By Ryan Evan Schroat
Illinois is off to its best start since 2011 and the best of head coach Bret Bielema‘s tenure. We have seen flashes of this in his first three seasons (21-19 Overall) in Champaign. Even with 5-7 seasons in year one and three, major upsets and victories occurred. Illinois had its first sold out home game (60,000) in over seven years, the belief in this team and program is evident from the fan base. It was time Bielema and the team pay back the fans for all the support and buy-in through year four. That happened September 7th against No. 19 Kansas in prime time in front of the sold out fandom who needed the breakthrough.
Illinois held on to beat Kansas 23-17 and avenge last years loss in Lawrence. That win helped Illinois reach the top 25 national AP Poll and set Illinois up for back to back prime time kickoffs against ranked opponents. The Country cant ignore Illinois and will be seeing plenty of the Illini in the near future. But how did Illinois take the next step from last year’s 5-7 finish and put themselves in the position they’re in now?
Sticking with Aaron Henry
No Sugar coating it, Illinois’ defense was bad last year. Nothing will come easy for a first year DC and that rang true in 2023. Aaron Henry is a Bielema pupil and former player at Wisconsin who studies the game meticulously. Henry specifically coaches the safeties and nickels, Admitting shortcomings and fixing some coaching chemistry issues by replacing DB coach Anthony Fenelus with former Toledo DB coach Corey Parker. Parker helped develop Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell. Parker is a guy who will wear cleats in practice with his guys, and from talking to numerous players in secondary, they respect him deeply. The Illinois secondary has been very opportunistic so far through three games and has created nine turnovers and the team stands at +8 in turnover margin.
Henry’s unit has an edge to them, as Bielema would say. Stingy Redzone defense along with timely Interceptions from Xavier Scott and Miles Scott. Illinois is only giving up 8.6 PPG and doing most of that by keeping teams out of the end zone in Redzone. I don’t expect this to stay into November but these are the strides fans need to see take place in year 4.
Turnovers
Illinois has completely reversed the 2023 issues in turning the ball over. Part of that is the growth and maturity of second-year starter Luke Altmyer. Altmyer had a four-interception game against PSU in week three that really took a toll on him. He lost his starting spot to John Paddock late last year due to a hot hand after he was injured against Minnesota. A major summer of growth and dedication has made huge leaps and bounds in his game but also his faith which has changed the tune for this Illinois offense and team.
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Altmyer has thrown 6 touchdowns with no interceptions this season. For reference, Illinois had 8 turnovers through its first three games a year ago and was faced with 1-2 record. Last year, the Illini had only forced three turnovers and were -5 in the TO department, compared to a drastic +8 this year, forcing nine turnovers with only one loss fumble against them. If Illinois can keep the ball and continue to create turnovers, that will spell success and the recipe Bret Bielema teams used to win throughout his 16 years as a head coach.
Special Teams
Illinois has been outstanding this season kicking the ball. Punter Hugh Robertson has been efficient in pinning teams inside the 20 while averaging over 38 yards a punt. That goes hand in hand with Illinois defense being much improved as well, longer fields for opposing teams has been detrimental. As for the field goal kicking unit, Illinois has quite a duo.
Sophomore David Olano is going to be kicking in the NFL in a few years. He is confident and nothing rattles him and showed his range of at least 50 yards into a brisk wind against Kansas. He is 6 for 7 on the season with his only miss being from 54 yards. Illinois secret weapon from 59 plus is Texas A&M transfer Ethan Moczulski, who has an absolute cannon for a right leg and can hit them from 64 at least. Ethan set a school record 59 yard kick against Central Michigan last weekend. He is a guy that will be used at the end of halves and games.
Illinois punt returns have averaged 12 yards a return and have helped them in couple games set up for points. Hank Beatty has taken over and done a nice job. As long as he can continue to field them safely that will be his spot.
Running the ball
Illinois is averaging over 150 yards per game to start the year. They haven’t gotten the quality from the interior OL so far, Bielema has admitted they want to see more from Zy Chrisler, Josh Kreutz, and Josh Gesky in that front. Overall, the offensive line has depth and more quality than it did last year, along with being more healthy. Melvin Priestly and impact New Mexico transfer JC Davis have been very good at the tackle positions. Illinois has four backs who can and have contributed to winning games and moving the ball. Kaden Feagin leads the way with 173 yards and three other guys have between 65-96 yards.
The future at running back is Ca’lil Valentine, he helped ice the game and run the clock late against Kansas and is only a true freshman that is super shifty and knows when to make cuts at line of scrimmage with major burst. Past that, Aidan Laughery and Josh Mccray both serve as thunder and lightning with Mccray 6 foot 235 pound bruiser and Laughery being the fastest player on the team. It’s the most talent Illinois has had in a deep backfield in quite some time.
Road ahead
Four of the next five games Illinois plays are against currently ranked teams. It starts when Illinois faces Nebraska in a must see prime time matchup Friday night. It’s set to be the first game in Lincoln where both teams will be ranked in a decade. Regardless whatever happens in Lincoln on Friday night, this Illinois team has what it takes to compete in big games and more importantly win them. Going 6-2 or 5-3 is very possible after that tough stretch and the final four games set up well for Illinois. There is much to play for and a big season can be attained, especially when you are tough, smart and dependable like Illinois is.
