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

By Rees Woodcock

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Reggie Love III #23 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks a tackle from Shawn Preston Jr. #12 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Reggie Love III #23 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks a tackle from Shawn Preston Jr. #12 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs with the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs with the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Love III – Running Back

My mindset is to have Luke Altmyer as more of a game manager against Toledo. This will give him the ability to learn at a nice pace and develop in-game chemistry.

With Altmyer still developing with his teammates, this is going to put more pressure on Reggie Love III to run wild against the Rockets.

Love has sat behind some good running backs since coming to Illinois. The latest running back, Chase Brown, is now with the Cincinnati Bengals. With Brown out of the way, it is Love’s time to shine.

In 2022, Love had some pretty good numbers. He rushed for 330 yards and two touchdowns. I was also impressed with his 4.6 yards per carry. Love should be able to at least hit that number on Saturday as well.

Toledo gave up 150.8 yards per game on the ground in 2022, which ranked No. 60 in the country. Their front seven was hurt by departures, so the Illini should have an easier time running the football.

So Altmyer doesn’t have pressure on him to perform, Illinois is going to need Love to have a big game. I think this will be his coming out party. Love should go for over 100 yards rushing. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him add another 20 yards in the air as well.

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