each side turned the ball over three times. Iowa made its way inside the 10-yard line on three straight drives and couldn't convert any of them into touchdowns, due large in part to the production of stud running back and Heisman hopeful Shonn Greene.

Greene was shut down by Illinois in the first three quarters, gaining only 69 yards through the first three frames. He finished the game with a strong fourth quarter, rushing for 34 yards and a score to keep his Heisman hopes alive.

Both teams are 5-4 and one win away from bowl eligibility. Iowa will take on third-ranked Penn State next Saturday.

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