2. Illinois about coughed up the game
I was only frustrated with one position group on the field for the Illini. This group was the running backs.
The thing with the Illini running backs is that they were running well. Kaden Feagin paced the running backs with 14 carries for 60 yards. Ca’Lil Valentine was effective all game, going for eight carries for 59 yards. Aidan Laughery was eased back into action, too, going for seven carries for 25 yards.
Illinois’ running backs were getting whatever they wanted all game long. But when it came down to the goal line situations, that is when everything would go haywire.
Early in the game, Illinois had a chance to take a 14-point lead heading into the half. Feagin was down to inches away from the end zone when he left the ball on the ground, and USC picked it up. This was a 10-point swing.
Illinois could have salted the game away with Valentine and not had to worry about making a comeback, but that didn’t end up being the case. Valentine was heading for paydirt, but USC punched the ball out, and they recovered for a touchback in the end zone.
The Illini almost lost this game. It was our own fault that the score was that close. If our running backs could hold on to the football, this would have been a different scoreboard completely.