“Obviously, last week was a bummer,” Bret Bielema‘s offensive linebacker paints the Fighting Illini’s biting 10-63 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers on September 21. From No. 9, the roster sank to No. 23 AP rank, and clouds of despair loomed large over the Illini Faithful. And for their head coach? “Embarrassing and at a loss for words,” he said on the worst loss of his tenure. With that, the locker room blues have set in.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer was sacked seven times, and the sluggish offense proved costly. Barely rushed for 3 yards in the first half. A 14-of-22 passes and 146 yards. The Illini had momentum in the first half, although the Hoosiers still dominated, but Bloomington saw some action. However, as the halftime bled into the second half, the Illini were streamrolled. Zero points, with the roster registered four penalties for 23 yards, in total.
“Yeah, I say, very disappointed,” said outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, who recorded 4 tackles against Indiana (2 solo), of the defeat sting. “You know, in each other, and I feel like, you know, the more we come together, you know, and the more we, you know, just learn how to just practice.” The defense couldn’t block the advancing offense. The Hoosiers smoothly managed an 11-yard TD pass into the red zone. The Illini’s secondary was not in the healthiest spot. Xavier Scott has been out since the Western Michigan game. Defensive back Jaheim Clarke was not present, missing his fourth consecutive game.
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Gabe continued. “….and, you know, bounce back for that game and, you know, be ready for the moment next time, the more we’ll be, better off.” The disappointment of the Illini faithful was obvious. Altmyer’s lone TD came in the first quarter, with 8:24 on the clock, a 59-yard TD pass to Collin Dixon. But the Illini soon lost an 11-yard gain after Altmyer was sacked by Isaiah Jones and Tyrique Tucker. Altmyer had three sacks in the first quarter itself.
Moreover, by the second quarter, another flag shackled the buckling defense. Miles Scott, the leading tackler and team captain, was ejected following a targeting penalty to the Hoosiers’ receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Not just that, there’s more to the scoop. After Scott left the field, the play-calling duties were passed to Mac Resetich, who headed to the sidelines in the fourth quarter, for a possible injury.
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Again in the second quarter, with 6:17 on the clock, Hooisers’ Riley Nowakowski led a 43-yard rushing touchdown, from the line of scrimmage to the endzone. By the first half, Altmyer had five sacks. So, much for the No. 9-ranked Illini, the Hoosiers fans on the stands started a “overrated” chant. But at the Illini locker room, the grind is still on.
The roster is prepping up for the next clash against Lincoln Riley’s Trojans. “A lot of people try to do a lot of things differently,” continued Jacas. “I just think we just stay true to who we are and then, you know, continue to practice hard, you know, just stay true to our culture.”
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However, one pressing concern is tugging at Bielema’s sleeves.
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Will Xavier Scott be out for the rest of the season?
Coming up to the Week 5 injury report. Like the humbling loss, it doesn’t paint a rosy picture either. One thing is clear: the secondary defense has taken a huge blow. For safety, Xavier Scott, who has been out since the Western Michigan game (right ankle/foot injury), might miss most of the games this season. “The last time I had a conversation with him, he’ll have a procedure on Wednesday. He will be out for the majority of the rest of the year.” However, a ray of optimism shines bright. “But there is a chance he could come back in the end,” he said. When? That will be mulled over after he gets out of the surgery.
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But this is a worrisome issue for Bielema. Scott was a two-time All-Big Ten performer and a 2024 Jim Thorpe Award finalist, who tallied 46 tackles last year. In his absence, Trojans’ Makai Lemon, who has stepped up for an injured Ja’kobi Lane, will be exploiting that gap on Sept. 27. Already, the wide receiver has earned PFF’s highest WR grade (86.9) in the Big 10 and more. Over the weekend, Scott’s absence had proved costly. Illini gave up five passing touchdowns on just 23 attempts.
However, some positive updates were also checked off in the injury report. Illini’s Defensive Back Matt Bailey is presently in concussion protocol, and there is a high chance he will be back this week. “I do think he’ll get cleared later this week.” Another key player from the defense, Miles Scott, will be present on the field after being ejected for a targeting penalty. Then, Ben Clawson (third-string safety will be back as well. Third safety Grayson Griffin (Special teams), who hurt his back, will be back against USC. At the cornerback position, Kaleb Patterson (after scoring three tackles, he was out on the crutches) will be back on practice drills, after his X-rays came back negative, along with Torrie Cox (who took a knee to the stomach).