There are still, at least, eight games left for the Illinois football team in 2019.
Illinois currently sits at 2-2 on the season with some signs of hope after competing well against what was supposed to be a tough Nebraska program. Through the first four games, there have been some bright spots, one of which is Reggie Corbin.
Corbin has been the starting running back for this team for the last two seasons and has been with the program since the Jimmy Carter Administration. There are times, as a fan, where you can look at the record more than what type of players we have on the field.
This team and coaching staff have so much pressure on them right now. They have an entire fanbase watching them and wanting to get more wins on the board than years past. That pressure should be there, but we as fans should also appreciate what we are seeing on the field with Corbin.
Corbin has been nothing but special when healthy. Last season was the first year we got to see this talented running back for, almost, a full campaign. He rushed for 1,085 yards and 9 touchdowns. That great year put him on the national radar as an elite running back in the college game. This pressure usually gets to players, along with NFL attention, but Corbin has suited up this season and is on pace for another great year.
So far, through four games, Corbin has rushed for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. That is a pace of 942 yards for the 2019 campaign. If you take that number and add it to the previous three seasons he has rushed the ball, Corbin would finish with an outstanding 2,628 yards, which would rank No. 5 all-time in the history of the program.
Listen, there is a chance this season won’t go the way some fans had hoped. I was hoping we would see a bowl game this season, but that might not happen. It could still happen, but it might not. But, no matter what, let’s appreciate what we are seeing on the football field. A running back like Corbin doesn’t come around that often.