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5 biggest surprises from the Illinois football win over Kansas

Beating Kansas was huge for the Illinois football program, and there were some big surprises throughout the game.

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini cornerback Xavier Scott (14) celebrates his team’s lead over the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini cornerback Xavier Scott (14) celebrates his team’s lead over the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
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2. The number of touches from Ca’Lil Valentine

I don’t know if there is a hard stat on this, but I would assume a vast majority of true freshmen don’t have too much production in their first season of college football.

Ca’Lil Valentine isn’t one of those players. He is an outlier in this situation. Not only is he having an impact as a true freshman, but he is making an impact in game two in what could be the biggest game of the season for the Orange and Blue.

I thought Illinois was going to go with a heavy dose of Kaden Feagin and Aidan Laughery in the backfield. These two were supposed to be lightning and thunder entering the season, and in week one, that was the case.

Laughery went down with an injury in the game, though. It is being reported that he is going to be back for Central Michigan, but Illinois needed to find an answer at running back late in the game.

Bret Bielema could have gone with the experienced running back in Feagin. In fact, the first couple of plays on the final drive were handed to Feagin. But then Bielema put in the true freshman. Valentine, just two games into his college career, got his name called.

This was one of those moments where you either shine in the light or shake in the light. Valentine shined bright. He had a couple of huge first downs that extended the drive and ate up the clock. He was huge down the stretch for Illinois.

Valentine ended the Kansas game with eight carries for 25 yards. The fact he got multiple carries is a bit surprising, let alone being the second-leading rusher on the team. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if his role continues to grow.

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