The Illinois football program was a huge underdog heading into the game against Ohio State.
This was a 27.5-point spread, but the Illini managed to make the contest interesting. We were driving at times to make it a one-score game, but Ohio State just had too much juice to overcome.
Illinois’ defense looked better. The offense wasn’t terrible. There is a lot of optimism to draw from this loss, but it was a loss nonetheless. The Buckeyes came away with the 42-19 win over the Illini.
Here are five painful observations from the Illinois football loss to Ohio State
1. This was an encouraging Illinois defense
I came into the game on Saturday expecting Illinois to get housed. I thought this defense was about to allow 50+ points against Ohio State.
The Illini fended off the Buckeyes and their all-star lineup on offense. While Heisman Trophy hopeful Jeremiah Smith went off, the Illinois defense had some good stops that enabled the game to get a little interesting in the second half.
I thought the tackling was better for the Illini. Matthew Bailey had multiple blitzes when he got to the running back for a loss in a crucial moment.
Illinois’ rush defense was better than expected. They didn’t allow Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson to go off for the expected big numbers. That was a big positive.
There are obviously still issues, though. The Illinois secondary was shredded. For some reason, Smith continuously got open, and that was frustrating. With that being said, Illinois isn’t playing anyone as tough as Ohio State the rest of the way out. This defensive improvement could set the table to finish 2026 strongly.
2. Katin Houser is a true playmaker for the Illinois offense
The result wasn’t what we wanted, as losing any game is tough. Illinois has a quality quarterback in Katin Houser, though.
Houser has impressed me every game this season. The Ohio State contest was his ultimate stress test, and he passed with flying colors.
I thought Houser was great in the passing game. He didn’t panic in the pocket. His ability to go through his progressions was great.
Throughout the game, Houser managed to use his legs to keep moving the football down the field. He showed off his running ability to the tune of 23 yards on the ground.
Honestly, if Illinois had a good defense, I think Houser behind center makes the offense College Football Playoff quality. He has skills at the position that are rare for an Illini quarterback.
3. It is painful seeing what is happening to the Illini offensive line
Illinois’ offense is somehow moving the football against every team they play. They even managed to make Ohio State sweat a little bit.
What is crazy is that the Illini are using so many reserves in the front five.
To start the season, Illinois’ starting guards were Maika Matelau and Brandon Henderson. Both players went down with injuries and have missed multiple weeks now.
TJ McMillen filled in, and he went down for the season with an injury. In the game against the Buckeyes, the Illini lost third string guard Champ Smith. We were down to our fourth string guard, Eddie Tuerk.
Tuerk started his career at Illinois as a defensive lineman. He wasn’t even on the offensive line. That is how far we have come as far as injuries are concerned.
Illinois is still managing to move the football with the most patchwork offensive line you will see in the FBS. That is a testament to the work Barry Lunney Jr. has done with this offense.
4. Aidan Laughery has earned the top running back job
Coming into the season, I thought this was Ca’Lil Valentine’s job to lose. He was poised for a big season. At this point, I am wondering if he is about to lose his share of carries.
In the game against Ohio State, Valentine had 10 carries for 47 yards. He only carried the rock for 4.7 yards per carry. That isn’t effective football.
Aidan Laughery is the running back to put Illinois on his back. He was electric, carrying the ball 11 times for 113 yards. He hit holes quickly and with explosion. Laughery made so many Ohio State defenders miss.
The 113 yards by Laughery is the second-most in his career. This great performance by the Illinois running back isn’t a one-off either.
Laughery has had a good season. He has had nearly half the carries of Valentine, but he has surpassed him by nearly 100 yards. Coming into the Ohio State game, he was also averaging 7.2 yards per carry compared to Valentine’s 4.7 yards per carry.
Illinois has a running back controversy on their hands. Laughery is the more effective running back, and it is pretty clear at this point.
5. There were key plays that divided Illinois and Ohio State
This game could have been much closer. Illinois clearly didn’t have the talent compared to the Buckeyes, but there were points in the contest when the game could have changed completely.
Illinois was keeping up with Ohio State early in the game. We were driving to make it a one-score game. Houser dropped back to pass on 3rd-and-7, and he had Brayden Trimble in the middle of the field for a touchdown. Houser missed him, though.
This led to a field goal, and Ohio State scored a touchdown on the next drive to make it a three-score game.
Down 28-10, Illinois was driving again. We converted a huge fourth down, and this put us inside the Ohio State 30-yard line. Three straight incompletions led to another field goal.
Illinois held the Buckeyes to a punt, down 28-13. We were driving once again to get this to a single-digit deficit. Illinois had the ball in the Ohio State red zone. We couldn’t convert a fourth down. Ohio State scored on their next drive.
There were little moments in the game that could have gone Illinois’ way but didn’t. We weren’t that far off in this contest, but we just didn’t have the firepower.
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