2-1, yet the stale aftertaste persists

Illinois 20 Louisiana 17

A truly dull and uninspired effort, it took 59 minutes 42 seconds for the Illini to finish off the Ragin' Cajuns Saturday. Juice Williams had a bad day, completing just 13 of 25 (52%) for 147 yards, plus a TD and an INT. The Illini put together only one good drive, going 96 yards in 11 plays early in the 2nd quarter culminating in a Daniel Dufrene 10-yd TD reception. But the offense only added 2 more FGs to the scoreboard, allowing the Ragin' Cajuns to hang around and storm back in the 4th.

Kick coverage still leaves a lot to be desired, Louisiana returned a kickoff 58 yards before kicker Matt Eller made the stop.

On the plus side, defense played well. The Cajuns had 287 total yards and were held under 100 yard rushing. Brit Miller had the play of the day when he stripped the ball from QB Michael Desormeaux and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. That play doesn't happen, hey who knows.


Brit and Vontae all over the place

• Brit Miller and Vontae led the Illini with 13 tackles each. Miller had 3 TFLs and the aforementioned fumble return TD. Davis—who was all over the place—had 11 solos and a forced fumble recovery.

Josh Brent returns

• The mystery disappearance is over, Josh Brent returned to D-line! Brent made his presence known with 2 tackle assists, as well as 15-yd penalties on both of Louisiana's 4th quarter TD drives.

Jeff Cumberland returns

• 6'-5" receiver Jeff Cumberland saw the field for the first time after suffering a stress fracture at Camp Rantoul. Cumberland had no catches. Juice threw behind him twice, including what would have been a sure touchdown on the Illini's final drive of the 1st half.

Ryan Palmer injury

• Right tackle Ryan Palmer suffered a broken bone in his foot and did not play in the 2nd half.

Coulda woulda

• Two big missed TD opportunities. Chris Duvalt dropped a pass in the end zone in the 4th quarter, and the aforementioned Juice passing behind Cumberland in the 2nd.

Dufrene and Uh Oh have career days

• Daniel Dufrene rushed for 126 yards on 19 carries.
• Michael Hoomanawanui had 5 receptions for 74 yards.

2-1

• Including 2008, the Illini have started the season 2-1 (or 3-0) 12 of the past 20 seasons.

58,632 at Memorial Stadium Saturday

• Average home attendance is 59,382, the highest average after two games since 1995.

Conference stats

• Juice still leads the big ten in total offense (313.7 yd/game).
• Brit Miller leads the conference in tackles (12.0).
• Illinois' turnover margin after 3 games: -1.

News

• Is two weeks enough time to fix the Illinois football team's problems?
• Illini report card.
• It's Miller time.
• Sleepwalking Illinois needs wake-up call.
• Time for Illini to get down to business.
• Offense lacking ... in emotion.
• Brent's return is marked by mistakes.
• Good guys have to play good.
• Illinois - Louisiana photo gallery.
• Recap.

Illinois Loyalty: Louisiana game | Penn St pregame

Filed under: Illini Football, Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns