Illinois’ watershed victory garnered the team’s first Big Ten season-opening win since 1993.

The Illini’s diligent work and resolve against an Indiana team that didn’t want to go down easily showed the maturity that the team has been talking about all offseason.

With the conditions in Bloomington, Ind., about as enjoyable as Kuwait, as humidity and temperatures creating a sweltering backdrop for the events of the Illinois victory, the win was a telling one. It is impressive and encouraging to see that Illinois can beat a Big Ten team on the road. If Illinois wants to be playing come January, these types of games are the defining contests that bowl-level teams win.

The Illini team from last year in all likelihood does not play as well as this team did. It would not have contained Kellen Lewis throughout the game as well as it did. It probably does not adapt and move on from missed opportunities – like Joe Morgan’s dropped pass that would have been a sure touchdown.

Last year’s team gave Indiana an opportunity to come back and take the game, and the Hoosiers promptly obliged. This year’s team has stepped up its level of play and arrived at a crossroads in the program.

While it is hard to say right now that the Illini have turned the corner completely, the fact that Illinois can shut down an offense like Indiana’s is more than enough fodder to start talking about it.

Before Illinois can beat the cream of the Big Ten, it needs to endure a few heartbreaking losses and victories against up-and-coming teams like Indiana to turn the proverbial corner. Rare is the team that goes from cellar dweller to BCS champion overnight.

Players and coaches weren’t chomping at the bit to say that they have turned because they are more than aware that next weekend’s game against Penn State is going to reveal a lot more about this team.

That being said, short of being undefeated, there isn’t much more that could help the Illini’s confidence going into the Penn State game. Ron Zook probably had the best insight into the Indiana victory when he told his team to “enjoy the victory for 24 hours and then get back to work.”

The team can enjoy it and be confident because of two substantial factors working in its favor: the running game and defense. Those two facets are the reason the Illini find themselves on the way up in the Big Ten.

Rashard Mendenhall’s performance more than made a statement that he is able to be the single running back in this system. Mendenhall wanted to take on the role and appears to be more than capable. Although he is confident in his abilities, Mendenhall may have surprised himself a little bit with his deftly acrobatic spin move, which he said he hasn’t used since high school.

On the other side of the ball, the Illini coaching staff had said last week that its game plan was to force Lewis to beat the team with his arm, and it was able to do just that. Through containment and controlled rushing of Lewis, the defense shut down the Hoosier offense that had been averaging more than 44 points per game coming into Saturday.

The defense forcing turnovers helped themselves more than anything. As the Illini found against Missouri, it is hard to come back from four turnovers and still win.

Regardless if it is playing Penn State or Southeast Missouri State, if the defense can force even half of the turnovers and play similar to that of Saturday, it will stand a chance.

So, for at least the time being, the Illini know that they are on track toward a successful season and a possible bowl berth. Being only three victories away from bowl eligibility, the Illini have raised fans’ expectations and afforded themselves the right to start thinking about postseason play, at least for their 24 hours.

“That’s all we’re definitely thinking about,” junior Will Davis said. “This was a big game, one of those games we had to win. It was a must win for us, and we came through with it.”

Daniel Johnson is a junior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].