A Long Day For Illinois, 59-0 : Quarterback Throws 4 Touchdown Passes in Iowa Rout

Iowa rebounded from its lone loss of the season last week at Ohio State to humiliate Illinois, 59-0, Saturday.

The 22-13 loss to Ohio State dropped Iowa from No. 1 to No. 6. The Hawkeyes looked more like a No. 1 team Saturday.

Quarterback Chuck Long hooked up with Robert Smith for two touchdown bombs to highlight a 35-point Iowa first-quarter explosion as the Hawkeyes scored on their first five possessions.

Long completed 10 of 12 passes for 188 yards in the first quarter. His bombs to Smith covered 49 and 43 yards.

“We have pride like the Marine Corps,” Iowa Coach Hayden Fry said. “We might lose the battle, but we won’t lose the war.

“We got the momentum early, and our youngsters were ready to win. They were heart-broken and embarrassed last week.”

Long set two Big Ten records, and the Iowa defense posted its second shutout of the season by forcing nine turnovers and holding the Illini to five yards rushing. The Hawkeyes dismantled an Illinois team that had beaten No. 3 Ohio State and tied No. 9 Michigan in the past month.

Long wound up completing 22 of 30 passes for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns before leaving midway through the third quarter with the Hawkeyes leading, 49-0. Long’s 4 touchdown passes gave him Big Ten records of 25 this season and 72 in his career.

“It’s hard for me to believe anyone has done as much for his team as Chuck has,” Illinois Coach Mike White said. “He’s got to be up near the top in the Heisman voting.”

Long also threw touchdown passes of one yard to Mike Flagg and eight yards to Scott Helverson.

“You can’t beat a 59-0 victory against Illinois--especially when you’re from Illinois,” said Long, a native of Wheaton, Ill.

David Hudson rushed for touchdowns of 1 and 10 yards and Ronnie Harmon raced 46 yards for another first-quarter score as the Hawkeyes improved their record to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. Illinois dropped to 4-4-1 and 3-2-1.

Illinois quarterback Jack Trudeau saw his NCAA record string of consecutive passes without an interception come to an end at 215 when Iowa safety Jay Norvell picked off a deflected pass at his 46. Four plays later, Long completed his 43-yarder to Smith.