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Illinois Football: 4 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith walks on the field during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith walks on the field during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (83) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Nate Hobbs (8) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (83) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Nate Hobbs (8) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Illini defense showed up big

Coming into the game against Rutgers, the Illinois defense had a lot to prove. When I say the defense has been bad this season, I am putting it nicely. This Illini defense needed to show up and it did.

There were only two drives where I was disappointed in the Illinois defense. Mainly, it had to do with the Illinois secondary getting dominated by Rutgers’ best wide receiver. But the Illini defense steadied the ship and turned things around.

This game could have easily slipped away from Illinois early on. Isaiah Williams fumbled in the first quarter after the Illini defense gave up a touchdown. Rutgers started at the Illinois 29-yard line. Despite the big advantage by the Scarlet Knights, Illinois’ defense held Rutgers to only a field goal to bring the score to 10-0.

Not allowing a touchdown by the Illinois defense was a big turning point in the game on Saturday. The Illini ended up scoring on the next drive, which was another momentum builder. The defense would only give up three more points in the half.

I wanted to point out a couple of more instances where Illinois’ defense came through. Illinois just scored a touchdown and were only down by three points. The defense had a big interception over the middle. This led to a game-tying field goal.

Illinois’ defense would end up intercepting Rutgers two more times, which eventually led to a game-winning field goal by James McCourt.

Honestly, while Williams had an amazing game on the ground, the Illini defense is what held this game together. If they weren’t solid, this would have been a loss. You have to give credit where credit is due.

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