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

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) battles with South Florida Bulls linebacker Nico Sawtelle (54) 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) /

3. The running game is incredible

Before the game on Saturday, I typed an article about how dynamic the Illinois running game has been and what pace they are on this season. That pace continued to be solid as they did a pretty good job against South Florida.

As a team, Illinois was on pace to rush for 3,102 yards this season through two games, and the Illini were projected to have three players – AJ Bush, Mike Epstein and Reggie Corbin – go over 800 yards for the season as well. Bush didn’t play, so his projection has dropped, but Epstein and Corbin both had good games.

The projected total rushing yards for the season dropped to 2,916 yards, but this was because Illinois didn’t have the quarterback runs from MJ Rivers like they did with Bush. Epstein did manage to hit the 100-yard mark for the second straight game, and his projected yards for the season is now at 1,004 yards. Corbin isn’t far behind Epstein as his projected total for the season is 960 yards.

There were many times I heard on Twitter that Illinois should run the ball more. I agree with this statement completely. I don’t mind passing the ball, but Epstein and Corbin need to get more than 31 carries per game.

Illinois actually has some weapons on offense. They are close to having not just one, but two 1,000-yard rushers in 2018. That is an impressive feat. We are becoming a real team again.

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