Illinois trails 35-20 at halftime to Cincinnati

By Shannon Ryan

CINCINNATI -- What's 245 minus 6? A 35-20 Cincinnati halftime lead against Illinois.

Despite -6 yards rushing on two attempts, Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike passed for 245 yards and four touchdowns in the first half to provide the cushion.

Pike hit tight end Ben Guidugli for his second wide-open touchdown at the start of the second quarter, this time from two yards out, for a 28-7 lead. He also threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Mardy Gilyard, who returned a kick in the first quarter. 

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams threw his second touchdown of the day, connecting on a 19-yard pass to Chris Duvalt. 

Kicker Derek Dimke, who replaced Matt Eller in the Northwestern loss, converted on two second-quarter field goals to keep Illinois within reach. He made a 39-yarder before his 48-yard attempt at the half just barely sailed over the crossbar.