Illinois travels to Kansas and loses 34-23
By Greg Taylor

[September 09, 2023] 

Going into the 2023 season, there was much excitement about Illinois football in Illini Nation. Coming off an 8-4 season, that was just a couple of plays away from 10 or 11 wins, over 10,000 new season tickets were sold. The schedule seemed to be favorable. Many wondered aloud if a second straight New Year’s Day Bowl could be a foregone conclusion. Not that it has ever really arrived, but was Illinois football back?

Two games into the new season and the answer is a resounding no, at least so far. Friday night in the land of the Rock-Chalk-Jayhawkers (if I never hear that phrase again, all is well), Kansas dominated Illinois on both sides of the ball and beat the Illini by 11. Frankly, it really wasn’t that close. After trailing 28-7 at the half and 34-7 in the last minute of the third quarter, Illinois fought back with a couple of Luke Altmyer running touchdowns and two-point conversions to make the score respectable. In fact, Illinois actually had a couple of chances late in the game to get even closer, but it wasn’t meant to be.

You might be reading this and think, “an eleven-point road loss to a power five school on the road – that’s not awful.” And it’s true – it is really hard to win on the road when you are Illinois and you travel to a fellow power five school. But honestly, Friday night was disappointing in more ways than one. And unless the Illini get some things figured out, I’m not sure a bowl game at all is in the forecast.

Here is what I saw Friday night in Lawrence, Kansas:

#1 – Illinois gave up 539 yards of offense, including 262 yards rushing. Can’t happen. It can’t happen against Michigan or Ohio State or Penn State. It certainly can’t happen against Kansas. Many thought this team would be led by its defense. Both Toledo and Kansas have sliced and diced the Illinois D for much of the first two games. Both Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph showed flashes tonight, but this team needs to make a statement on defense and soon!

#2 – Illinois started really slow on offense, going 3 and out on their first two possessions and struggling to sustain long drives for much of the night. I really like Luke Altmyer and I think the receiving corps can be special. But Isaiah Williams, Illinois’ best offensive weapon, didn’t get a touch for the first 28 minutes of the game. But the time he finally did, Illinois was trailing 21-0. Illini can be so much better on the offensive side of the ball in my opinion.

#3 – Penalties continue to plague Illinois. It won’t look awful in the box score because Kansas committed multiple penalties late (which resulted in multiple ejections for targeting penalties). But in the first half, Kansas didn’t commit a penalty. And Illinois had a couple at the most inopportune moments of the game. Same thing unfolded last week in the Toledo game. This has to change. Immediately.

#4 – Illinois didn’t quit. And I love that. Down 34-7 late in the third, Illinois fought. I thought for a moment, with about six minutes left in the game, Illinois might just be able to come all the way back. It wasn’t meant to be, but I loved the fact they didn’t quit.

#5 – Multiple play calls in key moments didn’t produce positive results when the game was still up for grabs. Case in point: Illinois is down 14-0 but moving the ball and facing a 3rd and 1 at the 46-yard line. Power football, right? Nope. Instead, Illinois tries a trick play with TE Griffin Moore lining up for the snap. Not a single Kansas Jayhawk was fooled, and Illinois had to punt.

#6 – Enough about the football team. Illini Nation traveled well Friday night, with much orange in the stands in Lawrence. I just hope the fandom doesn’t give up on the Illini too quick. I love that about Illinois fans: they travel, and they love their teams. Keep it up, Illini Nation!

#7 – Saw both Illini hoops coach Brad Underwood and former Illini and current Kansas basketball coach Bill Self in the press box Friday night. Coach Self has had some health issues since last March, but he looks great. Coach Underwood had his game face on. Basketball practice and the new season will be here before long!

I could write more, but it’s time to head out. My grandson (and daughter and son-in-law) are awaiting my arrival in nearby Overland Park. And it’s just football and it’s just one game. Or two. I’m going keep telling myself that!

Here’s hoping the Illini have a much different, and better, effort in store on Saturday morning in Champaign when the top ten Penn State Nittany Lions come calling! If not, it could get real ugly real quick. I still have a ton of confidence in Illinois coach Bret Bielema. I hope you do as well. And never forget, through it all, the Lincoln Daily News will have you covered! Go Illini!

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