Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Iowa

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini players celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini players celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 08: Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks to pass during the first quarter in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 08: Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks to pass during the first quarter in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. I miss Tommy DeVito already

I think we all realize what Tommy DeVito is and isn’t as a quarterback. He isn’t a massive number compiler. He won’t go out and throw for 450 yards and five touchdowns in a game.

That is okay, though. Illinois doesn’t need him to be that. What we need him to be is Tommy DeVito. That is a hardworking, bring your lunch pail to work, type of quarterback. He knows he wants to win and will get that win at all costs.

On Saturday, we lost that leader. Illinois would go on a 17-play, 66-yard drive that resulted in six points to start the game. We were moving the ball on our second drive as well. DeVito had it to midfield but then he tried to run up the middle and his ankle got rolled on.

DeVito would leave the game and never be seen on the field again. Enter Art Sitkowski, who has plenty of football experience. While Sitkowski does have experience, he just isn’t DeVito.

In, essentially, a drive in a half or the first eight minutes of the game, DeVito was 6-of-11 for 42 yards. In just over three quarters of football, Sitkowski was 13-of-19 for 74 yards and a backbreaking interception.

I am thankful Illinois has an experienced backup who knows the college game, but I am already missing DeVito. I want, no, I need him back for the Minnesota game. I am hoping that his ankle will be okay enough to play against the Golden Gophers.

DeVito isn’t the best player on the Illinois offense, but I would argue he is one of the leaders. This kid is extremely valuable to our success. I miss you, Tommy.

Home/Illinois Football