PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB M.J. Rivers took over starting duties in the past two weeks as senior AJ Bush was out with a hamstring injury. Bush might be able to return this week at Rutgers. Rivers has been running the offense since the second quarter of the second game, completing 46 of 73 passes for 422 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.
–RB Mike Epstein, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2017, has been sharing the workload with Reggie Corbin. Corbin has 48 carries for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Epstein has 48 carries for 324 yards and two scores.
–DE Bobby Roundtree was spectacular against Penn State as the sophomore made 12 tackles (10 solo), with two sacks. “It feels good, but I feel like I could’ve brought more to the table,” he said. “I made some mistakes in that game and I wish I could go back and fix those mistakes.” Roundtree has five pass break-ups — getting his arms up to swat down throws — and could be a nightmare for Rutgers freshman QB Artur Sitkowski.
SERIES HISTORY: Rutgers and Illinois are tied, 2-2. The Knights defeated the Illini 35-24 in Champaign last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “What you saw was a guy flying all over the field, making plays all over the place and getting after the quarterback. You can see his growth, his improvement. He just keeps getting better and better.” — Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson, on DE Bobby Roundtree vs. Penn State.