CHAMPAIGN – Perhaps baby steps should be expected from an offense loaded with such baby faces.
After a fortunate punt return set up the go-ahead score to complete a rally in the season opener ad avoid a loss to a downtrodden MAC program, the Illini offense managed to move forward, ever so slightly, in the 20-7 upset win over Western Kentucky Saturday.
Next up for the Illini (2-0) is No. 22 South Florida (1-0) on the road Friday (6 p.m., ESPN), when things are likely to get a little rougher. The Illini seek their first 3-0 start in six years and first non-conference road win since whipping Syracuse in 2007 on the way to the Rose Bowl.
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An Illini offense that started four true freshmen for the first time in school history and started two true freshmen on the offensive line didn’t overpower anybody against the Hilltoppers. In fact, besides a drive to start the second half, the Illini won despite the offense.
But Illinois stuck to the party line that slow growth is still growth, and honestly that’s what should be expected from such a young team, even if wide receiver Mike Dudek likes to refer that talented group of freshmen as The Franchise.
So many freshmen and inexperience on the field leads to unpredictability, which isn’t a good thing for an offensive coordinator who wants to know where everyone is headed. So sometimes Illini play-caller Garrick McGee probably watches his offense with one eye closed.
“One side of it is really fun,’’ he said. “You can see them grow and develop and then forecast where they will be in a year or two. The other side of it is there could be a mistake in any minute. You have to get lucky and put a few plays together.’’
It will take more time on offense, where it takes more than just effort. With first-year rookies Larry Boyd at left tackle and Alex Palczewski at leftt guard, that’s just the start of a long-term relationship.
“Those two will probably start at those two spots for the next four years,’’ said McGee, crystal-balling years to come. But the Illini still have to play out this season, and next.
There had to be improvement to gain a win over Western Kentucky, the two-time defending champ from Conference-USA. Illinois managed just 216 total yards and 14 first downs against Ball State in the opener. Against Western Kentucky, the Illini compiled a mediocre 300 yards on offense and rushed for 193 yards behind emerging freshman running back Mike Epstein’s 11 yards. Quarterback Chayce Crouch and the passing game are still, well, a work in progress.
“We made a lot of growth between week one and week two,’’ said Crouch on the Illini offense. “The offensive line played great, the running backs ran hard, the receivers found a way to get open. The main thing I liked was the competitiveness of the offense. Everyone was going hard on every play and being competitive. That’s what I liked most.’’
That’s all and good, but there will be times when proper decision-making and outright skill play a role in scoring touchdowns. The Illini haven’t quite got there yet, even if Crouch told us he’s was more of a pocket passer than a scrambler in the second game.
“Last week, you saw I started to hang in there and make some throws rather than relying on my legs to make plays,’’ he said. “That was my area of growth.’’
Crouch was 14 of 25 passing for 107 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. That doesn’t remind us of Johnny U, Dan Marino or Peyton Manning. Everyone probably doesn’t need to be reminded that the Illini defense – which also pretty damn young – scored as many touchdowns as the Illini offense.
But, truthfully, the Illini took control when driving 84 yards on 15 plays for a touchdown and a 20-point lead to start the second half.
“The goal was to come out, put a long drive together and score,’’ Crouch said. “That showed growth. We sustained a long possession. We had a lot more time of possession (than the previous week. That was good to see.’’
It takes more than one touchdown on offense to win most games.
“(Western Kentucky) knew that was a big drive for us, and they couldn’t stop us,’’ coach Lovie Smith said. “The next step is to start off like that. One thing we talked about was being consistently good throughout. We need to show that more often.’’
Is it asking too much of so many freshmen? Probably. But that’s the state of Illini football these days. Expect more Illini true freshmen to see playing time after seven of them started against Western Kentucky. Massive offensive lineman Vederian Lowe returned to football activities this week and will probably make it to the practice field next week. Expect him to play at some point after Boyd, Palczewski and the rest of the Illini first-year freshmen are settling into key roles like it was last year in prep ball and riding that little yellow school bus, as the Zooker once told us.
“They’re very confident,’’ Crouch said of those freshmen offensive lineman. “You see Larry. He’s a huge kid. He knows he can overpower some of the defensive linemen. He’s a very confident kid. Alex is very smart. He knows what he’s doing every single play. That’s rare for a freshman. He’s coming in and looking like he has experience.
“It will be exciting for the young guys to take a road trip, go to another environment and play a game.’’
McGee, like the rest of us, might keep one eye closed watching that young offense, because the growing pains often lead to some mistakes along the way.
John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.
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