Pat Bryant catches 2 TDs, Ethan Moczulski kicks a school-record field goal as Illinois beats CMU

Bryant's scores help Illini overcome early deficit

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Two touchdown catches by Pat Bryant and a school-record 53-yard field goal by Ethan Moczulski helped Illinois overcome an early deficit and defeat Central Michigan 31-24 on Saturday.

The Illini (2-1) trailed 14-7 after the first quarter but scored 17 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to take control of the game.

Bryant, a redshirt freshman, caught both of his touchdowns in the second quarter, giving Illinois a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Moczulski's record-breaking kick extends lead

Moczulski's field goal came in the third quarter and gave Illinois a 24-14 lead.

The 53-yard kick broke the previous school record of 52 yards, set by James McCourt in 2018.

Central Michigan (1-2) cut the lead to 24-21 on a 7-yard touchdown run by Lew Nichols III with 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Illinois answered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Chase Brown to make it 31-21 with 5:27 left.

Illinois defense holds on for the win

The Chippewas drove to the Illinois 43-yard line on their next possession, but the Illini defense held them to a field goal, making it 31-24 with 2:27 remaining.

Illinois then recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock to secure the victory.

Bryant finished with 6 catches for 105 yards, while Brown rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Central Michigan's Daniel Richardson threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, while Nichols rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown.