Running Back
Starter: Reggie Corbin
It was so nice having Reggie Corbin back for the Eastern Michigan game. He sat out with an injury in the UConn win a couple of weeks ago. But, if we didn’t have him in the Eastern Michigan contest, that game could have been ugly.
Corbin looked like himself during the game against the Eagles. He rushed the ball 18 times for 144 yards and 1 touchdown. That helped get him closer to being on track for 1,000 yards this season. I look for Corbin to have another big game against Nebraska. He is going to be needed on Saturday.
Backup: Dre Brown
Honestly, behind Corbin is a running back by committee style of offense. Rod Smith isn’t just going with one backup. He rotates a combination of about three other running backs when Corbin isn’t in the game. The lead out of this bunch is Dre Brown.
I would say Brown has been the second-most effective running back on the team this season. He has rushed for a total of 21 carries for 106 yards. That is a 5 yards per carry average, which is one of the best on the team. I love that the Illini have a solid, veteran, back up at running back.