Illinois vs. Penn State
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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Illinois offense vs. Penn State defense Illinois had hoped that QB Juice Williams wouldn't have to shoulder as much of the workload in terms of running the ball this year, but that hasn't been the case thus far. Williams has carried the ball one more time than RB Daniel Dufrene and 19 more times than he had at this point last season. Part of the reason he's had to play such a big role is the lack of ideal depth behind Dufrene. However, true freshmen RBs Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure could finally start to make some noise this week. Ford and LeShoure both have excellent size and are at their best pounding the ball between the tackles, where Illinois should have most of its success running the ball this week. The interior of the Illini offensive line is led by four-year starter C Ryan McDonald and is capable of creating seams working against Penn State DTs Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu. Nittany Lions MLB Josh Hull has struggled to get off blocks at times, and the size of 255-pound Illinois FB Rahkeem Smith will give Hull problems when the two meet in the hole. Further complicating matters for Penn State's defense is the fact that its perimeter defenders must be aware of Williams on quarterback keepers and option runs. If Dufrene, Ford and LeShoure are able to exploit the inside early, and if the Nittany Lions collapse inside, Williams is quick enough to break containment on a quarterback keeper or option and make Penn State pay. Williams completed just 13 of 25 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown and threw an interception against Louisiana-Lafayette two weeks ago. It didn't help that WRs Chris Duvalt and Jeff Cumberland dropped passes they should have caught, but Williams is clearly forcing the ball into coverage and losing the strike zone at times. None of this bodes well for the Fighting Illini in this game, because the Nittany Lions are capable of applying consistent pressure off the edge. Illinois LOT Xavier Fulton is a sound pass-blocker and should be able to hold his own against Penn State RDE Josh Gaines, but the concern is on the other side, where ROT Ryan Palmer will be out with a foot injury. True freshman Jeff Allen is expected to replace Palmer and will have his hands full trying to keep LDE Aaron Maybin, who has six sacks, out of the backfield. In addition, Nittany Lions OLB Navorro Bowman is coming off a monster game in which he recorded three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble against Temple. Look for Bowman to come off the edge at times and put Illinois in a difficult position. The Illini can keep 274-pound TE Michael Hoomanawanui in to help the tackles, but he's one of the Fighting Illini's emerging receiving threats, and keeping him in would limit Williams' options. |
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