Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Wyoming

2. Tommy DeVito is exactly what we need at quarterback

I haven’t been wishing for an Illinois quarterback who throws for 400 yards per game. That might not ever come to Champaign as long as I am alive. But I have wanted a quarterback who I can trust with the football. I think that quarterback is Tommy DeVito.

DeVito’s numbers on Saturday will not jump off the page. He finished the win over Wyoming going 27-of-37 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Those are solid numbers and is something I would expect against Wyoming.

What I am most happy about when it comes to the quarterback position is the fact I think DeVito is exactly what Illinois has needed for years.

DeVito has an arm that can zip the ball into a pass catcher. He isn’t just going to float the ball in and get the receiver killed or have the ball get picked off. If anything, DeVito will put too much zip on the ball and it will be tipped by the receiver or go through his hands.

The fact DeVito is an efficient passer who takes care of the ball excites me. He completed 73% of his passes on Saturday, and I can’t remember the last time Illinois had a quarterback complete passes at this rate. That efficiency helps move the ball down the field and it lets the Illinois defense rest.

I wouldn’t say DeVito is a Heisman Trophy candidate by any means, but he is what this program needed. He is someone who can keep us in games and not throw away a potential victory. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds.