GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: First-year Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith, a longtime assistant under zone-read guru Rich Rodriguez, has boosted the Illini’s run game. Illinois is 18th nationally with 243.5 rushing yards per game; the Illini ranked 122nd nationally in rushing last season. Considering Rutgers is 110th against the run, Illinois has a great chance to control the game and rest its defense by churning out first downs and points on the ground — no matter who plays quarterback.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Del’Shawn Phillips continues to anchor the Illinois defense, and he seems to have improved his hands and defensive reads for his final season. Phillips has 32 tackles and two interceptions this season.
ROSTER REPORT:
–TE Lou Dorsey played against Penn State after serving a three-game suspension, although he did not catch a pass. He made 22 receptions last season as a freshman.
–CB Nate Hobbs returned for the Penn State game after being suspended for the first three games. He made two tackles. Hobbs appeared in all 12 games as a freshman in 2017, making 48 stops.
–S Bennett Williams, a projected starter, was back on the field against Penn State after a three-game suspension. He had to leave the game, however, due to injury.
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