Illini football quick hits | Iowa game week: Thursday
Nov. 16—Illinois coach Bret Bielema was available Thursday, but didn't publicly announce a starting quarterback, ahead of Saturday afternoon's game at Iowa. Here's some of what he had to say, courtesy beat writer Scott Richey:
Injury update
Bielema expects most of the players that either missed last week's game at Indiana or were injured against the Hoosiers to be available for Saturday's game at Iowa. Reggie Love III hasn't had any issues in his continued return from a long-term ankle injury. Luke Altmyer was cleared Tuesday and Pat Bryant on Wednesday with a full Thursday of practice participation. The question mark is Kaden Feagin, who injured his right arm against Indiana.
"He hasn't been able to practice with us this week, but we've got a chance," Bielema said of the former Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond star whose rushed for 438 yards and two touchdowns this season. "He went back in the game the other day (in a red zone situation) and physically couldn't hang on to the ball. We have to to pass all the things we have got to pass to get him to be able to be out there. That's the only element that probably will hold us back. We've just got to make sure he can hang on to the ball in traffic and contact."
Converting scoring chances
Illinois made a concerted effort heading into the season to improve its red zone efficiency. It was a major point of emphasis during spring ball and fall training camp and has carried over into the season. The Illini are tied for 28th nationally in converting 90 percent of its red zone opportunities — six field goals and 21 touchdowns in 30 chances. Iowa's defense, though, ranks sixth nationally allowing its opponents to convert just 68.2 percent of their red zone opportunities.
"Iowa is who they are," Bielema said. "They're very regimented in their schemes and what they do. They do change game plan wise on who they're playing, but I've been around this and seen this enough to have a pretty good idea of what they're going to do to us in the (red zone). We've got to execute in those big moments, and, obviously, to be on the road is a big deal with the crowd noise."
Shorthanded Hawkeyes
The Iowa defense will be without cornerback Cooper DeJean the rest of the season. DeJean was officially ruled out with a leg injury Wednesday — the same day he was named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy given annually to the nation's best defensive player. DeJean has 41 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions this season despite teams rarely throwing his way.
"Real respect for his game," Bielema said. "The part that I really enjoy as a head coach is I love watching players play that truly are good. Obviously, I don't love it on game day, but you watch and appreciate them on film. he's such a dynamic player, and my guess is, being in that program, who he is and what he represents he's probably a pretty phenomenal person. You just hate so see anything along those lines. Our guys always want to play agianst the best."
