GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Illinois has to get the running game moving, which it didn’t do in last year’s 42-7 loss to Northwestern, which ended up with a 306-100 edge on the ground. The Illini’s running game has been much improved this season under first-year coordinator Rod Smith, a zone-read guru, but Illinois’ backfield is banged-up right now, making the job even more difficult. Northwestern is 33rd nationally against the run (132.9 rushing 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 an interception against Iowa last week. Phillips has a team-high four interceptions this season and leads the team with 88 tackles.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Reggie Corbin left the Nebraska game on Nov. 10 with an ankle injury and he tweaked that injury again after one carry last week. Coach Lovie Smith said he was “hopeful” Corbin could play in the season-finale this week.
–RB Mike Epstein (60 carries, 411 yards this season) has missed the past four games because of a right foot injury.
–OL Nick Allegretti, a senior, has started 35 straight games.
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