The Trench Report: Michigan State
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 19, 2024
Illinois turned in a very good senior day performance last Saturday against Michigan State and managed to surge back into the rankings as a result. I thought it was a great, business-like game for the Illini and on second watch I thought the mature play and coaching of the Illini staff made all the difference in the game. To underscore that conclusion, I chose several highlights that proved the theme.
I'm starting on the defense this week because statistically the pass rush was the difference in the game. Illinois turned in five sacks on the day and eight tackles for loss that were the result of similar penetration by the defensive front to the successful pass rushes. I cut off the video just a bit early, but Gabe Jacas has a tight end lined up over his outside shoulder to start this play, but the tight end makes it clear that he isn't going to block and the result is Jacas ignores him entirely. He dominates right tackle Ashton Lepo with a long arm move due to a really poor pass blocking set which basically invites Jacas to take Lepo's left shoulder and run unimpeded to quarterback Aidan Chiles. That's just back coaching across the board.
