No. 9 Illinois (3-0) is right where it should be after its first three games. Although the road to 3-0 wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, the team is undefeated nevertheless.
Now, the Illini face their toughest test of the young season. The team begins its Big Ten slate against No. 19 Indiana (3-0) in Bloomington. Indiana designated the ranked matchup as a “Red Out,” encouraging fans to wear red. Barring a Duke-level collapse, the Hoosier faithful will likely stick around all game and create a tough environment for the Illini.
“I’m sure it’ll be a live crowd,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “7:45 at night, everyone is going to have an opportunity to hydrate properly. (It) should be a good environment for everybody.”
Illinois will need to play through the noise, and three players who have been somewhat quiet so far this season could help them do just that.
Aidan Laughery
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After missing last week’s game against Western Michigan, junior running back Aidan Laughery is set to return against Indiana.
Laughery already had his breakout this year, rushing for 101 yards and scoring two touchdowns in the season opener against FCS Western Illinois. Now that he’s back, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do against a much stronger Indiana defense.
In his absence, junior running back Kaden Feagin and sophomore running back Ca’Lil Valentine each showed themselves to be strong options. Against a Hoosier defense that’s much weaker against the run than the pass, the Illini might rely on all three throughout the game.
Hudson Clement
Six different Illini have caught touchdown passes this year. Among players that haven’t, junior wide receiver Hudson Clement’s 75 receiving yards lead the way.
The West Virginia transfer has made big plays this year, including 20-yard receptions in each of the last two games, but has yet to find his way into the endzone.
Clement was one of the Mountaineers’ biggest offensive threats last season, leading the team in receiving yards (741) and receiving touchdowns (5).
Now, senior quarterback Luke Altmyer’s top touchdown target, junior wide receiver Justin Bowick, is questionable, leaving a potential gap on the depth chart.
Altmyer still has plenty of wide receivers to air it out to this weekend. Senior Hank Beatty, sophomore Collin Dixon, and juniors Malik Elzy and the recently emerging Ashton Hollins will all be targets in addition to Clement.
Still, Clement has proven himself a strong receiver and, given his propensity for big plays, is primed to find the endzone.
Grant Beerman
Senior linebacker Dylan Rosiek missed last week’s game with an injury, allowing freshman linebacker Grant Beerman to see some action.
Even with Rosiek back, Bielema said another round of Beerman is on tap in Indiana. The head coach showered high praise on the freshman following his collegiate debut.
“I’ve been in this game a long time,” Bielema said. “Grant Beerman is probably one of the most talented players I’ve ever signed.”
Beerman and the defense will have their work cut out for them against Indiana redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza is coming off a 19 for 20 passing performance last week against FCS Indiana State.
The two teams kick off at 6:30 p.m. CST.
@BrendanGallian
