OPENING KICK
• On the Road Again: The Fighting Illini (3-4, 1-3 B1G) will face Maryland for the first time ever with a trip to College Park on Saturday (3:30 pm ET/2:30 CT on BTN). Illinois is looking to climb back to .500 for the season and to end a end a two-game skid.
• Lovie Ball: Takeaways have long been a staple of Lovie Smith defenses. That trend continues this year as the Illini lead the Big Ten and rank 14th nationally in turnovers gained per game (2.14).
» The Illini's 1.86 interceptions per game leads the nation (tied with Maryland and Fresno State). The 13 total interceptions in seven games is tied for second in FBS behind only LSU (14 in 8 games).
» Illinois' turnover margin of +5 per game (15 gained, 10 lost) ranks 20th nationally and third in the Big Ten.
» A pair of Illini are tied for 12th in FBS and third in the Big Ten in interceptions – CB Jartavius Martin and LB Del'Shawn Phillips with three picks each.
» Illinois has forced a turnover in 21 straight games, the longest active streak among Power 5 conference teams, and has at least two takeaways in six of seven games this season (Purdue). The last time the Illini did not have at least one takeaway was 11/12/16 at Wisconsin.
• Runnin' Reggie: Junior RB Reggie Corbin has been the Illini's home run hitter this season.
» Had an 80-yard touchdown run at Wisconsin, tied for the 10th-longest run in Illinois history. It equaled Illinois' longest run since Rashard Mendenhall's 86-yard run at Northwestern 11/18/2006 (Daniel Dufrene also had an 80-yard run at Ohio State on 11/10/2007).
» Ranks second in FBS with two runs of 70+ yards (80 at Wisconsin & 73 at Rutgers)
» Ranks third in FBS with four runs of 50+ yards (the two above, plus 52 at Rutgers and 51 vs. Penn State)
» Ranks second in FBS with five scrimmage plays of 50+ yards (the four above, plus a 52 yard catch vs. Purdue)
» Ranks third nationally and first in the Big Ten in yards per carry (7.89).
» Has two 100-yard games this season – 137 at Rutgers (10/6) and 100 at Wisconsin (10/20)
» Is averaging more rushing yards per game this season (83.4) than he had total in 2017 (78)
• Big Play Run Game: The Illini running game is not only one of the best in the nation, it's also very explosive.
» The Illini are averaging 226.1 rushing yards per game, good for 23rd in FBS and third in the Big Ten. It is over 120 rushing yards per game better than last season's average per game (105.6).
» Illinois has eight runs of 40+ yards, tied for second-most in FBS, and 12 rushing plays of 30+ yards, tied for third-most in FBS. In all of 2017 (12 games), the Illini had two and five, respectively.
» Running backs Reggie Corbin (7.89 ypc) and Mike Epstein (6.85 ypc) rank first and third in the Big Ten in yards per carry (min. 60 carries). Corbin ranks third in FBS while Epstein is 16th.
» Illinois has had a 100-yard rusher six times in seven games this season – two each by RB Reggie Corbin, RB Mike Epstein and QB A.J. Bush Jr.
• Chase McLongkick: Senior K Chase McLaughlin has emerged as one of the best long range kickers in the nation.
» With a 52-yard field goal at Wisconsin, McLaughlin set the Illinois single season (4) and career (5) records for most 50+-yard field goals made.
» Leads the nation in 50+ field goals (4, tied with San Diego State's John Baron II) and ranks second in FBS in 40+ field goals made (8).
» Has as many 50+ field goals this season (4) as the rest of the Big Ten kickers combined (4).
» Leads the Big Ten and 13th in FBS in field goals per game (1.57). Sixth in the Big Ten in scoring (7.6 ppg).
• Breaking Up Is (Not) Hard To Do: Illinois ranks 21st in the nation and second in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (5.86). The Illini have 41 passes defended on the year (28 PBUs and 13 interceptions).
» The Illini defensive line has racked up 12 pass breakups this season, led by sophomore DE Bobby Roundtree, who is tied for the FBS lead in PBUs by a defensive lineman (5) with ECU's Kendall Futrell and Akron's Jamal Davis II.
• Homegrown OLine: The starting offensive line consists of all players from Illinois. The group of senior Nick Allegretti (Frankford, Ill.), redshirt freshman Kendrick Green (Peoria, Ill.), sophomore Doug Kramer (Hinsdale, Ill.), sophomore Vederian Lowe (Rockford, Ill.) and sophomore Alex Palczewski (Mount Prospect, Ill.) have started all seven games and have played a majority of the snaps together, paving the way for Illinois' potent rushing attack.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The revamped Illinois offense, directed by new offensive coordinator Rod Smith, has made huge improvements in 2018. The Illini have made huge jumps in the national rankings from 2017 to 2018 in several key offensive categories, including 90+ jumps in rushing offense (+99) and big rushing plays (+93).
| ILLINOIS OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN 2018 |
| Category |
2017 (Final Nat'l Rk) |
2018 (Current Nat'l Rk) |
Difference |
| Rushing Offense (ypg) |
105.6 (122) |
226.1 (23) |
+99 |
| Rushes of 40+ Yards |
2 (95) |
8 (2) |
+93 |
| Scrim. Plays of 40+ Yards |
8 (114) |
10 (29) |
+85 |
| Total Offense (ypg) |
280.4 (126) |
372.1 (93) |
+33 |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) |
15.4 (126) |
24.7 (100) |
+26 |
FAST AND FURIOUS
The revamped Illini offense has shown its explosiveness with 11 scoring drives of less than a minute this season, tied for the fourth-most in FBS. The offense had three sub-one-minute scoring drives against both Rutgers and Wisconsin. In 2017, the Illini had four such drives all season.
Most Scoring Drives Under One Minute
Alabama - 20
Utah State - 14
Houston - 12
Illinois - 11
Clemson - 11
Memphis - 11
THE ILLINOIS-MARYLAND SERIES
• Saturday marks the first ever meeting between Illinois and Maryland. Illinois is in its 129th season of football and Maryland is in its 102nd season.
• The Illinois and Maryland matchup is the final inaugural meeting between any two Big Ten teams.
MARYLAND CONNECTIONS
• Illinois running back Reggie Corbin is a native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where he was a football and rugby star at Gonzaga College High School.
• Maryland linebacker Tre Watson played three seasons at Illinois before grad transferring to Maryland this season.
• Maryland Associate Head Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chris Beatty was the Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Illinois in 2012.
• Maryland Director of Recruiting Marcus Berry served as Illinois' Director of Player Personnel in 2013 and 2014.
• Maryland Video Coordinator Chad Wells is the former Director of Coaches Video at Illinois.
NEW KIDS ON THE QUAD
• A total of 28 players, including 17 true freshmen, have made their Illini debuts in 2018.
True-Freshmen (17): DT Calvin Avery, TE Daniel Barker, DB Sydney Brown, WR Edwin Carter, DB Ron Hardge III, LB Jacob Hollins, WR Jordan Holmes, DB Kerby Joseph, DB Jartavius Martin, RB Jakari Norwood, DE Julian Pearl, QB M.J. Rivers II, QB Matt Robinson, WR Carlos Sandy, LB Khalan Tolson, DB Delano Ware, DB Dylan Wyatt
Redshirt Freshmen (4): OL Kendrick Green, DL Lere Oladipo, DT, Deon Pate, OL Jake Stover
Sophomores (4): LB Drew Murtaugh, WR Dominic Stampley, OL Andrew Trainer, DB Nick Walker
Juniors (1): DB Nolan Bernat
Seniors (2): QB AJ Bush Jr., WR Zac Holman
FRESHMAN REDSHIRT WATCH
• The NCAA passed new legislation in the offseason that allows players who play in up to four games -- regardless of when they take place -- to redshirt for that season and preserve a year of eligibility. Here's look at games played for each of the 17 Illini true-freshmen that has played in 2018.
» Played in 5+ games (10): DT DL Calvin Avery (7), TE Daniel Barker (7), DB Jartavius Martin (7), WR Carlos Sandy (7), LB Khalan Tolson (7), DB Sydney Brown (6), WR Jordan Holmes (6), DB Kerby Joseph (6), DB Delano Ware (6), DB Dylan Wyatt (6).
» Have played in 4 or less games (7): LB Jacob Hollins (4), QB M.J. Rivers II (4), QB Matt Robinson (3), DB Ron Hardge III (2), WR Edwin Carter (1), RB Jakari Norwood (1), DL Julian Pearl (1).
