PLAYERS TO WATCH
–SS Sydney Brown, a freshman, had his first career interception during the third quarter of last week’s loss to Purdue and he also led Illinois with a career-high 12 tackles. “Personally, I do not see any positives. As a team, we just have to get better. It just sucks losing,” he said.
–RB Reggie Corbin has been making big plays. He had a career-high 137 rushing yards on only 11 carries against Rutgers, including a 73-yard touchdown run. That was his first start since 2016. Last week against Purdue, he started again and caught a career-long 52-yard pass that set up a first quarter touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
–CB Jartavius Martin, a freshman, has made six consecutive starts, tying for the eighth-most by a true freshman defensive back in school history. He has three interceptions and this week will be trying to get more against Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook, who has been known to be turnover-prone. Illinois is 12th nationally in takeaways (2.17 per game) and has forced at least one turnover in every game this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Wisconsin leads Illinois 41-36-7 and has won the past eight matchups, the longest streak for either team in the series. The Badgers won 24-10 in Champaign last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “You can’t let a bad game beat you the next week, and that’s what we’re not going to do. Wisconsin gets your attention. We’re not the only team that’s disappointed in our play on a certain weekend. I’m sure they’re disappointed with how they played also. We have our hands full with Wisconsin, all three phases.” — Illinois coach Lovie Smith