Nov. 16—Beat writer Scott Richey
previews the Illini’s matchup with Michigan State ahead of Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. Senior Day kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. (FS1, WDWS 1400-AM, WDWS 93.9-FM, WHMS 97.5-FM):Three storylines
Needed addition at left tackle
Illinois had some younger offensive lineman in the pipeline that could have filled either of the two starting tackle spots this season. But instead of rushing their development, Illini coach Bret Bielema opted for a pair of plug-and-play options out of the transfer portal in J.C. Davis and Melvin Priestly. It was a one-off in Champaign for Davis, who spent a single season at Contra Costa College (Calif.) and two at New Mexico, and has been Illinois’ most consistent performer on the offensive line. Enough so that Bielema wants to get his starting left tackle in one of the senior bowls to juice his NFL draft stock.
“As a player, his value is off the charts,” Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller said. “He’s been imperfect at times — there’s been mistakes — and rightfully so, but I think that position was an area of need. From a protection standpoint, he really has been pretty phenomenal out there in this conference against some of the defensive ends we’ve played. You really don’t have to worry about him. That’s an added bonus. There’s always things you’re not satisfied with. There’s always things you want to improve. There’s things in the run game and things with technique. That’s our job as coaches and his job to take advantage of this one year he has with us to get to the next level.”
Soaking in the moment
New this season ahead of every Illinois home game was introductions of a handful of starters and all six team captains. Pat Bryant has held down the last spot in those introductions from the opening week of the season. It’s something the senior wide receiver is looking forward to with anticipation for what will be his final game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday against Michigan State. The intro. The pop from the crowd. And one last soaring celebration with fellow wide receiver Kenari Wilcher.
“We had a mock game during fall camp,” Bryant said. “We didn’t do it, but he said he wanted to do it. We went ahead and tried it, and then we had that one crazy, crazy photo that went viral. Ever since then we’ve just been rolling with it, and I think the crowd likes it, too. It really gave us a spark. Then we ended up making a shirt out of it, so we got some sales out of that, too.
“At the end of the day, it’s just something about being last and hearing the crowd knowing I’m the final one and getting everybody amped up for what we’re about to do. That’s one thing I’m really excited for. Soak in that last intro and then go out there and ball.”
Getting redshirt guys on the field
Bielema doesn’t name-drop deep cuts on the Illinois roster without reason. So when he mentioned Gentle Hunt, among others, who have yet to play or barely played this season, as someone that might see the field with three games remaining in the regular season, it stood out. Hunt transferred to Illinois this offseason after four years at Florida A&M, but the 5-foot-11, 305-pound defensive lineman has not played, with TeRah Edwards and Jeremiah Warren getting the snaps at nose tackle. Hunt has, however, left an impression on his teammates in practice.
“Since I’ve met himthe guy has shown he’s willing to work,” Edwards said of Hunt. “He enjoys this. He embraces it. He’s open. He’s a true definition of a team guy and maximizes every opportunity. … He’s athletic. He’s a speedy guy. I think back to summer and we’re doing 10-yard races, and the dude was cooking us. He has a crazy get-off, he’s very athletic, has a high motor on him and has that natural leverage. He just doesn’t stop. I think that’s what’s so dynamic about him. You tend not to see people his size, over 300 pounds, move that well.”
Two key matchups
Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott vs. Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles
Scott is healthy again after missing the second half of Illinois’ loss to Minnesota. Scott staying healthy, of course, is a necessity, and if he does, Chiles could give him an opportunity to make a game-changing play or two. The Michigan State quarterback is tied with UCLA’s Ethan Garbers for the Big Ten lead with 11 interceptions thrown. Scott leads the Illini and is one of 12 in the Big Ten with three interceptions caught.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer vs. Michigan State linebackers
The Spartans’ defense rank 14th in the Big Ten with 15 sacks in nine games. Only Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland and Southern Cal have gotten opposing quarterbacks to the ground fewer times this fall. Linebackers Jordan Turner and Khris Bogle lead Michigan State with three sacks apiece. Those are the players Altmyer will have to keep in mind Saturday afternoon because he’s been sacked 28 times in nine games. Only 14 teams nationally have given up more hits on their quarterback than the Illini have.
One stat to know
Bielema’s mantra of “tough, smart and dependable” permeates the Illinois program. These Illini are living up to one factor in the “smart” and “dependable” categories by being Bielema’s least-penalized team. At least to date. Illinois’ 45 penalties in nine games has the team tied for 21st nationally in penalties per game with Cincinnati, Georgia Tech and Kansas. Iowa is the least penalized team in the country with 31 in 10 games, while New Mexico is at the other end of the spectrum with 98 penalties in 10 games.
Illinois will win if …
Altmyer reverts to the quarterback he was in the first half of the season. The one that carved up opposing secondaries. That hadn’t thrown an interception yet. That got sacked less and didn’t cough up the ball. Altmyer playing at a high level was one of reasons — if not the primary reason — the Illini got to six wins so quickly. The drop-off in his production isn’t the only reason for the current skid, but he’s going to have to be “that guy” as a playmaker in the final month of the regular season.
Michigan State will win if …
its quarterback can stop giving the ball to the other team. Chiles has four games with multiple interceptions this season. The Spartans actually won two of them. The first two games of the year, in fact. But Michigan State losing five of its last six games has coincided with Chiles, who followed coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to East Lansing, Mich., looking wholly mediocre. He’s 95 of 148 for 1,200 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in that stretch.
