Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to South Florida

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 15: South Florida Bulls wide receiver Randall St. Felix (84) battles with Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) to catch the football in action during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the South Florida Bulls on September 15, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The South Florida Bulls defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini by the score of 25 to 19. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. We really need the suspended players back

Let me first start off by saying, Illinois has suspended players and they probably wouldn’t be suspended unless they needed to be for one reason or another. I trust what the coaching staff is doing and, hopefully, this is a teaching moment for these young kids. With that being said, man, we need these players back in the worst way.

When I say we need those suspended players back, I am talking about Bennett Williams, Nate Hobbs and Louis Dorsey. All three of these players would have been huge against South Florida, and I believe we would have won the game with them on the field.

Dorsey would have been a big piece because MJ Rivers needs more weapons. The only viable options to throw to right now are probably Ricky Smalling, Mike Epstein and Reggie Corbin, but two of those players are running backs. Having a potential All-American tight end out there would make a huge difference.

Williams and Hobbs not being on the field potentially cost the Illini the game on Saturday. Illinois gave up some big plays to the South Florida wide receivers throughout the game. This was mainly due to inexperience and skill level of the replacement defensive backs. If Illinois had the starters on the field, some of these big plays likely wouldn’t have happened.

I don’t know what the suspensions are for, but they are killing this team right now. I hope they end soon and the players have learned a lesson. This team needs those three players back on the field.

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