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Illinois and Nebraska every are coming off a primary win of the 2020 season — the Illini by defeating Rutgers and the Cornhuskers by holding off Penn State. Certainly one of these groups will earn its first win streak of the marketing campaign at this time as Illinois and Nebraska kick off at 11 a.m. in Lincoln, Neb.
Proceed to observe alongside all afternoon with beat author Colin Likas, who will present updates remotely because the groups battle it out on the Cornhuskers’ Memorial Stadium.
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Brandon Peters is getting the decision at quarterback, in response to 247sports activities’ Jeremy Werner.
Peters is accessible at this time after lacking the final three video games with a constructive COVID-19 check. He began in Illinois’ season opener towards Wisconsin, and Isaiah Williams additionally obtained some repetitions.
Williams broke out in final week’s win at Rutgers, making his first collegiate begin and later incomes Huge Ten Freshman of the Week honors. Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith mentioned earlier this week he needed to maintain Williams concerned within the Illini assault no matter who begins at QB.
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Out at Nebraska
LB Eifler
TE D. Imatorbhebhe
RB Norwood
OL Palczewski
DL Randolph
QB Robinson
WR Sidney— Illini Stats & Notes (@IlliniStats) November 21, 2020
Standing adjustments between RUT and NEB video games
DL Avery (out → obtainable)
DB Marchese (out → obtainable)
DL Mondesir (out → obtainable)
TE Moore (out → obtainable)
QB Peters (out → obtainable)
DL Woods (out → obtainable)OL Palczewski (performed → out)
DL Randolph (performed → out)— Illini Stats & Notes (@IlliniStats) November 21, 2020
Defensive lineman Jamal Woods is again within the fold for Illinois after lacking the final two video games with harm. That is particularly excellent news since Keith Randolph Jr. is out from that unit after being injured final week.
Additionally sidelined is offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, who went down early within the win over Rutgers with a proper leg harm. Danville product Julian Pearl is prone to obtain his first collegiate begin in consequence.
And linebacker Milo Eifler is also out for a second consecutive recreation. The trio of Jake Hansen, Khalan Tolson and Tarique Barnes is prone to fill out the linebacker unit at this time.
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We wait to see if Jamal Woods can return to the Illini defensive position at this time after lacking the final two video games with harm. Regardless, the Cornhuskers will not be utterly wholesome in that unit.
Junior D-lineman Deontre Thomas is out for at this time’s recreation, in response to the Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon. Thomas performed in all of Nebraska’s video games final season and has seen time this yr in two of its three contests.
Fellow junior Jordon Riley will fill in on the road, in response to McKewon.
Nebraska’s roster has suffered one other blow as properly, with KLKN TV’s Andrew Ward reporting that Cornhuskers working again Dedrick Mills shouldn’t be in uniform. Mills was the Cornhuskers’ main rusher final season and began in Nebraska’s first three video games this yr.
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One thing should give from an offensive perspective when Illinois and Nebraska meet. Neither group has blown the doorways off their opponents up to now, because the Illini common 17 factors per recreation and the Cornhuskers 22 factors per outing.
One space of obvious benefit for Illinois is within the run recreation. Nebraska’s two main rushers are its quarterbacks, Luke McCaffrey (196 yards) and Adrian Martinez (187). Not one of the Cornhuskers’ precise working backs have accounted for triple-digit yards throughout the group’s first three video games.
That is a statistic each Mike Epstein and Chase Brown have posted in single video games this yr. Brown (247 yards), Esptein (225) and quarterback Isaiah Williams (197) key a floor recreation that erupted final week towards Rutgers.
On the passing entrance, either side have an apparent standout. Illinois’ Josh Imatobhebhe has introduced in 11 catches for 144 yards and a landing, whereas Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson has snagged 15 passes for 92 yards.
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Can Lovie Smith’s fifth Illini group grow to be the primary in this system’s historical past since 1924 to earn a win in Lincoln? In that case, it’d finish a four-game shedding streak towards the Cornhuskers. The final time Illinois knocked off Nebraska at any location was in 2015, when the Illini collected a 14-13 victory at their very own Memorial Stadium.
Since then, Nebraska has produced factors seemingly at will every time it takes on Illinois. The Cornhuskers are averaging 38.75 factors per contest towards the Illini during the last 4 matchups, together with outputs of 54 and 42 factors within the final two conferences.
Quarterback Adrian Martinez performed an enormous position in these totals, however he might not get the beginning at this time for the Cornhuskers. Luke McCaffrey took the reigns final week towards Penn State and gave Nebraska a lift each together with his arm and legs. How will Nebraska coach Scott Frost proceed together with his quarterback state of affairs?
It is a query going through Smith as properly. Brandon Peters is accessible for the primary time because the Week 1 loss to Wisconsin, lacking the final three video games due to a constructive COVID-19 check. Isaiah Williams made his first collegiate begin final week towards Rutgers and succeeded to the tune of Huge Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
Searching for a little bit extra perception as to what you may be capable of anticipate throughout at this time’s recreation? Take a look at our gameday preview and gameday Q&A, produced by Likas and Bob Asmussen, respectively.
The Illini are searching for their first victory in Lincoln, Neb., since 1924 — in addition to revenge for final yr’s heartbreaking 42-38 loss to the Cornhuskers in Champaign — once they make a cease in Nebraska for Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff.
The reigning Huge Ten Particular Groups Participant of the Week will look to transform extra massive kicks on Saturday at Nebraska
The entire Illinois soccer protection you will want can be proper right here at IlliniHQ.com. With kickoff nonetheless a number of hours away, make amends for what you might need missed from our protection this week.
Asmussen: Who’s enjoying QB? And which group begins a streak?
Illinois soccer appears for its first profitable streak of the season Saturday at Nebraska. If Lovie Smith’s group pulls it off, will probably be the college’s first win in Lincoln, Neb., since 1924. Right here’s what I’m pondering earlier than the 11 a.m. kickoff on the different Memorial Stadium:
➜ 1. First issues first: Who’s going to be the Illinois beginning quarterback? Isaiah Williams simply had one of the best dashing recreation for a quarterback in class historical past. And the Illini received. However Brandon Peters is eligible to play once more after getting COVID-19 and sitting the final three video games. Go together with the senior.
➜ 2. Definitely, Peters can be desirous to get again on the sphere. And primarily based on what the Illini coaches mentioned, he has continued to work on his recreation throughout quarantine. His final trip, a loss at Wisconsin, didn’t go very properly. However I’m pondering that was extra due to the Badgers’ stellar protection and a few breakdowns by the Illinois offense. Peters didn’t have a lot of an opportunity.
To continue reading, click here
Extra from Bob Asmussen
Doug Kramer happy to be back on the field
Handing out some Big Ten midseason hardware
Talking points with Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple
Big Ten power poll: After win, Illini climb out of the basement
Washington retains his head within the recreation for Illini receiving corps
CHAMPAIGN — Every of Casey Washington’s catches final Saturday carried a person story.
It’s not all the time the case. A receiver may haul in a lone, quiet reception or quite a few nondescript passes in any given week.
The Illinois sophomore, nevertheless, put collectively an fascinating efficiency within the Illini’s 23-20 victory at Rutgers regardless of not amassing his first catch till the third quarter.
Washington’s three catches for 52 yards paced Illinois’ receiving corps and performed an necessary position within the Illini’s first win this season.
To continue reading, click here
Extra from Colin Likas
Brown finds perfect gear to give Illini offense needed boost
Danville product Pearl prepares for likely first collegiate start
Hansen keeps rolling despite shift in linebacker duties
Illini could play two quarterbacks at Nebraska
Williams, McCourt snag Big Ten awards after win over Rutgers
Extra from The Information-Gazette workers
REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin booked for homecoming halftime
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