Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Juice Williams threw a career-high four touchdown passes to four different receivers, as Illinois stunned top-ranked Ohio State, 28-21, at Ohio Stadium.

Williams threw for 140 yards on 12-of-22 passing and also ran for 70 yards for the Fighting Illini (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten), who defeated the top-ranked team in the nation for the first time since 1956 when they upset Michigan State.

This was also the second time in school history that Illinois knocked off a top-ranked Ohio State team. The first time they pulled off the upset was in 1950.

"I am so proud of our team and of how our coaching staff prepared us for this game," said Illini head coach Ron Zook. "The players did what we asked them to do. It is definitely a different story from two years ago when we played here. It is evident we have made some progress and the team did what we had to do to come away with a win."

Marques Wilkins, Michael Hoomanawanui, Brian Gamble and Jacob Willis all hauled in touchdown passes from Williams in the victory. Daniel Dufrene led the ground game for the Illini with 106 yards.

Marcus Thomas came up with a game-clinching interception for Illinois in the fourth quarter that led to his offense running out the clock with over eight minutes left.

Todd Boeckman struggled behind center, completing 13-of-23 passes with no touchdowns and three interceptions for the Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1), who suffered their first loss of the season and saw their 28-game consecutive regular season win streak come to an end.

"These kinds of losses are hard to take, and it's tough to reignite that enthusiasm again," Boeckman said. "It's even tougher being a leader on this team and knowing you could have played better and helped out the team."

Chris Wells ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns in defeat while Boeckman added 68 yards on the ground.

Due to Michigan losing earlier in the day to Wisconsin, Ohio State needs a victory next week over the Wolverines to capture the Big Ten crown and earn the conference's automatic BCS bowl bid.

"Our hats are off to Illinois. They did the things they needed to do to win a tough battle," said OSU head coach Jim Tressel. "We didn't do the things we needed to do. We're extremely proud of our kids. They've done everything we've asked them to do this year. This stings. We've got to pick up and move forward."

Leading by a touchdown at halftime, Illinois scored with 3:52 left in the third quarter to up its lead to 28-14. Williams connected with Wilkins for a 31-yard touchdown that quieted the Ohio State faithful. Wilkins' touchdown grab ended a nine-play, 80-yard drive.

The Buckeyes quickly responded on their ensuing possession and pulled within a touchdown with just 34 seconds left in the third. Wells took a hand off, broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage and scampered into the end zone from 17 yards out for his second touchdown of the game.

Thomas, though, made a huge play defensively for Illinois with 8:09 left in the fourth quarter as he picked off Boeckman's deep pass over the middle at his own 23-yard line.

Williams and the Fighting Illini offense then managed to run out the clock, not allowing the Buckeyes a chance to get the ball back. Williams ran for 33 yards on the drive and converted four first downs to seal the victory.

"He managed the game well and after today, we can all see why he is our starter," Zook said of Williams' performance. "When the game is on the line, he does what needs to be done. He is a tough competitor who plays the game well."

It took Ohio State just two plays from scrimmage and only 23 seconds to pounce on Illinois early. On their first offensive play, Boeckman found Brian Hartline wide open down the right sideline for a 65-yard gain to 11-yard line. Wells then took a handoff and scampered into the end zone to make it 7-0.

The Illini quickly responded and tied the game on the ensuing possession as Williams found Hoomanawanui open in the end zone for a three-yard toss. The score was set up by an 80-yard run on a draw play by Dufrene.

On the Buckeyes next possession, they marched 76 yards on nine plays and ended the drive with Maurice Wells rushing in from 19 yards out to put the home team up 14-7 with 9:37 to play in the opening quarter.

After Dere Hicks picked off Boeckman, Illinois flipped the turnover into points as Williams threw a 33-yard strike over the middle to Willis, who made a leaping grab just over the goal line with about four minutes left in the first to tie the game.

With 17 seconds left in the first half, the Illini managed to find the end zone as Gamble hauled in an eight-yard score to give his team a 21-14 advantage.