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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 wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) is congratulated after he caught the winning touchdown pass in overtime to defeat the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) is congratulated after he caught the winning touchdown pass in overtime to defeat the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Isaiah Williams is having a special season for the Illini

Right now, John Paddock is having a moment. He is a fifth-year transfer quarterback who has lit the world on fire with his passing ability and scrappy mentality. While we praise Paddock and his greatness, let’s not forget about what Isaiah Williams is doing this season.

On Saturday, Williams was great for the Illini. He was one of Paddock’s go-to guys. Williams finished the Indiana game with nine receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He was electric when he got the ball, and his speed is something that gives Illinois a huge advantage.

This was the best game of Williams’ great career. He had never topped the 200-yard mark at Illinois, and he now has 68 receptions for 893 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

Williams’ 68 receptions this season now ranks No. 8 all-time in single-season receptions in the history of the Illinois football program. He is just 65 yards from cracking the top 10 in single-season yardage as well.

I’ll take how special Williams is a step further. He now has 200 receptions at Illinois. That ranks No. 2 in career receptions for the Illinois football program. The only player ahead of him is David Williams with 262 receptions. Wiliams also has 2,142 receiving yards for his career, which ranks No. 8 all-time as of right now.

Illinois fans are witnessing a truly special wide receiver in Williams. Just imagine the records he would have held if he wasn’t a quarterback for the first two years in Champaign. Let’s enjoy what we are watching for the final few games of the season.

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