Illinois kicker Caleb Griffin boots a game-winning field goal against Maryland Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Walk-off FG helps Illinois stun Maryland

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Oct 14, 2023 7:46 PM ET

Illinois shocked Maryland on Saturday, 27-24, thanks to a walk-off 43-yard field goal from kicker Caleb Griffin, breaking a tie with zeros on the clock.

ILLINOIS WITH A WALK OFF WIN!@IlliniFootball | #BigTenSaturday pic.twitter.com/e6uSJRJrBq
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 14, 2023

Remarkably, the Fighting Illini had lost two straight to Nebraska and Purdue before they somehow found a way to knock off a Maryland squad that entered play with only one blemish at 5-1.

Illinois took care of the football, turning it over only once against Maryland, who led the Big Ten with 12 takeaways coming into Saturday. They also leaned on the run game heavily, out-rushing the Terrapins 131-93, led by Kaden Feagin, who finished with 84 yards (4.4) and a touchdown off 19 carries.

For Illinois, it's their first conference win of 2023, helping them improve to 3-4 (1-3) on the year. Meanwhile, Maryland falls to 5-2 (2-2).

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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