Illinois (5-3, 2-3) saw its playoff hopes slip right out of its fingers against Washington (6-2, 3-2). What started as a back-and-forth matchup ended as a blowout in favor of the Huskies. With the 42-25 loss, the Illini’s chances at the College Football Playoff are all but over.
It wasn’t all terrible for Illinois. It saw some success in the first half. Through one quarter, the Illini were down 14-3. However, senior quarterback Luke Altmyer and the offense weren’t phased.
Illinois dominated the second quarter, scoring 14 points and taking the lead. It didn’t last long, as the defense couldn’t slow down the red-hot Washington offense.
Washington sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. led the Huskies right down the field and finished the half with a successful two-minute drill. Their touchdown came on a flashy trick play, where Williams Jr. flipped it to junior receiver Denzel Boston. He threw it to a wide-open senior running back Jonah Coleman.
That gave Washington the lead right back, and things only went downhill from there.
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Second half woes
Despite their performance in the second quarter, the Illini fell back into their first-quarter ways after halftime. Washington’s defense stopped Illinois without much effort, and its offense continued doing what it had been doing.
Williams Jr. and Coleman led the Huskies’ offense down the field for a 90-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. It gave Washington an 11-point lead that would only grow in the fourth quarter.
Washington got great field position after an Altmyer interception. However, the Illinois defense got it to a 3rd and 18. Williams Jr. wasn’t phased.
He took matters into his own hands, or legs more accurately. He ran for 25 yards, juking and weaving his way through the Illini defense for the first down. Just a few plays later, Williams Jr. found Boston in the endzone to extend the lead to 18.
Illinois’ offense nearly put the game away when Altmyer threw another interception. The Illini got a little luck, though. Washington was called for roughing the passer and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. They gave Illinois 30 yards, which bumped them into Washington territory.
A few plays later, junior tight end Jordan Anderson punched it in for his first-ever touchdown. The Illini converted the two-point conversion to make it a 10-point game.
Unfortunately for Illinois, Washington didn’t bat an eye. It drove right down the field and scored, all but securing its victory. Shortly after, Altmyer threw his second interception of the day, giving the ball back to the Huskies and putting the game on ice.
Defense looks lost
Despite getting healthier over the last month, Illinois’ defense didn’t come to play. All day, Washington’s offense got whatever it wanted.
Williams Jr. was on fire from the get-go. He finished the first half 14 for 19 passing, with 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Huskies in rushing with 34 yards.
The offense as a whole was unstoppable. Illinois’ defense didn’t help matters much. The Huskies easily dissected the Illini’s zone coverage. It seemed like every receiver found a hole in the coverage.
The pass rush didn’t do much either. In fact, it was practically invisible. Williams Jr. hardly ever felt pressured in the pocket. He had all the time in the world, and it stood out when watching the Huskies march down the field.
Playoff hopes dashed
With the loss, the best Illinois can finish the season is nine wins. It is unlikely that any nine-win team can make the College Football Playoffs, especially with how good the top teams in the Big Ten have been.
However, the Illini can still find success this season. A 10-win season is still in reach if they make a bowl game, similar to last season.
While it isn’t ideal after such high expectations this offseason, a nine or 10-win season would still be one of the better seasons in Illinois history.
Next up
Illinois is back in action next Saturday against Rutgers (4-4, 1-4). It is the annual Dads Day game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
@ben_some16
