Illinois will challenge No. 10 Penn State in some areas in Big Ten opener
The Fighting Illini have a solid rushing attack, a good kicking game and six interceptions as a team, but the Nittany Lions likely will be able to move the ball on offense.
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Illinois has done enough good things through three games to think it can be a tough matchup for Penn State when the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions travel to Champaign for the Big Ten season opener for both teams on Friday night.
On the other hand, the Fighting Illini (2-1) have struggled in some areas, on defense and protecting the quarterback to name two, to give encouragement to the Lions (3-0) that they can remain undefeated heading into their big Ohio State "Whiteout" showdown the following week.
The Illini allowed 626 yards in total offense to South Florida on Saturday but still had a chance to win the game on the final play with the ball on the USF 20. However, a pass from freshman M.J. Rivers to wide receiver Ricky Smalling went incomplete and Illinois lost, 25-19.
Rivers was at quarterback because senior A.J. Bush, a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech who accounted for 329 total yards in a season-opening win over Kent State, suffered an apparent leg injury in Week 2. Head coach Lovie Smith said Bush is "getting better" but wouldn't say if he'll be ready for Friday.
Illinois has passed for only 165 yards per game and Bush and Rivers have been sacked nine times, last in the Big Ten, a number that is sure to grab the attention of a Penn State pass rush that ranks fourth in FBS with 10 sacks.
"We'll keep working on it," said Smith, the veteran former NFL coach who is in his third season with the Fighting Illini. "There's no quick answer to it. We block well in the running game; passing game-wise we just didn't get it done. We'll do better at that this week."
The Illinois rushing attack has shown promise, putting up 243 yards per game to rank 23rd in FBS. Running backs Mike Epstein and Reggie Corbin have combined for 491 yards thus far.
The concern for Smith is the Penn State offense. His defense ranks last in the Big Ten and 115th in FBS, allowing 480 yards per game, although it's allowing an average of just 21 points.
Smith said quarterback Trace McSorley is a "heck of a player, mobile, he's accurate throwing the ball, good athlete, plays with a defensive mentality.
"Running game-wise, they don't have [Saquon] Barkley in there anymore, but their stable of running backs is good. Wideouts, line, just kind of go down the list. They have good players at most of their positions. Other side of the football starts up front — athletic, size, all that."
The Fighting Illini will challenge the Nittany Lions in the kicking game, boasting two of the Big Ten's best. Kicker Chase McLaughlin has kicked a field goal of 50 yards or longer in three straight games and is 7-for-8 overall. Punter Blake Hayes ranks 11th in the nation with a 46.1-yard average.