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Illinois Football: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Purdue

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (right, top) is seen during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (right, top) is seen during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Milton Wright (0) receives a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Milton Wright (0) receives a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Illinois’ secondary has been awful

I think it is fair to say that the Illinois secondary has been the biggest weak point for the program this season and it’s not even close.

On the first drive of the game, Purdue had three completions which totaled 21 yards, 10 yards and 29 yards. This led to a touchdown for the Boilermakers. That is not a good way to start a game.

Just two drives later for Purdue, Aidan O’Connell throws a 45-yard touchdown pass to Milton Wright. This was an ugly play where the communication broke down between Nate Hobbs and Sydney Brown. It was honestly unacceptable.

I could continue on with how bad the Illinois secondary has been but the opponent quarterback numbers can prove the point. O’Connell was 29-of-35 for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns. The only time he was struggling was when the Illinois front four could get to him.

Last week was even worse. Graham Mertz for Wisconsin was 20-of-21 for 248 yards and 5 touchdowns. So, the two quarterbacks Illinois has played this season has gone a combined 49-of-56 for 619 yards and 7 touchdowns in just two games.

Something needs to change with the Illini secondary and it needs to change fast. We can’t keep getting into big holes from the start. We can’t keep giving up 250 yards or more and 2 or more touchdowns in each game. That is just not good football. It is not winning football.

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