GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The Purdue-Illinois game features the two worst defenses in the Big Ten with the Boilermakers second-to-last allowing 447.2 yards a game while Illinois is at the bottom giving up 483.4 yards a game. The team with the better offense presently is Purdue, which ranks third in the conference compiling 490 yards a game. How Illinois holds up against Purdue QB David Blough (tied for 24th nationally with 263.6 passing yards a game) will be a key factor.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Del’Shawn Phillips had his third interception of the season last week at Rutgers. He leads the Illini with 39 tackles, 2.5 for loss. He also has recovered a fumble.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DT Jamal Milan returned from a knee injury for his first game of the season last week at Rutgers. He recorded two tackles.
–DT Lere Oladipo did not play at Rutgers because of an undisclosed injury. His status for Saturday against Purdue is uncertain.
–S Bennett Williams, who played two weeks ago against Penn State after serving a three-game suspension, did not travel to Rutgers due to a hamstring injury. He is questionable for Saturday’s game against Purdue.
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