Illinois held a simulated game today, four quarters were play and Illinois won. All you really need to know regarding the games outcome. Overall, the offense was rough. Saw a lot more punts than you would've liked to see during a spring game. At the same time, it's clear the defense has improved, which can not mean much with how poorly the defense played a year ago.
But either way, overall positive performance by the defense, possible serious concerns with the offense. It's the spring, so take it for what you want.
FYI: First teams didn't tackles, second and third teams did. M.J. Rivers and Matt Robinson were put against each other, but first team players on both sides of the ball strictly played against each other for the most part.
Quarterback
There was some rough quarterback play today. M.J. Rivers and Matt Robinson didn't do anything to show why either one of them deserve to be the starter next year. Inconsistent throws from all ranges and couldn't get the offense moving down the field at all. Both guys threw picks today. Coran Taylor didn't look bad, had a couple nice series where he made the right reads in the short-to-intermediate passing game and had a couple nice scrambles.
Running Back
Reggie Corbin didn't see many touches today and when he walked off the field gingerly after one fall, he saw even less. RaVon Bonner didn't play and Dre Brown didn't do anything on his runs. Jakari Norwood had a breakout practice, taking off for a 52 yard touchdown run and another long run that got blown dead sooner than it should've just because a defender got two hands on him. Norwood's got some blazing north-to-south speed, just needs to get hands and continue to build patience when running between the tackles.
Wide Receivers
Nothing great to report from this group. First team receivers couldn't much, got no separation from DBs. Smalling had maybe one catch, Donny Navarro didn't do anything noticeable. The one positive from the corps came from Kendall Smith, who showed some real progress with his route running and he already has good hands (maybe the best on the team?). He even caught the attention of Lovie, who said he hadn't really noticed Kendall throughout spring practices.
Tight Ends
Nothing happened here. Luke Ford caught a short pass. That is all.
Offensive line
It's early, of course, but it looks like the offensive line has taken a significant step back. Run game got nothing going (also hard to get a scope of the run game when you're not tackling, but Rod was not happy nonetheless). Pass protection wasn't great either. Vederian Lowe didn't play and it shows in pass protection.
Defensive line
These guys dominated the line of scrimmage. Tymir Oliver, James Milan, Calvin Avery, Deon Pate and Jamal Woods all made a play today when it came to stuffing the run. Oliver had a sack. Bobby Roundtree continues to be playing chess while Jake Cerny is playing checkers. Just a huge mismatch out there for Cerny. Gaps were stuffed and tackles were made consistently, practically didn't move when the offensive line tried to push them.
Linebackers
Dele Harding had a day with stopping several runs and recording a sack on a delayed blitzed. He's the leader of this defense and Lovie said he's one of the leaders of the team in general. What will be interesting with this group is the position battle between Delano Ware and Milo Eifler for the starting SAM linebacker spot. Both players were active today.
Defensive Backs
These guys were flying all over the field and making plays. Nate Hobbs and Quan Martin both made impressive picks, which Hobbs returned to the house. Martin made a one-handed pick on a down the field jump ball that was actually insane. There's something there with that cornerback tandem. Nick Walker rocked Bobby Walker's bell, causing a pass breakup which was picked off and returned all the way. This is going to be a really fun group to watch once Marquez Beason gets there. Didn't really see much from the safeties and Lovie said he's looking for more out of those guys.
And that's a wrap for spring ball. Talked to some more 2020 recruits today so look out for those updates tomorrow and Monday, but besides that, any questions?
But either way, overall positive performance by the defense, possible serious concerns with the offense. It's the spring, so take it for what you want.
FYI: First teams didn't tackles, second and third teams did. M.J. Rivers and Matt Robinson were put against each other, but first team players on both sides of the ball strictly played against each other for the most part.
Quarterback
There was some rough quarterback play today. M.J. Rivers and Matt Robinson didn't do anything to show why either one of them deserve to be the starter next year. Inconsistent throws from all ranges and couldn't get the offense moving down the field at all. Both guys threw picks today. Coran Taylor didn't look bad, had a couple nice series where he made the right reads in the short-to-intermediate passing game and had a couple nice scrambles.
Running Back
Reggie Corbin didn't see many touches today and when he walked off the field gingerly after one fall, he saw even less. RaVon Bonner didn't play and Dre Brown didn't do anything on his runs. Jakari Norwood had a breakout practice, taking off for a 52 yard touchdown run and another long run that got blown dead sooner than it should've just because a defender got two hands on him. Norwood's got some blazing north-to-south speed, just needs to get hands and continue to build patience when running between the tackles.
Wide Receivers
Nothing great to report from this group. First team receivers couldn't much, got no separation from DBs. Smalling had maybe one catch, Donny Navarro didn't do anything noticeable. The one positive from the corps came from Kendall Smith, who showed some real progress with his route running and he already has good hands (maybe the best on the team?). He even caught the attention of Lovie, who said he hadn't really noticed Kendall throughout spring practices.
Tight Ends
Nothing happened here. Luke Ford caught a short pass. That is all.
Offensive line
It's early, of course, but it looks like the offensive line has taken a significant step back. Run game got nothing going (also hard to get a scope of the run game when you're not tackling, but Rod was not happy nonetheless). Pass protection wasn't great either. Vederian Lowe didn't play and it shows in pass protection.
Defensive line
These guys dominated the line of scrimmage. Tymir Oliver, James Milan, Calvin Avery, Deon Pate and Jamal Woods all made a play today when it came to stuffing the run. Oliver had a sack. Bobby Roundtree continues to be playing chess while Jake Cerny is playing checkers. Just a huge mismatch out there for Cerny. Gaps were stuffed and tackles were made consistently, practically didn't move when the offensive line tried to push them.
Linebackers
Dele Harding had a day with stopping several runs and recording a sack on a delayed blitzed. He's the leader of this defense and Lovie said he's one of the leaders of the team in general. What will be interesting with this group is the position battle between Delano Ware and Milo Eifler for the starting SAM linebacker spot. Both players were active today.
Defensive Backs
These guys were flying all over the field and making plays. Nate Hobbs and Quan Martin both made impressive picks, which Hobbs returned to the house. Martin made a one-handed pick on a down the field jump ball that was actually insane. There's something there with that cornerback tandem. Nick Walker rocked Bobby Walker's bell, causing a pass breakup which was picked off and returned all the way. This is going to be a really fun group to watch once Marquez Beason gets there. Didn't really see much from the safeties and Lovie said he's looking for more out of those guys.
And that's a wrap for spring ball. Talked to some more 2020 recruits today so look out for those updates tomorrow and Monday, but besides that, any questions?
