*** NCAA Football Preview - Illinois Fighting Illini ***
From The My Sportsbook
By Frank Haynes, College Football Senior Editor
2003 SEASON IN REVIEW: With just one win in 12 tries and none in conference play, the Illini showed very little "fight" last year in finishing dead last in the Big Ten. The Illinois offense, which had been as potent as any in the conference the previous two years, was lackluster at best in putting up just 16.9 ppg (second worst in the conference) and 340.3 ypg in '03. The defense had all kinds of trouble stopping the run, allowing a league-worst 224.3 ypg. The Illini gave up more than 33 ppg, and were outgained by their Big Ten brethren by 161.3 ypg and outscored by them by 25.6 ppg. Overall, the UI defense ranked among the nation's worst in several statistical categories. The team's lone win came against intrastate foe Illinois State (a I-AA program) in the first month of the season. The Illini scored more than two TDs just twice against Big Ten opponents and more than one TD in only five of eight league games. Needless to say, improvement on both sides of the ball is critical to any success the team hopes to achieve this season.
2004 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: The return of nine starters on offense means the Illini should enjoy some continuity, but the key will be getting off to a fast start and building confidence. Jon Beutjer is the team's field general and is back after a season in which he completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 1,597 yards with 10 TDs and nine INTs. Beutjer is a heady player with solid instincts, and he should be fully recovered from the nagging back injury that cost him time in 2003. Helping coach Ron Turner's offense fire on all cylinders will be sophomore RB E.B. Halsey. Halsey started eight games as a freshman last season and rushed for more than 500 yards, but if for some reason he can't get the job done, Turner has other talented guys who are all capable, including Marcus Mason and Pierre Thomas. On the outside, Beutjer will rely heavily on guys like Lonnie Hurst and Ade Adeyemo to stretch the field. Hurst started nine games as a rookie last year, while Adeyemo logged three starts. One guy to keep an eye on is junior wideout Kendrick Jones, who if he finally lives up to his billing, could become a serious downfield threat. Up front, the Illinois offensive line is anchored by seniors Duke Preston and Bucky Babcock.
DEFENSE: As mentioned in the opening, the UI defense was shredded in 2003 more times than not, making Turner's priority this season to make sure the reins are tightened considerably. The return of starters Matt Sinclair and Antonio Mason should help the linebacking corps, while in the trenches, both Scott Moss and Ryan Matha will try to secure the line of scrimmage. Getting pressure on the quarterback will be key to any success the Illini have on defense and senior DE Mike O'Brien should be able to increase upon the five sacks he tallied in '03. Illinois' leading receiver a year ago, Kelvin Hayden, has been moved to corner and his superior athleticism should make the transition relatively smooth. Another former offensive player, senior Morris Virgil, is expected to start at strong safety, and junior Travis Williams will line up at free safety, giving the Illini a pair of 190-pounders with the ability to make some pretty big plays. Stopping the run and coming up with turnovers are the two areas that need the most improvement after Illinois ranked 111th in rushing defense and 117th in turnovers gained a year ago.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The placekicking duties will likely fall to freshman Jason Reda, who was the top kicker in the state of Illinois last year and has booted a 65-yarder in practice. Junior Steve Weatherford is expected to handle the punting chores after setting himself up as one of the top punters in the Big Ten in 2003. As for the return game, expect Halsey and Mason to both see time bringing back kicks after each turned in solid efforts in that department a year ago.
OUTLOOK: The schedule is pretty favorable for the Illini this season as they will open with four straight home games before hitting the road to face Wisconsin on October 2nd. In all, the team will play seven of its 11 tilts in front of the hometown faithful, and only three outside the state of Illinois. Still, improving dramatically on last year's one-win campaign isn't a lock as the Big Ten will once again be tough as nails pretty much from top to bottom. The key will be the play (and health) of Beutjer and whether or not the UI defense can step it up -- both of which are pretty big question marks at this point.
