Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to the Kansas Jayhawks

Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) reacts after an injury during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) reacts after an injury during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) drops back to pass against Kansas Jayhawks defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) drops back to pass against Kansas Jayhawks defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Illinois may have found a big-time target

While everything might seem doom and gloom right now, I think Illinois might have found a big-time target on offense moving forward.

Luke Altmyer is still trying to find chemistry with players on the offensive side of the ball. He clearly is comfortable with Isaiah Williams, who had six receptions for 99 yards, but Altmyer is looking to get a comfort blanket when the team needs a nice 10-15-yard play.

I think that comfort blanket might end up being tight end Griffin Moore. I never thought I would say these words, but Moore looked like a player Illinois could lean on moving forward.

Moore had seen very little action during his career at Illinois before Friday night. He only had one reception prior to this game, and it was in the bowl game against Mississippi State back in January. He had one reception for 17 yards in that contest.

This is Moore’s fifth season with the Illinois program, albeit he is only a junior. It is nice to see him finally get some shine, which I believe could develop into a much bigger role with the Illini.

On Friday night, Moore finished the game with four receptions for 56 yards, both were second on the team. He was consistently open in the middle of the field, and I don’t believe he dropped a single pass. He looked like Rob Gronkowski out there running down the middle of the field.

Altmyer is still getting comfortable in this Illinois offense. Let’s lean on Moore moving forward. He can help the Illini move the ball in the first half, so we can stop digging ourselves into a hole.