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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Purdue

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Purdue Boilermakers running back D. J. Knox (1) reacts after a short run during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Purdue won, 46-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Purdue Boilermakers running back D. J. Knox (1) reacts after a short run during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Purdue won, 46-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 13: Purdue Boilermakers tight end Brycen Hopkins (89) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Tobias Larry (30) during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Purdue won, 46-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 13: Purdue Boilermakers tight end Brycen Hopkins (89) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Tobias Larry (30) during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Purdue won, 46-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Secondary help is needed

Like previously mentioned, I didn’t want to see Purdue next on the schedule because they have a good quarterback in David Blough. The Illini secondary isn’t where it needs to be to face a competent quarterback.

There are some things I like in this defensive backfield for the Illini. Cameron Watkins is a solid player who is probably the best defensive back Illinois has. He was all over the field on Saturday. I also like the development of the younger guys too. But, for most of the game, our defensive backs weren’t good.

I can’t put the full blame on players that are out there, though. Illinois doesn’t have the depth, talent and experience to be able to keep up with a good quarterback. The fact we have to move Tony Adams from the cornerback role to the safety role scares me. That also reminds me, safety Stanley Green had a huge encroachment on special teams that essentially ended the game for the Illini. I digress, though.

Illinois also just kicked their returning Freshman All-American safety off the team in Bennett Williams as well. This killed on Saturday. The two main safeties for the Illini right now are a converted cornerback in Adams and a true freshman three-star who was ranked as the No. 1603 player in the class of 2018 in Sydney Brown.

Don’t get me wrong, there are times where I love Brown out there. He is a ballhawk when it comes to the opposing team running the ball. But, in pass coverage, he isn’t up to speed. This hurt the Illini a lot.

I think the game on Saturday against Purdue showed us a lot. We need to work on the secondary in the worst way. It truly shows how clutch of a commitment Marquez Beason is to this program.

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