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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 02: Isaiah Williams #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini catches a pass while defended by Jaylin Williams #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 02, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 02: Isaiah Williams #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini catches a pass while defended by Jaylin Williams #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 02, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Sep 2, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chase Brown is amazing

I have been alive and witnessed some special running back talent in my lifetime. Rashard Mendenhall has been the best ball carrier for the Illini. Mikel Leshoure was pretty good as well. I think Chase Brown is going to finish up there with the all-time greats of this program.

Brown started his 2022 campaign off with 151 yards against Wyoming. This was a great performance and the best opening game performance for the Orange and Blue since 1945. I was curious if he could follow that great showing up with another one against a Big Ten program. Let me tell you, he didn’t disappoint.

On Friday night against Indiana, Brown would finish with 36 carries for 199 yards. Illinois leaned on him for production, and he delivered every time. Even when the Hoosiers knew it was going to be a run, Brown would still gain a few yards despite eight or nine men in the box.

Brown is a mix of great power and agility. If you combined the best qualities of Kendrick Foster and Reggie Corbin, you would produce Brown. He has the power that Foster had with the agility and speed of Corbin.

On the year, Brown now has 350 yards through two games. Despite the loss, he is poised to have one of the best seasons in program history. Let’s sit back and enjoy what we are watching.

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