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Illinois Football: 5 key players for the Illini to beat Maryland

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) passes the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) passes the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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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) /

3. Barry Lunney Jr.

I would argue the biggest player for the Illinois football team to get the win over Maryland is not a player at all. It is offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

While he isn’t in pads and a helmet, Lunney is a huge player in the ability for the Illini to get back on track with a win this weekend. If Lunney can get out of his own way, then Illinois can make a bowl game in 2023.

Lunney’s playcalling doesn’t make sense. Let’s go back to the Nebraska game. This was a decently close contest, with the game just 17-7 at halftime. At no point in the first three and a half quarters was this game out of hand.

Despite that fact, Lunney had Luke Altmyer throw 47 passes and our running backs had a total of 12 carries against the Cornhuskers. That type of uneven offense is baffling to me, especially with such a talented freshman running back and a terrible pass-blocking offensive line.

Everyone in the world can see the Illinois offensive line is struggling. They can’t block anyone off the edge, and that is why Altmyer is getting sacked 4.0 times per game, which ranks No. 122 in the country. So, why drop Altmyer back that many times in a game?

The only logical explanation for why Lunney continues to force a square peg in a round hole is ego. He wants to pass the ball all over the field, but that doesn’t work. We scored a total of seven points against Nebraska by passing the ball 47 times, which is the most for an Illinois quarterback since 2016.

Run the ball consistently. Please, I am begging you, Lunney, run the dang ball. Let Kaden Feagin eat. This kid is a monster, and he can control the Maryland game.

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