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

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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 27: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Chase Brown

I could make an argument that Chase Brown needs to be on the key players to beat a team list for the rest of the season. He is our best player and is the engine that drives the Illinois offense.

The Illini are 2-1 this season, and a large part of the success has to do with Brown carrying the ball. He has rushed for 496 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games. He has eclipsed the 145 yards in every game as well.

Brown has been a crucial piece for the Illini in the first three games, and he will continue being that go-to guy against a tough Chattanooga bunch.

The Mocs are entering Thursday night with one of the best rush defenses in the FCS. They are giving up just 78 yards per game, which ranks No. 15 in the country. That is a scary number if you are an opponent.

If the Illini are struggling, it will be due to the running game not moving the ball down the field. Chattanooga knows how to stop the run.

Thankfully, I believe Illinois’ power and physical play will get the best of Chattanooga. We have bigger, faster, and stronger players, so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Once we get Brown going on the ground, everything else should open up.

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