Written by: Zachary Greene

Week 11 : Illinois Fighting Illini

Date & Time: Saturday, November 11th. Time TBD

Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

TV: TBD

Illini at a Glance

Head Coach: Bret Bielema

At Illinois: 3rd Season (13-12, 9-9)

Career Coaching Record: 110-70

Last Season: 8-5 (5-4) Lost Reliaquest Bowl against Mississippi State

Illini Returning Leaders

Passing: Luke Altmyer – 28 for 54 for 317 yards with three TDs and three INTS at Ole Miss (2021-22)

Rushing: Reggie Love III - 71 carries for 330 yards (4.6 AVG) and two TDs

Receiving: Isaiah Williams - 82 receptions for 715 yards (8.7 AVG) and five TDs

Tackles: Jarvtavius Martin - 52 solo, 41 asists for total of 59 tackles

Illini Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 4th in the Big Ten West

Lindy’s: 4th in the Big Ten West

Phil Steele: 3rd in the Big Ten West

SP+: 44th Nationally

Impact Newcomers for the Illini

-Luke Altmyer- QB - Sophomore - Ole Miss

-Nicario Harper - S -Senior

-Tanner Arkin - S - Sophomore

-Denzel Daxon - DL - Senior

Key Stats/Notes from Last Season

-First in scoring defense (12.8 per game) inculding an INT off Bazelak

-24.2 points per game while completing 38.17% of third downs

-4 yards per carry and 18 rushing touchdowns

-Most experienced team in the country last season and welcome many new faces including at the quarerback postion

Program Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. Entering the season they were one of the oldest if not oldest teams in college football. Their starting Quarterback Tommy Devito, Running Back Chase Brown, and first round cornerback Devon Witherspoon led the program and had big years. The biggest lose for the program came at the defensive coordinator position. Ryan Walters departed to run the Purdue program after developing a dominate defensive scheme.

Following the departure, the program promoted Aaron Henry who coached the secondary. He plans on keeping the scheme and gameplan similar to that of Walters. That is a multiple 3-4 scheme. At the most important position, the program welcomes Luke Altmyer from Ole Miss who has shown bursts of potential. He transfer with multiple years of eligibility and hopes to the Illini Quaterback of the future. Out of Starksville, Mississippi Altmyer was four start quarterback and #30 overall in his respective class. Barton Simmions the former director of scouting at 247 states that “he is an accurate quarterback with a well reasonable frame. He can feather throws but doens’t show off an amazing game. High ceiling and great athletcticsm outside the pocket.” With his athleticism there’s a chance the offesne led by their head coach could be more mobile than last season. On the other hand, if Altmyer doesn’t work out, they did bring in Ball State Starter John Paddock who can take the program to where they want to be.

Offensive Preview

Altmyer will be the quarterback for the future of the program as they have high hopes for the young man. He’s mobile and can bring a lot to the table. Bret Bielma had this to say about him. “He brings a calmness, a steadiness and understanding, and there is a lot of carryover from the offense he was at Ole Miss ot what we are now.”

The offense Bielma runs could help Altmyer get over the learning curve but there is sure to be some struggles early. At receiver, the bring back Isaiah Williams a former quarerback who expects to get his fair share this season. Following the departure of Chase Brown, the Illini fill in Reggie Love III as well as Josh McCray who could be splitting carries. At tackles they bring back three starters Julian Pearl, Isaiah Adams and Zy Crisler at Guard. Josh Kruetz will take over the snapping duties

Defensive Preview

As mentioned earlier the program losses one of the young bright coaches in the game to the Boilermakers. They stayed in house and promoted their stafteries coach Aaron Henry whom just happened to play for Bielema at Wisconsin. Last season, the Illini were the top scoring defesnse in the country (12.8 Point per Game) They hope to carry that over this season. The player to keep an eye on this season is Jer’Zhan Netwonjer. He is an edge rusher will an ability to tackles and rush the quarterback. He decided to come back for another year along with Keith Randolph Jr. The duo could be one of the best in the Big Ten. Another player to keep an eye on is Freshman All-American Gabe Jacas who is a defensive specialist. He earned many honors this past season and reasonably so. He made 35 tackles and four sacks as a freshman. He combines a 6-3 frame with an elusiveness to rush the passer. Rounding out the secondary is Matthrew Bailey. Bailey ranked eight in the B1G in receptions with three. He was a three-star prospect out of high school and played in all 13 games.

Special Teams Preview

Caleb Griffin returns for his senior season after hitting 14 field goals in 19 attempts. He’s got a massive leg. Bielema could try multiple 55-60 yarder this season. Hugh Robertoson looks to have a much improved Sophomroe season after ranking near last in the B1G in Net Yardage (39.8) Lastly, Robby Risher is responsible for taking over the duties of special teams.