The Illinois Fighting Illini dropped out of the AP and CFP top 25 after their loss last week at the hands of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Previous flaws in Illinois’ game were gashed open by Minnesota, and they rode those to their fourth consecutive win. For the Fighting Illini, the loss is their second straight, taking them out of contention for the CFP entirely. The slim hopes that Bret Bielema’s squad had were extinguished in the 25-17 loss at home, sinking their record on the season to 6-3.
Poor pass protection and a porous run defense did Illinois in on Saturday afternoon. Luke Altmyer’s fumbling problem was attacked by the Minnesota defense, leading to a pair of costly fumbles. One cough-up led to a first-quarter field goal from Minnesota, while the other ended the game as the Illini offense was driving deep into Golden Gopher territory in the game’s final minute. Minnesota’s ability to run the ball all day put the Illinois defense in conflict and allowed Max Brosmer to succeed in the passing game.
Illinois Picking Up Pieces from MN Loss
PJ Fleck’s bunch took advantage of opportunities the Fighting Illini gave them and kept possession by running the ball. The win for Minnesota launched them over Illinois in the Big Ten standings. Minnesota played well enough to win, but the Fighting Illini helped them along the way.
Minnesota’s mistake-free football was contrasted by Illinois’s, which turned the ball over twice and couldn’t execute at key moments in the game. There were significant gaffes in the pass protection game, and on the other side of the line of scrimmage, the run defense was porous. The big moments in the game were exacerbated by the Fighting Illini’s inability to tighten the screws on things they could control. The final consequential play of the game was a perfect microcosm, where Luke Altmyer fumbled the ball on a strip sack, and Minnesota could take a knee and win.
Pass Protection Failure
The Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line has been a thorn in the side of the offensive unit for much of the season, and in the first close game of the year, Illinois did not come out with a win, and the line was a driving force. Mistakes in the running game, missed assignments, and timing disruptions led to negative plays, but the passing game errors were much more stark. Luke Altmyer was sacked four times, including two, which resulted in fumbles that set Minnesota up to score in one instance and ended the game in another.
The Fighting Illini passing game was not inept, but there were enough setbacks in a tight game that it made the difference between winning and losing. There have been holes in the line all season, but Saturday was the most glaring example of their struggles. Minnesota generated pressure off the edge and created levels in the line to disrupt the pocket Luke Altmyer had to step into. It’s unclear what more there is to do in 2024, but with a favorable final three games of the season, moderate improvements on the offensive line could make the difference between winning and losing.
Lax Rush Defense
The Fighting Illini have one of the best defensive secondaries in the country, and opposing offenses have to stay away from it if they can. Minnesota did that Saturday by pounding the ball on the ground. Darius Taylor was the bell cow for the Golden Gophers, running the ball at six yards a carry for over 130 yards and a touchdown. Illinois was never able to stop Taylor, and between him and Max Brosmer, who peppered in passes, the defense was worn down by the end of the game, leading to the touchdown drive in the fourth quarter and the go-ahead field goal.
The running defense had been taken advantage of in games against better opponents, like Oregon and Penn State, but Minnesota’s commitment to it early on set the tone for the rest of the game. And while it wasn’t a blowout, it helped deliver the win for the Gophers in the end, including shortening the game. Behind their running game, Minnesota had possession of the ball for ten more minutes than Illinois, putting pressure on the Fighting Illini that they ultimately folded under.
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