CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The latest installment in a 135-year rivalry awaits the No. 22 Illini, as they make the road trip to West Lafayette to take on the Purdue Boilermakers.
While the two teams first met in 1890, they’ve been playing for the Cannon Trophy since 1943.
After beating Purdue in overtime last season, the Illini reclaimed that iconic trophy for the first time in six years, and it’s been in Champaign ever since.
In the words of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, it’s something that they certainly
have no intention of letting go of.
“Playing for the Cannon, a long-time history of that, and to have that in our hands right now, we obviously are going to do everything we can to keep it,” Bielema said.
Bielema, a self-labeled “Big Ten guy,” has spent time with three different teams in the conference, with Iowa, Wisconsin and, of course, Illinois.
To him, these trophy games and rivalries are what make the Big Ten stand out.
“It’s a part of something that comes before you’re here, and it goes on after you’re gone,” Bielema said. “I think that’s what makes the Big Ten really special and unique.”
Saturday’s match-up will be the Illini’s third road game of the season, and while the Duke game went extremely well, the team’s trip to Bloomington did not go the way they had hoped.
When asked if he was looking forward to getting another chance at a road game, especially after a rough one the last time out, Bielema was quick to respond, and he didn’t mince words.
“Personally, me, yes, and I’ve kind of been installing that [in the team],” Bielema said.
While the Illini are facing a Purdue team that looks a lot different from a year ago, mainly due to their new head coach in Barry Odom taking over, the starting quarterback is remaining constant.
That Boilermaker QB is Ryan Browne, who coincidentally made his first collegiate start against Illinois last season as a redshirt freshman.
Now, the youngster has more games and reps under his belt, something that’s only helped grow his game.
“He’s making some improv plays and doing some things that you really only get through experience, so a very difficult challenge,” Bielema said.
On the season, Browne has thrown for 1,036 passing yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for two touchdowns as well.
But he’s also been sacked nine times and thrown five interceptions, something the Illini defense is certainly going to try and take advantage of.
One of those defensive players that Illinois will lean on to create pressure is linebacker Gabe Jacas, who’s been off to a hot start this season.
Jacas, a guy who will surely be playing on Sundays sometime soon, has four sacks and two forced fumbles in six games.
For the Illini to show up in a big way on Saturday, it’ll come down to the performance of their stars on both sides of the ball, like Jacas and quarterback Luke Altmyer.
Bielema and his guys have a few big opportunities in front of them on Saturday against Purdue.
They have the chance to retain the Cannon Trophy and improve their conference record to 2-1.
But at a deeper level, they have the chance to keep some serious positive momentum going, something they’re going to need to have on their side when the No. 1 team in the country comes to town on Oct. 11.
