The Illinois football team was doubted at every turn, but we were resilient on Saturday.
Oregon came into the game as a heavy favorite. Even without their starting quarterback and wide receiver, they were still projected to beat the Illini.
While the Ducks didn’t have their starters, Illinois was missing our starting quarterback, too. This game came down to the coaches, and Bret Bielema out-coached Dan Lanning.
The Ducks had plenty of chances down the stretch. They just couldn't get it done, as the Illinois defense was suffocating Dylan Raiola all game long. This resulted in a 21-10 win for the Illini.
Here are five massive observations from the Illinois football win over Oregon
1. Illinois defense needs credit
Coming into the game on Saturday, Oregon was a double-digit or near-double-digit favorite. Illinois held the Ducks to just 10 points.
Even with Oregon’s starting quarterback Dante Moore out with an injury, Las Vegas thought that the Ducks would beat us soundly. Dylan Raiola is an experienced quarterback, but Illinois held him in check the entire game.
Raiola finished with 246 yards and didn’t find the end zone. He was relegated to shorter passes, and this fed into Illinois’ defense.
Illinois has had a major bugaboo this season. It was always the defense. We parted ways with our defensive coordinator four games in. Now, Illinois takes down Oregon on the back of our defense. What an incredible performance.
2. Aidan Laughery lit the Illini fuse
It didn’t look like the Illinois offense was going to get going. Michael Clayton was still working through some things, and Oregon had a 10-0 lead late in the first half.
That is when Aidan Laughery lit the fuse for the Illini. On the first play of the drive, Laughery ran up the middle and found a hole. He went for a 75-yard touchdown nearly untouched.
This was a massive momentum-turner. Illinois couldn’t get anything going on offense, and Laughery started it all.
After that moment, Illinois scored a total of 21 unanswered points. It was the beginning of something special, and Laughery needs a ton of credit for breaking the offense wide open.
3. Barry Lunney called a great game for Michael Clayton
It is never easy having a true freshman quarterback starting his first game. Clayton stepped into the starting job and did a great job.
Clayton couldn’t make mistakes. He finished the game going 11-of-18 for 84 yards and two touchdowns. That doesn’t sound like a great game, but it was exactly what Illinois needed to get a victory.
I give credit to Clayton, but I also believe offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. needs credit, too. He called a great game for Clayton.
Lunney knew that it was a tough ask to have Clayton go out there and beat Oregon by himself. He didn’t call too many deep passes, but when Illinois threw it downfield, it was with a purpose.
I loved the game Lunney called. He knew exactly what makes his offense click. This was a masterclass by our offensive coordinator.
4. I am once again amazed by Collin Dixon
Early on in the third quarter, Illinois had the ball down by three points. We were just coming out of the halftime locker room, and the momentum from Laughery’s touchdown was still resonating.
Clayton and the Illini run game were driving down the field. He threw a beautiful pass into the end zone that was tipped by the Ducks. Instead of falling incomplete, Collin Dixon made one of the best catches I have seen by an Illini player in my lifetime.
The ball was falling to the ground, and somehow Dixon came up with it. It was such a crucial point in the game, as that catch gave Illinois the lead, 14-10.
This was one of the biggest moments of the season. Dixon is a big-time player, and he came through in a big-time game. Dixon has amazed me this season and continues to do so.
5. The Illini offensive line held their own
Everything could have crumbled around the Illinois offense if it wasn’t for the offensive line.
The big run by Laughery was enabled by the offensive line blocking well. The time that Clayton had in the pocket was due to the offensive line holding strong.
Were there times of weakness? Sure. Illinois’ offensive line let the defense through at times, and it wreaked havoc. But overall, this was a good performance.
Oregon has a strong defense, especially on the front lines. They have way more stars than Illinois at nearly every position. Still, the Illinois offensive line held their own. This was a big game for the boys up front.
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