Klingler Throws In Another Clunker : Nonconference: Houston is routed again, 51-10. Verduzco’s three touchdown passes lead Illinois.

David Klingler relived his worst nightmare.

Klingler, Houston’s record-setting passer, threw four interceptions and was sacked four times as Illinois handed the No. 21-ranked Cougars their second consecutive lopsided defeat, 51-10, Saturday.

It came nine days after Miami routed Houston, 40-10.

“Klingler is a great quarterback,” Illini linebacker Mike Poloskey said. “It wasn’t his fault they weren’t scoring any points, it was our fault--we were getting to him.”

Jason Verduzco of Illinois, not Klingler, was the hot quarterback, throwing three touchdown passes to Gus Palma.

Verduzco, who completed 16 of 22 passes for 340 yards, and Palma connected on scoring pass plays of 37 yards in the first quarter, 21 in the second and 40 in the third.

“We have never risen to that level in my four years here,” Mackovic said. “We asked our team for a championship performance.”

Houston Coach John Jenkins said the loss wasn’t Klingler’s fault.

“Total team loss today,” he said. “As a start-point, old John Jenkins here, I’ve got to work a lot harder.”

Illinois defenders pressured Klingler all day.

“Not only did Illinois keep us off the field, but they were scoring while on the field,” Klingler said. “They are a good, solid, fundamental football team.”

Kameno Bell had two one-yard touchdowns runs for Illinois, Clinton Lynch scored on a 50-yard run, Joe Muti went 57 yards for a score and Chris Richardson kicked a 27-yard field goal for Illinois.