5 huge observations from the Illinois football win over Eastern Illinois

5. Gabe Jacas was used in multiple ways on the Illini defense

I have touted the Illinois offense throughout this article. I think the Illini have a special offensive unit this season, and we should be able to put a lot of points on the board each week.

Illinois’ defense was also impressive. They were able to shut down Eastern Illinois to the tune of zero points, nine first downs, and 196 yards.

Multiple Illinois defenders had a good game as well. One of the players who stood out to me the most was Gabe Jacas, though.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound outside linebacker had a lot of clout after his freshman year. He was a freshman All-American and continued his great play in 2023. Through two seasons, Jacas had 64 tackles and eight sacks.

It seems that this season, Illinois is using Jacas in multiple forms, though. Throughout the Eastern Illinois game, I noticed that Jacas wasn’t just playing on the line as a linebacker. There were numerous times he had his hand in the dirt as one of the three defensive linemen.

Jacas may have done this in 2023, but I don’t think it was nearly as much as what he was doing on Thursday night. I feel like it was nearly 50-50 when it came to Jacas playing free like a traditional rushing outside linebacker and getting into a three-point stance and rushing.

I think it goes to show you how talented and versatile Jacas is on the football field. He can do both roles and do them well. Jacas is such a weapon for the Illinois defense and could easily end up being an All-American in 2024.