Illinois Football’s Triumph Over Maryland Highlighted by Three Key Stats
In a pivotal Big Ten matchup, Illinois secured a convincing 24-6 victory against Maryland on November 16, 2025. After a period of rest, the Illini faced a struggling Terrapins team that had lost five consecutive games. This win improved Illinois’s record to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference.
Three Key Stats from Illinois Football’s Triumph Over Maryland
1. Strong Defensive Performance on Third Downs
One of the standout metrics was Illinois’s defense on third downs. Despite previously ranking low in this area, the Illini excelled against Maryland. They limited the Terrapins to just a 25% conversion rate, successfully shutting them down on 3 of 12 attempts.
- Maryland’s third-down conversion rate: 25.0% (3 of 12)
- Fourth-down conversion attempts: 0 for 2
- Previous Illinois defense ranking: No. 126 among 134 FBS teams
2. Hudson Clement’s Impactful Performance
Wide receiver Hudson Clement, a West Virginia transfer, played a crucial role in the victory. After gaining momentum in previous games, he caught two touchdown passes and totaled 72 receiving yards against the Terrapins.
- Touchdowns by Hudson Clement: 2
- Receptions: 3
- Total receiving yards: 72
3. Revitalized Rushing Attack
The Illinois rushing game had its best outing of the season, amassing 225 yards. Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin, and Ca’Lil Valentine each contributed significantly. Particularly, Feagin led the team with 81 yards.
- Illinois rushing yards: 225
- Aidan Laughery: not specified
- Kaden Feagin: 81 yards
- Ca’Lil Valentine: 64 yards
- Luke Altmyer: 62 yards
This victory presents a promising outlook for Illinois as they aim for a strong finish to the season and potentially a second consecutive 10-win campaign. The performance against Maryland showcases their potential for improvement and establishes key players for future games.
