Game notes
1. Reminder about how Illinois isn't a blue blood and the system is so delicate that it falls apart with one person removed. Xavier Scott out for the game and there were at least three big assignment errors in the second half that led to 100+ offensive yards.
2. The warning signs are staring to pile up for the defense. Another bad showing from the defensive line, struggling to contain a mobile QB and missed tackles. Linebackers getting exposed for a second game. Not as much of an issue shedding blocks but so many missed tackles. Secondary had serious secondary issues for the first time this year and don't need to be repeated.
3. Going off of the previous number, tackling issues are becoming rampant - defensive contributors with tackling grades below 40: Jacas, Kreutz, Briggs, and Barna. Not a great quartet with the team coming into town next week that is going to run the ball 30+ times.
4. Rosiek was much improved yesterday. Him, X, Miles Scott, Bailey, Edwards, and Coleman are the defensive foundation.
5. Kaleb Patterson is taking some much-needed steps forward. Last two games he's been targeted seven times and only allowed one catch. His run defense needs improvement but he might be the best coverage corner on the roster right now.
6. Luke Altmyer appreciation B1G QB rankings:
*4th in adjusted passing yards per attempt (10.1, was only 6.3 last year)
*1st in passing TDs (14, he had 13 all last year)
*5th in passing efficiency rating (167.7, was 131.9 last year)
*On pace for most Illinois QB passing yards since 2013 Scheelhaase
*Current pace numbers are 2,852 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 2 INTs
*Last one, and biggest: Altmyer's current QB rating would be the highest in Illinois football history.
7. Hank Beatty - #1 punt returner in Big Ten. Averaging 16.6 yards per return.
8. Pat Bryant still on pace to shatter the Illinois WR TD record. He'll need to pick up the pace to get to 1k receiving yards.
9. Offensive line - Henderson started in place as a change up from the past starting five and he was okay. Crisler later got snaps and had one of his better games by PFF grades. Kreutz with three straight 80+ passing grade games. The good pass blocking - bad run blocking on the interior is still a problem and there aren't a lot of remaining solutions beyond starting Wigenton.
10. McCray was awesome. Averaged 2.8 yards after contact. Had his highest elusive rating score of the season. He more than made up for Feagin being out.
11. Lunney needs to find a way to have more play designs under center. I don't have a ready stat for it but it feels like their run success rate out of the pistol and under center are miles apart. Michigan is a tough game to try to mix in more under center because of their pass rush so not sure it's something you see next week but it needs to be run more going forward. The team can't keep expecting Altmyer to bail out all of these 2nd and 8/9 yards scenarios.