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Illinois Football: Reggie Corbin is a bright spot for gloomy Illini season

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) with the ball in the second quarter 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. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) with the ball in the second quarter 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. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Despite all the muck the Illinois football fan base is going through right now, there is one major bright spot for this program.

Reggie Corbin continues to dominate in the Illinois backfield and it is exciting to see every game. I am not sure why his usage isn’t higher than what it is, but that is a question for a different article. I wanted to give recognition where recognition is deserved.

Corbin has been incredible this season and even in losing situations, he comes out and gives it his all every game. He now has three 100-yard games this season and is averaging 92.38 yards per game on the ground. His presence in this Illinois offense is one of the only reasons we score points.

The pace Corbin is still on is impressive as well. If he finishes the season averaging 92.38 yards per game, he will end up with 1,108 yards on the ground, which is the most rushing yards by an Illini running back since Mikel Leshoure back in 2010 when he rushed for 1,697 yards.

Let’s also not forget how impactful Corbin is in the passing game as well. He has 10 receptions for 117 yards this season through the air. He is a classic dual-threat running back who can give you offense in multiple ways. That is what Illinois needed this season with a shaky quarterback situation.

I believe Corbin can put up the numbers to potentially exceed his projection of 1,108 yards this season too. The four games to end the season shouldn’t be too difficult on the running game. They play Minnesota next who is giving up 158.1 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 65. Nebraska is giving up 169.6 YPG on the ground, which ranks No. 74. Iowa is next, and they are tough. They are only giving up 95.6 YPG, which ranks No. 6 in the nation. And Northwestern is the final game, and they are giving up 146 YPG, which ranks No. 42 in the nation.

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So, the final stretch for the Illini isn’t too tough in the rush defense department, minus Iowa. I think Corbin can finish this season strong and be one of best running backs we have seen in years. This is a bright spot in a relatively gloomy season for the Orange and Blue.

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