Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Colby Cameron tossed four touchdown passes as
the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs cruised to an easy non-conference win over the
Illinois Fighting Illini, 52-24, at Memorial Stadium.
Cameron completed 15-of-22 passes for 284 yards for Louisiana Tech (3-0), which
has won 10 of its last 11 games dating back to last season. Quinton Patton
hauled in six receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns, while Tevin King ran
in two scores on the ground.
For Illinois (2-2), Nathan Scheelhaase started under center (8-of-11, 85 yards,
TD, INT) before being relieved for Reilly O'Toole, who completed 19-of-25
passes for 120 yards. Donovonn Young led all rushers with 78 yards and also
added a touchdown. The Illini committed six turnovers, and it was their worst
non-conference regular season loss since 1996.
Illinois started the scoring six minutes into the game when Scheelhaase
connected with Ryan Lankford on an 18-yard touchdown.
Louisiana Tech tied the score at 7-7 a few minutes later on a 27-yard touchdown
catch by D.J. Banks from Cameron. The Bulldogs took the lead on their next
possession on a nine-yard touchdown rush from King. They scored their third
straight touchdown just before the close of the first quarter on another
rushing score from King.
The Illini halted the Louisiana Tech run early in the second quarter with a 26-
yard field goal from Taylor Zalewski to make it 21-10.
Illinois brought its deficit to just four later in the second quarter following
a one-yard touchdown rush from Young. The score would remain 21-17 heading into
halftime.
Louisiana Tech wasted no time padding its lead in the third quarter as Cameron
completed a 78-yard touchdown pass to Patton less than a minute into the second
half.
The Bulldogs continued to pull away just a few minutes later with another
Cameron-to-Patton touchdown connection (21 yards) to go up 35-17. They tacked
on another score midway through the third quarter when Antonio Mitchum returned
an Illinois fumble for a score.
Louisiana Tech added on more points before the end of the third quarter. A 33-
yard field goal from Matt Nelson brought its lead to 45-17.
Cameron added yet another touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, this time a 38-
yard strike to Myles White. Illinois scored one more touchdown before the game
was finished on a one-yard rush from Reilly O'Toole.
Louisiana Tech has now scored 50 or more points in each game this season.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network