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Illinois Football: 3 key players for the Illini to beat Virginia

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) celebrates a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) celebrates a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 2, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Tommy DeVito (3) runs the ball while Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald (31) defends in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Tommy DeVito (3) runs the ball while Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald (31) defends in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Tommy DeVito

We are only two games into the 2022 campaign, but the energy and zip I see with Tommy DeVito’s ball is exciting. I think he has a more lively arm than any Illinois quarterback since, probably, Nathan Scheelhaase.

DeVito had some pretty good moments against Indiana last week. He would finish the game with 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also had a completion percentage of 60%, which I will take every week.

But there were some big issues I had with DeVito last week against Indiana as well. The biggest issue is probably his ability to overthrow his wide receiver. On multiple occasions, DeVito had a wide receiver in the middle of the field, but the ball would fly over the pass catcher’s head. This actually resulted in the lone interception he threw.

I truly believe DeVito is a good quarterback who can lead Illinois to a bowl game this season. From what I see through two games, he has the ability to be one of the best passers the Illini have had in the last decade. But he needs to tighten up the mistakes.

That is why I think he is one of the key players to beat Virginia. If DeVito has a good, error-free game, then I think we beat the Cavaliers. Last season, Artur Sitkowski threw for 221 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He only completed 53% of his passes too. I need a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio, at worst, out of DeVito. He needs to be on-point against Virginia.

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