TAMPA, Florida. — Illinois Head Coach Bret Bielema said Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl could be a stepping stone for his program into the 2023 season. That could certainly be true in a few positions.
As three of the team’s top stars pulled out of Monday’s game against Mississippi State (8-4) to prepare for the NFL Draft – All-American running back Chase BrownAll-American cornerback Devon Witherspoon and safety All-Big Ten Sidney Brown – the Illini (8-4) will turn to more untested options at running back and in the secondary in their bid for a ninth victory.
But those players are also potentially Illini’s best options in the job next season, so Monday could be a good glimpse into the future in both attacking and defensive backs.
“I think these guys are excited about their opportunity, and that’s really what, to be honest with you, these bowl games have become, this process for a lot of position groups,” the offensive coordinator said. ‘Illinois. Barry Lunney Jr. said. And not necessarily right here, but just across the country with guys who had their opportunity who worked hard and helped us along the way.
Illinois can’t replace him Chase Brown, the top power-five rusher (1,643 yards) entering the bowl season, with one player. A midterm projected draft pick, Brown is Illini’s top big-play threat and a workhorse.
But Illinois has long praised his depth at running back — a position at which Bielema had a 1,000-yard rusher in 13 of his 14 seasons as Illinois head coach — and that will be tested Monday against a Mississippi State defense that ends up no. 13th in the nation in defensive efficiency, according to ESPN FPI.
Second year in red shirt Reggie Love will likely assume significant help from touches out of the backfield. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back was second on the team in rushing this season (277 yards, 4.7 yards per carry), and he rushed for a career-high 85 yards at the floor and a touchdown in the 41- of the Illini. 3 routing to Northwestern in the regular season finale last month.
Second year Josh McCray, who has missed nine games with a knee injury this season, is also healthy and has been “100% involved” in bowl practices with Bielema saying on Thursday that McCray “seems pretty good.” While he had just 12 carries for 39 yards this season, McCray rushed for 549 yards (4.9 ypc) as a true freshman in 2021 and looked like a future No. 1 running back with two games of 140 or more rushing yards last season.
Both Love and McCray have a chance to show they can anchor a successful rushing offense in the post-Chase Brown era.
“Obviously Reggie, what he’s done for us over the last year and the way he’s stepped in when he’s had the chance, I mean game after game, every time he made plays for us in critical times,” Lunney said. We know he is ready to step in and take on this role. It will be nice to have Josh back in the fold and healthy, so I’m excited to see how that plays out.
Added Illini junior wide receiver Casey Washington: “Chase is obviously a great player. I would say generational. You’re not going to see another one for a while here. But we’ve got good backs as well. Reggie is a very good player. When his name is called, he’s “move on…These guys are dogs. They come, they show up every day and work whether Chase is there or not. They’re just ready to compete. When the opportunity comes and their number is called, they make it happen.
With Witherspoon and Sidney Brown choose to sit down and start cornerback Tahveon Nicholson still out with a wrist injury, what has been an elite Illini secondary will be vulnerable against Mississippi State’s prolific Air Raid passing offense, which ranks No. 1. 8 among FBS teams in passing yards per game (314.3). Witherspoon and Brown combined for nine interceptions
The good news is that Illini’s replacements in this position, although young, have already been tested this season.
Freshman Safety Matthew Bailey He played 113 snaps this season, mostly in the Illini’s day pass, and had two interceptions. Red Shirt Freshman Cornerback Tyler Strain He played significant snaps after Nicholson’s injury – 90 in the final month of the season – and had four passes defended and two interceptions. Freshman cornerback Xavier Scott has also been thrown into the fire the past three games, recording 75 defensive snaps over that three-game streak, and he even forced a key fumble in a narrow loss to Michigan.
Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry added that freshmen Elijah McCantos, Green Prince and Curry Kionte all could also receive representatives on Monday.
“This experience is monumental,” Henry said. At one point, Devon Witherspoon was a wide-eyed freshman. Sidney Brown was a wide-eyed freshman. Quan Martin was a wide-eyed freshman. Kendall Smith was a wide-eyed freshman running around. I think everyone knew he had ability, but I don’t know if everyone knew, “This kid is a potential first-round draft pick or a potential second- or third-round draft pick. ” Experience is key, man. For many of these players, this will be the first time they have gained much experience.
“I think as you go through the year, especially with players retiring, just the turnover of your roster, you have to get guys playing a little bit more, a little bit earlier, give them that confidence. so when you’re in a game like this, our guys feel extremely (confident). Just DBs in general, all those DBs think they’re the best thing since sliced bread.
Illinois got a boost in high school when Quan Martin decided to play in the bowl game after considering retiring with Witherspoon and Brown.
Martin, an All-Big Ten Second Team selection by the media and an All-Big Ten Third Team selection by the coaches, was among the national leaders in passes defended (14) and steals (3). With sixth grade senior security Kendall Smith (four interceptions), Martin also provides leadership on the back end for Monday’s big test.
“It was amazing spending time with these young guys and coaching them through the game of bowling and watching these guys develop throughout the season. Just being here with them means a lot,” Martin told Illini Inquirer. Coach Henry continues to talk about how this could be a starting point for their careers. Lots of young guys will get their chance there. When their name is called, I feel like they are going to show up. The level has always been high throughout the season and I just talked to these guys all week. They know the standard is high and they know what to expect.
Mississippi State did not have any player withdrawals, although a few key players – running back Dillon Johnson and leading wide receiver Rara Thomas – entered the transfer portal and will not play for the Bulldogs on Monday. So, for both teams, players need to take on bigger roles to help lead their respective teams to a ninth win.
For Illinois, Monday will also provide an in-depth assessment of its next chapter on running back and defensive back.
“All these young players, it’s a great opportunity for them,” Henry said. “At the end of the day, it’s football. Football isn’t difficult. It’s not complicated. If you can run around, you can hit people and do your job, you can be very successful.
0 Comments