Smith and players frustrated all pieces aren’t coming together 

Illinois+tight+end+Louis+Dorsey+is+tackled+during+the+game+against+Indiana+on+Nov.+11.+The+Illini+lost+14-24.

Quentin Shaw

Illinois tight end Louis Dorsey is tackled during the game against Indiana on Nov. 11. The Illini lost 14-24.

By Cole Henke

Jeff George Jr. hit Louis Dorsey for a 77-yard touchdown to open up the third quarter against Indiana on Saturday.

The play awoke Memorial Stadium. Illinois was held to just 72 total yards in the first half and could only muster three first downs. But then the offense went back to its typical ways.

The unit could not put together another worthwhile drive until the fourth quarter when George hit Caleb Reams for a touchdown. The inconsistencies have left head coach Lovie Smith and players frustrated, despite the team’s strong effort.

“We had some encouraging signs today; guys were playing hard,” Smith said. “We just don’t have enough. It’s about a team, not individuals playing well. We have individuals who are going to be good football players, but we need 11, 12, 22, whatever to being able to get the job done.”

George said he needs to do more to give the team a chance to win down the stretch. The sophomore ended the game with 261 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

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“It’s the same song we’ve been singing for the past couple of games,” George said. “We’re in the game all the way up until the end and then we either make mistakes, kill ourselves or just don’t make plays when we need to.”

The offensive line also had its struggles against the Hoosiers. Running back Kendrick Foster had difficulties finding many holes in the defense to exploit.

Junior Nick Allegretti said it starts up front with the offense’s inconsistencies not only against Indiana but the whole season.

“We gotta protect Jeff better, gotta keep him off the ground,” Allegretti said. “It’s frustrating. We have kids who are playing hard, but we are still just making too many mistakes.”

Illinois has had players like Dorsey and Ricky Smalling show their potential to produce for the offense in the future.

Smalling ended with three catches for 73 yards, highlighted by a jump ball catch that went for 25 yards down the sideline.

Smith said he has been encouraged from what he has seen from some of his young players, but it all hasn’t come together just yet.

“By being in games, it kind of tells you where our guys are,” Smith said. “I talk about all of us not being able to get the job done, but there’s more football left, so we’re going to move on.”

A sense of frustration may have made its way into the Illinois locker room following the loss. Reams was asked about what the locker room was like after the game, and he responded “no comment.”

The Illini have lost eight straight games after winning its first two against Ball State and Western Kentucky. Injuries have decimated the team, and Smith continues to show a comfort level to starting true freshmen.

Dorsey said the players in the locker room were displeased with the outcome.

“(The locker room) is good, but it’s not at the same time because we’re losing right now,” Dorsey said. “We understand that we’re in a rebuilding process, so it should be better next year.”

@mike_mgasick