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Illinois Football: 3 key players for the Illini to beat Penn State

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) leaps over Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) 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 linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) leaps over Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) in the first quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois football
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 27: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shakes hands with offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. after the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. OC Barry Lunney Jr.

I usually only put players in the three key players article, but I am going to spice it up a bit. I think Illinois’ offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is going to be a massive player in the result of this game, despite not actually playing a snap.

Illinois has a solid offense, and I do not believe anyone who says otherwise. I truly believe Lunney is not using our talent right, which has sometimes killed us.

The Illini have had a solid rushing attack this season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer and running back Reggie Love III are both over 100 yards through two games, and they are both averaging over 5.0 yards per carry. This season, Illinois has also averaged 4.8 yards per carry for the team. That is good enough to rank No. 38 in the country.

In week one, West Virginia also had success running on Penn State. While the Nittany Lions’ pass rush was stellar, their ability to stop the run was a lot weaker.

Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. had 18 carries for 81 yards, and West Virginia’s quarterback Garrett Greene had 15 carries for 71 yards. Each player had a score as well.

Long story short, the offense is on Lunney’s shoulders on Saturday. Illinois needs to run the ball early and often. Love is a more than capable ball carrier who can give the program over 100 yards on any given night. I think more designed runs need to be called for Altmyer as well.

Illinois running the ball more often and more consistently is not just going to help move the ball down the field, but it will also help the defense. The more clock that the Illini offense eats up, the less the Penn State offense is on the field. I am hoping Lunney goes into a heavier run offense on Saturday.

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