After the 34-16 loss to Ohio State, the Illini have the week off. Now, of course, they will use the time to get some players fully healthy, such as Kaden Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine, to name a couple.
but some glaring questions will have to be answered before next weekend’s trip to Seattle to take on the Huskies.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Illini offensive number 2024 vs 2025 through 7 games
2024
- PPG: 29.57
- Yards rushing 1,024 – 146.2 RYPG 8 TDs
- Yards passing 1,350 – 192.8 PYPG 15 TDs
- Red Zone offense 27/29 93.1% 19 TDs
2025
- 34 PPG
- Yards rushing 831 – 118.7 RYPG 14 TDS
- Yards passing1,851 – 260 PYPG 14 TDs
- Red Zone offense 27/32 84.37% 15 TDs
Scoring is up, rush yards are down, passing yards are up, and the Red Zone offense is down. Now, rushing yards are obviously affected by the loss of Josh McCray and early-season injury to Aidan Laughery, but Rushing TDs are up!
Ca’Lil Valentine has been showing more of what he can do with 329 yards on 64 carries with three TDs. Kaden Feagin has played every game, although somewhat banged up, 338 yards on 85 carries with five TDs. It just seems as if he is not hitting the hole with the same ferocity he displayed last year. Laughery is back and looks healthy, which is good news.
Passing yards are up despite the loss of Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. That can be attributed to the growth of Hank Beatty. Beatty has stepped into the role of primary receiver with 39 catches for 617 yards (15.82 YPC) but only two TDs. He has been supported by Collin Dixon, who has come on as of late, with 357 yards on only 22 catches (16.23 YPC) and 3 TDs. The low TD numbers for Beatty and Dixon are testimony to QB Luke Altmyer’s ability to use the entire field and find the open receiver. One target who most people seem to forget about is Justin Bowick, with only 12 catches for 150 yards, but he makes it count with four TDs. Hudson Clement has been slow to get going, but his increased presence these last couple of games is giving Altmyer even more weapons.
NOW FOR THE DEFENSE
2024 defensive numbers:
- Sacks 19
- TFLs 32
- QBH 16
- INT 8
- PDs 17
- FR 5
2025 defensive numbers:
- Sacks 15
- TFLs 34
- QBH 19
- INT 2
- PDs 14
- FR 8
All defensive numbers are about the same, except for interceptions. Only two picks this season vs eight last season. One of the picks this year is by LB Dylan Rosiek! So, it is essentially one INT by the secondary versus eight the previous year.
While the remaining games are not as high caliber as Ohio State or Indiana, staying status quo is not an option.
I think the offense needs very few tweaks to it other than the O-Line, which was considered a strength in the preseason with all the experienced players. But it has not shown the consistency it needs to show now; they did fair better against Ohio State in terms of protection, with only four sacks and six TFLs vs. the Indiana game (seven sacks, and 10 TFLs). However, it has to improve if they want to compete with the big boys.
Defensively, first and foremost, the D-Line AND Gabe Jacas need to get more penetration and put pressure on opposing QBs and slow down the run. This would help take pressure off the LBs and DBs, who right now are providing the majority of defensive stops. I am sure that Bielema, Henry and Lunney have put this past week to good use and we should see a more focused team these last five games.
