Illini pre-season wrap up

Posted in SPORTS to Illini Football by John Johnson on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 9:00 am

The Fighting Illini preseason football practice schedule ended on a high note (despite the injury to presumed starting junior Strong Safety, Supo Sanni) with the second scrimmage showing promising improvement in all areas. Our offense will be more consistent with veteran linemen Allen, Hunt, and Thornton protecting their teammates. We have an experienced wide receiver core with Jenkins, Fayson, and McGee, along with the addition of TE Evan Wilson and two freshman sensations Milliness and Lankford. Led by QB Nathan Scheelhaase — a bigger version of Jason Verduczo — let's hope his season debut is similar to that of some of his in the late 80s.  If our elite running backs can maintain 200+ yards a game, this offense could be explosive and dangerous.

KEYS TO SUCEED 

While our players are trying to learn very complex systems on both sides of the ball, redshirt freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase needs to demonstrate leadership, athletic ability, and proficiency as a passer early in our schedule to allow our running game to be productive. Our stable of running backs is dense; Mikel Leshoure, Jason Ford, Justin Green, Bud Golden, and Troy Pollard will carry the load. The offense will need to minimize mistakes, penalties, and control the clock in order to be effective. Defense will need to control the line of scrimmage and shut down the run, allowing our secondary to be aggressive and attacking on predictable passing downs. Defense will also need to show a lot of energy and athleticism being as physical as possible.  We cannot allow our opponents to gain 2009's average per game: a dispiriting 403.2 yards!

Did we LEARN or is it a CONCERN? 

Having only five returning starters on offense, and seven returning on defense is cause for alarm.  It has been a healthy competition for starting positions on defense this preseason. This could be a good thing for a defense that gave up 249 passing yards per game in 2009. Secondary depth still remains a concern, led by Hawthorne and Wilson with Thrash, Henry, Nixon, and Thomas who all showed improvement in scrimmage #2, in only three short weeks of work. The loss of Sanni will be felt for sure. Our defense will be stabilized by the return of Buktus Watchlist finalist, #2 Martez Wilson at middle linebacker, with supporting cast of veterans Thomas and Bussey, with Elington, Frierson, and Gress making this a solid Line backing-core. The Illini defensive line should be a strength with Nurse, Buchanan, Liuget, Spence, Foster, Stables, and Ballew; the only concern here is depth. Special teams will also be a big question mark this year, with veteran kickers Dimke and Eller and punter Santella returning. Hopefully the special teams work will iron out any problems in final week of preparation. 

On a side note: I would like to congratulate #5 Mikel Leshoure for being nominated to the Doak Walker Award List.

Fan Appreciation Day is tomorrow, Saturday August 28 2010 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Show your support and meet your new Fighting Illini football team.  Hope to see you all there. Only 8 days remain until kickoff. 

Prep picks week #1: South Piatt Wildcats, Tuscola Warriors, Monticello Sages, STM Sabers, Unity Rockets, GCMS Falcons, SJO Spartans, SF Storm, and Centennial Chargers. Best of luck this season.

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