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Nov. 16—Beat writer Scott Richey
previews the Illini’s matchup with Michigan State ahead of Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. Senior Day kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. (FS1, WDWS 1400-AM, WDWS 93.9-FM, WHMS 97.5-FM):Three storylines
Needed addition at left tackle
Illinois had some younger offensive lineman in the pipeline that could have filled either of the two starting tackle spots this season. But instead of rushing their development, Illini coach Bret Bielema opted for a pair of plug-and-play options out of the transfer portal in J.C. Davis and Melvin Priestly. It was a one-off in Champaign for Davis, who spent a single season at Contra Costa College (Calif.) and two at New Mexico, and has been Illinois’ most consistent performer on the offensive line. Enough so that Bielema wants to get his starting left tackle in one of the senior bowls to juice his NFL draft stock.
“As a player, his value is off the charts,” Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller said. “He’s been imperfect at times — there’s been mistakes — and rightfully so, but I think that position was an area of need. From a protection standpoint, he really has been pretty phenomenal out there in this conference against some of the defensive ends we’ve played. You really don’t have to worry about him. That’s an added bonus. There’s always things you’re not satisfied with. There’s always things you want to improve. There’s things in the run game and things with technique. That’s our job as coaches and his job to take advantage of this one year he has with us to get to the next level.”
Soaking in the moment
New this season ahead of every Illinois home game was introductions of a handful of starters and all six team captains. Pat Bryant has held down the last spot in those introductions from the opening week of the season. It’s something the senior wide…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/game-day-preview-michigan-state-154800548.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-11-16 15:48:00
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