Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Mikel Leshoure capped a record-breaking season by running for 184 yards and three touchdowns, and Illinois silenced Baylor, 38-14, to win the Texas Bowl in convincing fashion.
The game was played a short drive from Baylor’s campus at Reliant Stadium, but it was the Fighting Illini that looked right at home with a balanced attack against a Bears program playing its first postseason game since 1994.
Nathan Scheelhaase rushed for a score and had a efficient effort through the air, connecting on 18-of-23 throws for 242 yards for the Illini (7-6), who clinched their first winning season since 2007.
The Bears (7-6) started the year with a promising 7-2 record, only to give up 188 combined points in their final four games — all losses.
Robert Griffin III was under pressure throughout the game and completed 30- of-41 throws for 306 yards with a touchdown pass to Kendall Wright in defeat.
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