Scouting the Fighting Illini

Offense
QB Juice Williams is expected to come back after missing the second game and resting during the bye week. He only needs 171 total offense yards to get the Illinois career total offense record. He would also get into the top-ten for the Big Ten's career total offensive yards. Receiver Arrelious Benn is expected to return after being injured in the first game and missing the second game. Last season Benn had 67 receptions for 1055 yards and three touchdowns. Benn will also occasionally run the ball, with 23 attempts last season for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jason Ford leads the team in rushing with 137 yards and one touchdown. Although almost half of that yardage is from one run of 68 yards in the Illinois State game.

Defense
Leading the team in tackles per game is linebacker Ian Thomas with 8.5/game. Thomas is in his first year as a starter and had 13 tackles in the Missouri game. Defensive tackle Josh Brent has 3 tackles for loss already this season. Brent is in his second year as a starter, and he played as a true freshman. Doug Pilcher at defensive end is a fourth-year starter with 21.5 tackles for loss in his career.