CHAMPAIGN – Ron Turner and his suddenly opportunistic Illini applied the "Great Momentum Changer" to unsuspecting Indiana on Saturday.

Drawing abreast of the Hoosiers, 7-7, on Steve Havard's short touchdown burst with nine seconds left in the first quarter, the home forces caught the Hoosiers napping with an onside kick that bounced and dribbled between the legs of a surprised Indiana lineman. Caroming near the west sideline, the ball wound up in the hands of Illini cornerback Johnny Rogers.

"After looking at film, we decided last Tuesday to take a look at the onside kickoff," Turner said. "We figured we could use it if we got the right alignment. The timing was perfect after that score. The execution could have been better but it worked."

Two plays later, Havard raced in for his second touchdown on a 45-yard breakaway.

"Getting the ball back like that means a lot in terms of what you can do offensively," said Turner. "It's been awfully difficult for us with all those three-and-outs lately. It's tough when you can't built any offensive rhythm."

In Saturday's 31-16 victory, Illinois enjoyed three series of 10 plays or more, and on one occasion in the third quarter maintained possession for 7 minutes, 49 seconds. Neil Rackers capped that drive with a short field goal. But his biggest play was even shorter, the onside kick.

"I work on special kicks one day a week on the Memorial Stadium turf," Rackers said. "We had planned this one because Indiana's front line tends to move off before I kick, and we saw their outside guy move in, leaving some room on the sideline. We watched this on the opening kickoff.

"But I was lucky on the onside kick because I didn't hit the ball the way I wanted. I don't want to discuss it any more because we still have that play open (for Michigan State).

"Getting the ball back today was a tremendous momentum factor. Our offense was moving and had just scored, and that allowed them to stay in the groove. Everyone on the sideline was excited. It gave us a huge boost."

This was the UI's third such recovery in three seasons, Rackers bunting kickoffs directly forward and falling on the ball himself at Louisville last year and against Indiana here two years ago. The latter play helped the Illini in their last previous Big Ten home victory, 46-43, in overtime.

"I told our guys all week that I always have my best games against Indiana," Rackers said. "That was true all three years. I kicked a lot of balls today and that means a great deal in terms of keeping your leg loose. You don't have to warm up every time. It's nice to be out on the field that much."