The Illinois Fighting Illini improved to 3-4 on the year on Saturday with a 27-24 upset win over the Maryland Terrapins.
Illinois kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to seal the victory, their first-ever win against Maryland.
As the field goal flew through the uprights, the famous Kevin James meme appeared on the screen, making the kick very funny and surreal
Kicking a game-winning field goal with three seconds left, right in @KevinJames' face. pic.twitter.com/Y1NWycxHLo
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 14, 2023
The meme has been all over the internet in the past month and features Kevin James in a promo picture for former CBS sitcom “The King of Queens” with a particularly funny look on his face. Maryland likely had it on the scoreboard to psyche out Illinois kicker Caleb Griffin, but Griffin was able to overcome and send the 43-yard field goal through the uprights.
Illinois came into the game at 13.5-point underdogs. Quarterback Luke Altmeyer went 18-for-26 for 204 yards and two touchdowns on the day as the Illini also added on 131 team rushing yards.
Illinois with the walk-off field goal to knock off Maryland!
The Fighting Illini were 13.5-point road underdogs. 🏈🔥pic.twitter.com/kgeqpjTi1d
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 14, 2023
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa played well, as well, throwing for a pair of touchdowns and going 27-for-39 for 266 yards in the losing effort. Maryland has now lost back-to-back games after starting 5-0 on the season. The Terps will go into their bye week next week before returning to action against Northwestern on October 28.
Illinois looks to extend their winning streak to two games next week against Wisconsin.
[Photo Credit: NBC]
