Illinois Football: Areas of improvement for the Illini vs. Penn State

This weekend, Illinois football hosts No. 7 Penn State in a nationally televised matchup.

The Illini lost their first road game of the season at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks, 34-23. Although a two-score loss, the stat sheet demonstrated a larger gap between the two schools.

Areas of improvement for the Illinois football team against Penn State

• Rush defense

So far in 2023, opponents are averaging 224 rush yards per game against Illinois. All of last season, the Fighting Illini allowed 99.8 rush yards per game. Yes, this isn’t the same Illini defense from 2022. However, there are plenty of noteworthy opponents on Illinois’ schedule. For example, Penn State is averaging 230.5 rush yards per game.

Considering how much hoopla is surrounding this weekend’s game, it is important for Illinois football to play a competitive game on Saturday. Despite playing West Virginia and Delaware in the first two weeks, the Nittany Lions have won by a margin of 79 points. The defense has been a point of concern for the Fighting Illini, but the offense isn’t allowing the defense to get a break.

• Time of possession

Friday night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Illinois’ time of possession was 23:21 compared to the Jayhawks’ 36:39. Before the first quarter was over, the exhausted defense gave up two Kansas touchdowns. Even though the first scoring drive was seven plays and covered 75 yards, the drive took only 2:31 off the clock.

• Offensive line

A lack of offensive line experience is beginning to rear its ugly head for Illinois. So far, the Illini have allowed eight sacks, averaging four yards per sack, tied for seventh-most in the country. Despite returning three starters from last season, the line’s play has been mediocre at best.

The blame can’t be focused solely on the line, though. Despite completing nearly 70% of his passes in two games, quarterback Luke Altmyer threw a pair of interceptions versus Kansas.

• Penalties

Penalties have also been a talking point through the first two weeks. The Fighting Illini have been penalized 16 times, totaling 158 yards.

• 3rd Down Conversions

Moreover, third-down conversions are troublesome as well. Currently, Illinois is converting third downs 33% of the time, near the bottom of Division I. On the other side of the ball, the Orange and Blue are allowing opponents to convert on 57% of third downs, ranking No. 128 in the country.

• Red Zone Defense

Red zone defense hasn’t been friendly to the Illini. In 10 trips within the red zone, Illinois has allowed 10 red zone scores. On the flip side, the Fighting Illini have scored six times in as many visits to the red zone.

All hope isn’t lost for Illinois, but discipline has played a factor in its shortcomings thus far. A home win versus a nationally ranked opponent on national television can surely remedy any doubts established in the young season.