Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois football: Grading the Illini offense for the 2019 season

By Jalen Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 30: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) during the Redbox Bowl between the California Golden Bears and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 30: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) during the Redbox Bowl between the California Golden Bears and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

This Illinois football offense went through their rough patches during the 2019 season with season-ending injuries to some key players, but they were able to overcome these setbacks and get to a bowl game.

Quarterbacks: B-

The quarterback position was questionable going into the season, but Brandon Peters was able to win the battle and continue to impress during the season.

Peters impressed Illini fans as he threw for 1,884 yards and 18 touchdowns. The only reason this positions doesn’t get graded higher is that the backups didn’t preform well while Peters was out with injuries.

Matt Robinson only threw for 475 yards and 1 touchdown and Isaiah Williams threw for 38 yards as he was only used for running plays when in.

Overall, this was probably the best year for the quarterback position in the past three years.

Running backs: B+

The running back position was better this year all around. Though, Reggie Corbin didn’t rush for 1,000 yards and Mike Epstein suffered a season ending injury in the first game, the running back corps still did a good job.

Corbin rushed for a team high 675 yards and 7 touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per carry while Dre Brown followed with 584 yards an 5 touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

This season was a decent year for the running backs receiving-wise as Brown had 10 catches for 82 yards, Ra’von Bonner had 4 catches for 67 yards and 1 touchdown and Corbin had 3 catches for 28 yards.

Wide receivers: B

The receiving corps for the illini improved but battled through injuries during the year.

Ricky Smalling tore his ACL mid-season, Trevon Sidney season ended against Minnesota and Josh Imatorbhebhe had to sit out of the Northwestern and Cal game with a Injury.

This receiving corps was still solid as Imatorbhebhe led the team with 639 yards and 9 touchdowns, Donny Navarro had 345 yards and 2 touchdowns and Daniel Barker had 273 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Expect this receiving corps to be even better with every receiver and tight end coming back except Caleb Reams, Trenard Davis and Justice Williams.

Next. Continued Illini improvement is evident. dark

Offensive line: B

Going into the season, the offensive line was supposed to be the best thing about the offense.

The offensive line did struggle at times protecting the quarterback. Alex Palczewski and Vedarian Lowe underperformed while Doug Kramer and Kendrick Green had their best seasons with Illinois.

This grouping should be better next year if Kramer is healthy to start the season, and if the left guard plays good, as there is a hole at the guard position going into the off-season.

Home/Illinois Football