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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs with the ball, pursued by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aaron Casey (44) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III (23) runs with the ball, pursued by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aaron Casey (44) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback John Paddock (4) passes the ball during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback John Paddock (4) passes the ball during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. What a performance by John Paddock

I have watched the Illinois football program for a long time, and I have never seen anything like what John Paddock did on Saturday. This was an incredible performance and one that will live on in the record book for decades to come.

Paddock got his chance to shine against Indiana. This was his first start at Illinois after playing limited snaps in three other games this season. I believed Paddock would play well against Indiana, but no one saw a record-breaking performance coming.

In regulation and overtime, Paddock threw for 507 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He did all of this while completing 66.7% of his passes. He was on point with most of his throws, and they were coming out of his hand on time as well.

The 507 yards Paddock threw for against Indiana is now No. 2 on the Illinois football single-game passing yardage list. That is how special of a day this fifth-year senior had for the Illini.

I hope Luke Altmyer gets healthy and recovers well from his injury, but in my eyes, Paddock has earned the starting job the rest of the season. Illinois has a chance to go to a bowl game with one more win, so let’s give the wily old veteran a shot at leading us there.

Paddock gave Illinois fans some special memories last week with an incredible comeback win over Minnesota. I didn’t think there was any way he would follow that up with another memory-making moment. I was wrong. Paddock is a pretty cool story and special talent.

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