CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Behind 274 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, Rutgers football (2-4, 1-2) defeated Illinois (2-4, 0-3), 35-24, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Four different running backs found the end zone in the win, as the rushing total was the most for the Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten game since joining the conference in 2014.

Fifth-year senior Gus Edwards led RU with 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Raheem Blackshear contributed 87 yards rushing and a 19-yard score. Senior backs Josh Hicks and Robert Martin also contributed touchdowns for Rutgers.

In his first start of the season and sixth of his career, junior quarterback Giovanni Rescigno produced 41 yards on the ground and another 89 through the air.

The Scarlet Knights held the Fighting Illini to just 86 yards rushing in the game and forced two interceptions. Sophomore Jawuan Harris, who made his first start at safety in his collegiate career, led the team with 11 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Linebackers Trevor Morris and Deonte Roberts each contributed nine stops, while senior defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph added a solo sack.

RU was the first to score in the game. With 7:21 left in the first quarter, Blackshear found the end zone courtesy of a 19-yard run up the middle the visitors a 7-0 lead. The rush capped a five play, 64-yard drive for the Scarlet Knights, as Blackshear also contributed a 14-yard carry during the series.

After an Illinois field goal, it was Hicks who scored on a five-yard carry to put RU ahead, 14-3, at the 13:07 mark in the second quarter. The 5:11 scoring drive spanned 10 plays and 75 yards, as Rescigno completed two passes for 46 yards, including a 33-yard completion to Edwards down the sideline.

Illinois was able to respond with a touchdown on its next possession, but Rescigno answered back with another impressive drive. The junior connected with fifth-year senior Janarion Grant for another 33-yard reception. RU continued to march down the field, and Edwards scored on a seven-yard touchdown run for the 21-10 lead with 4:59 left in the half.

Harris provided the first big play on defense for the Scarlet Knights, as he picked off Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr. and took the turnover 26 yards. For Harris, it marked his first career interception, as the two-sport athlete also played on the defensive side of the ball for the first time in his collegiate career.

The score would remain steady as RU took a 21-10 lead into the locker room. Rutgers outgained Illinois, 231-140, had 12 first downs and averaged close to eight yards per play in the first half. Rescigno finished the half with 108 total yards (86 passing, 22 rushing), while Edwards provided 65 yards on the ground.

Rutgers kept the momentum in their favor in the second half, as sophomore K.J. Gray intercepted George Jr. on the Fighting Illini's opening drive. It marked Gray's second pick of his career, as he also had one last year against New Mexico.

RU's special teams also provided a spark. After senior Ryan Anderson punted the ball late in the third quarter, Illinois touched the ball during the play. Sophomore Dacoven Bailey recovered the ball at the Illinois 21-yard line to put the Scarlet Knights in scoring position.

RU took full advantage of the play. Rescigno powered through for a 16-yard rush on the next play, while Edwards scored his second touchdown of the day on a five-yard carry. Edwards' score gave Rutgers a 28-10 advantage with 4:11 left in the third quarter. The score would remain the same at the end of the third, as Rutgers outgained Illinois on the ground, 222-85 through three quarters.

Illinois was able to get back into the game thanks to a 30-yard touchdown pass from George Jr. to Ricky Smalling, as the play made it 28-17 Rutgers with 7:56 left in the game.

RU's offense stuck to the running game down the stretch. Blackshear ripped of a 41-yard run on the next possession, and Martin closed out the drive with a 16-yard touchdown. The possession lasted eight plays and chewed up 3:24 minutes of game clock to give RU a 35-17 lead and put the game out of reach.

Rutgers returns to action Saturday, Oct. 21, when the Scarlet Knights host Purdue at noon ET at High Point Solutions Stadium for homecoming weekend. The game will broadcast on Big Ten Network.