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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Northwestern

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) carries The Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) carries The Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Future at running back is bright

Illinois fans just watched one of the best seasons a running back has had in program history. Chase Brown is inching closer and closer to the single-season rushing record that was set by Mikel Leshoure.

On Sunday, Brown had a chance to beat Leshoure’s 1,697-yard record, but due to injuries, he fell just short with 19 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. Brown now sits at 1,643 yards for the season, so he only needs 55 yards in the bowl game to break the record.

While that record is amazing to watch and it may never be broken again, it was also fun on Saturday to see the future of the Illinois running back position in action.

Reggie Love III finally got his shine. With Brown on the mend for a minute, Love saw action and thrived. He would carry the ball well, finishing with 11 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. Brown was the main reason Illinois was able to jump ahead of Northwestern.

The future of the Illinois running back position is so bright. Technically, Brown could return to Champaign as he is only a junior, but there is no question he is heading to the NFL. That leaves Love, who is going to be a junior, as the starting running back in 2023.

Josh McCray is right there with Love. He was the No. 2 running back in 2021, but injuries have hampered his career. Look for a healthy McCray to have a big timeshare at running back next season. If he didn’t take a medical redshirt this season, he should be a junior in 2023 as well.

Beyond those two monsters, I am intrigued by Jordan Anderson. He was a freshman this season who, most likely, took a redshirt. This dude is 6-foot-4, 240-pounds, and his high school tape is fun to watch. He could end up being like Derrick Henry for the Illini.

Let’s not forget, Illinois also had a four-star running back in Kaden Feagin coming in from the class of 2023. He is going to contend for snaps from day one. I could go on and on, but you get the point. Illinois is developing quite the running back room, and it is exciting.

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