Indiana football opponent preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

Indiana football and Illinois are facing off for the first time since November 11, 2017, where the Hoosiers took down the Fighting Illini in Champaign, 24-14. The last time IU and Illinois played each other at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, was in November 2013, and the Hoosiers poured it on with a 52-35 thanks to two 60+ yard touchdown runs by former Hoosiers RB, Tevin Coleman.

Opening week is right around the corner as we open up our Indiana football opponent previews:

• Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini
• Date/Time: Friday, September 2nd at 8:00pm E.T.
• TV: Fox Sports 1
• Location: Memorial Stadium – Bloomington, Indiana
• All-time Head-to-Head Record: 24-45-2 (.352)

Offensive Key Player(s)

Chase Brown – #2 – RB

Brown rushed for 1,005 yards on 170 attempts and five touchdowns last season and becomes just the second 1,000+ yard rusher for the Illini since 2011 — Reggie Corbin in 2018 (1,085 yards). The Western Michigan transfer half-back had four games last season with 100+ rushing yards where Illinois went 4-0 (1.000) in those games. Brown is the difference-maker for the team and can bring the attention on him if the QB and WR’s can create the big plays on the other side.

Brian Hightower – #7 – WR

Hightower has not played football since December 2020 and only played in six games total with the Fighting Illini since transferring from Miami (FL) after 2019. In his six games with Illinois, Hightower had 11 receptions for 209 yards (19.0 yards per reception) and brought in three touchdown grabs. The IMG Academy wide out could have a breakout season for the Illini and give the Hoosiers’ secondary a tough time with his speed and length.

Defensive Key Player(s)

Tarique Barnes – #8 – LB

In his first full season with the Illini, the redshirt sophomore ranked second on the team in total tackles (80), first in assisted tackles (36), and fourth in tackles for loss (6.0). Barnes, now a redshirt junior, had three games with 10+ total tackles and most believe should be on the second or third team All-Big Ten defensive team by the end of the season.

Calvin Hart Jr. – #5 – LB

Last season, Calvin Hart Jr. appeared in just one game before going down for the season, and what a game that was. In his first game for the Illini, Hart Jr. recorded six tackles, one sack, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown and, in turn, was awarded the Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

It seems as though Hart Jr. is poised to be one of the breakout players for Illinois and in the Big Ten overall, especially if last season’s week 1 performance was telling of anything in the future. A healthy Hart Jr. adds a lot of talent and intrigue for an Illini defense that ranked 29th in all of college football last season.

Overall Outlook

Indiana football could not ask for a better opening game to rebound from its horrid 2021 season and hopefully start 1-0 and swing the momentum in the Hoosiers’ favor as they will compete against three non-conference opponents (Idaho, Western Kentucky, and Cincinnati) after week 1. Indiana football has won three straight games against the Illini for the first time since 1978 to 1980 and is looking to win four straight games against Illinois for the first time since 1967 to 1970.