Illinois football defeated the UAB Blazers by a score of 42-23 on Thursday night at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., a game that had a little bit of everything including a Hail Mary conversion before halftime. 

Fighting Illini wide receiver Ty Robinson caught a deflected pass from Illinois quarterback Katin Houser and secured it for six points leading to a 21-13 Illinois halftime lead.

For Robinson, the play was the culmination of a series of events and a long, winding career that has taken him from Colorado to Ball State to coach Bret Bielema's program. 

Robinson felt elated and relieved following the game, detailing his mindset and emotions in the Illinois locker room. 

Houser put his faith in his 6-foot-4 receiver and it paid off handsomely as Robinson made the play of the season so far for Illinois. 

The 54-yard pass came amid a non-existent pass rush from the Blazers as Houser let it fly deep into the middle and front part of the Illini's end zone. 

The result sent shockwaves throughout the stadium on a night when college football's biggest scoreboard was unveiled and Illinois showed once again it's serious about contending in the Big Ten Conference. 

Houser threw perfect spiral after perfect spiral on the night, the biggest of which just so happened to be hauled in by one of his new favorite targets, Robinson. 

Robinson recalled the journey leading up to his impressive touchdown catch after the game in comments made to Tristan Thomas of WCIA-3 Champaign. 

"I've had a long college career, I'm one of the oldest guys on the team," Robinson said after the game. 

"I've had some unfortunate things happen during my career, so just coming into this year, I have nothing to lose, I'm trying to put my foot forward," Robinson continued. 

"It just felt amazing to be out there and have an impact in my first game." 

Robinson and Illinois' other backups got additional snaps this week with projected starting receiver Jayshon Platt recovering from an undisclosed injury. 

Bielema believes Platt has a chance to play again fairly soon.

For now, the Fighting Illini will have to make due with a relatively unknown cast of characters at the wide receiver position.

Robinson went from relative obscurity to a household name among Fighting Illini fans with one play on Thursday, a testament to his drive and willingness to stay ready for action despite seemingly long odds on the depth chart.

Next week against the Duke Blue Devils represents a potential step up in challenge for Robinson and the Illini. 

Houser looked like everything Bielema and his coaching staff hoped he would be in Week 1, now it's time for the Fighting Illini starter to bring Robinson and the rest of the receivers up to his level.