What Illinois Football must improve on before Michigan game

A Major Concern For Illinois Football After Purdue

Illinois must find some way to get more production from the Defensive Line. It was obvious that redshirt freshman Ryan Browne, taking his first snaps as a starter in college, was getting more comfortable with each drive.

Due to a lack of pressure on Browne, a banged-up Illini defensive backs unit was stretched thin, and exposed in the 2nd half. That is pretty unacceptable given how poor Purdue’s offensive line is. Hudson Card, the Boiler’s usual starter, has been under pressure all season long and seems to be running for his life every week. Card was even sidelined against Illinois due to a concussion from hits suffered at Wisconsin last week.

In addition to an abysmal pass rush, the Illini’s run defense really struggled as well. Purdue combined for 239 yards and 2 TDs on the ground vs the Illini D-Line. To give some benefit of the doubt, I don’t think many predicted Hudson Card would be out, and that the Boilermakers leading rusher would be an athletic freshman quarterback.

In addition, the Illini simply do not have the proper personnel at their linebacker spot. If Purdue did not run it, a tight end was beating a linebacker in a one-on-one.

A step up in competition

Illinois Football won a game and is now 5-1, but the second half of the schedule is immensely more difficult. They better find some answers if they want to stop the Wolverines’ run-centered offense.

The Illini have taken care of business thus far. However, Illinois will not maximize the potential to be a 9+ win team, if they continue to get dominated up front.

Oct 12, 2024;: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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