Mo Ibrahim found a couple holes in the run game, but the Illinois secondary was sensational in completely shutting down Tanner Morgan and the Gopher passing attack. Part of that was due to the offense possessing the ball for 40:04, probably refreshing for a defensive unit that has done a lot of heavy lifting this season. If you ignore the touchdown allowed from the 4-yard line following a 90-yard kickoff return by Minnesota to begin the second half, the Illini defense only allowed one sustained scoring drive all game. Contrary to Tommy DeVito and the Illini offense looking comfortable all day and gaining 472 total yards, Illinois’ defense refused to let the Gophers find a rhythm. win the battle of top defensesĬoming into the week, Illinois and Minnesota’s defenses ranked 1st and 2nd nationally in both points and yards allowed. This ball is behind Pat Bryant, but DeVito makes a quick throw on a 4th and 5 to move the chains on an eventual field goal drive:Ĭhase Brown is currently on pace to break the single season rushing record in Illinois program history. I wish I could clip DeVito’s sidearm throw to Isaiah Williams on 4th and 6 in the first quarter because it was a work of art (first time YouTube has failed me all season). The most impressive part of DeVito’s day was the number of crucial 3rd and 4th down throws he made to keep the Illini offense on the field. He started the game completing his first 12 passes, which included a 40-yard touchdown pass to Chase Brown on a perfectly executed wheel route on the game’s opening drive. Ankle injury no problem for DeVitoĪfter questions surrounding his health all week, Tommy DeVito marched onto the field as the Illini’s starting quarterback and played a near flawless game. ![]() ![]() ![]() Let’s break down exactly how good each unit was on Saturday. Illinois made crucial plays throughout the day, Chase Brown’s historic season continued, the Illini defense made 6th-year senior Tanner Morgan look silly, and this nationally ranked Illini squad picked up another huge win that catapults them into the driver’s seat for a trip to Indianapolis in December.
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