Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Penn State

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Casey Washington (14) runs the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions safety Keaton Ellis (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Casey Washington (14) runs the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions safety Keaton Ellis (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 16: Reggie Love III #23 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 16: Reggie Love III #23 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. I think Reggie Love III is a special player

The loss of running back Chase Brown was always going to hurt the Illinois offense. He ran for over 1,600 yards and was one of the best running backs in the country.

Illinois has a solid replacement for Brown, though. Reggie Love III has been waiting for a few years to take the reins at running back. He could have transferred out of the program and been playing at a different school, but he didn’t do that. He stuck with the Orange and Blue.

Now it is time for Love to get his shine. Despite my issues with how the offensive coordinator is using the talented running back, I believe Love is a special player for the Illini program.

In the game against Toledo, Love only saw 12 carries but had 63 yards. That is 5.3 yards per carry. He followed that up with 45 yards on just eight carries against Kansas. That is 5.6 yards per carry. That is some solid production.

One would think Love would see more and more carries throughout the season. That continues to not be the case, though. He only had 12 carries against Penn State on Saturday. These 12 carries resulted in 55 yards and a touchdown. That is a solid 4.6 yards per carry against a solid Nittany Lions defense.

I wish, no I beg, Illinois’ offensive coordinator to use Love more. This kid has all the ability in the world. Let’s display his talent for the world to see.

Home/Illinois Football