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Illinois Football: 3 observations from the Illini’s 2019 season

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 09: Members of Illinois football team pick coach Lovie Smith up on their shoulders following a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 9, 2019 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 09: Members of Illinois football team pick coach Lovie Smith up on their shoulders following a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 9, 2019 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Brandon Peters was huge for this team

I will be the first to admit, I was hesitant on Brandon Peters. Illinois brought in some quarterback talent behind the start transfer, so when we started 2-4, I was calling for his replacement. Boy was I wrong.

Peters came up huge for the Illini in 2019. While he had his bad games like against Nebraska – 78 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception – he was sensational for this program for the most part.

Against the No. 6 team in the country, the Wisconsin Badgers, Peters threw for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns. He managed to stay interception free against one of the best defenses in the country. He was a huge reason the Illini were in that game.

In the big comeback against Michigan State, Illinois needed offense. The game couldn’t have been won without a big day from Peters. He ended up throwing for 369 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. This game will live on forever.

And let’s not forget the Purdue game. Yes, Peters only threw for 26 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, but that is what he needed to do. This was the game where essentially a monsoon was hitting. Peters didn’t throw an interception and let our defense do some work.

Against bowl teams in 2019, Peters threw for 1296 yards, 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He was a huge reason Illinois was able to get back to a bowl game. I expect Peters to be even better in 2020.

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