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Michigan Football Preview: Get To Know Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini 2-3 (0-2 in Big Ten)
Last Result: Lost 40-17 to Minnesota
After a competitive first half in which Illinois trailed 16-10, they were outscored the 24-7. The Minnesota offense had their way with the Illini defense, as they had 487 yards on the day, while scoring points on seven of their last 10 possessions.
Illinois could not contain the Minnesota rushing attack, as the Golden Gophers ran wild for 332 yards with 6.4 yards per carry. Running back Rodney Smith had a career high 211 yards rushing, while his backup Shannon Brooks added 111 yards himself in the running game for the Golden Gophers.
The only bright spot for the Illini defense was two defensive touchdowns, as senior linebacker Dele Harding opened up the scoring with a 40-yard pick six and junior linebacker Milo Eifler had a seven-yard scoop-and-score off a strip by linebacker Jake Hensen.
The offense for Illinois was poor, only accounting for three points in the game. Illinois’ struggles were in large part due to its starting quarterback, Brandon Peters, having to leave the game in the second quarter due to an undisclosed upper body injury.
Freshman quarterback Matt Robinson took over the offense after the Peters’ injury, going 15-for-29 with 125 yards passing, as he struggled to help Illinois sustain drives. Robinson wasn’t helped by the fact their best player, running back Reggie Corbin, was held to just 68 yards on the day.
Illinois Record Last Five Years
2018: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten Record)
2017: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten Record)
2016: 3-9 (2-7 Big Ten Record)
2015: 5-7 (2-6 Big Ten Record)
2014: 6-7 (3-5 Big Ten Record)
How has Illinois Fared vs Ranked Opponents in Recent Years?
Illinois is 0-23 in its last 23 matchups against ranked opponents and in its last 20 games against ranked foes, Illinois has been outscored by an average of 42-16. In those games Illinois has kept the final outcome within one possession just once, losing in Evanston to No. 20 Northwestern last season, 24-16.
The last time Michigan matched up against the Fighting Illini was in 2016 when the No. 3 Wolverines defeated Illinois 41-8 in the Big House.
The Fighting Illini have not beaten a ranked opponent since 2011 when they defeated No. 22 Arizona State 17-14, and the last Big Ten ranked opponent Illinois defeated was in 2007 against No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 28-21.
Players to Watch (Offense)
Reggie Corbin, Senior, Running Back
The 5-10 200-pound running back made the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list, which is an award given to the best running back in the country. Despite missing the Week 2 game against UConn (due to injury), Corbin already has 58 carries for 382 yards with 6.6 yards per carry this season.
In two of his four games Corbin has rushed for over 130 yards and added a rushing touchdown.
Josh Imatorbhebhe, Junior, Wide Receiver
The 6-2 215-pound wideout came to Champaign after attending USC for three years. Imatorbhebhe has been Illinois’ best receiver this season, as he leads the team in receiving yards with 220 and touchdowns with four. The wide receiver from Georgia has averaged 14.7 yards per catch, clearly making him Illinois' deep threat.
Players to Watch (Defense)
Oluwole Betiku Jr., Junior, Defensive End
The 6-3 250 pound defensive end also came from USC. He has made an immediate impact in his first season in Champaign, already with seven sacks, which ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks behind Ohio State’s Chase Young. Betiku Jr. has also recovered two fumbles this season.
Dele Harding, Senior, Linebacker
The 6-1 230 pound linebacker out of Maryland is second in the Big Ten in total tackles this season with 57, one tackle behind Michigan State’s Joe Bachie. Harding has already surpassed the number of tackles he had a season ago and has even come up with two interceptions this season.
In the last three games, Harding has been a monster having 12-, 15- and 17-tackle games, which have also included a forced fumble and a pick six.
