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Illinois Football: 4 ways the Illini can beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Roderick Perry II #96 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on from the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter at SHI Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 23-20. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Roderick Perry II #96 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on from the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter at SHI Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 23-20. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 14: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes for yards against Aaron Lewis #71 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Tyshon Fogg #8 during the first quarter at SHI Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 23-20. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 14: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes for yards against Aaron Lewis #71 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Tyshon Fogg #8 during the first quarter at SHI Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 23-20. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

4. Let’s keep leaning on the running game

I think it is fair to say that when the Illinois running game is strong, the program is strong. Looking back to last season, you can see a trend of success when the running game is doing well.

In 2019, the top four rushing performances resulted in a 2-2 record, but the two wins were an 18-point victory over Purdue and a one-point victory over No. 6 Wisconsin. The two losses were because of defense but they were still close games due to the running game being effective.

This past Saturday, Illinois had the running game on point. Quarterback Isaiah Williams had 31 carries for 192 yards and a touchdown. The Illini running backs also did well. Chase Brown had 17 carries for 171 yards while Mike Epstein also contributed 18 yards and a touchdown.

Illinois having this type of running production is a great recipe to win games. The game on Saturday against Nebraska should be much of the same. The Cornhuskers are a bad defensive team when it comes to defending the run. They are giving up 202.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 100 in the nation.

Nebraska gave up 18 carries for 61 yards to Penn State’s backup quarterback Will Levis. The Nittany Lions’ starting running back Devyn Ford had 16 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Penn State finished the game with 52 carries for 245 yards, which comes out to 4.7 yards per carry.

Next. Illini getting notoriety as a Final Four contender. dark

I have a bad feeling Illinois is going to go back to Brandon Peters at quarterback. The Illini are entering a game against Nebraska where the running game could run wild. Hopefully, offensive coordinator Rod Smith continues to pound the rock and doesn’t try to force the passing game.

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