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Preview: Illinois at Iowa
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 [October 07, 2017]
Illinois will have a new
starting quarterback when it plays a Big Ten game Saturday at Iowa.
Jeff George Jr. will be under center in place of Chayce Crouch when
the Fighting Illini attempt to end a four-game losing streak against
the Hawkeyes.
"Some positions you try to stay the course as much as you possibly
can," Illinois coach Lovie Smith told reporters. "But you kind of
have to look at what's going on on the field." Crouch has completed
53.2 percent of his passes with one touchdown and four interceptions
for the Fighting Illini, who have lost two straight by a combined 46
points. George, the son of former Illinois and NFL quarterback Jeff
George, was only slightly better in his lone appearance this season
with one touchdown pass and two interceptions against South Florida.
The Hawkeyes, who have suffered one-score losses to No. 4 Penn State
and Michigan State the last two games, are well situated at
quarterback with Nathan Stanley. The sophomore, who was held with a
touchdown pass for the only time this season last Saturday against
Michigan State, has thrown for more than 1,000 yards with 12
touchdowns and one interception in five games.
TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. Line: Iowa - 8.5
ABOUT ILLINOIS (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten): With struggles in the passing
game, the Fighting Illini have relied on a freshman running back to
carry the offensive load. Mike Epstein has produced 263 yards and
three touchdowns on the ground and 59 yards and one score through
the air. No other running back has produced better than three yards
per carry for Illinois, who lead the series with Iowa 38-32-2 but
are in danger of losing for the ninth time in 10 meetings.
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ABOUT IOWA (3-2, 0-2): Senior running back Akrum Wadley has been
active as both a runner and receiver for the Hawkeyes, who defeated
Illinois 28-0 last season. Wadley has run for 368 yards and three
touchdowns while catching 13 balls for a team-leading 244 yards and
two scores. Stanley, who is the first quarterback in Iowa history to
have 12 touchdown passes in his first four starts, has connected
with six different receivers for scores - including three each to
Nick Easley and Noah Fant.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Wadley has 2,131 career rushing yards and is 98 shy of moving
past Shonn Greene into the top 10 in program history.
2. Iowa's senior LB Josey Jewell, who has produced back-to-back
games with 16 tackles, leads the Big Ten with 60 and boasts 8.5
tackles for loss.
3. Illinois DE Isaiah Gay is the third-youngest true freshman to
start a game this season in the FBS and is one of 19 first-time
starters for his team.
PREDICTION: Iowa 47, Illinois 23
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