Media luncheon spent counting #Illini injury list. 18 players missed last game.
Sounds like #illini LB Tre Watson may return this season. Also, optimism that Tito Odenigbo and Kenyon Jackson will return this week.
Just a reminder: starting 16 true freshmen and playing 22 true freshman is not normal. #illini
Nate Echard could apply for sixth year. Tony Adams and Mike Epstein played 5 games, over 30 percent threshold.
Lovie: DC Hardy Nickerson's mother passed away unexpectedly. Won't be here this week.
Lovie: When you've lost as many games as we have, you're just trying to look for some bright spots to keep players motivated.
Lovie: We played good football for moments of time but not being able to put together 4 quarters has really hurt us.
Lovie: Cam Thomas took a step.
Couple passes we'd like to have back. But he gave us a chance.
Lovie: Kendrick Foster did some good things. Defensive line, especially two DTs, did some good things.
Lovie: We're a little banged up right now. But nobody wants to hear about that.
Lovie: Indiana like us has been in a lot of games but haven't been able to finish.
Lovie: Working through what we'll do with Hardy out.
Lovie: Don't know if Nickerson will be at the game.
Lovie: When anything happens family-wise, I insist on them to take care of their families. We'll pick up the slack.
Lovie: I have called a couple defensive games. We may be OK.
Lovie: You just got to look at it the way it is. We have a lot of injuries. Some years you have more than others.
Lovie: Tre Watson could return this season. He's making progress.
Lovie: I don't know if we have any RBs who could compete for playing time. Reggie Corbin could return this week.
Lovie: Reality is it's no fun losing. Young guys have been resilient.
Lovie: Getting a lot of playing time. Know our roster a lot better. We're seeing improvement from young players.
Until it translates into a win, it's hard to tell you we're improving behind the scenes, but we are.
Lovie: Players are showing up every day. You keep grinding. Winning small battles behind the scenes.
Lovie: We have to do a better job coaching. Players have to get better. Preparation has to be better.
Lovie: Don't list starters, but if you look at the trend at QB, clear Cam Thomas is making progress.
Lovie: Jamal Milan has a lot of ability. He's taken steps last 3 weeks. Legitimate inside defensive lineman.
Lovie: @jhardee_19 was here on his bye week. Loves the university. For him to have a game like that, it was good to see.
Lovie: Indiana spreads it out a lot. More of a passing team that will run is how I'd describe them.
Lovie: OL didn't play as well as we need to play. Center going down threw us back a little bit.
ray:
