After finishing its home slate with a 6-1 record, No. 24 the Fighting Illini will travel to the East Coast to take on Rutgers on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on Peacock.
This weekend's contest marks the Orange and Blue's fourth away game of the year. Illinois has a 1-2 road record this season, including an overtime win over No. 22 Nebraska and losses to No. 1 Oregon and No. 9 Penn State.
The Illini secured a dominant 38-16 victory over Michigan State in Week 12, a win fueled by a career-high three rushing scores for Josh McCray and a career-most 135 receiving yards for Pat Bryant. The Illinois defense held the Spartans to 2-for-15 on third down while totaling five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Rutgers (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) enters the weekend on a two-game winning streak, while the Scarlet Knights most recently posted a 31-17 road triumph over Maryland. Saturday's hosts have gone 4-2 at SHI Stadium this season, which included three home wins during the team's 4-0 start to the season.
With the Orange and Blue set to spend the remainder of the season away from home, here are a few things to watch heading into the Illini's penultimate regular-season contest.
Rutgers Ranked Among Big Ten's Best in Time of Possession, Penalties
The Scarlet Knights sit second in the Big Ten in time of possession, averaging 31:25 across their 10 games thus far this season. Ranking only one second behind conference-leading Nebraska, Rutgers' offense has used its time with the ball to its advantage on its road to bowl eligibility.
In their six wins this season, the Scarlet Knights have registered more time of possession in five of those contests. In its four defeats, Rutgers has been out-possessed on three occasions.
The Scarlet Knights also enter the weekend as one of the conference's most disciplined teams. Rutgers is tied for second in the Big Ten with 4.3 penalties per game, a mark that also ranks tied for seventh-best in the FBS.
Through 10 games, the Scarlet Knights have committed more penalties than their opponents on only one occasion, which came last week against Maryland when Rutgers committed a season-high eight penalties. Prior to that contest, the Scarlet Knights' season-high in penalties committed was five; Rutgers has totaled four or fewer eight times this year.
Opponent Scout: Rutgers Offense
Rutgers ranks eighth in the Big Ten in total offense (382.2 yards per game), 13th in passing offense (212.8 yards per game), and fifth in rushing offense (169.4 yards per game).
The Illini are quite familiar with the Scarlet Knights' starting quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, who spent the first three years of his collegiate career at former Big Ten West rival Minnesota. Kaliakmanis transferred to Rutgers this offseason and immediately stepped into a starting role, recording over 2,000 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns in his first year in New Jersey.Â
Completing just over 55% of his pass attempts, he has registered four games with multiple passing scores, including back-to-back multi-touchdown games during the Scarlet Knights' current two-game winning streak.
Rutgers' rushing attack features one of the most dynamic running backs in the conference in senior Kyle Monangai, who ranks third in the Big Ten with 1,028 rushing yards and second with 12 rushing touchdowns. Monangai is one of five Big Ten rushers and one of 20 in the FBS with over 1,000 rushing yards this season. He has at least one rushing score in seven games this season while tallying at least 100 yards on the ground on four occasions.
"We've faced some really good running backs, but Kyle Monangai is a different cat," said Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry. "He's really special. He's obviously going to be a challenge for us. He makes their offense that much better when he's running at that clip."
WR Dymere Miller made the jump from FCS Monmouth this summer and has forged an instant impact in Rutgers' passing game with 50 receptions, 645 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns, all of which are team-leading marks. Miller has found his stride as of late, totaling over 100 yards in two of his last three appearances.
Wide receiver Ian Strong is not far behind with 27 catches for 442 yards and three scores, which all rank second on the team.
"Their quarterback does a phenomenal job in their offense and doesn't make many mistakes. He's very efficient in the throw game," Henry said. "It's obviously a tall task. They do some really good things from an offensive standpoint. They have some gigantic receivers on the outside who can run a little bit.Â
"I have a lot of respect for Coach Schiano and how he runs his program. We are really excited about the opportunity and really looking forward to getting out there and playing."Â
Opponent Scout: Rutgers Defense
The Scarlet Knight defense sits second to last in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game (389.4), while they rank among the bottom five teams in the conference in both passing yards allowed (241.0) and rushing yards allowed (148.4). Rutgers concedes the fifth-most points per game among Big Ten teams (23.4).
Linebacker Dariel Djabome leads the team and ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 88 total tackles, while he has also accumulated 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.
Defensive linemen Kyonte Hamilton, Jordan Thompson, and Jordan Walker have each made at least 4.5 tackles for loss, while Hamilton has recorded a team-leading 3.5 sacks.
DB Shaquan Loyal has a team-leading two interceptions, the lone Scarlet Knight with multiple picks this season, while fellow defensive back Robert Longerbeam leads the team with nine pass breakups.
"They're really big in their front seven. They're really big and physical. They play with so much confidence in their scheme. They know it so well, inside and out," said Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. "It's a big, strong, fast, confident group. Obviously, being on the road creates another level of challenge with the noise and atmosphere and the pre-snap communication that's required. I have a great deal of respect for what we're about to face."
No. 24 Illinois and Rutgers will square off on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on Peacock.
