Illini may be ready to go with two QBs
Illinois has dropped two consecutive games by a combined score of 95-27, but, as coach Lovie Smith said, “we’ve played two pretty good football teams.”
The Illini (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) are coming off losses to red-hot Purdue and Wisconsin. Perhaps the task will be a bit easier this week — but not easy — when Illinois travels to play at Maryland (4-3, 2-2). The Terrapins were shut out last week at Iowa, 19-0.
This is Maryland’s fifth season in the Big Ten but this will be the first time the programs have met.
“So I don’t really know what to think, don’t know a lot about Maryland’s program except for what we see right now,” Smith said. “I like for our team to get a chance to play in different places, too, another part of the country, so we’re excited about going up there and playing.”
If Maryland is a bit of a mystery to Illinois, so too is the Illini’s starting quarterback position. MJ Rivers entered in relief of AJ Bush last week in the 49-20 loss to Wisconsin.
Rivers completed 7-of-13 passes for 80 yards with an interception. He ran eight times for 33 yards. Bush was only 2-of-8 passes for 10 yards with two interceptions. He gained 47 yards on five rushes.
Rivers, a true freshman and former three-star recruit, started against USF and Penn State when Bush was injured.
Smith on Monday said the coaches will evaluate both quarterbacks through the week.
“Both guys have a strength that’s maybe a little bit better than the other,” Smith said. “Of course, AJ can move around and buy time more with his feet to throw the ball. MJ is more of a passer. They both bring different things to the table, and we can see ourselves playing both.”