Fields’ Fumble Recovery Helps Washington State Beat Illinois

Washington State linebacker Mark Fields returned a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown late in the first half Thursday night as the Cougars held on to defeat No. 22 Illinois, 10-9, in Chicago.

The Fighting Illini’s, first game in Chicago in 55 years and first ever at Soldier Field attracted only 39,472 to the 66,950-seat stadium.

Out of timeouts late in the game, Illinois moved from its 20 to the Washington State 34, but Bret Scheuplein missed on a 57-yard field-goal attempt as time ran out.

With 53 seconds left in the first half and the score tied, 3-3, Illinois linebacker Simeon Rice recovered a fumble by Washington State quarterback Chad Davis. Illinois tried to move into scoring position, but quarterback Johnny Johnson fumbled on second down after being hit. Fields scooped the ball up on the 29, sprinted down the sideline and dived into the end zone for a touchdown.

It was the longest fumble return in Washington State history, surpassing the 70-yarder by Elmer Brown in 1899.

Johnson came back to combine with Jasper Strong on a 52-yard completion, and a late-hit penalty gave the Illini a first down on the 10 with three seconds to go. Chris Richardson then kicked his second field goal of the half, a 28-yarder that made it 10-6.

Richardson’s third field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with 11:05 left in the third, cut the Cougars’ lead to 10-9.