Illinois pulls off wild Hail Mary landing move to shut out first half vs. UAB

The 2026 faculty soccer season correctly underway, and followers did not have to attend lengthy for a longshot throw. Illinois delivered the primary Hail Mary of the season in opposition to UAB on Thursday, scoring off a wild throw proper on the finish of the primary half.

With lower than 30 seconds left within the half, UAB acquired a landing to get inside one level of the Illini. That gave Illinois the ball with simply 18 seconds left. On one ultimate play with 4 seconds on the clock, the Illini determined to go all in on the Hail Mary.

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After the snap, Illinois quarterback Katin Houser stood with the ball for longer than the 4 seconds remaining to offer his receivers time to get into place. Then, he launched the ball 54 yards into the top zone, the place a number of Illini receivers and Blazers defenders had been ready.

One way or the other, within the cluster, receiver Ty Robinson acquired his arms on the ball, juggling it for a second earlier than lastly coming down with it for a landing.

The landing, and guaranteeing further level, was sufficient to offer the Illini a 21-13 lead heading into halftime.

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