GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Iowa has two standout tight ends in potential first-round pick Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson, who have combined for 74 catches for 1,068 yards and 10 touchdowns. That should stress an Illinois defense that has only one senior in the usual rotation and is 112th nationally in passing efficiency defense with a rating of 152.24. Illinois has picked off 14 passes — which is good — but that’s about the only bright spot on a defense that is giving up an average of 285.0 passing yards per game.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Del’Shawn Phillips, a senior who arrived at Illinois last season from junior college, is the team’s only senior on defense. He had seven tackles and a sack against Nebraska last week. Phillips has three interceptions this season and leads the team with 81 tackles.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Reggie Corbin left last week’s game in the second quarter with a lower-body injury; his status for this week was unclear as of Monday.
–RB Mike Epstein (60 carries, 411 yards this season) has missed the past three games because of right foot injury.
–RB Ra’Von Bonner, a sophomore taking advantage of playing time due to injuries at the position, ran 10 times for a career-high 81 yards against Nebraska last week.
–OL Nick Allegretti has started 34 straight games.
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