Instead, Illinois failed to convert a slew of opportunities in the red zone and got hammered by a 35-7 margin.

The Illini had two field goals blocked, missed another short field goal and also turned the ball over at the Iowa two-yard line. Had they converted those opportunities, Illinois might have had a chance to steal the game on the road.

But Ron Zook's team grew discouraged as the game rolled along and the missed opportunities mounted. Illinois did not get into the endzone until Tim Brasic hit E.B. Halsey with a one-yard TD pass in the third quarter. That scored drew Illinois within two touchdowns at 21-7, but when Iowa responded with a Drew Tate TD pass four minutes later, hope evaporated on the Illini sideline.

Iowa, which had struggled badly in losses to Iowa State and Ohio State, looked powerful and refreshed against the Illini. The running game was particularly effective with 297 yards and Albert Young ran for 101 and Damian Sims added 80 more, including a 66-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

The Illinois defense, as it has for most of the last three seasons, looked a step slow and had trouble tackling. Being in the right position but unable to bring down ball carriers has been a trademark for this long-dormant unit.

PK Jason Reda had been among the most dependable players on the team in the early part of the season and had made 8-of-9 FG attempts coming into this game. However, Iowa DE Kenny Iwebema blocked two of Reda's attempts and the kicker also pushed a 20-yard attempt off line.

The Illini will try to get it back on track against Iowa on the road this week.

KEEP AN EYE ON: SS Justin Harrison -- Most Illinois defenders seem to have a problem making one-on-one tackles. Not Harrison, who had nine stops and also returned a Drew Tate interception 30 yards.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You can't miss opportunities the way we did. If you want to win on the road in this conference, you have to take advantage when you get a chance to make something happen." -- Illinois head coach Ron Zook on the two blocked FG attempts, the missed FG attempt and the interception that Brasic threw deep in the red zone.

-- RB Pierre Thomas can eat up yards when he can get to the outside. He had 15 carries for 100 yards against a very physical Iowa defense.

-- LB J Leman remains a passionate and aggressive player who registered eight tackles and one forced fumble.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: It's almost impossible for Illinois to put significant pressure on quarterbacks who play behind solid offensive lines. The Illini did not register a sack or even a QB hurry against Iowa QB Drew Tate. As a result, Tate carved up Illinois by completing 17-of-22 passes.

-- WR Kendrick Jones is supposed to be the team's go-to receiver. He only caught two passes for 25 yards against the Hawkeyes and could not get open.

-- PK Jason Reda had been 8-of-9 on FG attempts coming into the Iowa game, but missed all three against the Hawkeyes. Two of his kicks were blocked by DE Kenny Iwebema and he pulled a 20-yard attempt wide left.

ROSTER REPORT: Linebacker Anthony Thornhill returned from an ankle injury to register eight stops and the team's only TFL in the game.