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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Wisconsin

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) gets a hand from teammate Aidan Laughery (21) during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) gets a hand from teammate Aidan Laughery (21) during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. I can’t wait to see how Kaden Feagin develops

The Illinois offense puts the program in a much better position when we run the football. This enables us to move the ball down the field, and more importantly, it eats up the clock.

Illinois has been without Reggie Love III for a couple of games now, and Josh McCray is out for the season. This hurt the running back depth greatly, but it is also giving four-star monster, Kaden Feagin, his chance to shine brightly.

Feagin has taken the reins of the Illinois backfield and hasn’t looked back. He has been a workhorse for the Illini, finishing the Wisconsin game with 24 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown. In the last two games, Feagin has touted the rock a whopping 43 times. That is the style of football I expect from Bret Bielema.

By no means has Feagin disappointed in the carries he has received either. The true freshman has looked solid, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The only issue that anyone probably has with Feagin is his lack of burst, but he doesn’t need that.

Feagin wows me every time he steps on the field. He can make a -2-yard run into a +2-yard run by himself. His ability to move his hips and slip through holes is impressive considering he is 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. While he doesn’t have that burst, he does glide on the football field.

Illinois fans are just getting a glimpse of Feagin on the football field. Over the next few games this season and the offseason ahead, he is going to develop even more. I can’t wait to see what Feagin looks like in 2024. I believe we will have one of the best running backs in the nation.

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