With both offenses struggling to generate any sort of consistency throughout the opening three quarters, it seemed likely that a big play on the defensive side of the ball could change the trajectory of this game. An interception return for a TD by Terry Hawthorne late in the third quarter could prove to be that play, as it gave Illinois a 10-7 advantage heading into the final quarter of the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Prior to the TD by Hawthorne, the third quarter provided very little production from both teams. Through three quarters, the two offenses have combined to gain just 333 yards of total offense. Nathan Scheelhaase has completed just 13/24 for 66 yards through the air. However, he has rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries, while Donovonn Young has added 47 yards on the ground.
UCLA QB Kevin Prince has struggled mightily, completing just 6/18 and throwing the costly interception to Hawthorne. Derrick Coleman and Johnathan Franklin have combined to rush for 61 yards on 15 carries.
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