The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 133 BY ANDREW HUSSEY The last seven seasons have not been kind to Illinois. Since 2012, the Fighting Illini have averaged eight losses per season and quali- fied for only one bowl game during that time period. Head coach Lovie Smith has struggled after leaving the NFL for college, going 9-27 in his three seasons with the Illini. Although he hasn't been able to quickly turn around the program, the school added two years to his original six- year deal. Meanwhile, Smith has turned over his coaching staff with only two assistant coaches remain- ing from his original group. Heading into 2019, Smith and the Illini will lean on its rushing attack. While Illinois only scored 16.0 points per game (93rd in the country) last fall, it had one of the best rushing attacks in the Big Ten. The Il- lini averaged 243.0 yards per game, which ranked second in the conference and 12th in the nation. Fifth-year senior running back Reggie Corbin rushed for 1,085 yards and nine touch- downs. Not only was he Illinois' workhorse back, he was also explosive and averaged 8.5 yards per carry, the 12th-best mark nationally, and added 176 receiving yards as well. Although Illinois will once again have a strong rushing attack, the quarterback posi- tion remains a question mark after last year's starter, AJ Bush Jr., graduated. Bush wasn't great in 2018, but his potential replacements are inexperienced. Sophomore M.J. Rivers II started in three games last season, but completed only 55.4 percent of his passes for 547 passing yards with three touchdowns and three picks in eight appearances. Redshirt freshman Matt Robinson, who was ranked as a two-star prospect by Rivals, and incoming freshman Isaiah Williams, the No. 64 overall player in the 2019 class who chose Illinois in part because they were willing to give the athlete a chance under center, will also compete for the starting job. Whoever lines up under center will have a variety of options to target. The Illini return four of their top five pass catchers from 2018. They are also bringing in two graduate trans- fers at the position in Trevon Sidney from USC and Dejon Brissett from Richmond. Illinois returns 10 starters on defense, but that unit struggled mightily in 2018. The Il- lini gave up 39.4 points per game last season, which was last in the Big Ten and 124th nationally. They also ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed and total yards allowed, and were second to last in passing yards allowed. After the 2018 season, Smith decided to make a change and in- stalled himself as the new defen- sive coordinator. Junior defensive end Bobby Roundtree was poised to be Illi- nois' best defender, but he suffered a severe spinal injury from a swim- ming accident this May. He led the Illini last season with 12.5 tack- les for loss and 7.5 sacks en route to earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Without McFarland, the Fight- ing Illini will need USC gradu- ate transfer Oluwole Betiku Jr. to step up immediately. While he was once a five-star recruit, he left USC with only two tackles and zero sacks in three seasons. One positive up front is the Illini return three starters. Redshirt junior linebacker Jake Hansen was Illinois' leading tackler in 2018 (95 stops) and should anchor the linebacking corps again this season. Illinois is short on talent to win many Big Ten games this season, but the Illini have a manageable non-conference slate against Akron, Connecticut and Eastern Michigan. Smith is bringing in higher-ranked re- cruits, but it is going to take time for that to show on the field. Notes Illinois has not won more than seven games in a season since 2007 … In 2018, Reggie Corbin became the first Illinois running back since Mikel Leshoure in 2010 to top 1,000 yards despite starting just eight times … In league play, Corbin averaged 9.3 yards per tote, the second best mark in the Football Bowl Subdivision for any rusher with more than 10 attempts a game. ❑ Illinois Fights For Respect Under Lovie Smith 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 31 Akron — Sept. 7 at Connecticut — Sept. 14 Eastern Michigan — Sept. 21 Nebraska L, 54-35 Oct. 5 at Minnesota W, 55-31 Oct. 12 Michigan — Oct. 19 Wisconsin L, 49-20 Oct. 26 at Purdue L, 46-7 Nov. 2 Rutgers W, 38-17 Nov. 9 at Michigan State — Nov. 23 at Iowa L, 63-0 Nov. 30 Northwestern L, 24-16 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Ricky Smalling, Jr., WR — Has started in 21 games in his two-year career … Led the team with 33 catches, 406 receiving yards and five touchdown grabs in 2018 … That was actually a de- crease from the 501 receiving yards he had as a freshman. Defense: Jake Hansen, R-Jr., LB — Started all 12 games at line- backer in 2018 … Accumulated 95 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass broken up and one forced fumble last season … His seven tackles for loss against Kent State in 2018 were tied for the sev- enth most in one game in Big Ten history. Fifth-year senior running back Reggie Corbin rushed for 1,085 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. PHOTO BY MARK JONES/COURTESY ILLINOIS ATHLETICS GAME 6 • ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI • OCT. 12 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: U-M leads 70-23-2 First Meeting: U-M 12, Illinois 5 (Nov. 12, 1898 at Detroit) Last Meeting: U-M 41, Illinois 8 (Oct. 22, 2016 at Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Lovie Smith, 9-27 at Illinois and overall (4th year) 2018 In Review: 4-8 overall, 2-7 Big Ten (7th West) Final 2018 Ranking: Not ranked Returning Starters: 18 (7 offense, 10 defense, 1 specialist) Last Bowl Appearance: 2014 (Heart of Dallas vs. Louisiana Tech, L 35-18) Big Ten Championships (Last): 15 (2001) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: M.J. Rivers II (547 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT) Rushing: Reggie Corbin (1,085 yards, 9 TD) Receiving: Ricky Smalling (406 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: Jake Hansen (95) Sacks: Owen Carney Jr. (2.5) Interceptions: Jartavius Martin (3)