Preview: Purdue at Illinois
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[October 08, 2016]
In a bounce back game for both
teams, it speaks volumes that Illinois enters Saturday’s Big Ten
matchup as a two-score favorite over visiting Purdue. The Illini
have lost three straight by an average of 21 points, but Purdue may
have bigger issues despite its 2-2 record.
Illinois, optimistic and rebuilding under first-year coach Lovie
Smith, squandered a fourth quarter lead during a 31-16 loss to No.
12 Nebraska last week, prompting Smith to tell reporters: “We’re
coming in with a chip on our shoulder. We had a tough game also.
We’re trying to get our first Big Ten win too. Both teams are
looking at it the same way. We’re two teams who need a win in the
worst way, with history." Purdue was steamrolled by Maryland last
week, suffering a 50-7 loss that was the 23rd in 25 conference games
for fourth-year coach Darrell Hazell. Hazell, who may be coaching
for his job, told reporters: “We’re 2-2 and we have to make sure
we’re ready to go … and make the improvements. If we don’t, it can
get worse, right? It could get worse, but we’re not going to let it
get worse.”
TV: 3:30 ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Illinois -10.5
ABOUT PURDUE (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten): The Boilermakers’ defense allowed
400 rushing yards to Maryland, one week after surrendering only 68
in a 24-14 victory over Nevada, and to make matters worse, junior
linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (ankle) did not practice early in the
week. Sophomore quarterback David Blough was sacked six times
against Maryland and was 18-for-41 and ineffective once the run-game
was abandoned. The availability of sophomore running back Markell
Jones (shoulder) was uncertain and his team-leading 339 rushing
yards will be missed by a team that netted only 10 yards last week,
while second-leading rusher Brian Lankford-Johnson has rushed only
63 yards for the season.
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ABOUT ILLINOIS (1-3, 0-1): The Illini offense produced five plays of
more than 25 yards and 13 for double-digits against Nebraska, but it
failed on 7-of-9 third-down conversions. Kendrick Foster (221 yards,
8.8 yards per carry) scored the lone touchdown last week, and the
rushing attack that saw Ke’Shawn Vaughn rush once for one yard was
boosted by a nine-carry, 72-yard effort in Reggie Corbin’s first
start. Defensively, red-shirt freshman safety Patrick Nelson had 16
tackles in his first start, and senior defensive end Carroll
Phillips leads the nation with an average of 2.5 tackles for loss.
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EXTRA POINTS
1. Illinois, which has played the toughest schedule based on the
record of its FBS foes (14-1), learned this week that a $132 million
renovation project for Memorial Stadium has been finalized.
2. The teams have battled for the Cannon Trophy since 1943 and
Illinois is 44-41-6 since the series began in 1890.
3. Purdue has won eight of the last 11 games, but the road team has
taken the last four.
PREDICTION: Illinois 32, Purdue 14
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