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

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: South Florida Bulls wide receiver Darnell Salomon (3) catches the football for a touchdown in the 4th quarter of 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)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: South Florida Bulls wide receiver Darnell Salomon (3) catches the football for a touchdown in the 4th quarter of 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) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball after a reception during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Kent State 31-24. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball after a reception during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Kent State 31-24. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

5. Illinois needs WR help

While there were struggles by many different positions on Saturday, one position that is really struggling is at wide receiver. Illinois is so young or inexperienced at this position and it is killing the offense.

MJ Rivers did struggle, like previously mentioned, but he doesn’t have much help on the outside. There were multiple times Rivers put the ball on-point in high-traffic situations, but the wide receiver would drop the ball. When it comes to actual wide receivers, Ricky Smalling is the only one I trust right now.

Illinois is also missing a few wide receivers who could have done some special things this season. Mike Dudek went down with a season-ending injury to his knee. Edwin Carter had a great start to his career before a defensive back ended his season. Carmoni Green had a chance to step up, but he is a part of the suspensions and hasn’t seen the field yet.

Don’t get me wrong, though, I think we have seen some great work out of the replacements for these players so far. Players like Carlos Sandy and Dominic Stampley are doing their best to fill in the for the missing pieces. I can’t fault them for having to play right away for this Illini team. They are new to the situation and are expected to perform right away. That isn’t fair to them.

Next. 5 Illini recruiting targets who could commit soon for 2019. dark

The Illini don’t have a lot of help at wide receiver right now. It would have been nice to have the players in the game that I have mentioned above, but sometimes things don’t work out the way they are supposed to. If you are a wide receiver recruit and are reading this, just know, there is plenty of room for playing time in 2019.

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